
CULTURE IMPACT LAB
The equity-centered conference for work culture and change leaders
MAY 13-14, 2026 | CHICAGO, IL
Equity In Action
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Impact Starts Here
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Redesign Work Culture
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Equity In Action • Impact Starts Here • Redesign Work Culture •
Apply for a Tuition Grant for 25%-75% off general admission pricing
This grant is designed to support individuals who may not have sufficient financial backing to attend the lab.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Past Speakers
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Qasim Rashid, Esq
Human Rights Lawyer
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Angela R. Howard
CEO & Founder, Call for Culture
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Ramona Robles
CEO, Ramona Robles Consulting
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Theon Hill
Associate Director of Communications at Wheaton College, The Aspen Institute Civil Sociey Fellow
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June "Jumakae" Kaewsith
Your Story Medicine, Wellness Consultant and Life Doula
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Jasmine Williams-Jacobs
Founder & Director at Black Remote She
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Ray Achille
CEO, Balance Period
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Ari Honarvar
Author, Refugee Advocate, & Founder of Rumi with a View
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Bhavik Shah
Culture Change Leader. Mental Health/DEB Keynote Speaker and Facilitator
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Lola Adeyemo
Founder, Immigrants in Corporate
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Michel Fabode
Founder of The Culture Design Lab & Author of CULTŪRA: A Guidebook for Founders Building Diverse Teams
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Anthony Sartori
Evolving Minds, Executive Director & Founder
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Sheila Xu
Director of Development at AstroAccess & SciAccess, Inc.
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Zoe Branch
Typewriter Poet
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Brandon Z. Hoff
Capacity Building Consultant & Force Multiplier Specializing in Better Systems, Smarter Capital, and Sustainable Growth
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Kim Clark
Co-Author of “The Conscious Communicator: The Fine Art of Not Saying Stupid Sh*t
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Jasmine Bellamy
Head Merchant & Culture Transformer, Sports Illustrated 100 Influential Black Women in Sports
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Melissa Villanueva
CEO, Brewpoint Coffee
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Ben Frank
Chief Wellness Officer at NAMI Chicago
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Paul E. Wolfe
Human First Leadership Advocate and Former CHRO at Indeed
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Gary Ware
Founder, Breakthrough Play
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Aparna Rae
Speaker and Author. Advisor, Moving Beyond
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Samantha Stilwell
Cultural Anthropologist and Founder of CultureDynamiq
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Adamo Gumowski
Architect and Founder of STUTTIO
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Payal Beri
CEO and Founder of RK Empathy
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Nina Nesdoly
Neuroscientist and Stress Expert
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Alex Draper
CEO, DX Learning and Author of The CARE Equation: The Four Leadership Habits of High-Performing Teams
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Chris Powell
CEO, Talmetrix
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Aaron Delgaty, PhD
Anthropologist of Work and Resilience. Practice Leader at the Starr Conspiracy.
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Brad Kewalramani
Founder/Managing Director at Culture Mindful
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Rob Hadley
Founder at Tekano Strategy and Analytics
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Dr. Rachael Mahmood
2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and Educator
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Kai Stowers
LGBTQ and Organizational Effectiveness Consultant
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Geoffrey M. Roche
Director of Workforce Development at Siemens Healthineers
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Dr. Donte Vaughn, DM, MSM
Founder and President at Light Point Advisors
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Laura Louise Green
Founder, Healthy Pour
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Benjamin Tanen
Director of Coffee at Brewpoint Coffee
Testimonials
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Eva Maria Lewis, Founder of Free Root Operation
“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.”
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Brad Kewalramani, Founder of Culture Mindful Solutions and 2024 Culture Impact Lab Speaker
“If you are looking to strengthen capabilities, activate creativity, and build community, around developing high-performance organizational cultures that balances and bridges organizational objectives and social responsibility, the Culture Impact Lab is the place to do just that.”
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LaShatá Grayson, Director of Leadership and DEI Initiatives at Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
“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.”
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Krista Drager, Head of Culture and Growth at CultureBot
“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.”
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Alex Draper, CEO at DX Learning
“The 2-day Culture Impact Lab was full of insights from a variety of perspectives, coupled with real time conversations that led to impactful reframes on people-first culture in modern society. I personally left inspired, motivated, and armed with tools and learning that has enabled me to not only enhance the culture of my organization, but also in every conversation I have with my clients on the subject. It has also given me a new community of like-minded people to continually connect and learn from.”
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Melissa Villanueva, CEO and Founder at Brewpoint Coffee
"The Culture Impact Lab offers a rare and vital opportunity for leaders to come together, not only to reflect on their values but to see those values in action through a community of peers. In this space, leaders learn what it means to prioritize people while balancing the demands of thriving ecosystems. The Lab is a beacon for those who may feel alone in making brave, values-driven decisions—offering the camaraderie and inspiration necessary to stand strong and lead boldly."
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Samantha Stiwell, Anthropologist & Cross-Culture Expert, CultureDynamiq
“The inaugural Call for Culture conference (Culture Impact Lab) never actually ended for me. The humans who came together into the very intentional space are people I collaborate with, seek guidance from and get inspired by still almost a year later. The conversations, lessons and connections were powerful and the ripple effect will continue for me well into the future! This isn’t a conference, it’s a movement, and I’m honoured to have been a part of it!”
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Kai Stowers, Leadership Development Consultant
“The Culture Impact Lab was transformative in ways I didn't expect. Beyond the valuable professional frameworks and insights, what struck me most was the genuine human connection fostered throughout the event. I left with not just new professional contacts but real friendships. The organizers created a beautifully balanced space that honored both intellectual growth and emotional depth, all while ensuring participants never felt overwhelmed. In a professional world that often prioritizes metrics over meaning, this gathering stood out as a true refuge for leaders seeking to reimagine work's role in creating societal change. The beautiful venue served as a perfect backdrop for the deep connections and conversations that emerged.”
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Jennifer Fowler, Employee Communications Specialist, Expedia Group
“Work makes up such a large part of our lives. Shaping that daily experience to be as meaningful and worthwhile as possible is something all leaders should be striving for. That’s exactly what the Culture Impact Lab is about — bringing together thought leaders, changemakers and community advocates to create tangible impact at work. Through live poetry, workshops, creative exercises and so much more — we were pushed to rethink what work can be if we weave in themes like social impact, equality and human-centered thinking. Everyone in the room came with something valuable, like compassion, creativity or drive to do better. The experience was so intentional — from the neurodivergent trinkets on each table to the local organizations featured. I left with a renewed sense of excitement for what I do, great connections and amazing ideas.”
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Aparna Rae, Author and Speaker
“What makes the Culture Impact Lab worth anyone's investment is the depth of conversation and relationships, and a chance to do real work together. This conference isn't just about listening to brilliant folks, it's about taking that learning in real time and applying it to your organization, your challenges, your opportunities. It's a rare opportunity to be have access to those brilliant minds supporting you, in an atmosphere without pretense.”
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Jasmin Zamora, President and Founder at Sembra
“The true force behind Culture Impact Lab are the minds of human-centric leaders who come together for a greater purpose--to create equitable workplaces that empower people to grow. Being part of this community opens the door for direct access to data, research and applicable solutions that are critical for how we engage in real culture change. The intentionality of this space curates leaders who are creatively thinking about how we can make a difference with tangible, real, and community-based solutions.”
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Kaitlin Boyer, Performance & Career Mobility Partner at Southern New Hampshire University
“Call for Culture’s Culture, Impact Lab was absolutely the most thought out, amazingly curated, action oriented and inspirational workshop/lab I've ever attended! If you are looking to be surrounded by and learn alongside immensely passionate people who are culture change champions and advocates + walk away with not only new relationships, a refreshed sense of hope, inspiration, motivation, but also an action plan – look no further, this IS the event you need to attend.”
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Paul Wolfe, Human First Leadership Advocate
"Participating in Call For Culture’s Culture Impact Lab last year was an incredible experience. What stood out to me most was how thoughtfully the community was curated—every attendee brought a unique perspective, yet we were all aligned in our shared passion for building better workplace cultures. The conversations were deep, real, and actionable. What truly set the Culture Impact Lab apart was that it wasn’t just about inspiration—it was about implementation. Everyone walked away with tangible action plans to bring back to our companies, ensuring that the insights gained translated into real change. I left feeling energized and equipped with new strategies to foster a more empathetic, human-centered workplace. If you care about workplace culture and want to be part of a community that is actively shaping the future of work, this is the place to be!"
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Bobbi J. Allen, Chief Administrative Officer at Iowa Interstate Railroad
“Angela and her team outdid themselves with the 2024 Culture Impact Lab—it was nothing short of phenomenal! The conference was packed with powerful speakers who didn’t just share their expertise but brought their stories to life in a way that truly resonated. What set this event apart was the hands-on experience—we didn’t just listen; we collaborated, problem-solved, and practiced real-world case studies alongside fellow participants. The interactive format, combined with open Q&A and shared reflections, made for an incredibly engaging and inspiring experience.
Most importantly, the lab left me empowered and ready to take action. I now have the confidence to step in and coach when missteps happen and a renewed commitment to amplifying employee voices and driving meaningful change. If you care about workplace culture, this is the event you can’t afford to miss!”
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Tanarra Schneider, CEO & Founder of Rebel 75
“If I’m honest, it’s where Rebel 75 was really born. I had just been laid off a few weeks prior. I was tired. And when you’ve been working for 30 years, crafting a career of pivots, non-traditional paths in traditional workspaces, you have to sort through the “what can I do” to get do the “what do I want to do” and then to the “what MUST I do.” That started to happen at Culture Impact Lab because there was a framework to listen, to talk, to wrestle, and to create - and then to be held accountable. If you are in the “people” space in a company (corporate, NFP, independent, etc) and want to be challenged, inspired and have the space to create intimate connections - come to Culture Impact Lab. If you’re not in the people space, but you realize that incredible organizations are only possible if your people are healthy, your culture is intentionally cultivated, and your leadership is deeply human centered - then come. Be ready to roll up your sleeves and do some work. The content is incredible. The design is purposeful. And the people are magic.”
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Ian Gibbs-Hall, Founder of Sonder Curiosity Architects
“The 2025 Culture Impact Lab was a profound inflection point in my career and general livelihood. Prior to attending, I believed I was alone. After arriving, I realized this was merely isolation. And once it was over, I celebrated being a part of something transformative. Angela Howard and the Call for Culture team make a truly remarkable space. A space where vulnerability is contagious and empowering, where ideas collide into insight, and anyone can say “I don’t know…yet” with wonder in place of shame. The Culture Impact Lab provided the necessary mix of intentionality, curiosity, structure, humor, food, art, and people to align a hall full of “strangers” toward a common goal: finding a new way to work, together. In a time where it feels like everything is falling apart, the Lab does something extraordinary. It doesn’t try to “fix” anything. Instead, it gives the invaluable opportunity to see things differently. I already can’t wait for next year!”

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 2026!
Thank you to our past sponsors

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