Hasan Rafiq

Hasan Rafiq

VP, Organizational Development, Newsela

Hasan is a distinguished workplace strategist and a dedicated practitioner in the realms of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). With an impressive background encompassing over 15 years of executive coaching, organizational development, HR transformation, and leadership development, Hasan's expertise is renowned in driving positive change within organizations through coaching senior executives on DEIB.

His unwavering commitment to innovation has led him to create transformative systems and tools that foster greater equity within workplaces. In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Hasan was honored with the prestigious 2019 DEI Innovator of the Year and DEIB Leader of the Year awards by Great Places to Work, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the field.

Throughout his career, Hasan has consistently demonstrated his ability to construct equitable systems within organizations, placing DEIB at the very core of employee engagement and development strategies. As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader Meta, he spearheaded and co–developed the Coaching for Inclusion practice which expanded quickly to enable executives to build their personal inclusion competencies to nurture a culture of belonging on their teams.

Before his tenure at Meta, Hasan cultivated his expertise through progressive roles within the HR functions at EY, gradually transitioning into global leadership positions with a focus on DEIB. Eventually, he assumed the pivotal role of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leader for the United States, where his transformative efforts impacted over 15,000 employees across 29 offices. During his earlier tenure at EY, Hasan notably launched the first Women's Professional Network in the Middle East and North Africa region, encompassing a diverse community of over 6,000 professionals from more than 200 nationalities. Additionally, he played a key role in designing and globally deploying HR Business Partner Inclusion Development Coach Training Program, effectively accelerating inclusion and mitigating biases in talent processes.

Hasan is a distinguished Professional Certified Coach. Currently, he spearheads the esteemed Coaching for Inclusion practice, catering to C-suite executives and senior leaders, and further propelling the transformative power of DEIB within organizations.

9:45 AM (PDT) - 10:30 AM (PDT)
Poker Stage

Safe Spaces, Strong Teams: Fostering Psychological Safety Workshop Part 1

Step into a transformative journey of leadership growth with our Psychological Safety Session! In this immersive experience, leaders will explore the vital role of fostering trust, openness, and vulnerability within their teams. Guided by Hasan Rafiq, participants will unlock the power of authentic communication, empathetic listening, and inclusive decision-making. By cultivating a culture of psychological safety, leaders can unleash the full potential of their teams, driving innovation, collaboration, and resilience. Join us on this empowering quest to create environments where every voice is valued, and every idea is heard. Together, let's build a future where authenticity and empathy reign supreme!

10:35 AM (PDT) - 11:20 AM (PDT)
Poker Stage

Safe Spaces, Strong Teams: Fostering Psychological Safety Workshop Part 2

Step into a transformative journey of leadership growth with our Psychological Safety Session! In this immersive experience, leaders will explore the vital role of fostering trust, openness, and vulnerability within their teams. Guided by Hasan Rafiq, participants will unlock the power of authentic communication, empathetic listening, and inclusive decision-making. By cultivating a culture of psychological safety, leaders can unleash the full potential of their teams, driving innovation, collaboration, and resilience. Join us on this empowering quest to create environments where every voice is valued, and every idea is heard. Together, let's build a future where authenticity and empathy reign supreme!