The Forum on Workplace Inclusion is the nation’s premier workplace inclusion conference, building on a proud 35-year legacy of bringing the diversity, equity, and inclusion community together. Originally housed at the University of St. Thomas and later at Augsburg University, the Forum historically served as a vital cornerstone for the field, drawing up to 2,500 professionals to Minneapolis annually.
Under the early guidance of key leaders like Bill Wells and Steve Humrickhouse, the conference earned a reputation for excellence, hosting legendary keynote speakers ranging from Magic Johnson and Van Jones to the CEO of Medtronic.
In 2023, Augsburg University made the difficult decision to sunset the Forum. Following a two-year hiatus with no events in 2024 or 2025, Infinity Systems — a Minneapolis-based consulting firm specializing in organizational alignment and inclusive workplace cultures — stepped forward to acquire the Forum in 2024 to preserve and carry its rich legacy forward.
Under the leadership of Art Johnson (CEO of Isimetrics) and Milton Dodd (President of Infinity Systems and Executive Director of the Forum), the Forum has been revived with a sharpened, practical mandate. We have shifted the conversation away from symbolic gestures and “feel-good speeches” toward helping organizations measure the structural alignment between strategy, structure, and culture. We believe that high-performing, inclusive organizations are built on measurable behaviors, trust, and real-world data — not just slogans.
On May 27–28, 2026, the Forum officially made its highly anticipated return to Minneapolis. This “reset and rebuild” year focused on bringing together a highly committed group of leaders to navigate today’s shifting corporate and political landscape. The comeback resonated deeply with the community.
The Forum is designed to turn overwhelmed practitioners into confident strategists by providing the “strategic scaffolding” they need to operate when conditions aren’t perfect. We equip our community with proven, evidence-based frameworks tested in Fortune 500s, startups, government agencies, and nonprofits.
Practical retention metrics that connect belonging directly to business outcomes, tools to translate “culture” into hard data that leadership actually uses, and evidence-based talent systems.
ROI measurement systems that prove program value to finance departments without requiring a data science degree, alongside crucial burnout prevention and sustainability strategies.
Strategic frameworks and impact models that position Employee Resource Groups as actual business drivers rather than social committees.
Resilient business-case frameworks and strategic roadmaps that justify investments and survive corporate budget pressures or political shifts.
We are proud to carry this 35-year legacy forward — and we are just getting started.
To learn more about our parent company, Infinity Systems, and the metrics driving modern organizational alignment, visit www.isimetrics.com.