National Association of Asian American Professionals

Executive Champions and Diversity & Inclusion Leaders speak on the power of ERGs. [NAAAP Video]

Don’t miss the 2018 ERG Summit at the Leadership Convention in Atlanta on Aug. 23, 2018!

Download 2018 ERG Summit PDF

If you are interested in adopting or using the NAAAP ERG program for your local/company’s ERG training, please contact us at erg@naaap.org.

WHAT IS AN ERG?

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that serve as a resource for members and organizations by promoting and facilitating a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. The focus of NAAAP’s ERG Relations program is connecting and engaging ERG leaders across companies, NAAAP chapters, business industries, and demographics to share ideas and practices while learning how to spread diversity and inclusion. The two main signature events is the National Leadership Academy’s ERG Leadership Symposium and the ERG Summit during NAAAP’s Leadership Convention.

TOP TAKE-AWAYS FROM NAAAP’S ERG PROGRAMS

How to promote and engage employees with ERGs
How to engage champions for program sustainability
Inclusion is doorway of opportunity
ERG leadership is a great avenue to personal engagement, professional growth, and community
Face-to-face communication and personal relationships are critical for member engagement and leadership cultivation
Consider the importance and impacts of ERGs within organizations and potential partnerships with them

NAAAP’S ERG PROGRAM IN THE NEWS

(Click on Forbes and Diversity Canada magazine logos)

Lisa A. Strack

Diversity Recruiter & Program Officer, VP Bank of the West and NAAAP National Director of ERG Relations

With over 15 years of HR experience, Lisa has worked for fortune 500 companies, and non-profit organizations. Taking a holistic view on processes/systems and stakeholders, she cultivates a diverse talent pool and fosters a culture of inclusion. In her current role, Lisa is a Diversity Recruiter & Program Manager, VP at Bank of the West. As a “mixed” Asian American, she joined NAAAP over 10 years ago, and now serves as the National Director of ERG Relations for NAAAP. She has B.A. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, an M.S. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Springfield College, and a PHR certification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

Farzana Nayani

Chief Strategist, Rework Work and ERG Architect & Advisor

Farzana Nayani is a nationally recognized leader in diversity & inclusion and intercultural consulting with over 15 years of experience supporting Fortune 500 companies, startups, higher education institutions, and public-sector organizations. She is a frequently requested speaker and subject matter expert on cultural awareness, employee engagement, and intergroup relations in the North American and global workplace.

A former advisor for the U.S. Small Business Administration, Farzana has been invited to the White House on several occasions to represent the voice of diverse entrepreneurs at discussions on national business initiatives and government policy. She is also a seasoned trainer on strategic leadership, inclusion, collaboration, and effective communication. Her specialties also include engaging diverse audiences in both the workforce and the marketplace, while assisting organizations in achieving their organizational objectives. Farzana’s global background in Canada, the U.S., South and Southeast Asia affords her a keen perspective on working with stakeholders from populations from around the world.

As the previous National Director of ERG Relations for NAAAP, Farzana founded NAAAP’s signature National ERG Summit and Leadership Symposium programs. She holds a Master’s Degree in Communication and Management from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa and the esteemed East-West Center. She has been featured in DiversityInc Magazine and the LA Times and is based in LA.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NAAAP Employee Resource Group (ERG) Summit – August 23, 2018

Download 2018 ERG Summit PDF

The purpose of the leadership symposium is to learn how to effectively champion the cause of ERGs within your organization through discussions around how to: gain support for your group, grow the visibility of your network, and utilize the ERG to advance professional development within your organization. Come join us for panel discussions with ERG leaders, diversity managers, and executives.

NAAAP’s annual ERG Summit is a training that catalyzes the formation and performance of Asian Employee Resource Groups and Business Resource Groups (collectively referred to as ERGs). Speakers have included Executive Champions and ERG Leaders from various industries such as Accenture, BNSF, Caesars Entertainment, Cisco, the Clorox Company, Hallmark, JCPenney, Macy’s, McDonald’s, McKesson, Northrup Grumman, Pepsi, Southwest Airlines, U.S. Tennis Association, Wal-Mart and many more.

SPEAKERS