Bridging Cultural Differences at Work

Where: StationDC at Union Market

In partnership with

Schedule:

5:30pm - 6pm: Networking

6:00pm - 6:45pm: Panel Discussion

6:45pm - 7:00pm: Q&A

7:00pm - 7:30pm: Networking

Food and Drinks: Cheese and Charcuterie Platters, French Wine, Soft Drinks, Water - Provided by FACC

Bridging Cultural Differences at Work — Optimizing Communication, Trust, and Collaboration

In today’s increasingly complex work environment, cultural differences shape how we communicate, build trust, and collaborate. These differences may be international — but they also exist across professions, generations, ethnicities, (dis)abilities, organizations, and even between individuals within the same culture.

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion exploring the challenges leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams face when navigating differing values, expectations, and communication styles — along with practical strategies to build trust and collaborate more effectively.

Julia Gaspar-Bates, M.A.
Julia is president of , a cross-cultural consulting and training firm. She has trained thousands of leaders and teams globally across multiple industries to develop the awareness, knowledge and skills to work across cultural borders. An expert in French and American cultural differences, she is currently co-writing a book on the topic. Julia is on the Women in Leadership committee for the French-American Chamber of Commerce.

Pascale Brady, CPCC, PCC, MBA, founder and President of , is The Challenge Coach ©.

Pascale is a professional certified life, business and mentor Coach and a trainer/speaker with 30+ years of professional experience, both in the corporate world and as an entrepreneur. After 12 years as an international sales and marketing executive in global service companies, Pascale was certified as a coach with CTI and founded The Challenge Coach in 2005. In addition to coaching, Pascale is an intercultural trainer, a certified Adlerian parent educator, a wellness/mindfulness trainer, and a sought-after speaker especially on the topics of Courage and Resilience.

Lobna "Luby" Ismail,

Luby is a leading authority on Cultural Competence, Arab and US American cultures, Islamophobia and Religious Diversity. Luby makes the 'foreign' - 'familiar' to break through the barriers of communication. Cultural competence eases tensions, reduces conflicts, optimizes productivity for positive engagement with coworkers, customers, communities.

Identified as a go-to expert with 25 years experience for government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits and corporations including Microsoft, Walt Disney World, Darden, Sodexo, McCormick, Marriott, U.S. Departments of Justice and State.

Denis Chazelle (Moderator)

Denis Chazelle is the Executive Director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC Chapter. In that position, he not only promotes the business ties between the France and the U.S., but also helps organizations, individuals and government agencies alike having any type of interest in the French-American relationship, to connect with one another.

About the Space: StationDC

is a nonprofit that connects technologists, investors, policymakers, military and industry leaders to solve problems in the national interest. Through our three core offerings—a 12,000-sq-ft convening space in Union Market District, curated events, and hands-on education and mentorship programs—we aim to foster collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven growth. Our broader mission is twofold: to strengthen economic resilience and opportunity in DC by creating jobs, companies, and a tighter-knit community that drives diversification and growth; and to promote national unity and alignment by bringing builders and policymakers into the same room to shape budgets, priorities, and America’s future together.

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