[Free] AmChamSG Equality Taskforce - Meet the Matthew Shepard Foundation | The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore on Glue Up

Event Details

The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmChamSG) Equality Taskforce is hosting Judy and Dennis Shepard, founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

The Shepards will share their powerful story and the ongoing work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation in inspiring individuals, organizations, and communities to create a world that embraces the dignity and equality of all people. Read more at https://www.matthewshepard.org/

The discussion will be followed by a networking reception.

Please note: This event is strictly limited to AmChamSG members.

Please note the following details:

The event is held under the Chatham House Rule https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule
Images from the event may be used for AmCham Singapore's post-event information, marketing and promotional purposes.
The personal information provided to us will only be used for event registration and administration.

By registering for this event, you agree and consent to the above.

* For any enquires please contact the AmCham Programming and Events Team at pe@amcham.com.sg.

Speakers

Shoon Lim

Global Head, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates

Dennis Shepard

Board Member Emeritus at Matthew Shepard Foundation

Judy Shepard

Board Chair & President at Matthew Shepard Foundation

Shoon is the Global Head of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. She partners clients to support the development and growth of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) as a key proposition for business performance globally with deep expertise in Asia Pacific.

Based in Singapore, she has a proven track record of blending her business experience with DE&I advisory to transform organizational culture.

Previously, Shoon was the Global Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Givaudan, where she established the firm’s DE&I strategy, plans, and operating frameworks to enable strategic growth. Prior, she worked on DE&I at Shell and Microsoft – and became known as a trusted expert in this rapidly evolving and dynamic practice. She started her career in business roles at Shell, spanning operations, branding, business transformation, change management, and business planning.

She is passionate about enabling people, leaders, and organizations to realize their full potential and feels truly privileged to be in a position that allows her to tap into that passion to make a difference every day, changing the way the world is led, inclusively, equitably and diversely.

Shoon graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration (Honours) from the National University of Singapore. A single parent, she lives in Singapore with 4 adorable children who do an excellent job of feeding her curiosity, grounding her in humility, keeping her agile and helping her to grow and learn every day.

She speaks fluent English and Mandarin, and is conversant in German and Singapore Sign Language.

Dennis is the father of Matthew Shepard and has been an advocate for parents’ unconditional love for their LGBT children both during Matt’s life and, very publicly, since the hate-motivated murder in Laramie, Wyoming, which took Matt’s life at age 21. Born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Dennis earned a degree in education from the University of Wyoming before marrying Judy in 1973 and settling in Casper, Wyoming to raise their family.

An oil industry safety specialist, Dennis worked for more than 16 years in safety operations for Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, before retiring from that position in 2009. He has served on the Matthew Shepard Foundation board of directors since the organization’s inception, and currently speaks to audiences around the country, particularly to victims’ advocacy organizations and law enforcement audiences about his experiences and the importance of equal treatment of LGBT crime victims and their loved ones. He and Judy continue to live and work in Casper.

In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21-year-old son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Matthew’s death moved many thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew’s legacy. The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew during his life: social justice, diversity awareness & education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

Judy Shepard is the founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors, and served as its first executive director as well, from 1999 to 2009. In her continuing role as board president, she travels across the nation speaking to audiences about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew,” exploring the family’s journey through the prosecution of Matthew’s assailants, the ensuing media coverage, and their continuing work to advance civil rights. Originally trained as a teacher, Mrs. Shepard holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming where she later pursued some post-graduate studies. She and Dennis continue to make their home in Casper, Wyoming.

Sponsors and Partners

AmCham Member

Employees in member company and part of the membership roster

Member PriceComplimentary

Member Company

Employees in member company but not in the membership roster

Public PriceComplimentary

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[Free] AmChamSG Equality Taskforce - Meet the Matthew Shepard Foundation

Event Details