Keynote Speakers

An accomplished human resource and talent executive, Grace’s work rests on what she has identified as the four cornerstones of leadership: relationships, reputation, results, and resilience. Using these pillars, CEOs, executives, and professionals elevate their leadership and transcend their perceived limitations to achieve sustained business and personal success. Whether she’s captivating audiences or coaching one-on-one, Grace’s leadership inspires change. 

A veteran of the telecommunications industry, Grace served as SVP of Talent and the first ever VP of Talent Management and Leadership Diversity at Comcast Cable Corporation, a Fortune 30 company headquartered in Philadelphia. Among her many innovative programs, Grace implemented a management process to identify top internal leaders and developed succession planning and leadership pathways. Over 3,000 Comcast directors now participate in this process annually. 

Grace began her career in retail, as one of Price Club’s first 300 employees. At only 26 years old, Grace successfully negotiated with the Teamsters Union and also led the East Coast division of Human Resources, growing from 20 employees to nearly 4,000 under her tenure. Grace later served as VP of Human Resources for Comcast Spotlight, a two-billion-dollar division of Comcast, founded and was president of Sterling Resource Group, and later was SVP of Human Resources at Lifetime Television.  After 35 years in talent management, human resources, retail, and programming, Grace retired to launch Half The Sky Leadership for Women in 2012 and continue her practice as a keynote speaker, coach and consultant.  In 2014, Quattro Co-ed Leadership was added to GKC Group’s open enrollment program offerings. 

A strong advocate for personal and professional development opportunities, especially for women and minorities, Grace’s influence extends to her volunteer work as well. For over a dozen years, she was the national facilitator of the Betsy Magness Leadership Program, a selective nine-month, intensive leadership curriculum for senior level women in the telecommunications industry. The only woman in the industry to have held this position, Grace worked with and mentored over 600 executive woman leaders. 

A sampling of Grace’s many honors and awards include: “Wonder Woman” by Multichannel News; “Women on the Move” by CableFax’s; “Women in Power” by DiversityPlus magazine; “Mentor of the Year” by WICT Northern California Chapter; and “Lucille Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award” by WICT Philadelphia Chapter. Grace received the SmartCEO Brava Award in July 2015 recognizing her as a Top Female CEO. In 2017, she spoke at TEDxPasadenaWomen on “Making The Jump - Year of No Fear.”  

She is a certified Birkman Consultant and also trained at the prestigious Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC, considered to be one of the best leadership programs in the United States. Grace earned her master’s degree in Human Resources from American University’s Kogod School of Business and Public Affairs. Her book, The Confidence Effect, was published in January 2016. Grace resides in New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Learn more about Grace.

Cheldin Barlatt Rumer is the CEO and Executive Producer of THIS IS IT NETWORK™, a global female, minority-owned, digital streaming platform. Each day THIS IS IT NETWORK™ shares inspiring stories with a diverse community of female leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs through educational entertainment. This inclusive and engaging content consists of online video programs and lifestyle blogs hosted and written by various captivating personalities and professionals. 

Rumer uses her magnetic personality, unmatched energy, and industry expertise to promote the accomplishments and ambitions of her international guests while captivating her global audience of remarkable women. Through a layered media strategy, she intentionally caters to her community's multifaceted lives, both personally and professionally. 

Through her SCREAM YOUR DREAM™ online courses and in-person classes, she provides participants with the measurable tools and tactics needed to clarify their personal brand, share their brand stories, and generate results. 

As an immigrant from Sierra Leone, West Africa, a former Division 1 athlete, a mother of two, and adjunct professor, a personal branding expert, and an author, Rumer works diligently to encourage her audience to no longer whisper their wishes but to scream their dreams. 

Learn more about Cheldin.