Agenda

Registration & Info Booth

Experience the pinnacle of business excellence at the CelebrASIAN Business + Procurement Conference 2026, celebrating 40 years of empowering Pan Asian American professionals. Dive into three days of unparalleled insights through dynamic panel discussions, actionable workshops, and networking with top-tier professionals from diverse sectors.

Discover cutting-edge trends in business and technology, and learn directly from industry experts. Forge valuable connections and uncover opportunities to propel your business forward. Don't miss this transformative event—mark your calendar for an extraordinary journey of growth and innovation.

Networking Breakfast Continental

Experience a vibrant start to your day with a delightful continental breakfast, where you can mingle with other professionals. This is your chance to foster valuable connections, expand your network, and discuss new business opportunities over coffee and conversation. Make the most of this relaxed environment to share insights and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Elevate your business prospects through meaningful interactions in a welcoming setting.

1 on 1 Business Matchmaking - AM

Hundreds of meetings between developed suppliers and buyers from corporate powerhouses, governments, large nonprofits and other developed enterprises take place, facilitating business connections and lucrative procurement opportunities.

The Connection Place - AM

Developed, and innovative suppliers and buyers across industries – showcase their products, services and important brand messages, connect with various industry partners and potential customers, advertise to a target market, create and increase brand awareness, and make deals.

Managed Service Provider Panel

This panel examines the critical role of Managed Services Providers (MSPs) in enhancing organizational operations and driving growth. Experts will share insights on effective IT management, cybersecurity, and scalable solutions. Attendees will learn the benefits of partnering with MSPs and best practices for selection, offering valuable guidance for optimizing services and improving efficiency.

Basant Abraham

Basant Abraham

Global Vice Presiden, MSP Client Experience
KellyOCG

Global Vice Presiden, MSP Client Experience KellyOCG

Business Leadership & College Scholarship Awards Luncheon

It’s a room buzzing with the energy of bright young minds and accomplished business leaders. It isn’t just a lunch. It is an opportunity to make meaningful connections, garner invaluable insights, and witness the tangible impact of investment in education. We'll celebrate the remarkable achievements of our 2026 scholarship recipients. They will share their inspiring stories of how scholarship support helped them to leadership roles. For over three decades, USPAACC has been fueling these dreams, with 100% of scholarship funds directly supporting students.

Join us to connect, celebrate, and be inspired!

WISE (Women Initiative for Strategic Empowerment) Think Tank Leadership Conversations

Join a dynamic and fast-paced session designed to ignite bold ideas,
fuel innovation, and harness the collective strength of women leaders
shaping the future of American enterprise. The WISE Round Table Speed
Talk brings together trailblazing entrepreneurs, executives, and
change-makers for high-energy discussions that spark inspiration and
action.

Participants will gain game-changing strategies,
real-world insights, and practical tools to break barriers, scale their
ventures, and lead with purpose. This is more than a conversation—it’s a
catalyst for growth, connection, and lasting impact.

Chief Procurement Officer Forum

Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) play a vital role in shaping
resilient and efficient supply chains that are critical to meeting
today’s complex economic challenges and opportunities. As changes in
federal rules, regulations, and practices continue to impact both global
and domestic markets, the leadership of CPOs becomes even more
essential—especially for small- and medium-sized businesses seeking to
engage with larger enterprises as trusted suppliers.

In
today’s dynamic landscape—defined by geopolitical shifts, rapid
advancements in AI and cybersecurity, and evolving market
expectations—CPOs provide the strategic guidance that ensures businesses
at every level are aligned for success. For small- and medium-sized
businesses, this means understanding where the opportunities lie, and
how to effectively plug into supply chain ecosystems led by large
enterprises.

By following the money and positioning themselves
as agile, innovative, and reliable partners, SMBs can leverage these
connections to not only compete, but thrive. With the right insight and
alignment, they are prepared for what is required to sustain, grow, and
prosper—helping to shape how we work, conduct business, educate, learn,
innovate, and build safe and healthy communities.

Cheryl Harris

Cheryl Harris

Senior Vice President, Procurement
Allstate Insurance

Senior Vice President, Procurement Allstate Insurance

Stephen Harrington

Stephen Harrington

Chief Supply Chain Officer
MGM Resorts International

Chief Supply Chain Officer MGM Resorts International

Kindle Goodson

Kindle Goodson

SVP, OCFO Chief Operating & Procurement Officer
TIAA Financial Services

Kindle Goodson currently serves as the Chief Procurement Officer leading the Global Supplier Services team responsible for the End-to End Procure to Pay process inclusive of Sourcing, Enterprise Vendor Risk, Procurement, Metrics, and Business Diversity. In this capacity, Kindle brings over 20 years of experience, 17 of which are in the financial services industry, working for several Fortune 100 companies.

In 2010, Kindle began her career at TIAA, initially responsible for the procurement of Printed Materials and Marketing Services. Since that time, in addition to her expanded roles in Sourcing, Kindle also served as the Business Finance Officer for TIAA’s Corporate Functions responsible for the fiscal budgeting process for Legal Risk & Compliance, Internal Audit Services, Human Resources, Chief Administrative Office, and Office of the CFO.

Kindle began her career at Navigant Consulting, where she worked to

assess Companies’ risk of insolvency. Given education has always been paramount, Kindle decided to return to school to pursue her MBA. During this time, she also worked at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Procurement and Acquisition Management.

Upon graduating with honors, Kindle moved to New York City, where she was accepted into the Management Associate Program at Citigroup, working in Acquisition Life Cycle Marketing for Card products. While at Citigroup, Kindle was approached by Bank of America and asked to join their Supply Chain Management organization. Excited about the opportunity, Kindle relocated to Charlotte, NC and became responsible for the sourcing of Data Aggregation and later all printed materials.

During her tenure there, she also worked on several mergers and acquisitions (MBNA, LaSalle, Countrywide, and Merrill Lynch) which positioned her to transition to TIAA.

Kindle has a B.B.A. in Business Insurance and a M.B.A., concentrating in Supply Chain Mgmt. from Howard University. She is also Six Sigma Green and White Belt certified. Kindle lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and three children; 2 sons and 1 daughter.

SVP, OCFO Chief Operating & Procurement Officer TIAA Financial Services

Paul Williams

Paul Williams

Chief Procurement Officer | Strategic Sourcing, Global Contract Negotiation
University of California, Office of the President

Paul Williams is the Associate Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer for University of California Systemwide Procurement, coordinating $10 billion in procurement across UC’s campuses, medical centers, and national labs. He brings more than 31 years of global experience in Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain, and Business Process Improvement, with senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Clorox, Kraft, and Mondelēz International. A former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, his focus on inclusive growth and economic impact continues to shape his leadership philosophy. He lives in Oakland with his wife and four children, guided by the motto, “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Chief Procurement Officer | Strategic Sourcing, Global Contract Negotiation University of California, Office of the President

FAST 100 Picture Taking and “Meet Chapter Presidents” Reception

Excellence Awards, Supplier Development Champions, and WISE (Women Initiative for Strategic Empowerment) Awards Gala Dinner

We invite and welcome you to this momentous and prestigious celebration of excellence and achievement!

This exclusive Excellence Award Gala Dinner champions achievement, development, and inclusivity. This highly anticipated evening showcases outstanding business performance and honors leaders and entrepreneurs who are successful, prosperous, and dedicated to giving back to the community which enabled their success. We deeply value your participation in officially endorsing and supporting this legacy of shared achievement.

Be prepared to meet industry achievers, leaders, and some of the best and brightest as well as some of the most caring people within USPAACC’s powerful circle of influence. We invite you to join us in raising a toast to formally honor their significant contributions to the economy through impactful success, unwavering prosperity, and meaningful philanthropy. Don't miss your chance to forge invaluable relationships that may well launch a lifetime of opportunities! It is truly a night to remember!

*Attire: Formal or National Costume