To be anything but an agile change manager would be oxymoronic. I chose this career path to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being able to draw from my diverse skillset, and to apply my experience across a broad variety of industries and markets.

Sure, I’d moderated panel discussions before, mostly in asset management and change management. I was both surprised and pleased to be called upon by a global brand communications agency, to moderate a virtual panel discussion about the Black Lives Matter movement. Their goal was to advance outcomes of diversity, inclusion and equity. While I am not an expert on D&I, I saw the opportunity to frame the conversation with the industry experts around driving meaningful change at the individual and group level. I jumped into action. I’ll outline the approach I took for this event, in the hopes that it can help you to organize a meaningful panel discussion on any topic:

Planning: 2-3 weeks before the panel discussion

1. Meet with the executive sponsor to learn about the business context, the “why” behind the panel effort, its objectives, and to align expectations.
2. Meet with the D&I committee to gain perspective about the realities of the organizational culture, ask about their panelists – why exactly was each panelist chosen? Gather the committee’s feedback and input on potential questions. Be sure to draft questions ahead of this meeting. Consider the steps of behavior change as a framework for composing questions: awareness of the need to change, desire to be part of the change, knowledge of what must change, ability and skills needed to demonstrate change, reinforce desired change.
3. Collect designated panelists’ speaker bios. Meet with the designated panelists to socialize the questions that will be asked to get their initial reactions, create a sense of familiarity, that will translate onscreen as camaraderie during the panel.
4. Research the subject matter to learn about professional studies and perspectives from top thinkers in the field. Compose your panel introduction, transitions between each question, and your closing remarks.

Managing: Facilitating the conversation on the day of the event

Event Introduction: (5 minutes) – Compelling reason for this panel (why are we discussing this topic? why is it relevant now?)- Introduce panel host and panelists (why are these people best positioned to speak to the audience.

Panel Discussion (35-40 minutes)

• Q1: Why is it important to focus on Black Lives Matter at this time, versus combining minority rights causes?
• Q2: As part of an organization what does a sense of ‘belonging’ mean for you?
• Q3: How do you account for the challenges to building diverse teams?
• Q4: How do you advocate for yourself and others?
• Q5: How would you want allies to advocate for you?
• Q6: How would you reimagine a workplace where there is true equity for Black employees (what does this look like for BIPOC, and for others?)
• Q7: Call to action: what should we do or think about differently after this discussion, what is the rallying cry?

Q&A (10-15 minutes)- Event host should read questions submitted by panel attendees, allow panelists to respond.

Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks (5 minutes) – Thank panelists, panel attendees, recognize D&I (organizing) committee

Reinforcing: thank you notes, within 24-36 hours of the event

To Executive Sponsor & Committee:

Dear xxx,

Thank you so much for trusting me to moderate today’s panel. I trust that it was well received by the community. My warmest regards to the leadership team and the organizing committee: You are doing remarkable, exemplary work both in terms of scope and velocity by being intentional in fostering change that’s sure to result in a culture of xxxx.

I hope that you feel truly rewarded in seeing your vision through at xxxx. Keep up the momentum!

Best,

xxxx

To Attendees:

Hello Community,

We are/I am so moved by the incredible response to our recent panel discussion, “title of event” hosted by your name, joined by our panelists xxx, xxx, xxxxx. As a community, we created a highly engaged learning exchange and we are in awe of how powerful gathering together as a community can be. Thank you for attending, and for your contributions.

In case you missed the live event:
• Please find the recording here.
• Keep the conversation going! We’d love to hear from you on our social channels.

We are excited to continue the conversation in our upcoming events xxxxxx. This program is dedicated to advancing the goals of xxxxxx, and to helping our community to create a xxxxxxx. You may expect an invitation and related communications in the upcoming weeks.

Feel free to contact xxxxxx with any questions, comments or suggestions.

Regards,
xxxx

To panelists:

Dear xxxx,

Thank you so much for joining me in today’s panel. As you shared insights from your experience and deep expertise, I could tell that this event would be both impactful and memorable. You are doing remarkable, exemplary work both in terms of scope and velocity, as you add unique value to the field.

It’s been an absolute pleasure meeting and working with you. I wish you continued success and hope that you feel truly rewarded in seeing your visions through.

Keep up the momentum!

Best,

xxxx

I hope that this outline is helpful – I’d love to hear how you’ve customized it so your panel’s talent and expertise shine through and enlighten your audience!