Diversity, Reinventing Oneself and Hispanic Heritage
Multicultural and multi-lingual, Vila, a Cuban refugee, came to the US in 1962 at the age of 8. In 1982 she was selected a White House Fellow, the premier leadership program in the US. She is the former global head of international business development at Vigoro, a $750M international agri-business company; former head of regulatory policy for the western hemisphere at Nortel Networks, a $22B telecom supplier; former Secretary & CEO of the Florida State Department of Administration; former Assistant Secretary & COO of the US Department of Agriculture. An experienced financial executive, Vila qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under SEC and NYSE Rules.
In 2013, Vila retired from her position as the first Chief Diversity Officer at the US Air Force Academy and founded Vila & Associates, a consultancy focused on helping clients develop strategies to build diverse leadership and to foster an inclusive organizational culture. Presently, she lectures around the country on leadership, organizational culture, reinventing oneself, living a life of no regrets, and diversity and inclusion.
A highly sought-after speaker, in a recent webinar Vila shared a board perspective along a thoughtful presentation by RSM professionals on digital transformation. The webinar entitled, “How Boards Can Lead Digital Transformation Efforts,” is available on the Directors & Boards website for 90 days from April 14, 2021. https://www.directorsandboards.com/webinars
In February 2021, Vila was named to the inaugural class of Herndon Directors Institute (“HDI”), “a program of The Herndon Foundation, in partnership with America’s leading corporations and organizations proactively aligned to expand minority and women board member participation.” HDI Fellows were featured in Forbes Magazine. https://www.forbes.com/sites/justcapital/2021/02/04/a-path-for-diversity-on-americas-corporate-boards/
Vila is on the Board of Directors of MessageComm, and the Latino Corporate Directors Association where she serves as Secretary and is a member of the Executive Committee. Previously, she was a Member, Board of Directors, Rural Telephone Bank, Washington DC, a Member, Advisory Board, Global Asset Management, $15 billion mutual fund of Union Bank Suisse (UBS), and a Trustee of the Southern Center for International Studies.
Three proposed topics and summary of Keynotes of 30–40 minutes followed by Q & A:
Creating an Inclusive Organizational Culture is Everyone’s Business
This presentation examines organizations as open systems including what this means for the leadership of the organization and for stakeholders including employees. The talk examines systems, processes, and talent development. Emphasis on employee engagement as a means to develop an inclusive organizational culture and minimize turnover, especially turnover of diverse employees. Questions such as how to lead an organization to ensure that the organization does not stop with recruiting a diverse workforce; but rather that employees receive intercultural competency training since inclusion does not happen by accident. It’s no longer enough to treat others as you would like to be treated. An inclusive organization treats others as THEY would like to be treated. The talk will review real-world efforts by select organizations.
Reinventing yourself: live a purposeful life of no regrets
As a political refugee who fled Cuba after the revolution, Adis Vila was raised by a single Mom with little formal education. She overcame economic hardship through hard work and persistence earning multiple degrees and at 27 was selected a White House Fellow, the premier leadership program in the United States. Her uplifting story is a story of resiliency, adaptability, and success. She has reinvented herself multiple times reaching c-level positions in government, business, higher education and the independent sector. Twice confirmed by the US Senate and once by the Florida Senate, began her career as a practicing lawyer and subsequently as a policy maker, government executive, international business executive, academic administrator, professor, professional speaker, and independent director. Through stories Vila shares her successes and failures demonstrating with energy and humility how you can reinvent yourself in order to live a life of purpose and passion. In an informative and motivational keynote address, Vila embraces change and challenges and encourages her audiences to approach life and work with energy, enthusiasm, and focus in order to live a life of no regrets.
Hispanic Heritage Celebrations
The observance recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month was established by Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 126 and Public Law 100-402. Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from 15 September – 15 October of each year. The observance is celebrated during this timeframe due to many significant events for various Hispanic communities which fall within the observance period. The President of the United States issues a Proclamation each year calling on the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) announces a theme that celebrates the contributions of Hispanics and highlights Hispanics’ contributions to our country.
For such celebrations, Vila, a Latina of Cuban ancestry, builds on the theme identified by DEOMI and delivers an informative, motivational, and inspirational talk that addresses the profound and positive influence Hispanics have had on our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. Vila uses examples of Latinos from various backgrounds including her own as a Cuban refugee to bring to life the multiethnic and multicultural customs of Latinos’ rich communities to underline the contributions of Hispanics and share their contributions to our national character.
Vila travels from Miami, Florida.
To invite Dr. Adis Vila to be part of your next conference,
please email us today or call (303) 478-6652
