Closing the Pay Gap: A Panel Discussion on Pay Equity

Career Level: Intermediate- and advanced-level career services, university relations and recruiting, and business affiliate professionals
Competency: Working with diverse populations
Fee: FREE (member); FREE (nonmember);

Summary
In today's workplace, achieving fair and equal compensation for all employees remains a critical challenge. This panel discussion will delve into the complexities of pay equity, exploring the gender pay gap, racial and ethnic pay disparities, and other factors that contribute to inequities in compensation. Panelists will share their expertise on developing cultures of pay equity among their employees and identifying strategies for navigating salary negotiations and advancement opportunities for higher education professionals and corporate employees.

Following this program, you will be able to:
- Understand the different aspects of pay equity and how it goes beyond gender;
- Identify the root causes of pay gaps and their impact on businesses and employees;
- Explore practical solutions for organizations to promote pay transparency and implement fair compensation practices; and
- Utilize tools and strategies to negotiate competitive compensation plans and advancement.
Presenters

Chantelle Wright, Executive Director for Experiential Learning, Montclair State University - University College Career Services
Chantelle K. Wright, Ed.D., serves as the executive director for Experiential Education and Career Connections. She has 15 years of experience in college career counseling, particularly with multi-ethnic and multi-generational populations. Most recently, she served as the director for the Center for Career & Professional Development at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, overseeing the career services for all students and alumni. Dr. Wright previously served as an associate director at John Jay College managing employer relations, internships and career education. Prior to her roles at John Jay, she was the career and transfer advisor at Bronx Community College and worked as an adjunct lecturer and internship coordinator at LaGuardia Community College. Dr. Wright received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morgan State University, her master’s in psychological counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her doctorate of education in leadership for organizations from the University of Dayton.

Mary Gatta, Director of Research and Public Policy, NACE
Mary Gatta, Ph.D., is the director of research and policy at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), where she leads research on the employment of the college educated, and forecasts hiring and trends in the job market; tracks starting salaries, recruiting and hiring practices, and student attitudes and outcomes; and identifies best practices and benchmarks. She has more than 20 years of teaching, research, and advocacy experience working on issues of career education and workforce development in colleges and nonprofit associations. Prior to joining NACE, Dr. Gatta served as an associate professor of sociology at City University of New York-Guttman and faculty director of the Ethnographies of Work program. In addition, she was the research director at the Rutgers University Center for Women and Work and a senior scholar at Wider Opportunities for Women in Washington D.C. She has written numerous books, articles, and policy papers on education and work. Dr. Gatta also served on NJ Governor Phil Murphy's Labor and Workforce Development Transition Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Providence College and a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from Rutgers University.

Addye Buckley-Burnell, Associate Vice President and Exec Director, University of South Florida - Tampa - Center for Career & Professional Development
Addye Buckley-Burnell is a seasoned leader in higher education, currently serving as the associate vice president/executive director for the Center for Career & Professional Development at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. With nearly 20 years of experience, she has revitalized the Center since November 2022, doubled its size and formed a dynamic team dedicated to serving USF's 50,000 students, and cultivating relationships with employers in the Tampa Bay area. Additionally, she leads USF's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), focusing on enhancing students' career readiness through expanded experiential learning opportunities. Through the expansion of meaningful experiential opportunities, she is leading initiatives that empower students to thrive in an ever-evolving professional landscape, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen field. Originally from St. Louis, she holds degrees from the University of Central Missouri, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Auburn University. Having served in pivotal career service roles at esteemed institutions such as Boston University, Auburn University, Missouri State University, and Johnson County Community College, she has consistently championed initiatives aimed at dismantling barriers and fostering an inclusive environment conducive to personal and professional growth.

Deborah Liverman, Executive Director,Career Advising & Prof. Develop, Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Career Advising and Professional Development
Deborah Liverman, Ph.D., is the executive director of career advising and professional development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Deborah sets the strategic direction for Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD), the Institute's hub, to explore and prepare for jobs, internships, fellowships, and medical or graduate school. She oversees Career Services, Distinguished Fellowships, Prehealth Advising, and Graduate Student Professional Development, which provide opportunities centered on career and professional development and success for students, postdoctoral scholars, and alumni. Through strategic collaborations, department engagement, and student input, Deborah and her team provide career and professional development exploration and success. At MIT, Deborah co-leads the Pay Equity Working Group, a team of collaborators across the university that promotes pay equity for MIT students and graduates from diverse backgrounds and experiences at the beginning and throughout their careers. The Working Group has been acknowledged for increasing resources around pay equity for college graduates.

Dawn Carter, Director, Global Talent Acquisition Programs, Uber
Dawn Carter is the global director of talent acquisition at Uber and manages the strategy and teams for the Global University Programs & Recruitment and Talent Coordination. She was the first-ever global head of university recruiting and programs at Uber in 2019 and worked to drive the strategy that would centralize and scale our programs. Carter has more than 20 years of experience in leading global university and diversity strategies with organizations like Amazon, Intuit, NetApp, Northrop Grumman, Teradyne, and Walt Disney Imagineering. She is an active leader in her craft and has held many leadership roles in both the Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges & Employers (MPACE) and National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). In both organizations she held executive leadership volunteer roles and presided as president and past president for each organization. She is currently the chair for NACE's Advocacy committee. She has also been an active leader for the last 15+ years for MESA statewide in CA and Washington. She currently sits on the MESA Board of Directors representing Uber.