CULTURE IMPACT LAB

The equity-centered conference for work culture and change leaders

MAY 14-15, 2025 I CHICAGO, IL

A Call for Culture® Experience & Community of Practice.

Answer the call to reimagine the role of work in societal change

The Culture Impact Lab is a beacon of empowerment, a crucible for mobilizing our collective strength to build a better world through community leadership and culture building. It is designed to unite and be a refuge for social impact leaders (industry and sector agnostic) called to reimagine the role of work in society - advancing collective liberation, connecting to our shared humanity, and progressing a more equitable and just future for all.

 

Culture Impact Lab 2024 Re-cap Video (May 2024)

YOUR 2025 IMPACT SPEAKER LINE-UP

  • Jasmine Williams-Jacobs (they/she/he)

    Founder & Director at Black Remote She

  • Qasim Rashid, Esq

    Human Rights Lawyer

  • Ramona Robles (she/her/ella)

    CEO, Ramona Robles Consulting

  • Theon Hill (he/him)

    Associate Director of Communications at Wheaton College, The Aspen Institute Civil Society Fellow

  • June "Jumakae" Kaewsith (she/her)

    Your Story Medicine, Wellness Consultant and Life Doula

  • Anthony Sartori (he/him)

    Evolving Minds, Executive Director & Founder

  • Ari Honarvar (she/her)

    Author, Refugee Advocate, & Founder of Rumi with a View

  • Angela R. Howard (she/her)

    CEO & Founder, Call for Culture

  • Brandon Z. Hoff (he/him)

    Capacity Building Consultant & Force Multiplier Specializing in Better Systems, Smarter Capital, and Sustainable Growth

  • Lola Adeyemo (she/her)

    Founder, Immigrants in Corporate

  • Michel Fabode (she/her)

    Founder of The Culture Design Lab & Author of CULTŪRA: A Guidebook for Founders Building Diverse Teams

  • Sheila Xu (she/her)

    Director of Development at AstroAccess & SciAccess, Inc.

  • Raymond Achille (he/him)

    CEO, Balance Period I Operations Lead at Call for Culture

  • Zoe Branch

    Event Poet at Ars Poetica

  • General Admission: $1,500

    Includes 2-day all access pass to the Culture Impact Lab. Cost also includes meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks, and light bites if attending our post day 1 hang) and a free membership to our growing online community so you can take your learnings beyond the conference ($495/year value). 5% of proceeds go to our selected social impact causes run by women and in support of historically excluded communities in the Chicagoland area.

    REGISTER

  • Get Funding

    To ensure that the Lab remains accessible, we have funding and tuition assistance available via our Culture Impact Lab Tuition Grant Program. We hope to award discounted and full funded seats to people that identify with the following categories: Non-Profit or Community Leadership, Startups or Entrepreneurs in Accelerator Programs, B-Corps Current Students, and Professionals Lacking Organizational Support.

    Apply

  • Sponsors & Partners

    Showcase your organization’s commitment and dedication to social impact and thriving workplaces. By partnering with Call for Culture and the Culture Impact Lab, you’re not only contributing to societal good, but also reaping strategic benefits that can support your overall business and ethical commitments. Sponsor or partner (through our different tiers of sponsorship) with us on our annual event or multi-city roadshows kicking off in 2025!

    SPONSOR

  • Fund a Changemaker

     To ensure that the Lab and community remains accessible, we have funding and tuition assistance available via our Culture Impact Lab Tuition Grant Program. Your support helps fund discounted and full funded seats to people that identify with the following categories: Non-Profit or Community Leadership, Startups or Entrepreneurs in Accelerator Programs, B-Corps Current Students, and Professionals Lacking Organizational Support.

    SUPPORT

Not sure you’d like to join just yet? Join our email list!

THE TRADITIONAL CULTURE CONFERENCE MODEL HAS COME TO ACCEPT THE STATUS QUO.

WE’RE CHANGING THAT.

“You deserve to be in spaces and relationships that bring you joy, uplift your spirit, and support your growth. You are worthy of loving, nourishing, and authentic connections. Before you settle for anything less, remind yourself that the places you visit and the people you journey with through life should leave you feeling emotionally well, cared for, and enough”

— Alex Elle

WHY ATTEND?

  • A Refuge for Changemakers

    A dedicated space and community designed to support and nurture individuals committed to advancing collective liberation, connecting to our shared humanity, and progressing a more equitable and just future for all.

  • Concrete Action & Strategies

    Participants spend time before attending the Culture Impact Lab developing a Lab Challenge statement. This is used to set intention for practical action that ultimately leads to meaningful and lasting change within their communities and spheres of influence.

  • Diverse Speakers & Participants

    Mind-sharing opportunities across disciplines and lived experiences to gain wider and deeper perspectives. Speakers are an active part of the Culture Impact Lab Community solving their own challenges alongside you.

  • Unmatched Energy and Community

    The Culture Impact Lab is a real-life role model of what we want to emulate in organizations — entities that can create powerful change in their communities and beyond. The Culture Impact Lab empowers changemakers with an inclusive, vibrant, and supportive community that begins the minute you register and continues long after the event.

  • Timely & Relevant

    As society evolves, so do the experiences, expectations, and behaviors reflected in our workplaces. The next generation is expecting something different, while previous generations are running back to a status quo that won’t exist in the future. We lean into this push and pull tension - discussing bold and timely topics that intersect social impact and workplace culture so we can contribute to societal progress versus reacting and detracting from it.

  • Action Learning

    Access to learning, tools, and experimentation that cuts through the status quo. Everything from a community-centered venue that offers inspiring immersions to revitalizing sessions and workshops aimed at human-centered learning - not presentations.

  • Thoughtful and Soulful Details

    The Culture Impact Lab is curated with changemakers and purpose-driven leaders in mind. Curating a space that creates authentic human connections, emotive expression, and anticipates needs is a differentiator of this gathering and community. We pour into you so you can pour into others <3

“I am just filled with joy knowing that there are people who truly value people in such a diverse array of workspaces. The convening was an experiential and educational space filled with probing questions about workplace culture, our duty to each other, and a call to action to imagine more! By being in the space, you could tell that everyone there was truly committed to doing the work of championing DEI..”

— Eva Maria Lewis, Founder of Free Root Operation

TRANSFORM YOUR WORKPLACE

AND POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY

WHAT TO EXPECT

90 Days Before You Go:

Develop Your Lab Challenge Statement

The Culture Impact Lab is an actionable space, and participants take time before joining attending developing a Lab Challenge Statement that aligns with the theme of the event. This is used to set intention for practical action that ultimately leads to meaningful and lasting change within your communities and spheres of influence.

EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS LAB CHALLENGE STATEMENTS

AGENDA OVERVIEW DRAFT (DAY 1 - MAY 14)

  • There are several options for transportation to the venue.

    You may opt to be placed in a curated walking group, for extra time to connect with other attendees.

    Of course, you are also welcome to rideshare, take public transportation, or walk solo.

  • Angela R Howard, CEO Call for Culture

    Angela, founder of Call for Culture, will set the tone for the next two days, and bring a sense of focus and action around the 2 days.

    Together, we’ll take a moment to pause, ground, and connect back with your body.

    We’ll set in intention, giving us the ability to move from intent to action. This moment of transition and grounding will help you be fully present and committed.

    Facilitator:Raymond Achille, CEO at Balance Period

  • Gather in groups of 3 with your Lab Challenge Statement. Each person will get 5-10 minutes on the hot seat to share their lab challenge statement with 5-10 minutes of feedback.

    The goal for this round is to get initial feedback on our Lab Challenge statement and refine it based on context shared as a part of the pulse. Participants will share their individual lab challenge statements on a flip chart to display and edit throughout the day.

  • Spend time taking a nourishing brain space break or taking time to connect with others and apply what you’ve learned.

  • Topic: “Your Story Medicine “Envisioning Ourselves as Future Ancestors: The Stories We’ll Tell”

  • Break for lunch, rest, and reflection

  • Participants have the opportunity to site with Zoe Brand and her 1931 Remington Noiseless typewriter to create personalized poems off of a word, intention, or story. Zoe calls these “receipts of human connection” and will provide participants with an emotive experience that allows them to re-connect and re-align to themselves, their values, and their zone of genius around this work.

  • Gather in groups of 3 with your Lab Challenge Statement. Each person will get 10 minutes on the hot seat to share their origin story. Share a story, moment, or an experience that changed the way you view the world. Think about your Lab Challenge statement and what you are uniquely equipped for to impact or change. The goal for this section is to narrow in on what is within your control, sustainable, and within your zone of genius. What is the future story you will tell?

  • Topic: “The Kids Don’t Want to Work: The Generational Shifts Revolutionizing Work Culture”

  • Panel Focus: From Binaries to Bridges: Embracing Duality in Leadership

    The purpose of this closing session is to capture the Braintrust of the participants and bring the expertise of the room on stage for a consolidated opportunity for participants to share their learning and how they are closing the day thinking about action around their lab challenge statement. Moderator will lean on themes from the speakers and what they are hearing in the lab experience break outs to guide the discussion.  

  • Light bites, drinks, and vibes to end the day.

AGENDA OVERVIEW DRAFT (DAY 2 - MAY 15)

  • There are several options for transportation to the venue.

    You may opt to be placed in a curated walking group, for extra time to connect with other attendees.

    Of course, you are also welcome to rideshare, take public transportation, or walk solo.

  • Facilitator:Raymond Achille, CEO at Balance Period

  • Gather in groups of 3 with your Lab Challenge Statement. Each person will get 5-10 minutes on the hot seat Think about personas (your allies and your skeptics) that are at tug of war around change re: your challenge statement. How might you personalize an invitation to each of these groups to drive progress and/or find common ground?

  • Topic: Reinforcing psychological safety, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

  • Topic: Creating Connected Cultures: A Model for Workplace Mental Health and Well-being

  • Spend time taking a nourishing brain space break or taking time to connect with others and apply what you’ve learned.

  • Topic: Designing Responsive Cultures for the Future of Work: A Blueprint for 21st Century Social Enterprise Leaders

  • TBD

  • Topic: Reimagining Work Through Collectivism, Community, and Technology

  • TBD

  • Topic: “Reimagining Work Through Collectivism, Community, and Technology”

  • Item description

  • Topic: “Rethinking Community through Intersectionality”

  • The purpose of this closing session is to capture the Braintrust of the participants and bring the expertise of the room on stage for a consolidated opportunity for participants to share their learning and how they are closing the day thinking about action around their lab challenge statement. Moderator will lean on themes from the speakers and what they are hearing in the lab experience break outs to guide the discussion.  

  • Collective last word and engage in a poem that they want to pass onto someone else. Perhaps it's an ally or co-conspirator, or someone who they need to engage in the work with them, or perhaps it's geared toward a population they are serving? Leave with a love letter to your mission.

90 Days After the Lab:

Join the Call for Culture Community of Practice for Learning Beyond the Lab

Attendees of the Culture Impact Lab get free access to our online Call for Culture Community of Practice. The Call for Culture Community of Practice is a beacon of empowerment, a crucible for mobilizing our collective strength to build a better world and better world of work through community leadership and culture building. It is designed to unite and be a refuge for social impact leaders (industry and sector agnostic) called to reimagine the role of work in society - advancing collective liberation, connecting to our shared humanity, and progressing a more equitable and just future for all. Joining our community means leading change with community while connecting and growing our impact.

PAST SPEAKERS

  • Theon Hill

    Associate Director of Communications at Wheaton College, The Aspen Institute Civil Sociey Fellow

  • Kim Clark

    Co-Author of “The Conscious Communicator: The Fine Art of Not Saying Stupid Sh*t

  • Jasmine Bellamy

    Head Merchant & Culture Transformer, Sports Illustrated 100 Influential Black Women in Sports

  • Melissa Villanueva

    CEO, Brewpoint Coffee

  • Ben Frank

    Chief Wellness Officer at NAMI Chicago

  • Paul E. Wolfe

    Human First Leadership Advocate and Former CHRO at Indeed

  • Gary Ware

    Founder, Breakthrough Play

  • Aparna Rae

    Speaker and Author. Advisor, Moving Beyond

  • Bhavik Shah

    Culture Change Leader. Mental Health/DEB Keynote Speaker and Facilitator

  • Samantha Stilwell

    Cultural Anthropologist and Founder of CultureDynamiq

  • Adamo Gumowski

    Architect and Founder of STUTTIO

  • Payal Beri

    CEO and Founder of RK Empathy

  • Nina Nesdoly

    Neuroscientist and Stress Expert

  • Alex Draper

    CEO, DX Learning and Author of The CARE Equation: The Four Leadership Habits of High-Performing Teams

  • Chris Powell

    CEO, Talmetrix

  • Ray Achille

    CEO, Balance Period

  • Aaron Delgaty, PhD

    Anthropologist of Work and Resilience. Practice Leader at the Starr Conspiracy.

  • Brad Kewalramani

    Founder/Managing Director at Culture Mindful

  • Rob Hadley

    Founder at Tekano Strategy and Analytics

  • Dr. Rachael Mahmood

    2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and Educator

  • Kai Stowers

    LGBTQ and Organizational Effectiveness Consultant

  • Geoffrey M. Roche

    Director of Workforce Development at Siemens Healthineers

  • Dr. Donte Vaughn, DM, MSM

    Founder and President at Light Point Advisors

  • Laura Louise Green

    Founder, Healthy Pour

  • Angela R. Howard

    CEO & Founder, Call for Culture

  • Benjamin Tanen

    Director of Coffee at Brewpoint Coffee

OUR COMMITMENT TO SPEAKER EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:

EQUITY: We believe that speakers contributing to a paid event deserve to be compensated for sharing their expertise and unique experiences. We aim to be role models in providing pay transparency as a part of our gathering to challenge the traditional conference model that often lacks equity and transparency around how and if speakers are compensated. We hope that other conferences and events follow suite to this important conversation so that participants can make an informed purchase and investment that aligns with their values. Our speakers are compensated for their time and contributions to the Culture Impact Lab, with a stipend of $2,000 for local speakers and $2,500 for traveling speakers. Additionally, speakers have the option to donate their honorarium (or a portion of it) to sponsor an attendee if they wish.

DIVERSITY: We actively seek a diverse range of speakers to broaden perspectives and enrich the dialogue. Our focus is on providing a platform for underrepresented voices, addressing historical imbalances that have created inequities in who gets to share their ideas on stage. By doing so, we create opportunities for our speakers and benefit our participants through their knowledge and perspectives. 

INCLUSION: We work hard to ensure that our speaker community is an active part of the Culture Impact Lab community. We aim to provide clarity and support to speakers leading up to the event, hold speaker community calls, and create a supportive experience while people are onsite to ensure they are given the tools and resources to shine! All speakers are asked to join the entire 2-day event to immerse themselves with the community and contribute to their own learning and development. Many of our speakers end up being hired by other participants due to closeness our community creates!

“The event was an enriching experience that left me feeling grounded, seen and heard, and energized to make a difference. The event highlighted the importance of fostering a positive organizational culture but as a marketing leader, it also underscored how integral keeping pace with the world is essential to effective branding.”

— Krista Drager, Marketing Director at MPE, Inc.

OUR IMPACT

 5% of our proceeds and a portion from our sponsorship funding goes towards social impact recipients - all of which are run by women and are in support of historically marginalized communities in the Chicagoland area. So far, we have donated $1,500 to 3 social impact recipients and hope to grow our impact overtime.

“A fulfilling two-day experience at the Culture Impact Lab has left me feeling invigorated. It's a privilege to be a part of an organization that values culture and to play a leading role in our efforts to develop people and create space. The conference was a refreshing change of pace, offering a chance to engage with smart and passionate individuals from diverse industries and contexts who share a deep interest in culture.”

— LaShatá Grayson, Director of Leadership and DEI Initiatives at Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity