Speakers
2024's lineup includes industry disrupters, experienced entrepreneurs, and the most talented business professionals. New speakers are added weekly!
See speakers from 2023
Special Speakers
Chuck White
Vice President of Procurement, Nationwide
Chair, CPO Forum & CPO CouncilChuck White
Vice President of Procurement, Nationwide
Chair, CPO Forum & CPO Council
Chief Procurement Officers Forum
Charles White leads the Procurement group at Nationwide covering all source to pay functions, corporate travel, supplier diversity and risk management. Charles has over two decades of experience in diverse sectors including, financial services, high tech, and consumer electronics manufacturing. He has covered a wide range of direct and indirect categories while working for some of the largest companies in the Technology and Financial Services. He recently joined Nationwide in December 2018 from Charles Schwab and prior to that was with Fidelity, Deutsche Bank and Microsoft. He is a US Navy Veteran and former aircraft carrier based jet pilot. He graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Corporate Speakers
Mike Chop
Designer, Conversational Interaction
AppleMike Chop
Designer, Conversational Interaction
Apple
Moderator, What's Your Pitch?
Roger Cheng
Senior Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager
AT&TRoger Cheng
Senior Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager
AT&T
Roger Cheng recently joined AT&T as a Sr. Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager. Prior to AT&T, Roger spent the previous 14+ years with M/WBEs in the technology space leading business development through Supplier Diversity.
Roger, also known as “The Voice,” has served as emcee or VOG for a number of organizations across the country. In 2017, Roger was recognized as the #Hes4Shes Champion at the WBENC National Conference.
Leshaun Smedley
Supplier Diversity Manager
Cushman & WakefieldLeshaun Smedley
Supplier Diversity Manager
Cushman & Wakefield
Randy Brown
Sr. Manager, Supplier Diversity
Denny'sRandy Brown
Sr. Manager, Supplier Diversity
Denny's
Randy Brown is the Sr. Manager, Supplier Diversity for Denny’s. The award-winning executive i charged with managing and expanding the company’s supplier diversity program. Brown works closely to identify procurement opportunities around the country with certified diverse companies, including small disadvantaged, minority business enterprises, veteran-owned, woman business enterprises, LGBTQ+owned, disabled veteran-owned or disabled-owned. Prior to joining Denny’s, he played an instrumental role at Emory University in winning the Jesse L.Moore's2021 Supplier Diversity Award from Insight into Diversity.
The Georgia Minority Supplier Diversity Council also awarded Emory its George Lottier Rising Star Award during Brown’s tenure at the university. Brown has served on Emory University’s Business Diversity Council, National Minority Supplier Diversity Council Mentor Program, and the Georgia Minority Supplier Diversity Council’s Executive Council. He is currently aboard advisor for Spectrum Autism, a board member of Encourage Men Ministries Inc., and a member of the Georgia State University Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute Strategic Planning Ecosystem Subcommittee. Brown received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson School of Business.
Rich Szellan
SVP Procurement and Margin Improvement
Dollar GeneralRich Szellan
SVP Procurement and Margin Improvement
Dollar General
Cedric Cravens
Director, Patient Engagement & Health Access Equity
Edwards LifesciencesCedric Cravens
Director, Patient Engagement & Health Access Equity
Edwards Lifesciences
Kimberley Thompson
Global Diversity & Inclusion Leader
Edwards LifesciencesKimberley Thompson
Global Diversity & Inclusion Leader
Edwards Lifesciences
Inclusion thought leader, diversity, inclusion and equity strategist, culture changer, influencer, internal and relationship architect with over 15 + years related experience in diversity and inclusion design, management and community engagement.
Currently practicing D&I in the healthcare industry. Prior to that spent 12 years at Starbucks Coffee Company, providing D&I subject matter expertise, best practices, tools and strategic consultation across the corporate and retail businesses.
Kimberley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Sociology (Race Relations and Education) from University of California, Los Angeles. She holds several certifications: D&I from eCornell, Unconscious Bias and Cultural Intelligence training.
Outside of work, Kimberley enjoys listening to podcasts and running, spending time with her husband, George, and children George, Alexander (twins) and Grace.
Simone Ray
Director, Corporate Procurement & Supplier Diversity
HiltonSimone Ray
Director, Corporate Procurement & Supplier Diversity
Hilton
Simone Ray leads Hiltons award-winning Supplier Diversity program, advancing their commitment to increase diversity in supply chain. She partners with HSM category leaders to identify, develop, and mentor minority suppliers. Simone also collaborates closely with Hilton’s D&I team and is always looking for a referral to small and minority business owners! She is originally from Orlando, Florida and attended Florida State University with a concentration on Merchandising. She’s worked with leading retail companies such as Macy’s and JC Penney, holding positions in buying, planning and product development. For her work at Hilton, she was named Buyer of the Year in 2020 by Minority Business News USA. In her free time Simone enjoys hosting events and meeting like-minded creative and community leaders.
Breana Chan
Global Supplier Diversity Sourcing
JP Morgan & ChaseBreana Chan
Global Supplier Diversity Sourcing
JP Morgan & Chase
Doing Business with Corporations & Government Agencies Roundtables
Breana Chan's journey began in the dotcom boom, navigating the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley startups. This entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with her 30+ years of Procurement and Supplier Diversity experience across industries, fuels her approach to consulting and mentoring individuals and businesses. Breana believes diversity isn't just a box to tick; it's a strategic imperative for growth.
Featured in Winning Leadership by Two-Time Olympian Sherry Winn, Breana empowers businesses to unlock untapped talent pools, gain a competitive edge, and build cultures of inclusion and does so with a constant attitude of gratitude.
Ranked #78 in the Top 100 Women in Procurement in 2023 (Procurement Magazine, 2023), #11 in the Top 100 Women in Procurement in 2022 (EY & Procurement Magazine, 2022), and Corporate Buyers of the Year in 2022 (Minority Business News USA, 2022) she understands the challenges businesses face and brings practical, results-oriented solutions. Whether with a global giant or a nimble startup, Breana can craft a diversity strategy that delivers measurable impact.
Build a Business, Not a Hobby was authored and published by Breana in an effort to share her experiences and mentorship with more entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship-minded individuals like herself as they dream of and start businesses of their own.
Breana is married to her high school sweetheart, Isaac. They have four children and a granddaughter whom they adore. You can often find Breana cruising the seven seas in her quest to see the world.
Let's build a more equitable future together
Debra Quade
Supplier Diversity Manager
Kellogg'sDebra Quade
Supplier Diversity Manager
Kellogg's
Debra Quade is the Supplier Diversity Manager at Kellogg Company. Prior to joining Kellogg, she served as Supplier Diversity Specialist at Toyota Boshoku America in Erlanger, Kentucky and Magna Donnelly in Holland, Michigan.
Debra serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in addition to leading a MiDiCo module for supplier inclusion and opportunity. She represents Kellogg Company on the National Minority Supplier Development Council Working Group, and the Corporate Advisory Council for the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in addition to participating on the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Programs Committee, the Food Marketing Institute Group Supplier Diversity Committee, WEConnect International Agricultural Industry Group and the Food & Beverage Industry Group.
Joy Walker
Business Development Manager
Louisville MSDJoy Walker
Business Development Manager
Louisville MSD
Doing Business with Corporations & Government Agencies Roundtables
Amy Bogan
Senior Vice President of Client Services
MagnitAmy Bogan
Senior Vice President of Client Services
Magnit
Amy Bogan joined Magnit in 2007 and serves as Senior Vice President of Client Services. She plays a crucial role in developing and implementing strategies, providing world-class delivery, and driving innovative solutions for her clients globally. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies across technology, life sciences, and financial services.
Amy has 20 years of experience in contingent workforce management and a proven history of delivering best-in-class client satisfaction. She focuses on continuous program expansion, optimization, compliance, and cost management through the use of state-of-the-art VMS and MSP solutions.
Quinae J. Ewing
Supplier Diversity Manager
MassMutualQuinae J. Ewing
Supplier Diversity Manager
MassMutual
Doing Business with Corporations & Government Agencies Roundtables
Quinae J. Ewing is a MassMutual Supplier Diversity manager, supporting the company’s innovative supplier diversity strategy that aligns with MassMutual's core values, and was appointed to this position in July 2022. With more than two decades of manufacturing, engineering, global procurement and supplier diversity management experience at Xerox Corporation, Quinae has managed significant corporate initiatives across North America, Asia, and Europe.
Quinae is an active and visible member of his community. He has worked as an adjunct professor of Mathematics at Monroe Community College (Rochester, NY) and also served on the Board of Directors at the Carlson Metro Center YMCA (Rochester, NY). Quinae represented Xerox Corporation as a corporate member of the Portland Black Business Association (Portland, OR) and over the past ten years, has attended various Supplier Diversity and Sustainability conferences and activities nationwide.
Quinae holds a Master of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Business from Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY). He earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both Interdisciplinary Science and Mechanical Engineering from Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) and North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, NC) respectively. Quinae is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Gamma Kappa Chapter) and Pi Tau Sigma National Mechanical Engineering Honor Society
Meghan Schwartz
Director, Research & Development Sourcing & Procurement
MerckMeghan Schwartz
Director, Research & Development Sourcing & Procurement
Merck
Meghan Schwartz is a director in the Global Supplier Management Group at Merck. Meghan is responsible for outsourcing Global Regulatory and Clinical Safety (GRACS) and Global Medical & Scientific Affairs (GMSA)
Meghan joined Merck in 2013 from Procurian (acquired by Accenture), where she was a Procurement Operations Team Lead. She has 17 years of Procurement leadership roles.
Throughout her time at Merck, Meghan has been able to transform categories in the Research and Development Sourcing and Procurement (RDSP) organization by ensuring compliance and streamlining processes. Meghan started at Merck supporting the clinical functional outsourcing, then moving to support central labs and clinical trial specialty services. She then moved into Vaccines and Biologics as an Associate Director where she led many large initiatives including the large outsourcing project for process development and 3rd party analytical labs. Meghan then stepped into the Discovery Sciences space overseeing Disease Area Biology and Pharmacology where she partnered with a large stakeholder group to redefine the Procurement / Operations relationship. Her project and people management skills led her to her current role as Director supporting Global Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Safety (GRACS) and Global Medical Scientific Affairs (GMSA). Meghan has also served as the lead for RDSP’s Supplier Diversity stewardship throughout her tenure.
Meghan holds a bachelor’s in Human Resources from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Hope Jacoway
Consultant, Supplier Diversity
NationwideHope Jacoway
Consultant, Supplier Diversity
Nationwide
Marcella McCullough
Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity
NissanMarcella McCullough
Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity
Nissan
Drew H. Misher
Vice President of Procurement
Penn EntertainmentDrew H. Misher
Vice President of Procurement
Penn Entertainment
Drew Misher is the Vice President of Procurement for PENN Entertainment, Inc.
Mr. Misher is responsible for PENN’s Procurement Operations including Strategic Sourcing, eProcurement as well as property purchasing and warehouse. Mr. Misher also plays an active role in managing PENN’s Supplier Diversity program.
Prior to joining PENN in 2017, Mr. Misher worked in procurement for 20 years across various industries including pharmaceuticals, banking/finance and the public sector. He has considerable experience in developing national and global procurement organizations and transitioning the function into a high performing value-added operation.
Drew was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and received his Bachelor of the Arts in International Relations from The College of William and Mary where he was a member of the Division 1 Varsity Soccer Team. He also received his Master of Business Administration from Temple University. He resides in Villanova, PA with his wife and three children.
Amira Gonzalez
Supplier Diversity Manager
RTXAmira Gonzalez
Supplier Diversity Manager
RTX
Judge, What's Your Pitch?
She has been with RTX for 16 years leveraging roles of increasing responsibility within Operations and Supply Chain including Material Program Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, and Senior Manager Supply Chain. In mid-2018, Amira moved to her current role in Corporate Supplier Diversity where she is responsible for executing strategic outreach initiatives for collaboration to drive utilization of small and diverse businesses in procurement across RTX. Prior to joining RTX, Amira spent 13 years in the telecom industry in various roles in supply chain, operations, project management, and new product marketing & introduction.
Amira has a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. In the Dallas area where she lives, Amira serves on the Board of Directors for a local nonprofit, Helping Hands, Open Hearts, and actively serves the unhoused and elderly shut-ins in Dallas on her weekend time
Sarfaz Nawaz
Vice President, Supply Chain and CPO
RTXSarfaz Nawaz
Vice President, Supply Chain and CPO
RTX
Chief Procurement Officers Forum
Sarfraz Nawaz is Vice President, Supply Chain, for RTX. In this position, Nawaz is responsible for the company’s global supply chain activities across all RTX businesses (Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon), including advancing ongoing Supply Chain transformation efforts, focusing on talent development as well as tools and process improvement. He also leads supply chain activities that drive supplier performance and cost reduction.
Nawaz previously served as Vice President, Global Operations & Systems (GOS) for Collins Aerospace. In his 24-year tenure, he has held various leadership positions within RTX (previously United Technologies Corporation) including, Vice President, Supply Chain for Collins Aerospace, Vice President, Operations, in the Asia Pacific, for UTC Aerospace Systems, Commodity Manager for Carrier, Director, Global Sourcing, for Hamilton Sundstrand and Director, Supply Chain, Global Fire Products for UTC Fire & Security.
Nawaz holds a master’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India.
Saima Cardwell
Certified Supplier Diversity Specialist
SAS InstituteSaima Cardwell
Certified Supplier Diversity Specialist
SAS Institute
Saima has had a lifelong passion for helping others for the past 8 years and is the supplier diversity specialist. Her current role allows her to use this passion and energy by engaging with diverse business owners, and SAS to increase utilization of minority, women, veteran, LGBTQ and disabled-owned businesses. Currently she serves on the ISM-Carolina Virginia-Triangle Chapter- President, HarmonyNC - Board of Directors. Disability-IN-NC- Board of Directors.
Saima has held various positions in her 24+ years at SAS, Finance, Licensing & Contracts, Strategic Sourcing & Procurement. Her experience has given her an in-depth knowledge of business development, contracts and sourcing & procurement. She has a Bachelor's from Campbell University.
Dennis Thurston
Supplier Diversity Manager
Southern California EdisonDennis Thurston
Supplier Diversity Manager
Southern California Edison
Dennis J. Thurston, a 36-year employee of Southern California Edison (SCE), beginning in August of 1987 serving in his current capacity as a Supplier Diversity Program Manager for 25 years assisting small and diverse businesses understand the Company’s general procurement practices and procedures.
Prior to SCE, Mr. Thurston worked at Consolidated Edison in New York bringing 12 years of experience with him.
In 2021, Dennis received the 2021 Corporate Advocate of the Year Award from the Southern California Minority Development Council.
In 2018, Dennis received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California for outstanding work within the Native American business community and tribal leaders.
The U.S. Small Business Administration, Santa Ana District Office selected Dennis as the 2017 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year for his devotion to the success and advancement of Veterans in business in his professional capacity at SCE and his personal life.
During the 2017 Inaugural Veterans In Business (VIB) Network National Conference, Dennis Thurston received the Above & Beyond Bravo Zulu Award recognizing Veteran Business Advocates that go Above & Beyond to help the Veteran business community grow and succeed.
In 2016 Dennis was nominated for the State Agency Recognition Awards (SARA) given by the Department of General Services.
In recognition of his contributions as a role model of Edison International’s values and guiding behaviors of integrity, continuous growth and improvement, excellence, respect, and teamwork, Dennis was awarded the Chairman’s Award, now the Edison Award in 2009. Edison selects only 40 employees out of over 15,000 for the first of the prestigious award.
Mr. Thurston still volunteers for many community activities geared toward mentorship and guidance of small and diverse businesses in the areas of career, jobs, and starting businesses.
For the past 27 years, served as an off-ice official for the National Hockey League (NHL) assigned to the Anaheim Ducks and Dennis represented the NHL at the first ever game played outside North America in Japan, Helsinki, and Berlin.
Joyce Christanio
Senior Program Manager, Supplier Diversity
T-MobileJoyce Christanio
Senior Program Manager, Supplier Diversity
T-Mobile
Doing Business with Corporations & Government Agencies Roundtables
Accomplished leader with over 20 year's experience managing Supplier Diversity, Contract Negotiations and leading cross-functional teams of an organization to achieve cost savings. Write policy language, programs and processes to advance a corporation's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals. Joyce recently developed T-Mobile’s workforce development program - NextTech Diversity to nationally fund training and job placement for women and men of color to become network technicians and network equipment drivers.
Author of "Dressing Classy Doesn't Change" which provides women an overview of the do's and don'ts of proper workplace attire. Information that Corporate America doesn’t share with women is included in this book. One Reader Commented: The author has hit the "nail on the head" as she mixes humor, personal experiences and concrete advice regarding proper attire for women in any setting and at any income level. Women buy this fun and easy to read book for you and all the young girls you know. Men buy it for all the women in your life. It is a keepsake.
Pafoua Xiong
Procurement Supplier Diversity Specialist
U.S. BankPafoua Xiong
Procurement Supplier Diversity Specialist
U.S. Bank
Pafoua Xiong joined the Supplier Diversity team at U.S. Bank in 2021 as the Procurement Supplier Diversity Specialist, where her work is focused on enhancing the Supplier Diversity program by actively working to grow relationships with diverse-owned businesses and partners. Shortly after joining the Bank, Pafoua became a board member for the Asian Heritage Business Resource Group (BRG).
Pafoua founded her way into this industry after working as a Merchandiser Assistant at The Scoular Company managing the inventory of pet food ingredients. She later moved on to support the non-retail side of supply chain at Target for 3 years.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota where she majored in Journalism and Communication Studies.
Outside of the office, you can find her hiking around state parks with her Pitbull, listening to supernatural podcasts, and spending time with her family.
Cynthia Sugiyama
Senior Vice President, Head of Communications for Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion
Wells Fargo & CompanyCynthia Sugiyama
Senior Vice President, Head of Communications for Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion
Wells Fargo & Company
Cynthia Sugiyama is head of Communications for Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion at Wells Fargo. She leads a team responsible for developing and delivering an integrated communications strategy for the company’s work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Prior to this, Cynthia served as head of Human Resources Communications at Wells Fargo. Cynthia first joined the bank in 2017, leading the Communications Strategy and Corporate Media team. With more than 25 years of experience in public affairs, Cynthia has worked in public relations, issues management, community relations, executive communications, and employee communications. She has held senior communications roles at some of the world’s most recognizable companies – from global Fortune 500 retailers, such as Walmart and Gap, to industry-leading health care systems, like Kaiser Permanente. Cynthia began her career in journalism, as a reporter at the CBS affiliate in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Cynthia serves on the advisory board of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the advisory council of the Asian Pacific Fund. She is also a founding board member of VOICES, which is dedicated to representing, promoting and advocating for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in communications.
Cynthia received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.
Government & Chamber Speakers
Marleitha Williams
Supplier Diversity Program Manager
Board of Governors, Federal Reserve Board SystemMarleitha Williams
Supplier Diversity Program Manager
Board of Governors, Federal Reserve Board System
Doing Business with Government Panel
Marleitha G. Williams is the supplier diversity program manager for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. In this capacity, she is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as it relates to the inclusion of minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises in the Board’s acquisition process.
Prior to joining the Federal Reserve Board in 2011, Ms. Williams worked at Alabama’s largest electric utility corporation, Alabama Power Company, where she provided leadership and strategic direction to corporate business units in delivering results toward defined supplier diversity goals.
Throughout her career in Supplier Diversity and Supplier Relations, she has been affiliated with various organizations that focus on minority and women business development, including the U. S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, National Minority Supplier Development Council and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. She has been recognized in local and national publications such as Women Enterprise USA for her work in Supplier Diversity. Ms. Williams received her bachelor’s degree from Birmingham Southern College.
Jaideep Majumdar
Chief Procurement Officer
City of AtlantaJaideep Majumdar
Chief Procurement Officer
City of Atlanta
Chief Procurement Officers Forum
Jaideep Majumdar currently serves as the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Atlanta. He is a seasoned corporate procurement leader with 25 years of global experience in procurement and supply base strategy. He has led and managed medium-large global procurement organizations at major corporates encompassing a comprehensive range of direct and indirect commodities & services.
Known as a strategist with a global perspective, Jaideep has a proven record of transforming organizations, creating and implementing procurement strategies & solutions, and developing robust supplier management programs. He is also known as leader who creates high performing teams, develops strategic vision, and implements change.
His expertise in enhancing operational and financial performance through effective procurement will create a long-term sustainable impact for the organization. Additionally, Jaideep has proven knowledge of C11 Procurement Restructuring and M&A, having led organization through that process.
A Six Sigma Black Belt in Sourcing, Jaideep has worked at a wide range of companies including GE, Delta Air Lines, Capgemini, Larsen & Toubro Ltd. In addition, he has experience working in the staffing and auto industry.
Jaideep is a guest speaker in many industry events and serves as a mentor to several small and diverse businesses.
Jaideep holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Catholic University of America.
Dr. Jay Snipes
Chief, Diversity and Business Inclusion Officer
FDICDr. Jay Snipes
Chief, Diversity and Business Inclusion Officer
FDIC
Doing Business with Government Panel
Jay Snipes is the Chief for Diversity and Business Inclusion at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with the responsibility of promoting fair inclusion in federal contracting and business activities, leading & assessing FDIC-supervised financial institutions, including diversity policies and practices, and evaluating whether FDIC contractors are demonstrating good faith efforts to include minorities and women in their workforce.
Jay previously served as the Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the U.S. Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service where he led the Bureau’s culture improvement initiatives and strategic direction on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) matters. As a participant in the White
House Leadership Development Program, he was the equity lead for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. In this program, he led the implementation of a cross agency solution that increased the number of new entrants to the Federal marketplace to address the decline in the socio-economic small business supplier base supporting OMB Memo 22-03 & Executive Order 13985.
Dr. Snipes has extensive experience leading transformational change - providing executive leadership on DEIA opportunities, vision, and strategic direction, and was also the principal advisor for Fiscal Service on civil rights and diversity public policy planning - development,
formulation, issuance, and policy evaluation. He has used metrics, program evaluation and reporting systems to benchmark organizational progress in meeting DEIA goals and objectives,
and developed standards to assess the diversity policies and practices of entities supervised by the agency.
Dr. Snipes has his Doctorate in Business Administration and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Agile Professional (PMI-ACP). In 2022, he was selected as a Top 40 Under 40 in Birmingham, AL - a designation for the city’s most influential leaders and successful entrepreneurs. He is a highly requested speaker and subject matter expert in interagency coordination workgroups, committees, industry, and trade organization conferences on discussions of leading DEIA practices, including the Annual International Colloquium on Financial Management for National Governments, co-hosted by Canada, and the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Conference. Just recently, Jay served as a curriculum design expert planning and designing MBA and Bachelor curricula for Herzing University’s MBA professional draws upon his professional expertise to ensure proper learning outcomes for students.
Jay enjoys spending time with his family, and in his downtime, he can be seen chauffeuring his kids around to multiple sporting and school events.
Statement:
“DEIA is not about shifting the focus from one group to another, it’s about expanding opportunities and enlarging the focus to shine on us all.” – Annual Progress Statement
Arun Venkataraman
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, and Director General
U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Global MarketsArun Venkataraman
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, and Director General
U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Global Markets
Arun Venkataraman is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. He was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 7, 2022, to lead the federal government’s efforts to promote exports abroad and attract inward investment. He was officially sworn in on April 25, 2022.
Venkataraman has over 20 years of experience advising companies, international organizations and the U.S. government on international trade issues. Most recently, he served as Counselor to the Secretary of Commerce, advising the Department of Commerce on trade and other international economic matters. Before joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Arun was a Senior Director at Visa, leading global government engagement strategy on a range of international policy issues including digital economy, trade, tax and sanctions. He also served as Trade & Investment Policy Advisor at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he counseled multinational firms and other organizations on e-commerce, intellectual property rights and U.S. and foreign trade policies.
During the Obama Administration, Venkataraman served as ITA’s first-ever Director of Policy, where he helped shape the U.S. government’s responses to critical challenges faced by firms in the U.S. and in markets around the world, including China and India. He also served in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) where he led the development and implementation of U.S.-India trade policy, for which he received the agency’s Kelly Award for outstanding performance and extraordinary leadership. He also served as USTR’s Associate General Counsel, representing the United States in litigation before the World Trade Organization and in negotiations on international trade agreements. Prior to USTR, Arun was a Legal Officer at the World Trade Organization, and served as Law Clerk for Judge Jane A. Restani at the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Born in Coimbatore, India, and raised in Houston, Venkataraman holds a
juris doctorate from Columbia Law School, a Master of Arts in law and
diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a Bachelor
of Arts from Tufts University.
Michelle E. Warren
Deputy Director Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
U.S. Department of AgricultureMichelle E. Warren
Deputy Director Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Doing Business with Corporations & Government Agencies Roundtables
Michelle Warren began her federal career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1988, as a Federal Market News Reporter within the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Agency, then later served as the Contracting Officer for the Commodity Procurement Branch, responsible for the supervision of purchasing teams which administers contracts for commodities for distribution to the National School Lunch Program and other Food Assistance Programs.
By 2010, Michelle was assigned Program Manager in the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). In December 2015, Michelle was appointed Deputy Director in OSDBU and still holds that position. It is her responsibility to provide maximum opportunities for small businesses to participate in USDA contracting activities. Michelle served in the Acting Director’s capacity from December 2016-May 2022.
Educating, and Supporting the Buyer and the Seller is OSDBU’s core value.
Michelle’s philosophy is, “Think about what you want to do, DO IT, then think about what you have done!”
Michelle is a graduate of Virginia State University located in Petersburg, VA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Economics.
Darlene Bullock
Executive Director, OSDBU
U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityDarlene Bullock
Executive Director, OSDBU
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Doing Business with Government Panel
E. Darlene Bullock’s January 2020 appointment as the Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is in succession to her service as the OSDBU Deputy Director from 2015 to late 2019. As the Executive Director, Ms. Bullock implements the Department’s small business procurement programs across DHS’s $23 billion procurement operation, which awards over $8 billion each year to small businesses. Ms. Bullock’s various roles and work in the OSDBU, has helped DHS achieve consecutive scores of an “A” or “A+”, since Fiscal Year 2009, making DHS the largest federal agency to have such a consistent success record on Small Business Administration’s annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard.
Before joining the OSDBU, Ms. Bullock was a Division Director and Contracting Officer in the DHS, Office of Procurement Operations (OPO). OPO is one of the largest procurement divisions in DHS obligating about $5 billion a year. Her division supported the Office of the Secretary and other high-visibility DHS Headquarters offices. Ms. Bullock oversaw and managed the award process of the first DHS-wide Program Management, Administrative, Clerical, and Technical Services (PACTS) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts which were set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). PACTS had an estimated value of $1.5 billion. The creation and award of the PACTS vehicles has enabled DHS to meet and exceed the 3% SDVOSB goal since Fiscal Year 2010.
With over 32 years of experience in procurement, federal assistance, and acquisitions management, Ms. Bullock has held leadership positions at several Federal and local agencies including DHS, U.S. Agency for International Development, U. S. Department of Commerce, District of Columbia Government, and the U.S. Army.
Ms. Bullock began her acquisition career with the U.S. Army, successfully completing the Department of Defense contract specialist intern program. She was a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and maintains her FAC-C Level III Certification in Contracting. She has completed various Federal Executive leadership courses in her career. She has an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA in International Management from Southeastern University
Mandy Wylie
Senior Small Business Speacialist
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)Mandy Wylie
Senior Small Business Speacialist
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Mandy Wylie is the Senior Small Business Specialist in the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in the Procurement Assistance Division. In this capacity, she assists small business owners to market their products and services and increase the participation of small and disadvantaged businesses in DOT procurement opportunities. Mandy is also the Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) advocate and acting Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) advocate.
Mandy has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and 13+ years of experience in Federal contracting and acquisition policy. She started her federal career as a Contracts Specialist at the Department of Homeland Security in the Office of Procurement Operations. In the fall of 2016, Mandy joined the DOT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Acquisition and Grants Management as a Senior Contracting Officer. Starting in 2018, Mandy was promoted internally to the Team Leader in the Office of Acquisition Policy and Oversight. In this capacity, Mandy served as the Small Business Specialist for FHWA until she transferred to OSDBU as the Senior Small Business Specialist in March 2023.
Pamela Prince-Eason
President & CEO
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)Pamela Prince-Eason
President & CEO
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
Pamela Prince-Eason is the President and CEO of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a role she assumed in 2011. She was previously Vice President of Worldwide Procurement for Pfizer Inc. and held various leadership positions at Texas Instruments, GSE Systems and Warner Lambert, as well as co-owner of RMR Associates.
Pamela is a member of the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), a non-partisan federal advisory council who advises the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners.
Pamela’s dedication to women’s business leadership is illustrated in her many professional and personal roles advancing women’s excellence and opportunity. She serves on women’s advisory committees of several corporations including the CVS Health Executive Learning Series, EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women Program, the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, and Walmart’s Women Owned Business Advisory Council.
Pamela holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from East Tennessee State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland with a Master of Administrative Science in International Business and Finance. In 2008, she was among the first to receive ISM’s Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) designation, in 2010 was named a Power Women by NYMoves, and in 2012 she received the AIDC WBE Hall of Fame “Executive Leadership” award. In 2013 and 2017, she was named a top leader in Supplier Diversity by WE-USA Magazine and selected by the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) as the 2014 Woman of Achievement. Most recently she was inducted into the Enterprising Women Hall of Fame in March 2018 and was recognized as Alumna of the Year at East Tennessee State University in May 2018.
She and husband John have three children and six grandchildren. Favorite family activities include tennis, basketball, and snowboarding.
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Speakers
Brian Clark
Senior Vice President, Global Operations
AgileOneBrian Clark
Senior Vice President, Global Operations
AgileOne
Brian Clark is Senior Vice President, Global Operations at AgileOne. He brings more than 20 years of professional experience in workforce consulting, including industry-leading Managed Services Programs (MSP), Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Vendor Management Systems (VMS) along with project management, operational efficiency and technology innovation.
Brian joined AgileOne in 2006 and is currently responsible for Operations within North America while also managing all of AgileOne's global business, located in Europe, LATAM and APAC. AgileOne is currently doing business in or implementing in 30 countries around the globe. Brian works closely with the global sales team, the onsite client services teams and also the operations teams, including three shared services centers around the world.
Brian received his bachelor's degree from Auburn University and he has a master's degree in Information Technology. He is PMP certified. Brian enjoys time with his family, including his wife, 5 children and 5 grandkids. He is passionate about all things Auburn and he loves basketball and great movies.
Ann Anjali Ramakumaran
Founder & CEO
Ampcus, Inc.Ann Anjali Ramakumaran
Founder & CEO
Ampcus, Inc.
Anjali Ann Ramakumaran, Founder and CEO of Ampcus Inc. (Ampcus), is a technology savvy entrepreneur with more than 15 years of contribution towards the design, development and delivery of leading edge Technology Solutions and Human Capital Management across the globe. Under her leadership she has cultivated Ampcus into a fast growing Consulting and Professional Services firm. For eight consecutive years (2009-2016), she has been recognized as a top Asian American owned business by the USPAACC. In addition, for the past seven consecutive years (2010-2016), she has been honored as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned Businesses in the CONUS by the Women Presidents Organization. Under Ann’s leadership, Ampcus has made the Inc. 500/5000 list and has been recognized as a Top Diversity Business for the past 7 years (2010-2016). Ann was also awarded Women in Technology Entrepreneur of the Year by WIT and most recently received the Chairman’s Award for Inspirational Leadership from the CRMSDC. Ampcus has also received the Global Growth Award from Astra Women’s Business Alliance, Supplier of the Year Award from the GMSDC and the Top Asian American Business Award from the USPAACC-SE.
Ann works closely with her Advisory Board, whose advice/input on strategy and direction helps her drive the company to attain its vision of being one of the largest and most successful high performing Professional Services companies globally. She has been actively involved in executing a consultative methodology to define, qualify and quantify Ampcus’ target clients, determine their strategic IT and business objectives and from this developed solutions which proactively address their current and evolving demands and needs.
Ann serves on the CRMSDC Board of Directors, WPEO Leadership Committee and the USPAACC Scholarship Committee. She has been a speaker at numerous National and Local Procurement and Diversity Conferences. In addition, Ann has mentored several women and minority start up’s in an effort to help them grow their business. Ann holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business and Commercial Management from India and has completed Executive Management from the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond Virginia and an Advanced Management from the Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University Illinois.
Doris Li Yeh
CEO & Co-Founder
MirapathDoris Li Yeh
CEO & Co-Founder
Mirapath
Doris Li Yeh is the CEO and Founder of Mirapath, a Datacenter Critical Infrastructure Total Solution Provider. . In her role, Doris drives growth strategy for the company using Mirapath’s four core values: relationships matter, commitment to excellence, results driven, and strive for innovation and excellence – while having fun and enjoying the journey together. She is passionate about leadership development, women empowerment and cutting-edge technology related to platform development in the data center and IoT space paired with AI and Automation.
Mirapath ‘s was #54 fastest-growing women-owned business. In 2017, the company was on the Fast 100 Asian American Business by USPAACC, the CRN Fast Growth 150, and the CRN Solution Provider 500, as well as the #6 Biggest Minority-Owned Business by Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Doris holds a BSEE from the University of São Paulo and graduated in 2018 from the prestigious Harvard Business School Owner President Management (OPM52) program. She was nominated Silicon Valley Women of Influence in 2018 by Silicon Valley Business Journal, 2018 Enterprising Women Award, 100 Fast USPAAC Company and Infrastrastructure Mason IM100 2020 Recipient . She is a proud Platinum member of Women President Organization, Co-Chair USPAAC WISE ( Women Initiative for Strategic Empowerment) and advisory boartd of USPAAC-West. Doris is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Portuguese.
Jenny Zhu
Founder & CEO
Chairwoman of the Board, Lush Decor Home & Impact InvestorJenny Zhu
Founder & CEO
Chairwoman of the Board, Lush Decor Home & Impact Investor
Jenny Jing Zhu is an award-winning entrepreneur, business pioneer and motivator-in-chief who inspires a diverse, powerhouse team to create, produce, market and deliver unique home decor that customers love.
As Founder and CEO of Triangle Home Fashions (THF) and its signature brand, Lush Décor, Jenny’s visionary perspective earned her opportunities a less keen eye would have missed. Armed with a degree in textile and surface design from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and a few years’ experience in the home textile category, Jenny envisioned a better way of doing business – one where the company delivered more than what was expected.
In 2008, driven by her love of design and passion to create affordable luxury home décor. Jenny founded THF determined to be a game-changer in what was then a still fledgling e-commerce market. Jenny invented a company culture of leadership and innovation that not only originates impeccably detailed, accessible home decor for every room, every lifestyle and every life stage, but one that also manages global production, comprehensive warehousing and a direct distribution network for fast delivery.
Vibrant e-commerce growth and the expansion into brick-and-mortar stores led Jenny to launch Lush Décor in 2013. As the company’s signature brand, Lush Décor is crafted in a range of aesthetics and styles, inspiring consumers to create a home that is unique and personalized to their space, lifestyle and life stage. In 2023, with plans to expand the Lush Décor platform, THF began operating as Lush Décor Home.
An innovator with a heart, Jenny not only wants to do good work but do good work that matters. This led to a first-ever licensing partnership with Make-A-Wish America where 5% of all net sales from the Make-A-Wish Collection by Lush Décor are donated to the organization to help fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
Jenny attributes her success and the success of the company to the strength and shared vision of her team – or family as she calls them. The THF family is more than 60% female, hails from 8 different countries and collectively speaks 11 languages.
In 2019, Jenny’s hard work and focus earned her EY’s New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a national nomination in the consumer category. And, in 2021, Jenny was named an Enterprising Woman by Enterprising Women media. In 2021 and 2022, the company was named one of the Women Presidents Organization’s 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/Led Companies. Inc. Magazine named Triangle Home Fashions | Lush Décor a 2022 Top 500 Fastest Growing Company.
According to Jenny, “Clear vision, top performing teams and nimble execution are what motivates us and what drives success through today’s complex business terrain.”
Carolyn Joshua
President & CEO
Trilyon, Inc.Carolyn Joshua
President & CEO
Trilyon, Inc.
Carolyn Joshua is the President and CEO of Trilyon, Inc., a leading content management, documentation, and technology services provider for Fortune 500 companies. Under Carolyn's exceptional leadership, Trilyon has earned notable recognition, including the esteemed 2023 Fast 100 Asian American Business Award from USPAACC. Her outstanding achievements have also been acknowledged through the prestigious Enterprising Women of the Year Award in 2023. Furthermore, she has been honored as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of San Francisco for 2023 by Women We Admire, highlighting her significant contributions to the business community.
In addition to her role at Trilyon, Carolyn holds a board position at the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC West), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic growth and promoting diversity through leadership, education, and business networking. Carolyn also plays a pivotal role as the Co-Chair of USPAACC WISE (Women Initiative for Strategic Empowerment), spearheading initiatives that empower and advance women professionals in the business world.
Carolyn serves as a General Partner at Early Equity Capital Advisors, specializing in late-stage technology startups. Additionally, she contributes to How Women Invest as an LP, a venture capital firm focused on promoting women-led companies and advancing women leaders within the venture capital ecosystem. Carolyn's commitment to diversity and inclusivity is further exemplified through her role as a global advisor for the Women Leaders for the World Fellowship Program. This transformative leadership training program empowers social change innovators and industry disruptors to create positive impacts on society.