YOU ARE REGISTERING TO ATTEND THIS MEETING VIRTUALLY
You will receive the connection information after you register.
In this powerful session, Letha Pugh shares her personal journey as a Black queer woman navigating the world of business leadership. Through her experiences, she sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of bringing one’s full identity to the workplace. She’ll also explore ways organizations can create spaces that truly support and celebrate the full spectrum of identity, not just in policy, but in practice.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify barriers that prevent employees from bringing their full identities to work and discuss strategies for overcoming them.
- Examine practical ways organizations can go beyond policy to create inclusive and affirming workplace cultures.
- Encourage reflection on individual and organizational roles in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A transplant from Omaha, Nebraska, Letha Pugh co-founded Bake Me Happy, a wholesale/retail, gluten free bakery located in Merion Village, with a second location in Dublin, Ohio, Core Cafe in Upper Arlington and Preston’s Burger, located in Clintonville, Ohio. She is active in the community with two non-profits: Service! A relief effort for hospitality workers and Black, Out and Proud, an organization that advocates, inspires, and educates the Columbus Black LGBTQ+ community. Letha is also the Chair Commissioner for the City of Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation, Secretary of Board for The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, and a board member for Freedom Equity. A graduate of the Affordable Housing Trusts’ Emerging Developers Accelerators Program first cohort, Letha is eager to make her mark in the real estate development world.
Awards/Recognitions 2019-2025:
The Shellabarger Illuminator Award
Columbus Urban League Honda Award of Excellence
Ohio Restaurant Association Rising Star Award
Women WELDing the Way Honoree
Empowered Women To Watch Awardee
Human Rights Campaign Equality Award
Reese Nader Memorial Award
The Ohio State University Diversity Business Award
Business First Woman of Influence 2024
CCDC Economic Development Project of the Year 2025
PRICE:
$20 for members
$30 for guests
SCHEDULE:
11:15–11:55 am Networking
11:55 am-12:15 pm Welcome & Announcements
12:15-1:15 pm Speaker
1:15–1:30 pm Q&A & Networking
Pending approval for:
1 SHRM Certification Credit!
1 General HRCI Credit!
HRACO is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.
The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Returned Check Fee
The return of a check (electronic or paper) issued to Human Resources Association of Central Ohio (HRACO) may result in a returned check fee of $30 or 10% of the check amount, whichever is greater. In those instances where a check is returned for non-sufficient funds, we will contact the individuals who registered for the event to secure the registration or event fee and the returned check fee. The registrant will be prevented from attending any future events in the organization until the payment and resulting fee(s) are resolved. HRACO reserves the right to recover any fees through the guidelines of the Ohio Revised Code, if necessary.
Fee amount from https://www.vericheck.com/state-allowed-nsf-fees/