Agenda

Roger Cheng

Lead, Supplier Inclusion
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

S.D. Manager
Cushman & Wakefield

James Flynn

Head of Market Strategy & Supplier Sustainability
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

He joined the firm in 2010 in Sourcing and has been a member of the Supplier Diversity team since 2017. Jim is the Head of Market Strategy and Supplier Sustainability for the Supplier Diversity function that focuses on small, local and or diverse business ecosystem development and the firm’s Supplier Chain to increase supplier opportunity and excellence. Jim led the firm’s application and membership in the Billion Dollar Roundtable in 2019. Jim began his career at General Electric Company in Finance and graduated from their Management Training Program. An industry recognized Procurement, Business Development and Supplier Opportunity leader his experience includes Strategic Sourcing and Logistics at Limited Brands as well as Global Procurement and Supply Chain at DHL. He graduated summa cum laude from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, was elected Phi Beta Kappa, and earned an MBA from University of New York at Albany. He lives in Columbus, Ohio and enjoys all things outdoors, football, Mexico, and travel.

Quinae J. Ewing

S.D. 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

Tobias Thornwell

Regional Director of Global Business Impact
MGM Resort International

Tobias Thornwell is the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for MGM National Harbor, a $1.4 billion resort and casino located on the banks of the Potomac River in National Harbor, MD. He is responsible for developing and overseeing all procurement activities including vendor sourcing, purchasing, vendor contracts, and supplier diversity for the property. Mr. Thornwell is focused on ensuring that MGM National Harbor continues to meet or exceed its spending goals with certified diverse suppliers with the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County.

Mr. Thornwell has more than 12 years of purchasing and supply chain management experience in the food service industry. Prior to joining MGM National Harbor, Mr. Thornwell served as National Product Manager/Regional Buyer at The Chef’s Warehouse in Hanover, MD, and Lead COP Buyer/Product Line Manager at US Foods in Severn, MD.

Mr. Thornwell earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland, College Park (Go Terps!). He also holds a Certified Purchasing Manager certification (C.P.M.), and a Certified Professional in Supply Management certification (CPSM) from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Mr. Thornwell is originally from the Bronx, New York and enjoys traveling.

Bridget Moon

Economic Development Specialist
Small Business Administration

Bridget brings over 30 years of dedicated service to the US Small Business Administration (SBA), currently serving as an v, Small Business Development Center and SCORE Liaison, and Veteran Business Development Officer at the SBA Dallas/Fort Worth District Office, covering Texas's Northern 72 counties.

Beginning her illustrious career as an SBA Disaster Loan Officer and later advancing to Supervisory Loan Officer roles, Bridget has demonstrated exceptional expertise in home and business underwriting. Her commitment to public service extended to roles as a Public Information Officer, where she spearheaded direct disaster recovery efforts across the United States and Territories.

Complementing her extensive professional background, Bridget holds a degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Her entrepreneurial journey spans over three decades, during which she has not only founded and managed businesses but has also provided invaluable guidance to countless entrepreneurs, crafting business plans for startups and expansions alike.

With a firm belief in the power of mentorship and collaboration, Bridget is dedicated to empowering others to thrive in their entrepreneurial ventures. She remains steadfast in her mission to foster business success and economic growth within her community and beyond.

Maitjian Welke

Western Chapter President | Founder and Chief Security Officer
USPAACC | CMIT Solutions

Maitjian Welke is the Founder and Chief Security Officer of CMIT Solutions Silicon Valley which is an IT Managed Service Provider specializes in IT infrastructure, Cyber Security, IT Consulting & CIO/CISO services. Maitjian Welke has Computer Science background and extensive IT & Software Engineering experience of over 20 years working in fortune 500 corporations including IBM, SUN, CISCO, AMEX, NCR, VMware and GOOD Technology. Maitjian Welke started their company CMIT Solutions of Silicon Valley in 2009 and continue to grow with two acquisitions. As an active VAR Channel Partner for fortune 500 computer manufacturers, she has been recognized in the Women of the Channel by CRN Magazine every year since 2015 for her leadership and accomplishments. Maitjian and her team are passionate about helping businesses and corporations with their Technology and Cyber Security. Maitjian recently developed a Cyber Security in Supply Chain course for University of California Santa Cruz extension and has been teaching it since 2021. She had been invited to be on Cyber Security Panelists for a number of Cyber Security Summits and Expos in San Jose, Fresno and Los Angeles and provided a number of Cyber Security webinars for professionals in recent years. Maitjian also volunteered and served on three Boards - Board of Industry Council for Small Business Development, USPAACC Western Chapter and Alameda County Employer Advisory Council.

Ann Anjali Ramakumaran

Founder & CEO
Ampcus, Inc.

Ann Ramakumaran is the Founder and CEO of Ampcus Inc a technology savvy entrepreneur with more than 10 years of contribution towards the design and development of software services and delivery of Information Technology services. Under her leadership, she has grown Ampcus Inc into a fast-growing consulting and professional services firm.

She has been awarded as the top Asian American owned businesses by USPAACC for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 and 50 fastest growing women owned businesses in the CONUS by the Women Presidents Organization for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Ampcus Inc made the Inc 500/5000 list for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Ampcus Inc has also been recognized as the Top diversity business for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Ann has helped fortune 2000 companies with their enterprise-wide customized solutions. She reports to the board and drives the company to attain its vision of being one of the largest Professional services companies globally. She has been involved in executing a consultative methodology to define, qualify, and quantify the clients’ targeted and strategic IT and business objectives and from this, develop solutions to proactively address current and evolving needs and projects.

Ann holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business and commercial management from India. She has also completed an executive management program from the Robins School of Management, University of Richmond.

Hans Nirmal

Global Technology Lead, Fund Services
JPMorgan Chase & Co

As the Global Technology Lead for Fund Services, Hans is responsible for the strategy, development, architecture, and program management of the Alliance Suite of Applications (50+) and Complex Assets Applications. He oversees mission-critical platforms that facilitate daily Net Asset Value delivery for JPMorganChase’s extensive client base of asset managers, supporting Fund Services' operations and growth.

He leads a global team of technologists across multiple locations, managing the entire breadth of Fund Services technology, including Complex Assets, Alternative Fund Services, and our innovative Alliance Framework - a modular, microservices-based platform that has been instrumental in driving substantial growth in Assets under Administration.

Beyond application management, Hans spearheaded the Global Fund Services Public Cloud modernization program, lead resiliency initiatives to meet regulatory requirements, and drove innovation through marquee applications like COBALT (client onboarding tool), PRIMA (automated pricing solutions), and PEAL (Private Equity automation platform). His role encompasses both strategic technology leadership and hands-on delivery of transformative solutions that enhance our competitive position in the market.

Hans joined JPMorganChase in 2007 and is based in Plano, Texas. A recognized innovator, he holds three patents.

Constellation Energy

Dollar General

Target

Constellation Energy

Pontoon Solutions, Inc.

Softpath Systems, LLC

Takeda Pharmaceutical

Target

U.S. Bank