Growing the Circle: DE&I Forum

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Growing the Circle Event Highlights 2022 Play

About the forum

A message from Kiera Fernandez, chief diversity & inclusion officer

Headshot of Kiera FernandezCreating environments where everyone feels seen, heard and welcome to belong is at the heart of everything we do at Target. For more than 17 years, we’ve been on a journey to build and refine our diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) strategy that drives our business, shapes our culture and helps fulfill our purpose.

We know the change we aspire to spark is not the work of one leader, one team or one organization. In the spirit of continued learning and co-creating, Target convened its second annual DE&I forum, Growing the Circle. Grounded in the theme With Inclusion and Belonging at the Center, this year’s forum brought together DE&I champions from inside and outside Target, including our team members, vendors, partners and DE&I leaders from neighboring companies.

Attendees heard from DE&I leaders at all levels
— including chief diversity and inclusion officers, employee resource groups, C-suite leaders and more — on how to build inclusive leadership, create equitable work environments and realize the potential of our collective impact. We left feeling inspired, energized and challenged. But most importantly, we left ready to take on the work that still lies ahead of us.  

One of my favorite quotes is this African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” At Target, we know we are stronger together and that there is no substitute for our collective efforts. Working hand-in-hand, we can continue to grow the circle of inclusion and belonging for all.   


 


 

2022 forum agenda

July 26, 2022

Welcome remarks 

  • Brian Cornell, board chairman and CEO, Target 

  • Kiera Fernandez, senior vice president, talent & change, and chief diversity & inclusion officer, Target 
     

Leading with equity: the power of listening to drive sustained change 

  • Laysha Ward, executive vice president and chief external engagement officer, Target 

  • Michael Hyter, president and CEO, The Executive Leadership Council 
     

Leader roundtable: reflections on the current state of DE&I efforts and how to forge the path forward 

  • Greg Cunningham, senior executive vice president and chief diversity officer, U.S. Bank 

  • Tru Pettigrew, chief diversity & inclusion officer, Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx 

  • Dr. Sally Saba, chief inclusion & diversity Officer, Medtronic 

  • Kiera Fernandez, senior vice president, talent & change, and chief diversity & inclusion officer, Target 
     

Creating environments of belonging: driving impact at all levels with employee resource groups 

  • Karen Tobler, supplier diversity lead and Hispanic Latino Business Council tri-chair, Target 

  • Lynn Abrahams, associate vice president, senior security evaluator, and geographic lead for Twin Cities Black Heritage Group, U.S. Bank 

  • Will Cheng, Global Director of People Analytics and Asian Business Resource Group Leader, Cargill 

  • Becca Hagen, senior director, diversity & inclusion and team member experience & culture, Target