DEI Demolished – The Future Workplace without DEI
Hosted by
COLERA
Program
We’re hosting a lunch-and-learn panel conversation exploring what led to the dismantling of traditional DEI efforts in the workplace—and what organizations are building in their place amid the nationwide rollback of DEI programs. This session isn’t about debating politics; it’s about understanding the legal, cultural, and organizational realities employers now face, and how employers can move forward thoughtfully, compliantly, and effectively.
The first ten minutes will ground the conversation in what brought us to this moment. From there, the discussion will be driven by participant questions and a forward-looking dialogue on what the future of work looks like without formal DEI frameworks.
The conversation will cover:
• What is driving the dismantling of traditional DEI approaches
• What is replacing DEI in organizations—quietly or explicitly
• How employers can still advance inclusion, engagement, and equity without DEI labels
• Practical leadership strategies for cultivating high-trust, high-performance, human-centered workplaces
• Predictions for how workplace culture, legal expectations, and talent markets will evolve in the coming years
We’re bringing together two leaders with firsthand perspectives on this moment: a labor and employment attorney who advises employers on risk, compliance, and workforce strategy, and a senior public-sector leader who previously led DEI efforts and now oversees county-wide strategic initiatives. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions and real-world scenarios for an open, candid conversation about what comes next.
Speakers
Anne Duprey
Anne (“Annee”) focuses her practice on the representation of employers in a broad spectrum of labor and employment matters, including employment litigation, traditional labor work, and advising employers on day-to-day personnel issues. Annee regularly assists clients with litigation and advice regarding discrimination and harassment issues, navigating tricky FMLA and ADA issues, and wage and hour compliance. In addition, Annee frequently assists employers with addressing employee privacy issues and protecting company confidential information through non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements. Annee has represented a wide variety of small, mid-size, and large employers, across many industries, as well as, several Ohio municipalities.
Annee is a regular speaker on labor and employment trends, discrimination and harassment issues, and best employment practices. She also provides ongoing education and training to many clients, which allows employers and their staff to identify and address human resources concerns with confidence.
Outside of the office, Annee enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughters. Annee is the Past-President of the Human Resources of Central Ohio, a member of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Development Board, and the Secretary of the Schwachman Diamond Syndrome Alliance and enjoys volunteering in the community.
Damika Withers
Damika Withers serves as Deputy County Administrator at the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
In this role, she leads the County’s strategic initiatives across Economic Engagement & Community Development, Community Partnerships, Boards and Commissions, Purchasing, and Fleet Management – working to advance organizational excellence and equitable service delivery.
Previously, she served as the Chief Economic Equity and Inclusion Officer in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where she led efforts to advance equitable economic opportunities and promote inclusive policies. She has also served as the Assistant Director of Support Services at the Franklin County Office on Aging, overseeing Adult Protective Services and the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
Throughout her career, Deputy Administrator Withers has played a key role in advancing health and human services initiatives, enhancing program policies and service delivery through a racial equity lens. With 24 years of public service experience, Ms. Withers has worked extensively with vulnerable populations across health and human services and criminal justice. She has facilitated cognitive-behavioral peer groups for incarcerated individuals at the Franklin County Community-Based Correctional Facility. Earlier in her career, she served as a case manager for public assistance programs in four Ohio counties—Geauga, Mahoning, Cuyahoga, and Franklin—before advancing into leadership roles at the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services (FCDJFS). In those roles, she led teams through change, fostered internal and external collaboration, and worked to address barriers caused by social determinants of health.
Ms. Withers serves on the board of Impact Community Action and American Association of Service Coordinators (AASC) and is an active member of several national organizations, including the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) Equity and Governance Taskforce. She is also a cohort participant in the International City/County Managers Association’s (ICMA) Equity Officers program. Ms. Withers is currently a fellow in the African American Leadership Academy (AALA).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Case Management from Kent State University and a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University. Her contributions have been widely recognized—she was named FCDJFS Employee of the Year in 2015, featured in the 16th Edition of Who’s Who in Black Columbus County Spotlight (2019), and honored as 614 Day’s 2024 Capital Commerce Catalyst (2024) and Columbus Business First’s 2025 Diversity Champion.
Beyond her professional work, Ms. Withers is a contracted contributing writer for LifeWay Resources and a dedicated community servant. She is a proud wife to her husband Rocci and mother to their two children, Cameron and Kindall.
Dates and Times
March 17, 2026 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location
Lower Level Meeting Room
FOP Building
222 East Town Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Take the elevator or the back stairs down to the lower level.
FREE Parking Available
Holiday Inn Columbus Downtown-Capitol Square by IHG,
175 East Town St, Columbus, OH 43215, is providing free parking in their lot! Also, metered parking available in front, or spaces in the lot behind the building off of Chapel Street.
Cost and Registration
Lunch-Included Ticket Costs
$25 for Members, with lunch included
$30 for Non-Members, with lunch included
$15 for Students, with lunch included
Non-Meal Ticket Costs
$10 for Non-Members, without lunch
$5 for Members, without lunch
Free for Students, without lunch
Refunds will not be offered unless requested more than 5 calendar days prior to the Event date.
Attendees must register by 12 PM on the day prior to the Event date to guarantee lunch will be available to them.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.