Crazy and The King

Torin Ellis

Diversity Strategist // Keynote Speaker // Published Author of Rip The Resume

Torin leads a progressive boutique with a laser like focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) strategy and risk mitigation. He embraces a collaborative approach built on transparency, actionable strategy, and rigorous performance monitoring. It’s the reason some of the world’s most forward thinking companies have trusted him to make DEIB promising and not punitive.

A trusted Practitioner and former Executive Producer and Host of Career Mix, a weekly show on SiriusXM. His voice has also become requested and trusted by some of the biggest conference organizers in the US and abroad.

As said by Jamie Leonard, CEO & Founder, The Recruitment Events Co.: “This year (2019) you did something fantastic. When the tents dropped on RecFest, you stood alone. Our industry was awoke by one name and one voice. Torin Ellis.”

A proponent of “activist like efforts” he authored his first book Rip The Resume (September 2016). And lastly, it’s fun to note Torin being listed by Technical.ly as one of “10 Baltimore tech and entrepreneurship leaders who should run for mayor,” signaling a lighter side of this focused artist. Torin sees nothing but opportunity and runway with regards to DEIB efforts in 2022.

Julie Sowash

Executive Director/Podcaster/DEIB Leader

Julie Sowash is the Executive Director of Disability Solutions, a global non-profit, working with more than 70 companies around the world to build both best and first generation practice for inclusion of people with disabilities. Julie also is the Strategy Lead for Ability Beyond, Disability Solutions parent organization, supporting their efforts to be inclusive of all underrepresented communities through Ability, Stronger. Last but not least, Julie is the co-host of the Crazy and the King podcast with her good friend and DEIB leader, Torin Ellis. The programs Julie has built have been recognized both locally and globally and have resulted in thousands of people with disabilities finding and growing careers and in the training of nearly 10,000 people leaders to reduce fear and stigma around all types of disabilities. She was also recognized as one of the Top 100 in Talent Acquisition Technology by TA Tech in 2021 and one of the Top 100 DEIB professionals by Untapped in 2022.