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.
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
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
Marcella McCullough
Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity
NissanMarcella McCullough
Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity
Nissan
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
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
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
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
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.
