KEESHA M. SALTERS
Keesha M. Salters, a seasoned Senior Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Professional, is renowned for her ability to drive business success through strategic initiatives and innovative HR practices. With a wealth of experience and expertise in various HR domains, Salters has consistently excelled in key areas, including strategic vision, talent acquisition, and fostering inclusive cultures.
Salters began her career in Human Resources over 20 years ago in the financial services industry in Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management, and a Master of Arts in Psychology with a focus on Diversity Management, and is a Certified Senior Professional of Human Resources (SHRM-SCP).
Salters is currently the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Dollar Tree, where she works with leaders to ensure the culture and work environment fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion. She has a passion for creating opportunities for employees to perform at their best by making sure they are seen and heard.
DEREK CLUSE
Derek Cluse, Chief of Staff at Step Forward, a nonprofit community action agency in Cleveland, Ohio, transitioned from a corporate CPA to a successful entrepreneur and C-level executive. Cluse is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, and graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge.
After ten years at Fortune 100 companies, Derek transitioned to nonprofit work, drawn to the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community. At Step Forward, Derek uses his expertise in mentoring, system design, and leadership to help the organization achieve its goals and improve the lives of its clients
BRITTNEY HOWARD
Brittney Howard is an attorney, mediator, trainer, facilitator, and notary based in Northeast Ohio. Her mediation and training practice focuses primarily on workplace conflict and disputes, with an emphasis on leadership and individual accountability in conflict. She has extensive experience in labor contract negotiations, mediation, and arbitration. Howard has volunteered for Minds Matter Cleveland (serving as a mentor and Vice President of Student Affairs) and the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
Howard earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Cleveland State University College of Law. She has also earned certificates in Negotiation Mastery and Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School Online and was a participant in the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Civic Leadership Institute fall 2022 cohort.
NICK RIVERS
Nick Rivers is a medical device sales professional in Pittsburgh, PA for Stryker, a Fortune 300 company. For the past 5 years, he has managed Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions portfolio, which has helped contribute to multimillion-dollar cost-saving initiatives for the largest health networks in the region. Additionally, over the past 3 years, his strategies have helped Stryker contribute to UPMC diverting over 100,000 lbs of waste from local landfills.
Nick is also on the development team of Project 14, a Black-owned and operated private club designed to be a social hub and beacon for Black professionals in the city of Pittsburgh. The club will have a restaurant, business incubator, rooftop lounge, event space, and museum to celebrate the rich Black history in Pittsburgh. The club is set to open in 2024.
