The International Society of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (ISDIP) was founded two years ago to serve the needs of the Diversity and Inclusion practitioner community. With your support, ISDIP became the first comprehensive professional association to span across industries, public and private sectors, and the pillars of organizational development, supplier diversity, workforce diversity, and community engagement. For that, I am truly grateful.
Unfortunately, ISDIP has experienced financial difficulty over several months. Lack of strong attendance at conferences and events, low sponsorship support, rising operational costs, and other financial challenges have contributed to ISDIP's inability to maintain a profitable level of business. Thusly, it is with a very heavy heart that I must inform you that ISDIP is closing for business effective Wednesday, June 19, 2013.
Despite painstaking efforts made to keep ISDIP solvent - from solicitations to champions and countless pitches to sponsors and investors to credit collections and the exhaustion of my own personal funds - operations have now ceased, staff have been released from service, all scheduled conferences and events have been cancelled, and the official website shut down.
ISDIP plans to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy and a court-appointed trustee will be appointed to liquidate assets and possible make distributions on claims. Sasser Law Firm will represent the corporation in the filing of the case. Clarifications about the debt owed [i.e., correct address, amount, etc.] may be provided to it via mail at 2000 Regency Parkway, Suite 230, Cary, NC 27518 and/or via fax at (919) 657-7400. After the chapter 7 is filed, the trustee will be appointed.
I am deeply sorrowful for the inability to overcome said financial challenges and to continue servicing the needs of the Diversity and Inclusion community. I would especially like to apologize for those of you who have already made travel and accommodation plans to attend the Second Annual International Insights & Innovation Conference, August 6-9, 2013, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Regrettably, these were circumstances which were beyond my scope of control.
I am privileged to have had the opportunity to found ISDIP and play an integral role in building competence in and expanding the capacity of the diversity and inclusion field. I cannot thank you enough for your loyalty and support. Whether you've visited our website, attended one of our conferences, participated in our programming, or simply mentioned us in a tweet, I deeply appreciate allowing ISDIP to serve you.
Humbly,
Cassandra D. Caldwell, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is ISDIP closing?
ISDIP has experienced a myriad of financial difficulty over several months. Lack of strong attendance at conferences and events, low sponsorship support, rising operational costs, and other financial challenges contributed to ISDIP's inability to maintain a profitable level of business.
What efforts were made to prevent ISDIP's closure?
Painstaking efforts made to keep ISDIP solvent - from solicitations to champions and countless pitches to sponsors and investors to credit collections and the exhaustion of personal funds. Unfortunately, these efforts were unable to prevent ISDIP's closure.
Whom does ISDIP's closure impact?
ISDIP's closure primarily impacts staff, customers (including event registrants and program participants), members, champions, sponsors and partners, and vendors.
How will ISDIP's business closure impact its stakeholders?
All operations have ceased. Staff have been released from service. All scheduled conferences and events (including the upcoming International Insights & Innovation Conference) have been cancelled. ISDIP's official website has been shut down.
Due to insolvency, ISDIP ceased paying staff; is unable to issue refunds of paid conference and event fees, paid membership dues, paid sponsorships; honor partnership agreements; and can no longer incur any further business debts.
What options do speakers and registrants of the upcoming International Insights & Innovation Conference scheduled for August 6-9, 2013, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada have?
You are strongly urged to contact to your airline carrier as soon as possible to cancel your flight reservation and to obtain a credit or refund for your previous purchase. Call The Hyatt Regency Montreal at 1 514-982-1234 to cancel your room reservation ASAP.. Because of its insolvency, ISDIP is unable to issue refunds of paid conference and event fees.
When does ISDIP's closure take place?
ISDIP is closing for business takes effect Wednesday, June 19, 2013.
Where can inquiries, communications, correspondence and claims be directed?
Sasser Law Firm will represent the corporation in the filing of the case. Clarifications about the debt owed [i.e., correct address, amount, etc.] may be provided to it via mail at 2000 Regency Parkway, Suite 230, Cary, NC 27518 and/or via fax at (919) 657-7400. After the chapter 7 is filed, the trustee will be appointed.
What is the role of the court-appointed trustee?
The court-appointed trustee will assess all business debts, liquidate all ISDIP assets, allocate the proceeds to creditors according to priority debt claims determined by bankruptcy laws. The final decision to pay or discharge debt will be made solely by the court-appointed trustee throughout the bankruptcy process.
How does the closure process work?
ISDIP will continue to progress through the Chapter 7 (or "liquidation") bankruptcy process as dictated by law. A court-appointed trustee will assess all business debts, liquidate all ISDIP assets, allocate the proceeds to creditors according to priority debt claims determined by bankruptcy laws. The final decision to pay or discharge debt will be made solely by the court-appointed trustee throughout the bankruptcy process. ISDIP will have no influence and/or input in the decision-making or allocation process.
What happens next?
Dr. Cassandra Caldwell, ISDIP founder, will be working closely with various ISDIP stakeholders to explore transition options for the ISDIP brand in the ensuing months. In the interim, she will continue sharing her talents, knowledge, skills and expertise within the consulting, training and teaching arenas. Moreover, Dr. Caldwell intends to carry on the work and mission of ISDIP by advancing the art, science, teaching, research, and practice of diversity and inclusion; promoting the value of joining and elevating the diversity and inclusion profession; and supporting a comprehensive approach to elevating competence in the diversity and inclusion field that spans across industries and public and private sectors.