Difference Matters Annual Awards Gala 2014 Honors TOP Corporate Allies for Diversity at Club 101 in New York City

The “See What You Missed” video of the event is here. Watch, see what you missed and please share with your social media and professional networks. Thanks.

"If companies want to stay competitive in the marketplace, they are going to have to accept and support all employees regardless of their gender, orientation, race, or physical challenges. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is the only thing to do if companies want to attract the best employees, the most loyal employees, and the most productive employees."
~~ Lori Sokol, Ph.D., Founder & Publisher of Work Life Matters, Contributing Writer for The Huffington Post & Board Chair of Women’s eNews, as quoted during the 2013 Work Life Matters Gala. Photo and quote will be updated for 2014 soon so bookmark and visit frequently.

Photo above right, Lori Sokol, Ph.D., on the red carpet at Difference Matters Gala 2014gala by Gloria Buono-Daly.

Photo left of Dr. Sokol on the red carpet by Gloria Buono-Daly. Dr. Sokol is holding Teapot Poodle, Scarlet, half-sister to Pupi Dupi, star of "Pupi Dupi in the City" produced and directed by Loreen Arbus. Incidentally, the pilot aired on Fox and already won an Emmy.

Photo left of Laureen Arbus, President of The Loreen Arbus Foundation/Producer/Disability Rights Activist and first woman to head up programming for a major U.S. Television network.


Ms. Arbus is holding the adorable and talented Doggywood star Pupi Dupi, star of "Pupi Dupi in the City" produced and directed by Loreen Arbus. Incidentally, the pilot aired on Fox and already won an Emmy.


Photo below of 2014 Difference Matters Gala 2014 banner courtesy of Lori Sokol and James Grant PR.

On Thursday, October 23, 2014, corporate business leaders, VIPs, performing artists, actors, celebrities, entrepreneurs, leaders in media, TV personalities, philanthropists, activists, advocates and politicians gathered at the premiere members-only, Club 101 on Park Avenue in New York City for The 12th Annual Difference Matters (incorporating Work Life Matters) Gala Honoring Top Companies for their steadfast and pioneering commitment and support of employees in one or more of these five categories: LGBT, Disabilities, Women, People of Color, and Veterans.

Dr. Lori Sokol, Founder & Publisher, Difference MattersMagazine, host of the Gala. Panelists included Loreen Arbus, President of The Loreen Arbus Foundation, Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D., CEO of the YWCA USA, and Sam McClure, Vice President of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

Vivid logos transformed the backdrop which complimented the “rainbow” carpet as stellar attendees graced the atmosphere to share their thoughts and perspectives on the importance of diversity and to celebrate the leading 14 companies.

These leading organizations are being honored for their steadfast and pioneering commitment and support of employees in one or more of these five categories: LGBT, Disabilities, Women, People of Color, and Veterans.

A portion of the event's proceeds will be donated to Non-traditional Employment for Women (NEW).

Honored Corporations for 2014:
♦ AT&T
♦ BARCLAYS
♦ CA TECHNOLOGIES
♦ CADWALADER WICKERAHAM & TALT LLP
♦ DELTA AIRLINES
♦ DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♦ INTERPUBLIC GROUP (IPG)
♦ MERCK
♦ MONDELEZ GLOBAL LLC
♦ MORGAN STANLEY
♦ NIELSEN
♦ QUEST DIAGNOSTICS
♦ TURNER CONSTRUCTION
♦ VIACOM

Twelve 'Pioneering Women in Real Estate' were also honored in Sokol Media's special annual real estate magazine for their outstanding accomplishments in a field still dominated by men. There was also a special tribute to Mary Dietz, AIA, Design Manager at Silverstein Properties, for spearheading the development of the Retail Hub at the new World Trade Center site.

Pioneering Women in Real Estate Honorees:
♦ Carolyn BaRoss (Perkins & Will)
♦ Laura Bush (Lend Lease)
♦ Susan Clamage (Gensler)
♦ JJ Falk (JJ Falk Interior Design)
♦ Amy Frankel (IF Studio)
♦ Highlyann Krasnow (MNS)
♦ Sara Mirski (The Sapir Organization)
♦ Abbie Newman (Abigail Michaels Concierge)
♦ Ilana Schwartz (Online Marketing Group)
♦ Ellen Sinreich (Green Edge, LLC)
♦ Diana Sweeney (Energy Watch)
♦ Orah Weisberg (SRW Engineers)

*A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit organization NEW (Non-Traditional Employment for Women).



Stellar guests include:
♦ Dr. Lori Sokol, Founder & Publisher, Sokol Media Inc.
♦ Loreen Arbus, President of The Loreen Arbus Foundation/Producer/Disability Rights Activist and first woman to head up programming for a major U.S. Television network.
♦ Sam McClure, Vice President of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
♦ Liz Abzug, Founder & President, Bella Abzug Leadership Institute.
♦ Camilla Barungi, of “Project Runway” fame/entrepreneur/activist.
♦ Linda Stein, artist, author, feminist, educator, intellectual, lecturer, journalist and philanthropist.
♦ Lauren LoGiudice, Actress/Activist.”
♦ Aryn Cole,” The Sisters Plotz”, “Ugly Betty”, “All My Children.”
♦ Stacey Tisdale, Correspondent PBS “NewsHour.”
♦ Lisa Ferber, co-star of the upcoming film “The Sisters Plotz.”

NYC's 101 Park Avenue venue, known for it’s spectacular millennial dining room, is one of the most highly rated membership-based business luncheon clubs in New York City.


Photos above left, exterior Club 101and below right "Big Subway-Motif Apple" sculpture adorns the dining hall entrance by AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com.

Diversity Matters (incorporating Work Life Matters) Magazine is a national business publication that provides news and analysis about the corporate, public and social issues inherent in the quest for achieving effective work life balance on behalf of the nation’s workforce.

Published since 2002, the publication pays annual tribute to companies that serve as leaders in their respective fields by providing innovative and effective work life balance programs and policies for their employees.

About Lori Sokol:
Lori Sokol is one of the nation’s most influential writers and editors covering women’s issues, politics, business, and LGBT issues. A regular contributor to The Huffington Post and host of the Radio Show, “Work Life Matters with Dr. Lori Sokol” on 1490AM WGCH, she has written for The New York Times business blog, Slate, The Baltimore Sun, Women’s eNews, and several other publications. Sokol is a frequent guest on television, appearing on MSNBC, NY1 News, Fox News, WPIX News, and CNBC. Her book, The Agile Workplace and Workforce: The New Future of Work, was published by Working Mother Media in October, 2011.

For more information visit Difference Matters web site .

Event photos from 2013 gala on Facebook at The Difference Matters Gala 2014 Facebook Photo Album

Event photos from 2013 gala on Facebook at The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Facebook Photo Album.

Stay tuned for the "see what you missed" red carpet video. We'll keep updating to keep you informed so RSS feed this blog and visit frequently. Thanks


This article will also be updated regularly with photos and other related information. Please visit frequently and subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks.

Stay tuned for the exciting “See What You Missed” video of the event which will include special interviews from the Founder and President as well as representatives from honored companies and special guests.

Additional resources:

• Facebook photo album from Diversity Matters (Work Life Matters) 2013 event gala at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151926839046435&type=1&l=a68438d97b
• Sokol Media Online
• Lori Sokol, Ph.D., on Huffington Post
• James Grant Public Relations

See what you missed video montage from The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Gala honoring top companies for LGBT equality

“See What You Missed” video montage of Work Life Matters 11th has been revised...few minor typos corrected. Enjoy and stay tuned for “One to One with Gloria" interviews. Watch, enjoy, see what you missed, and see why you should have been there.

Below article titled "The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Gala honors top companies for LGBT Equality" appeared on the AllThingsDigitalMarketing blog October 24, 2013

"...an increasing number of companies are becoming more engaged by providing benefits, services and support for LGBT employees. This year, three of these companies are being honored for the second consecutive year, with another eleven being honored for the very first time. All of these companies are true pioneers and are very courageous to have stepped forward. But they know that by supporting all employees, everybody benefits, regardless of sexual orientation. It's all about attracting and retaining the best talent, and it is our hope that other companies will follow suit."
~~ Lori Sokol, Ph.D., Founder & Publisher of Work Life Matters, Contributing Writer for The Huffington Post & Board Chair of Women’s eNews.

Photo above right, Lori Sokol, Ph.D., by AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com.

Photo left of "Rainbow Carpet" by AllThingsDigitalmarketing.com.

Photo Collage below courtesy of Work Life Matters and James Grant PR.

On Thursday, October 24, 2013, corporate business leaders, VIPs, performing artists, actors, celebrities, entrepreneurs, leaders in media, personalities, philanthropists, activists, advocates and politicians gathered at the premiere members-only, Club 101 on Park Avenue in New York City for The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Gala Honoring Top Companies for LGBT Equality.

Rich vivid colored logos transformed the backdrop which complimented the “rainbow” carpet as stellar attendees graced the atmosphere to share their thoughts and perspectives on the importance of LGBT Equality and to celebrate the leading 14 companies being honored.

The select list of Top Companies for 2013 represents the industry leaders who have pioneered leadership for LGBT equality and have spearheaded programs, partner benefits and other initiatives for equal opportunity for all employees including disabled.

Honored Corporations for 2013 are:
♦ AVON
♦ CVS CAREMARK
♦ DECHERT LLP
♦ DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♦ ELI LILLY
♦ INTEL
♦ MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL
♦ METLIFE
♦ MICROSOFT
♦ MORGAN STANLEY
♦ NEW YORK LIFE
♦ TD BANK
♦ UNITED AIRLINES
♦ WELLSFARGO 



Stellar guests included:
♦ Tamsen Fadal, Emmy winning Anchor of PIX 11 News
♦ Chase Coleman, Star of the hit series “In Between Men"
♦ Lauren Logiudice, Actress/Writer
♦ Timothy Mandala, 30 Rock, The Ropes & All My Children
♦ Aryn Cole, The Sisters Plotz , Ugly Betty, All My Children
♦ Jennifer Gelfer, Actress, Director, Co-Executive Producer & Director of "In Between Men"
♦ Stacey Tisdale, Business Correspondent, Al Jazeera America
♦ Scott Stanford, Co-Anchor, PIX 11 News
♦ Quincy Morris, Executive Producer & Creator of "In Between Men"
♦ Wendy Diamond, Publisher of Animal Fair Media/Philanthropist/Correspondent for The Today Show
♦ Nick Mathews, Star of the hit series "In Between Men"
♦ Camilla Barungi, Model/Entrepreneur/Activist of "Project Runway" fame
♦ Javier Gomez, Noted fine art photographer/Activist
♦ Candace Johnson, Author & television personality, "Sleeping with MANHattan"
♦ Levi Wilson, Actor, "The Sisters Plotz"
♦ Lisa Ferber, Artist, Actress, Creator and Screenwriter, The Sisters Plotz
♦ Josh Folan, "What Would Bears Do?," "All God's Creatures," "All My Children," "One Life to Live"
♦ Brice Mousset, Artistic director & founder of the acclaimed dance company OUI DANSE
♦ Lakey Wolff, Talent Agent, Cunningham Escott Slevin Doherty Talent Agency (CESD)
♦ Erik Bottcher, Assistant Deputy Director of Community Outreach New York City Council
♦ Lois Braverman, President & CEO Ackerman Institute for the Family
♦ Lisa Hammer, Filmmaker, actress, composer & singer, The Sisters Plotz

NYC's 101 Park Avenue venue, known for it’s spectacular millennial dining room, is one of the most highly rated membership-based business luncheon clubs in New York City.


Photos above left, exterior Club 101and below right "Big Subway-Motif Apple" sculpture adorns the dining hall entrance by AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com.

Work Life Matters Magazine is a national business publication that provides news and analysis about the corporate, public and social issues inherent in the quest for achieving effective work life balance on behalf of the nation’s workforce.

Published since 2002, the publication pays annual tribute to companies that serve as leaders in their respective fields by providing innovative and effective work life balance programs and policies for their employees.

For more information visit Work Life Matters web site .

Some event photos already posted on Facebook at The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Facebook Photo Album.

More to follow including videos. We'll keep updating to keep you informed so RSS feed this blog and visit frequently.


This article will also be updated regularly with photos and other related information. Please visit frequently and subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks.

Stay tuned for the exciting “See What You Missed” video of the event which will include special interviews from the Founder and President as well as representatives from honored companies and special guests.

Additional resources:

• Facebook photos https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151924387721435.1073741844.794796434&type=1&l=38848d4780 
• Sokol Media Online
• Lori Sokol, Ph.D., on Huffington Post
• James Grant Public Relations

The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Gala honors top companies for LGBT

"...an increasing number of companies are becoming more engaged by providing benefits, services and support for LGBT employees. This year, three of these companies are being honored for the second consecutive year, with another eleven being honored for the very first time. All of these companies are true pioneers and are very courageous to have stepped forward. But they know that by supporting all employees, everybody benefits, regardless of sexual orientation. It's all about attracting and retaining the best talent, and it is our hope that other companies will follow suit."
~~ Lori Sokol, Ph.D., Founder & Publisher of Work Life Matters, Contributing Writer for The Huffington Post & Board Chair of Women’s eNews.

Photo above right, Lori Sokol, Ph.D., by AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com.

Photo left of "Rainbow Carpet" by AllThingsDigitalmarketing.com.

Photo Collage below courtesy of Work Life Matters and James Grant PR.

On Thursday, October 24, 2013, corporate business leaders, VIPs, performing artists, actors, celebrities, entrepreneurs, leaders in media, personalities, philanthropists, activists, advocates and politicians gathered at the premiere members-only, Club 101 on Park Avenue in New York City for The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Gala Honoring Top Companies for LGBT Equality.

Rich vivid colored logos transformed the backdrop which complimented the “rainbow” carpet as stellar attendees graced the atmosphere to share their thoughts and perspectives on the importance of LGBT Equality and to celebrate the leading 14 companies being honored.

The select list of Top Companies for 2013 represents the industry leaders who have pioneered leadership for LGBT equality and have spearheaded programs, partner benefits and other initiatives for equal opportunity for all employees including disabled.

Honored Corporations for 2013 are:
♦ AVON
♦ CVS CAREMARK
♦ DECHERT LLP
♦ DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♦ ELI LILLY
♦ INTEL
♦ MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL
♦ METLIFE
♦ MICROSOFT
♦ MORGAN STANLEY
♦ NEW YORK LIFE
♦ TD BANK
♦ UNITED AIRLINES
♦ WELLSFARGO 



Stellar guests included:
♦ Tamsen Fadal, Emmy winning Anchor of PIX 11 News
♦ Chase Coleman, Star of the hit series “In Between Men"
♦ Lauren Logiudice, Actress/Writer
♦ Timothy Mandala, 30 Rock, The Ropes & All My Children
♦ Aryn Cole, The Sisters Plotz , Ugly Betty, All My Children
♦ Jennifer Gelfer, Actress, Director, Co-Executive Producer & Director of "In Between Men"
♦ Stacey Tisdale, Business Correspondent, Al Jazeera America
♦ Scott Stanford, Co-Anchor, PIX 11 News
♦ Quincy Morris, Executive Producer & Creator of "In Between Men"
♦ Wendy Diamond, Publisher of Animal Fair Media/Philanthropist/Correspondent for The Today Show
♦ Nick Mathews, Star of the hit series "In Between Men"
♦ Camilla Barungi, Model/Entrepreneur/Activist of "Project Runway" fame
♦ Javier Gomez, Noted fine art photographer/Activist
♦ Candace Johnson, Author & television personality, "Sleeping with MANHattan"
♦ Levi Wilson, Actor, "The Sisters Plotz"
♦ Lisa Ferber, Playwright, visual artist, screenwriter, story writer, lyricist & Creator of The Sisters Plotz
♦ Josh Folan, "What Would Bears Do?," "All God's Creatures," "All My Children," "One Life to Live"
♦ Brice Mousset, Artistic director & founder of the acclaimed dance company OUI DANSE
♦ Lakey Wolff, Talent Agent, Cunningham Escott Slevin Doherty Talent Agency (CESD)
♦ Erik Bottcher, Assistant Deputy Director of Community Outreach New York City Council
♦ Lois Braverman, President & CEO Ackerman Institute for the Family
♦ Lisa Hammer, Filmmaker, actress, composer & singer, The Sister Plotz

NYC's 101 Park Avenue venue, known for it’s spectacular millennial dining room, is one of the most highly rated membership-based business luncheon clubs in New York City.


Photos above left, exterior Club 101and below right "Big Subway-Motif Apple" sculpture adorns the dining hall entrance by AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com.

Work Life Matters Magazine is a national business publication that provides news and analysis about the corporate, public and social issues inherent in the quest for achieving effective work life balance on behalf of the nation’s workforce.

Published since 2002, the publication pays annual tribute to companies that serve as leaders in their respective fields by providing innovative and effective work life balance programs and policies for their employees.

For more information visit Work Life Matters web site .

Some event photos already posted on Facebook at The 11th Annual Work Life Matters Facebook Photo Album.

More to follow including videos. We'll keep updating to keep you informed so RSS feed this blog and visit frequently.


This article will also be updated regularly with photos and other related information. Please visit frequently and subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks.

Stay tuned for the exciting “See What You Missed” video of the event which will include special interviews from the Founder and President as well as representatives from honored companies and special guests.

Additional resources:

• Facebook photos https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151924387721435.1073741844.794796434&type=1&l=38848d4780 
• Sokol Media Online
• Lori Sokol, Ph.D., on Huffington Post
• James Grant Public Relations

Why Are Corporate Blogs By Women Not Supported By Their Constituents?

"I do not think “real” leaders are the kind of paranoid people that get to the top quickly but fall quickly"
-- Grace Bosworth, President of Global 2 Local Language Solutions

"It's cool to get back up if you fall! But don't let the threatened and insecure -- males and females -- pull you down!" -- Gloria Buono-Daly

Whenever I begin another consulting assignment at a major corporation I observe and research the respective environment and Web site and end up with the same question -- “Why are the leading women's corporate blogs not being supported by women?”

This absence of commentary is a red flag and illustrates a much bigger problem at the company in the form of ineffective communication, counter-productivity, negativity and low morale. It only takes a few minutes to read a corporate blog and write a comment -- especially when the blogs are so interesting, informative and worthy of comments. For the past few years I have noticed that women at major corporations are not supporting fellow corporate women’s blogs.

Recently I contracted at a corporation with over 200,000 employees as a senior product marketing consultant and noticed that there were less than a dozen comments from one of their business unit's blogs yet there was a wealth of blogs on that corporate Web site. This lack of support is mind-boggling and serves no purpose but to breed negativity. How long can employees continue destroying what employers are paying them to build up?

Does this start from the top and trickle down to the bottom? Watch out, your company's stock may be headed for another plummet. I am always so positive and impressed by professionals when I work at a new corporation and learn about the company, especially by reading blogs from the corporate leaders, attending seminars, and navigating the corporate Web site. Yet, I do not understand why these major corporate blogs with the potential of having so many visits and views, do not receive the adequate feedback from fellow employees.

It ceases to amaze me of how the threatened and insecure employees intentionally thwart and insult the professional consultants -- the basis is obviously these employees are afraid that the new consultants will get noticed for their cost saving, productive contributions, and showing interest and support for corporate initiatives including blogs. Unfortunately, the productivity and business success is compromised because of these essentially useless and insecure employees. Yet, senior department heads are in the sand and corporations allow this to go on -- the familiar, AIG-ish, corporate status quo -- "Our government's bail-out money will pay our salaries; we're too big to fail," etc.

As a professional marketing executive who has been contracting for many Fortune 100 corporations and trust me, I get the big picture relatively quickly, I see many issues including lack of support, particularly among women executives. This is compromising the financial health of the corporation on a national and global level.

Negativity of this nature results in not only low employee morale and little or no ROI but dissatisfied customers.

Are professional women still living in the 1980’s when one women has to be thwarted in order for another women to succeed? Why is this sentiment common for women and not men? Could this be why professional women have not advanced as much as men? Have women turned competition into a game of back-stabbing tactics that do nothing but destroy the morale of a corporation? And what about corporate diversity and multi-culturalism -- is it destroying what women are working to achieve?

I believe corporate diversity is indeed compromised. Many top consultants have experienced their work thwarted and being intimidated by corporate employees. Whenever the consultants report the issue, their contract ends. A very common tactic, is when employees use inappropriate language in the form of misleading adjectives towards the consultant to make the consultant feel insignificant and themselves feel powerful and important. And we wonder why so few women make it to the top?

According to Grace Bosworth, President of Global 2 Local Language Solutions, “We wonder why women have not advanced as much as they should, but, when a women gets some kind of control, she acts as if she did it all by herself, and tries to push down anyone that comes near her level. We don’t try to help each other; we make it more difficult for each other. …The only thing I can control in this world is me, and I know that to change the world, I must first change myself. Do I look at a woman who has done well for herself with suspicion? Do I hesitate to spend time on a project that may not put me or my company in the limelight?… I do not think “real” leaders are the kind of paranoid people that get to the top quickly but fall quickly. We as women have to do better. Most of all, I vow to not say negative things about people I really don’t know. If we could all vow just that little thing, I see women taking great strides.”

So tell me do you believe corporate blogs by women are or are not being supported by their constituents? What are your favorite blogs? I’d be delighted to take a read, share my perspective and add them to this list.

Below is a listing of my latest favorite blogs by and about women:

► Women in Business Don’t Support Each Other, and We Are Here to Change That
► Is Eight Enough When It Comes to Success
► Got Me Thinking: Is the Model of Masculinity Changing in America?
► 25 Things a Professional Woman Should Never Wear     (I’ll admit my biggest faux pas was putting my then, waist-long-hair back with a schrunchie)
► Women Who Make Us Laugh
► Google Made Her Rich, Facebook Made Her A Legend
► 100 Must Read Blogs by Women
► Why You Should Stop Being A Wimp
► Employers Feel A Talent Shortage
► ClassyCareerGirl Blog
► Making Sure Your Employees Succeed
► Top 100 Websites for Women 2011
► The Importance of Earnest Service, Thoughts from JM Byington & Associates, Inc.

PS This list will change but only with your help. So do send me your favorite blogs, bookmark this one and visit frequently. Thanks!