Join us on Wednesday, March 10, at 12 p.m., for our second Power Up Little Rock of 2021. Our topic will be Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Matter: Positive Impacts for Your Organization, presented by Arvest Bank. This quarterly series highlights important economic development trends, issues and developments within the region and the state.

In our workplace today, many companies have increased their focus on inclusion and diversity, recognizing their importance for the long-term success and sustainability of their organization. But identifying where and how to begin and what resources to invest in can be challenging. Do you need to hire a chief diversity officer? How do you begin an internal company dialogue?

Our panelists for this session are tackling these challenges every day within their organizations. They'll discuss the importance of understanding the nuances of diversity and inclusion, creating accountability, making strategic investments, and implementing best practices within organizations. Learn how your organization can strategically invest in efforts to advance diversity and equity while creating a culture of inclusion.

67% of job seekers want to join diverse teams
Organizations with inclusive cultures are 6X more likely to be innovative and agile
Companies with D&I practices generate up to 30% higher revenues

Meet our panelists:

Tad Bohannon
CEO, Central Arkansas Water

Tad Bohannon is the recovering-lawyer-turned-CEO of Central Arkansas Water (CAW), Arkansas’s largest public drinking water system. With almost half a million consumers, CAW serves one in six Arkansans.

With more than two decades of experience with water and wastewater utilities, Tad oversees an operating budget of more than $70 million – which he has put toward some of the largest and most visionary capital improvement projects in CAW history. These projects have fueled economic growth in the region by providing reliable access to some of the highest-quality water in the nation.

To win in the marketplace, you have to win in the workplace. Tad strives to make CAW’s service tagline – essential and exceptional – apply internally, too. By focusing on employee engagement, improving morale, production and innovation, he has created a healthy corporate culture. For many employees, CAW is the last place they’ll ever interview.

Preserving outstanding water quality, maintaining affordability, improving customer service, and updating aging infrastructure is a never-ending job that requires a strong team. Tad recently added a four-legged member to his team: the nation’s first leak detection dog. Vessel, a black lab rescue who graduated from the Arkansas Paws in Prison program, was specially trained in Central Arkansas to help CAW locate water leaks.

Prior to joining CAW, Tad represented numerous water and wastewater utilities in Arkansas. A graduate of the Oxford University Säed Business School, he also holds degrees from Hendrix College, William H. Bowen School of Law, and Washington University.

Tad loves water, but he also loves connecting with others. From Seattle to Stockholm, Tad speaks at conferences around the world and previously taught as an adjunct professor at the William H. Bowen School of Law. He lives in Little Rock with his wife, Gayle, and son, Spencer. When he’s not in the office, you can find him with a sledgehammer, demo-ing walls and ripping up carpet in fixer-uppers.

Marcy Doderer, FACHE
President and CEO, Arkansas Children's

Marcy was named president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Children's on July 15, 2013.

Under Marcy’s leadership, Arkansas Children’s transformed from one hospital into the state’s only pediatric health system, with two hospitals, a research institute, a philanthropic foundation, regional clinics and alliances, telemedicine and statewide outreach programs. She has led the organization with an unwavering focus on the core values of safety, teamwork, compassion and excellence.

As a professional and a mom, Marcy is passionate about improving child health in Arkansas. She has been bold to say “Arkansas Children’s will not stop our pursuit of improving child health until Arkansas is the safest, healthiest place to be a child.”

Prior to her role at Arkansas Children's, she served as a member of senior leadership for CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System in various capacities since 2002. Doderer became administrator for CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital in 2008 and led the effort to transform the facility into the free-standing Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Her previous leadership experience includes positions at CHRISTUS St. Joseph’s Health System and McCuistion Regional Medical Center, both in Paris, Texas, and Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Dallas, Texas.

Marcy is a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE) and active in many professional organizations. She has served on various boards and committees at the state and national level aimed at improving child health. She is the chair of the Children’s Hospital Association Board of Directors and is a member of their Education Committee and serves as a member of the Children’s Hospital Solutions for Patient Safety Board of Directors. She is also a member of the American Hospital Association’s The Changing Workforce Task Force. Within Arkansas, Marcy is a member of Fifty for the Future and sits on the board of Healthy Active Arkansas.

She obtained her BS in Finance from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, and MA in Hospital and Health Administration from The University of Iowa.

This virtual event is free; however, registration is required to receive the webinar link.

For sponsorship information or registration issues, please contact Stacy Wilson at 501.377.6004 or swilson@littlerockchamber.com.

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