Global ERG Network opens new fellowship and adds author partnership for GENC 2026

Global ERG Network has launched an access fellowship for small nonprofits ahead of its Nov. 9-11 GENC 2026 conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while adding a new Book an Author partnership that brings speakers including Tanya Wright into the lineup. The moves broaden who can attend and deepen the conference’s focus on ERG leadership, storytelling and practical learning.

Why it matters: - The new GENC Access Fellowship lowers a cost barrier for ERG and Inclusion Council leaders at small nonprofits. - The program expands who can attend the Global ERG Network’s annual conference and participate in follow-on learning. - The Book an Author partnership adds a new pipeline of authors and speakers for ERG-focused events.

What happened: - Global ERG Network opened applications for the inaugural GENC Access Fellowship. - The fellowship covers full registration for the GEN Annual Conference on Nov. 9-11, 2026, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. - Fellows also receive access to every session, the Sponsor Reception and the GEN IMPACT Awards Ceremony. - Each selected fellow gets 90-day access to the GEN Co//Lab. - Up to two fellowships may be awarded per organization. - Applications close Sept. 11, and GEN is encouraging eligible leaders to apply or nominate a colleague. - GEN also announced a new partnership with Book an Author, a national marketplace for speaking engagements, workshops and live events.

The details: - The fellowship is aimed at ERG and Inclusion Council leaders at small nonprofits. - GEN is hosting In Good Company: Pre-GENC Meet Up, a free evening gathering on Nov. 9 at 7:00 pm. - The meet-up is open to local ERG and Council leaders and HR partners, whether or not they attend the conference. - Registration for the meet-up remains open through Oct. 16. - Book an Author connects published authors with corporations, ERGs, educational institutions and community organizations. - More than 400 institutions already use the platform. - Among this year’s conference speakers is Tanya Wright, a two-time SAG Award winner for Orange Is the New Black. - Wright is also a Harvard Graduate School of Education alum with an M.Ed. in Learning Design, Innovation and Technology and a children’s media entrepreneur. - Wright’s session will focus on using her “Harlem, Hollywood, Harvard, and Hairiette” framework to audit personal stories, identify gaps, leverage strengths and adapt in work and life. - Book an Author co-founder Serena Li said the partnership is designed to make it easier for organizations to bring authors to the people who can benefit from them. - Li said ERGs are a natural fit because they already create spaces for connection and learning. - Li also said the company is sponsoring Tanya Wright as the first of what it expects to be many shared moments with GEN. - Featured sessions at GENC 2026 include Dr. Lisa Toppin’s “Everyone’s a Genius: Redefining Talent, Setting the Stage to Soar.” - That session will focus on identifying and developing areas of genius. - Brian Fishbone’s “Build It Light, Build It to Last” is designed to help groups build structures that can grow and endure. - Teams of executives and ERG leaders from award-winning organizations will also lead deep-dive sessions on leading practices, obstacles and solutions. - The full agenda and speaker lineup are still forthcoming at globalergnet.com/conferences/genc/. - GEN said the network is powered by Tapestry Partner Solutions and is a strategy and learning partner for ERG and Council leaders. - GEN said it combines monthly learning, an on-demand resource hub and flagship events to help organizations translate ERG and Council work into business outcomes.

Between the lines: - The fellowship and free local meet-up suggest GEN is trying to widen access beyond traditional conference attendees. - The Book an Author deal points to a broader push to make storytelling and speaker programming part of ERG strategy, not just conference content. - The emphasis on practical frameworks, measurement and peer connection shows GEN positioning GENC as a working session for operators, not a generic leadership event.

What's next: - GEN will review fellowship applications ahead of the Sept. 11 deadline. - Registration continues for the Nov. 9 Pre-GENC Meet Up through Oct. 16. - GEN plans to publish the full agenda and additional speaker details before GENC 2026. - Conference attendees will hear more from the newly announced speakers and partner programming once the agenda is released.

The bottom line: - GEN is using GENC 2026 to widen access, add programming depth and reinforce its role as a practical hub for ERG and Inclusion Council leaders.