SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, proudly announces Admiral Michelle J. Howard (Retired), the first female U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral, as the keynote speaker at INCLUSION 2024 this November in the Denver, Colorado metro area and virtually. Admiral Howard will explore the transformative power of representation, sharing her captivating stories and firsthand experiences.

During her distinguished 35-year career in the U.S. Navy, Admiral Howard shattered numerous barriers, becoming the first woman to achieve the rank of four-star admiral and the first woman appointed as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy's second-highest position. She also made history as the first African-American woman to reach the ranks of both three-star and four-star admiral in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and as the first African-American woman to command a Navy ship.

Admiral Howard is perhaps best known for her leadership in the 2009 counterpiracy operation that rescued civilian Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates—a mission later depicted in the film Captain Phillips. Her career, marked by groundbreaking achievements and service in critical operations such as NATO peacekeeping, Indonesia tsunami relief, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom, serves as an inspiring testament to the power of diversity and representation in leadership roles.

A dynamic and empathetic speaker, Admiral Howard will share personal stories from her trailblazing career, emphasizing the importance of diversity and representation in leadership. Her presence at INCLUSION 2024 is sure to motivate and empower attendees, offering invaluable insights into overcoming barriers and leading with integrity.

Media Registration: To cover INCLUSION 2024, press registration is required. To request press credentials, contact: press@shrm.org.

About INCLUSION 2024

INCLUSION 2024 will be offered both virtually and in person. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss how to protect, prioritize, and (em)power the workforce to create better workplaces where all employees act with civility, feel a sense of belonging, and have opportunities to thrive. To learn more, please visit: https://conferences.shrm.org/inclusion.

About SHRM

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.

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