Diversity & Inclusion RoundTable

Join the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce for a Diversity & Inclusion Roundtable on Monday, June 20 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Rochester Community House. Enjoy a continental breakfast along with a panel discussion emceed by Lauren Royston, featuring: 

• LaRonda Chastang, Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Trinity Health
• Lisa Friedrich, PhD, Program Director at Dutton Farm
• Robin Carter-Cooper, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Oakland County
• Trevor Thomas, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Consumers Energy

Lisa Friedrich is dedicated to a career in higher education and education of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities. As a faculty member in the classroom for nine years, developing curriculum that encompassed high academic standards and critical thinking skills was paramount. As a Director of College Writing, faculty development and departmental cohesiveness that promoted excellence in teaching was her priority.

She completed a PhD in Educational Leadership - Higher Education in June 2014. The topic of her dissertation was, "Faculty Perceptions of Students with Behaviors of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Classroom." Her position for two years as Program Coordinator for Oakland University's Peer Transition Assistance Program complemented her research as she developed and managed a peer mentorship program for OU students with ASD. The position as Research Coordinator for the OU Center for Autism focused on developing research projects, coordinating researchers with varied interests, and publishing findings. Her goals as the Founder of LJ Friedrich Consultants, LLC are to continue academic research and publishing, develop and implement faculty professional development, study and develop programs for adults with autism spectrum disorders, consult/present research and programs in the university setting, family setting, and business setting.

Currently Lisa serves adults with developmental disabilities at Dutton Farm by creating curriculum and community involvement opportunities that align with their self determined and prevocational goals.

Robin?s diverse background provides a lens of equity that intersects with multiple perspectives and identities. Her experience in cultivate welcoming, diverse, and inclusive cultures throughout all aspects of organizations and institutions have provided her with the ability to lead teams to elevate inclusiveness and implement best practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Trevor Thomas serves as Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Consumers Energy, offering electric and natural gas services to nearly 7 million Michigan residents. He also serves as Board Committee Chair for Development at the Urban League of Detroit and SE Michigan, which serves 14,000 people each month, and is Chair Emeritus for Equality Michigan Action, the state?s advocacy arm for LGBTQ people.
 
From 2007 to 2011, he directed national communications for the Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which legally represented 14,000 active-duty military discharged under ?Don't Ask, Don't Tell?. Thomas led communications and advocacy strategy for repeal of the law, along with the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and re-authorization of the Ryan White CARE Act - the largest federally funded program in the United States for people living with HIV/AIDS.
 
Thomas served both Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and later U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University?s Kellogg School of Management. He was named a national Champion of Pride for his work in equal rights by The Advocate magazine in 2020 and recently recognized by Crain?s Detroit as one of the state?s top LGBTQ business executives.