ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jon’a Joiner, CDP
Head of Global Inclusion & Belonging
Genesys

Jon’a Joiner is a seasoned communicator and strategist who knows how to adapt to change and crisis when the stakes are high. She is deeply passionate about the employee experience and creating equitable pathways to success. Her mission is to help organizations develop a resiliency mindset, strengthen culture, and create a sense of belonging.

Prior to joining Genesys Cloud Services as the head of Global Inclusion and Belonging, Jon'a started her own consultancy firm JFJ Group Consulting, and spent several years as a corporate communicator, where she led total rewards, employee engagement, and diversity & inclusion communications, launched an investor-grade global sustainability report, was a key thought leader for diversity recruitment and retention, managed business resource group councils, and partnered with HR to establish inclusive awareness and employee engagement initiatives across multiple campuses.

At JFJ Group Consulting, she helps organizations (such as Amazon, Louis Vuitton, Humana, Michigan State University, and others) develop tailor-made solutions to develop, engage and retain women and people of color. Through her experience as a communicator, Diversity & Inclusion practitioner, consultant, and speaker, Jon’a has learned that the key to sustainability, employee well-being and success is to create actionable strategies that enable professionals to do more, be more, and achieve more – and bring their best selves to work. 

Jon’a is a lifelong learner. She’s a graduate of Spelman College, Bellarmine University, and Cornell University. She’s also an Intercultural Development Inventory certified administrator and has been featured in Parents Magazine. When she’s not working or being managed by her 5-yr old tiny boss Zoe, Jon’a is thinking about her next wellness retreat getaway.

Creating a Culture of Engagement

Brian Buford
Executive Director for University Culture and Employee Success
University of Louisville

With 33 years of service to the university, Brian has dedicated his career to building a campus community where all students, faculty, and staff feel welcome, safe, and included. Key achievements under his leadership include opening a staffed LGBT Center in 2007, the first of its kind in Kentucky; earning a five-star rating on the Campus Pride index six years in a row; launching the Bayard Rustin LGBT themed housing community, the first of its kind in the south; opening a satellite LGBT Center on the Health Sciences Center campus; and leading the effort to being named the most LGBT-welcoming campus in the United States by LGBT Outfitters.

In his last assignment as Assistant Provost for Diversity, Brian guided the diversity planning process campuswide; delivered diversity training; served as founder and chair of the Bias Incident Response Team; and advised the administration on campus climate issues and concerns. He is an instructor to graduate students in the College of Education and is an associate consultant for Catapult Now. In 2016 Brian was appointed to the National Diversity Advisory Council for the American Red Cross and also established Kentucky’s first scholarship for undocumented students.

Honors and achievements include the MLK Scholars Accomplice of the Year award, 2021, Ally Award, Transwomen National, 2015; Proclamation, Louisville Metro Council, 2014; Humanitarian Award, Association of Black Students, 2013; Louisville Connector, Leadership Louisville, 2010; Outstanding Service Award, University of Louisville, 1996. In 2017 he was named the grand marshal of the Kentuckiana Pride Parade. In 2019 he was a featured panelist at an event honoring him and three other Louisville Legends in the Making.

He is the namesake of the Brian Buford Endowed LGBT Alumni Scholarship and the Brian Buford Visionary Award given at the 2018 Pride at the Museum gala.

Personal accomplishments include a thru-hike of the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail in 2007 and the 500-mile Camino de Santiago in 2012. Brian uses he/him/his pronouns.

How Well Is Your Talent?

Kristin Meschler, CCWS, CWC
Regional Director of Data Analytics
AssuredPartners

Kristin Meschler specializes in data analytics and population health strategies at AssuredPartners, the 11th largest insurance broker in the country. Kristin has twelve years of experience with AssuredPartners, having a background in corporate wellness and working with employers to improve medical plan performance and the overall health of their employees. Kristin supports AssuredPartners by leveraging the power of technology and data to create and implement cutting edge cost containment strategies, producing measurable outcomes for AssuredPartners clients.

Kristin is a graduate of Murray State University, with a Bachelors of Science. Kristin is licensed in Life and Health Insurance and has received training in all areas of population health including as a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist.

Associations
Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist (CCWS)
Certified Wellness Coach (CWC)
Member of the National Society of Health Coaches
Certified Facilitator, Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP)
Facilitator, Beat the Pack Tobacco Cessation
Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor
Mental Health First Aid Certified