Marguerite Fletcher
Promoting inclusion and building a diverse community
Marguerite Fletcher will explain the brain science behind unconscious bias, demonstrate how it manifests in our society, and lead a guided discussion of ways participants can help to promote inclusion in their own spheres of influence. Participants will leave with ideas for concrete actions they can take.
Ms. Fletcher is committed to building diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) communities in which everyone feels a sense of belonging. She began her career as a corporate lawyer in the Boston area. She participated in diversity efforts throughout her legal career and formally entered the DEI field in 2006. Through her firm, Fletcher Consulting, LLC, Ms. Fletcher performs cultural assessments and advises clients on reducing bias in their systems for hiring, assigning work, and performance evaluation. She also facilitates workshops and delivers keynotes on DEI topics. Ms. Fletcher has been a Newton resident for almost 30 years, and her two children are graduates of Cabot, Bigelow, and Newton North.
Thom Solo
A-list shoe designer: A conversation about creativity and entrepreneurship
Boston-based women’s shoe designer Thom Solo remembers being encouraged to explore his creative side even as a kindergartner at Underwood Elementary School. While attending the Museum of Fine Arts School in Boston, he developed an interest in sculpture and wearable art and began designing footwear. By 2014 he was creating custom shoes for style icons and music influencers including Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Lana Del Rey, and Carrie Underwood.
Jill Radsken
Jill Radsken is editorial director for the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She was previously a style correspondent for the Boston Globe and prior to that spent 17 years at the Boston Herald, including 14 years as a fashion editor and lifestyle reporter.
Mr. Solo in conversation with Ms. Radsken will talk about his NPS educational influences, his creative journey, his Covid-19 entrepreneurial comeback, and his work developing manufacturing capabilities and venturing into high-end retail.
