If you’d like to access our exclusive member content, please log in or contact us today to learn more.
CPOC 2026 Conference: The Gathering
SPONSORS
We're so lucky to have found amazing sponsors to support us in 2026 for The Gathering.
We thank you for your continued support through sponsorship!
- The Gathering Committee




Looking to be a Sponsor?
Interested in becoming a sponsor this year?
We would love your support!
We have varying levels of sponsorship:
Sustaining (+$5,000- limit of 3) – Sustaining the organization
Elevating ($2500) – Elevating the gathering and learning circles
Accelerating ($1,500) – Accelerating the impact by enabling others to grow
Enhancing ($750) – Enhancing The Gathering experience by adding onsite experiences
Supporting ($500 or In Kind Donations)– Supporting growth and continuous learning through books and professional services
Reach out to us if you have questions or would like to become a sponsor.
CPOC 2026 Conference: The Gathering
KEY FACILITATORS
These smart and engaging facilitators have decided to dedicate their time during our conference to help lead us through interactive discussions. Check out their bios to learn a little more about them before meeting them in person in November.
About
Kimberly Brown
Founder & CEO, Brown Leadership
Kimberly Brown is a globally recognized career and leadership strategist, bestselling author, and international keynote speaker. As the founder and CEO of Brown Leadership®, a premier learning and development firm, she helps mid-career and senior professionals amplify their brands, accelerate growth, and drive performance.
Her bestselling book, Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love, has empowered thousands to take control of their careers with strategy and confidence. She also hosts the Your Next Move Podcast, where she shares actionable insights on career advancement.
A trusted expert, Kimberly’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, CNBC, NPR, and more.

About

Elfred Anthony Pinkard, Ph.D.
President, UNCF.Inc.
Elfred currently serves as President-in-Residence at UNCF, Inc. and is the former 22nd President of Wilberforce University. During his presidency, he guided the nation's oldest private HBCU through the COVID-19 pandemic, restored campus operations, strengthened institutional reputation, and led the university to removal from accreditation probation. His administration gained national attention by making Wilberforce the first college or university to forgive student debt using pandemic-related funding.
Dr. Pinkard also established transformative partnerships with institutions and organizations including Emerson College, The Ohio State University, and the Cincinnati Reds, while securing significant philanthropic support to advance the university's mission. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Johnson C. Smith University and was the inaugural Executive Director of the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building, pioneering a nationally recognized model that strengthened the sustainability and effectiveness of private HBCUs.
Dr. Pinkard earned his Doctor of Education degree in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. and also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Human Development from Harvard University. Dr. Pinkard earned his Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA.
About
Matthew S. Harrison, Ph.D.
Cox Automotive, Vice President of Talent, Learning & Organizational Effectiveness
In this role he focuses on leading the design, development and deployment of innovative ways to enhance and improve team member performance. He leads delivery in the areas of: talent & performance management, succession planning, learning & development, change management, organizational development, effectiveness & design, employee analytics, and inclusion & belonging.
Dr. Harrison also currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology at The University of Georgia. He has been recognized as one of Emory University's Distinguished 40 Under 40 Alumni and was listed as an "Influencer" by The Atlanta Tribune magazine. He has also received Diversity Leadership Awards from the National Diversity Council and the Technology Association of Georgia and was named a "Man of Influence" by the National Urban League. Dr. Harrison is a graduate of Emory University (B.A.) and The University of Georgia (M.S. & Ph.D.).

Workshops
Choose from six interactive workshops designed to deepen your skills and expand your impact.
Workshops are offered in 2-hour and 4-hour formats, with multiple sessions running concurrently. Attendees may participate in up to two 2-hour workshops or one 4-hour workshop. Workshop selections will be made after Eventbrite Workshop ticket purchase.
1-3PM (2 Hours) Dr. Gregory Pennington
Allyship: Redefining the Roles and What to Give & Get
Effective allyship can help organizations better support and engage people who may be underrepresented, undervalued, or underutilized, but putting allyship into practice can come with challenges. This interactive workshop combines research, real-world experiences, and peer discussion to explore what makes allyship effective, including common obstacles, risks, and strategies for overcoming them. Participants will work in peer coaching groups and leave with practical, actionable steps to strengthen their effectiveness as an ally and better support allyship within their organizations.
1-3PM (2 Hours) Frederica McLean (MRG Assessments)
Beyond Behavior: Uncovering the Motivations That Shape Our Choices
Discover what truly drives you with the Individual Directions Inventory™ (IDI), a research-based assessment measuring 17 core dimensions of motivation. In this interactive two-hour workshop, you’ll receive your confidential IDI results and explore how your unique motivational profile influences the way you work, lead, collaborate, and navigate change. You’ll gain practical insights to better leverage your strengths, understand sources of satisfaction and frustration, and make more intentional professional and personal choices. Attendees will also have the opportunity to receive a special discount on CPOC’s exclusive IDI Certification program.
3-5PM (2 Hours) Dr. Christina Douyon
Navigating Across Difference: Identity, Power & Difficult Conversations
This interactive two-hour workshop provides participants with the knowledge, framework, and tools to understand how identity, power, and relationships influence workplace interactions and conflict. Through facilitated discussion, reflection, and skill-building activities, participants will explore the six relational muscles that support critical dialogue, practice a practical strategy for de-escalating emotionally charged interactions, and develop greater awareness of how their identities and positions influence communication. Participants will leave with actionable tools they can immediately apply to themselves or their clients to foster trust, improve collaboration, and lead across difference with greater skill, empathy, and effectiveness.
3-5PM (2 Hours) Jeremy Hudson
AMPLIFIED: Elevate Your Voice & Expand Your Impact
AMPLIFIED is designed for aspiring leaders who are already comfortable speaking in front of others and are ready to take their voice to the next level. This isn't a public speaking 101 workshop. It's an opportunity to sharpen your message, strengthen your confidence, and begin building a platform that expands your influence and impact.
The workshop also serves as an introduction to CPOC's extended AMPLIFIED program. Following the workshop, CPOC members and participants will have the opportunity to apply for a limited number of openings in the full program.
3-5PM (2 Hours) Lisa Henry-Milano
Sustaining the Experts: Why Financial Wellness Matters for the Success of Consulting Psychologists
Uncertain times highlight the importance of strengthening both financial wellness and professional resilience. In this interactive two-hour workshop, participants will explore the connection between financial well-being, career growth, and long-term professional success. Through guided discussion and practical exercises, attendees will assess their current strengths, gaps, and priorities, identify what is within their control, and develop a personalized action plan with concrete next steps to navigate uncertainty with greater intention, confidence, and stability.
1-5PM (4 Hours) Helanah Warren
Beyond the Tools: Redesigning Work, Leadership & Value in the Age of AI
AI is already reshaping how professionals work, make decisions, and deliver value. This interactive workshop moves beyond basic AI tools and prompting to explore what is changing, what remains distinctly human, and how participants can put AI to work in their own roles. Attendees will examine key trends, identify a repetitive or time-consuming task, and build a practical AI-supported solution in real time. Designed for entrepreneurs and organizational leaders alike, participants will leave with a tangible application and clear next steps they can put into action immediately.