FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@heyjoemedia.com
Date: September 29, 2023
‘How to Build a Successful Fair Chance Hiring Program’: Symposium Panel to Make the Case for Inclusive Practices
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Local and national experts on inclusive hiring practices and the threat that our current labor shortage poses to the economy will engage in an in-depth conversation on Thursday, October 5, at Arouet’s Fair Chance Employment Symposium, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co., at the Arizona Biltmore. The event starts at 8 a.m.
The panel discussion, “How to Build a Successful Fair Chance Hiring Program” will present the business case for Fair Chance hiring: Employing people with a conviction history can benefit big and small businesses alike in terms of talent, diversity, retention and social impact. The panel portion of the Symposium begins at 9:45 a.m.
“This panel is one of the highlights of our event this year,” said Arouet CEO Alison Rapping. “I’m looking forward to hearing the insights and experiences of the other panelists on implementing Fair Chance policies, and our audience will be just as eager.”
The panelists—Pipeline AZ Senior Director Katie Belous, Honest Jobs CEO & Founder Harley Blakeman, FWD.us VP of Criminal Justice Campaigns and 2023 Fair Chance honoree Elissa Johnson and Arouet CEO Alison Rapping—will also discuss the legal and regulatory framework for Fair Chance hiring; how to overcome barriers that may hinder inclusive hiring practices, such as stigma, bias, culture, leadership, resources and partnerships; and the critical importance of language to the success of the Fair Chance mission.
“This group of panelists will do a great job of explaining just how other businesses in that room can implement Fair Chance within their own organizations.”
Colleen Schwab of Amazon Web Services will moderate the panel and take questions from Symposium attendees, which will include business leaders, lawmakers and policymakers from all over the state and country. State legislators from both sides of the aisle—as well as state and local service agency representatives and the director of Arizona’s Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Re-Entry—are expected to participate.
“Fair Chance hiring can benefit employers by expanding their talent pool, increasing diversity and inclusion, improving retention and loyalty, and creating positive social impact,” Rapping said. “This group of panelists will do a great job of explaining just how other businesses in that room can implement Fair Chance within their own organizations.”
The Symposium keynote speaker is Stan Ball, Intel’s Vice President and Head of Legal, Trade and Government Affairs Transformation & Execution, who will sit down with Leah Farrington, a mental health advocate with lived experience in the justice system, to discuss her journey of transformation and resilience with attendees.
The Fair Chance Employment Symposium will also be the launchpad for the release of Arouet’s game-changing Employer’s Guide to Successful Fair Chance Hiring, a manual and eBook for businesses across Arizona that gives readers step-by-step guidance on the implementation of inclusive hiring practices. And, in addition to FWD.us’ Johnson, Arouet will honor these Fair Chance trailblazers:
For additional details about the Symposium, including ticket availability, see arouetempowers.org/2023fairchancesymposium/.
All media who wish to attend the Symposium or schedule interviews should email press@heyjoemedia.com.
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Arouet Foundation is a Phoenix-based 501(c)3 corporation that empowers women to take their lives back and embrace the next steps. Arouet’s innovative pre- and post-release programming educates incarcerated women about health/wellness, education/career preparation, community & family integration, and goal attainment.