C3 & Interfaith Philadelphia | Religious Diversity in the Workplace

Each year, the Religious Diversity session features panelist representation from different faith traditions. This thought-provoking program is ideal for participants who have worked in religiously diverse contexts and want to explore issues of diversity in more depth.

Developing experience in supporting religiously diverse settings fosters employee retention, builds team connections, and allows the shared values of co-workers to make the workplace a more welcoming setting. Companies that promote workplace diversity tend to increase reach and contact with a wider population, clients, and customers.

Wednesday, October 14
10:00-11:30am
Zoom

Who Is This For?

All Nonprofit Professionals

What You’ll Takeaway

• Inclusion drives team cohesion and retention. Supporting religious diversity in the workplace deepens co-worker connections, leverages shared values, and creates a welcoming environment where employees feel valued and are more likely to stay.
• Broadening faith perspectives expands business impact. Engaging directly with diverse faith traditions—such as through panel discussions—helps organizations better understand and connect with a wider, more diverse client and customer base.

Meet the Moderator and Panelists

Moderator: Reverend Edward Livingston
Director of Community Partnerships, Interfaith Philadelphia

The Reverend Edward Livingston serves as Director of Community Partnerships at Interfaith Philadelphia, where he staffs the Religious Leaders Council and the Inter-Seminary Initiative—both fostering mutual support and deeper understanding among diverse faith traditions. He also contributes to Interfaith Philadelphia’s Leadership Institute, developing pathways for interfaith skill-building and engagement.

He holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary) and studied Globalization and Ecumenism at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland. With over two decades of pastoral and community organizing experience through the United Church of Christ, the Direct Action Research Training Network, and Faith in Action, Rev. Edward brings a deep commitment to equity, belonging, and mutual respect. His vocation is grounded in the belief that fostering understanding through interfaith dialogue and community-based initiatives is essential to repairing the world—one relationship at a time.

Imam Mikal Shabazz — Muslim Tradition

Mikal currently serves as an Imam at Masjidullah, the Assistant Northeast Regional/Section Convener of Imams of Masajid in the Association of the late and great Imam W. Deen Mohammed, an Interfaith Philadelphia Board Member and, after retirement from EPA, a Physics and Chemistry teacher at the New African Online School. During his tenure in Al-Islam, he has served in a variety of capacities including an Account Manager/Bookkeeper for a National Islamic Weekly Newspaper, a Math, Chemistry and Biology instructor at the University of Islam, the Director of Adult Education at the Philadelphia Masjid and Cultural Development Chairman and Convener for the Family Nights of Music.

At Masjidullah, he has served on various committees, and as an Arabic Instructor, Director of the Islamic Studies Institute, Masjid Administrator, Director of Masjidullah’s Men’s Association Training and Development Program, an Organizational Development Consultant, Recognition and Appreciation Benefits Banquet (RABB) Chairman, Executive Committee Chairman, Special Projects Chairman, Family Life Conference Chairman, Governmental Infrastructure Commission Chairman, an Islamic Studies Instructor at Masjidullah’s Madressatul Islamiyyah, Masjidullah Chief of Staff, Assistant Resident Imam and Resident Imam.

Outside of his Masjid activities, Mikal had worked as an Environmental Engineer, the Regional Toxic Release Inventory Coordinator, a Program Analyst, an On-Scene Coordinator, the Chemical Accident Prevention Programs Team Leader, the Regional Emergency Rapid Response Support Project Officer/Emergency Planner which involved daily management of a $165 million contract for biological, nuclear, chemical and oil spill emergency responses and disaster preparation and homeland security programs, as a Senior Enforcement Officer/Inspector and as a Project Officer for Remedial Action Contracts for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region. He has received a Gold Medal for Excellence in Government Service, seven Bronze Medals for Commendable Service, the highest award offered at the Regional level, and two Special Achievement Awards for Outstanding Performance from the EPA.

Rabbi David Levin — Jewish Tradition

Rabbi David Levin is a second-career trainer and leader ordained by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, following a background in real estate finance and marketing.

A Fellow with Rabbis Without Borders, Rabbi Levin serves as President of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia and is actively involved in interfaith, interracial, and community leadership across the region. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife, Naomi.

Ryan E. Borneman — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Ryan E. Borneman serves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a trial lawyer and advisor who represents banks and other financial institutions in various disputes. As part of his banking practice, he seconded to a large publicly traded bank, managing an extensive portfolio of retail bank and lending liability litigation. He also practices in the areas of complex commercial transactions, class actions, and appellate practice. Mr. Borneman has appeared before federal and state courts throughout the United States and has extensive experience of obtaining victories in the courtroom or practical business solutions through mediation or private resolution. Also, he represents banks and other financial institutions in various disputes. Mr. Borneman is the Chair of the Philadelphia Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and is actively involved with the BYU Management Society. Mr. Borneman’s practice also involves complex and class action business claims, including breach of contract, negligence, breach of fiduciary duties, and RICO. Mr. Borneman has served as a member of the firm’s e-discovery and pro bono committees. Mr. Borneman is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and was managing editor of administration of BYU Law Review, and a magna cum laude graduate of Brigham University Marriott School of Management with a B.S. in Accounting. Ryan and his spouse have raised four children here and are Phillies season ticket holders.