Fordham University’s 2024 Global Diversity & Inclusion Networking Banquet brought together students, faculty, employers and keynote speakers on Oct. 30 for an evening dedicated to celebrating the diverse perspectives that enrich both personal and professional lives. Hosted by Fordham’s Career Center, the banquet emphasized inclusivity, providing attendees with a platform to engage in discussions that spanned generational, cultural and professional divides.
Following the banquet, Brittany Perez, employer relations specialist at the Career Center, extended her gratitude for the strong turnout and active participation. “Your participation made this event a huge success and demonstrated our collective commitment to fostering a more inclusive community,” Perez noted in a message to attendees. “It was inspiring to see so many of you engage in meaningful discussions with employers, Fordham administration, and each other. You all took this opportunity to celebrate and learn from different generations, cultures, work ethics, and perspectives that make each of us and our community unique.”
The banquet featured keynote speakers Huyen Lam, manager of retention marketing at Paramount+, and Stephen L. Ball, dean of students at Harvard Law School. These speakers brought unique perspectives to the theme of diversity, inspiring students and attendees with their insights into the role of inclusion in their respective fields.
Among the notable attendees was Jefrey Robles, principal at Ernst & Young (EY). Robles highlighted EY’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, an example of which is through its Neuro-Diverse Centers of Excellence (NCoE), which are dedicated to recruiting and empowering neurodivergent individuals, such as those with dyslexia, ADHD and autism.
“These NCoEs are designed to hire and apply the talents of neurodivergent individuals to meet our clients’ business needs,” Robles explained, adding that these team members bring unique skills to the firm and support clients through innovative approaches and fresh perspectives.
Robles shared a personal connection to the firm’s focus on neurodiversity, mentioning his two college-age sons, both on the autism spectrum. “I want to make sure that they are given the same opportunities and enjoy the same respect as every other individual,” he said. He further shared that empathy is one of the most crucial skills for thriving in a diverse and inclusive workplace. “The most important skill is listening,” Robles said, describing empathy as “the ability to be aware of, sensitive to and understand the feelings, thoughts, experience and worldview of another person or group.” Students are encouraged to develop this skill, which he considers fundamental for creating inclusive work environments.
For many attendees, the banquet offered more than just a networking opportunity; it provided a space for meaningful connections and conversations around diversity. Miguel Strittmatter, GSB ’27, said, “I had a great time meeting new people who share similar values and enjoyed learning more about opportunities at Societe Generale. One key piece of advice I received was to keep in touch and build genuine connections as the recruiting timeline progresses.”
Reflecting on the success of this year’s banquet, Perez and the Career Center team are already looking ahead to future initiatives. By creating opportunities like the Global Diversity & Inclusion Networking Banquet, Fordham aims to foster an environment that embraces generational differences, diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds. The event highlighted Fordham’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion while equipping students with insights and tools to pursue these values in their careers.
