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Seattle
United States

(425) 280-1968

AAF Seattle is the Western Washington chapter of the American Advertising Federation, serving Seattle's creative community through events, education and advocacy.

DEI: Dead or Alive? — Progress, Pitfalls & What Comes Next

Events Calendar

Agency people may be a lot of fun but they're also professional. So are our regular events, ranging from panels of our industry’s best discussing hot topics to casual after-hours mixers where we basically goof off while we network.

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DEI: Dead or Alive? — Progress, Pitfalls & What Comes Next

  • DNA&STONE 900 E Pine Street Seattle, WA, 98101 United States (map)

This September, the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Seattle and DNA&STONE invite our industry peers, partners, and community to an evening of reflection, dialogue, and forward-thinking action.

It’s been five years since the murder of George Floyd and the wave of DEI commitments that followed. From public pledges to internal programs, the advertising, branding, and marketing industries responded with urgency.

But what has actually changed? Since then, the political and cultural climate has shifted dramatically. A growing backlash - legal, political, and social - has led many companies to pull back on their commitments, restructure programs, or remove DEI language altogether. What was once viewed as an imperative is now being reexamined, reframed, or quietly deprioritized in many organizations.

So where do we stand today? This event will begin with a grounded, data-informed update on the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our industry. We'll examine what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how broader societal dynamics are shaping the future of DEI in real time. Following this overview, we’ll host a provocative and honest panel conversation featuring industry voices who will speak candidly about what meaningful DEI looks like now.

The discussion will explore:

  • Where do we go from here as an industry?

  • How to drive impact without being performative.

  • Practical, positive actions that matter—beyond PR moments.

This gathering is not just a check-in - it’s a call to reimagine how we build inclusive, equitable workplaces and campaigns that truly reflect the world around us.

Join us for insights, inspiration, and real talk - because the conversation isn’t over, and the work is far from done.

This event is free to attend for current AAF Seattle Members. A $15 ticket donation is requested for non-members.

Thank you to DNA&STONE for hosting us in their space. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Speakers:

  • State of the industry on DEI - Alan Brown

Panel Moderator

  • Stephanie Peirolo - Founder of UpperHand

Panelists

  • Doug Stanley-Hunt - Founder of Catalysis

  • Jesse Rhodes Jr. - Head of Risk and Internal Controls at Amazon

  • Melissa Herron - Sr Director Global Integrated Campaigns at Salesforce

  • Michael Huang - Founder of Milli

  • Valentina Gomez Bravo - Executive Creative Director at University of Washington | Founder at Bunker+58 | AAF Seattle President

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About Us:

🎉 AAF Seattle is Western Washington's chapter of the American Advertising Federation, serving the area's creative, marketing, communications, and advertising industry since 1909. https://www.aafseattle.com/

🚀 DNA&STONE - The creative agency that doesn’t flinch for brands that go there. 2025 Ad Age Small Agency of the Year. https://www.dnaandstone.com/

About AAF National: The American Advertising Federation protects and promotes the well-being of advertising. We accomplish this through a unique, nationally coordinated grassroots network of advertisers, agencies, media companies, local advertising clubs and college chapters. We have more than 60 corporate members from the nation's leading advertisers, agencies and media companies including Google, LinkedIn, TikTok, Meta, and many more partnering with the AAF.

​Questions? Contact us! 💌 events@aafseattle.com ​

By registering for this event, you agree to receive emails and may opt out at any time. This event may be photographed and/or filmed. The owners of this event reserve the right to use photos and video from the event for marketing and communications purposes. By attending the event, you consent to the use of your image for these purposes.

Space is limited - reserve your spot today!

Earlier Event: September 6
Board of Directors Retreat