Programs

Doing Business with Corporations & Government Agencies Roundtables

During this session, suppliers will have the chance to learn the ins and outs of securing and fulfilling corporate contracts. Senior supplier development leaders from a wide range of industries will come together to share their insights and best practices to help prepare suppliers to better fill supply chain gaps amidst major supply chain disruptions.

Securing Business Contacts with Corporations

Learn from corporation leaders at AARP, AT&T, Boston Scientific, Caesars Entertainment, Cushman & Wakefield, Denny's, Edwards Lifesciences, Enterprise Holdings, ICIC Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses, Kellogg Corporation, Liberty Mutual, Logitech, MassMutual, Merck, PepsiCo, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, T-Mobile, Trane Technologies, UPS, US Bank, and Walmart about how small businesses can best prepare to address supply chain issues and seize these opportunities.

Speakers

Roger Cheng Headshot

Roger Cheng

Lead, Supplier Inclusion

AT&T

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.

Pritesh Patel Resized

Pritesh Patel

Principal Analyst, SD & Engagement

Constellation Energy

Pritesh Patel

Principal Analyst, SD & Engagement
Constellation Energy

Pritesh Patel serves as the Principal Analyst for Supplier Development and Engagement at Constellation, where he leads initiatives that drive inclusive procurement strategies and supplier diversity across the energy sector. In his current role, he collaborates closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to expand access for small and diverse businesses, thereby shaping a more competitive and resilient supplier ecosystem. He is passionate about building meaningful partnerships with a wide array of suppliers and has played a crucial role in expanding Constellation’s engagement within the communities it serves.

Prior to this position, Pritesh held roles as a Senior Chemist and subsequently a Senior Instructor of Engineering at one of Constellation’s Clean Energy Centers. His transition from technical operations to Supplier Development and Engagement reflects a career-long commitment to operational excellence, continuous learning and improvement, and thoughtful innovation.

Pritesh holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA with a Project Management Specialization from Seton Hill University. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Pritesh is a regular contributor to national supplier development forums and is proud to represent Constellation as a Roundtable Leader at CelebrASIAN.

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Trevor Boylston

Economic Inclusion Manager

Boston Scientific

Trevor Boylston

Economic Inclusion Manager
Boston Scientific

Randy Brown HS

Randy Brown

Sr. Manager, Supplier Diversity

Denny's

Randy 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.

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Antoine Hinton

Sr. Director, Small Business Development

Dollar General

Antoine Hinton

Sr. Director, Small Business Development
Dollar General

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Dallas Simmons

SD Program Manager

Domion Energy

Dallas Simmons

SD Program Manager
Domion Energy

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Kimberley Thompson

G.D. & Inclusion Leader

Edwards Lifesciences

Kimberley Thompson

G.D. & 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.

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Jim Flynn

Executive Director

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Jim Flynn

Executive Director
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Anita Ramdhani

Anita Ramdhani

Manager - Program Delivery and Analysis

JP Morgan Chase

Anita Ramdhani

Manager - Program Delivery and Analysis
JP Morgan Chase

In her role as Program Manager for the Office of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs – a DEI Center of Excellence – Anita oversees programming for the team’s Business Growth and Entrepreneurship pillar and supports overall infrastructure and operations.

Since joining the firm in 2013, Anita has held multiple roles with the Consumer Bank’s Client & Employee Experience team and the Market Expansion Field Strategy & Support Program Management team, supporting Chase’s retail expansion into 25 new states. Anita served as chair of NextGen, the firm’s early career professional Business Resource Group, from 2020-2022 and currently serves as an advisor.

Anita is very closely tied to her Indo-Caribbean & South Asian roots and is actively involved in celebrating both communities in the Tampa Bay area, particularly through her involvement in Delta Phi Omega, a South Asian Interest Sorority.

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Dianca Kelly

Regional Liason, Buy to Pay Impact Spending

Kaiser Permanente

Dianca Kelly

Regional Liason, Buy to Pay Impact Spending
Kaiser Permanente

Dianca Kelly joined Kaiser Permanente in December 2015 as a Contracts Administrator with National Facilities Services, now known as National Facilities Design and Construction (NFDC). In this role, she collaborated with project delivery teams to establish contract strategies, provided subject matter expertise for the implementation, execution, and administration of construction, design, and specialty services contracts, and developed critical contract documents and processes for the organization’s major construction and maintenance projects. In 2017, Dianca became a Supplier Diversity Champion for the Mid-Atlantic States market, where her contributions were instrumental in helping the region consistently achieve its Tier 1 and Tier 2 Supplier Diversity spend goals.

In November 2024, Dianca transitioned to Buy to Pay Impact Spending as a Regional Liaison, focusing on increasing spending and contract opportunities with vendors in markets outside of California. In her new role, she connects small, local diverse vendors with contract opportunities, supports responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that include special spend requirements, and ensures compliance with the organization’s goals and standards.

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Laura Flamm

Impact Spending

Kaiser Permanente

Laura Flamm

Impact Spending
Kaiser Permanente

Deborah quade

Debra Quade

S.D. Manager

Kellanova

Debra Quade

S.D. Manager
Kellanova

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.

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Sarah Porter

Vice President

Kelly Services

Sarah Porter

Vice President
Kelly Services

Sarah Porter is the Vice President of Government Solutions at Kelly Services, leading sales, and operations for Kelly Government Solutions (KGS). KGS is part of Kelly’s Science, Engineering, Technology, and Telecom division, specializing in outsourced solutions for the federal government in Science & Clinical, Healthcare, Technology, and Professional services. Sarah holds an MBA and is a certified Project Manager. With nearly 20 years of government industry experience, including her former role as a Program Manager at the National Institutes of Health, Sarah has a deep understanding of the complexities of the sector.

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Jessica Lozano Williams

Head of Responsible Sourcing

MassMutual

Jessica Lozano Williams

Head of Responsible Sourcing
MassMutual

Jessica Lozano Williams is the Head of Supplier Diversity at MassMutual. Her responsibilities include leading the company's Responsible Sourcing vision, mission, goals, and initiatives, while providing support to category teams by bringing innovative suppliers forward for consideration. Her involvement in the Supplier Diversity industry includes National and Local non-profit organizations that support diverse owned companies (ethnic minority, women, LGBT, veteran, and/or disabled owned companies). She serves as the Vice-Chair for the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce Procurement Council and has also served on numerous committees and participated in panels across the country.

Prior to her time at MassMutual, Jessica spent sixteen years at Target Corporation, leading their Supplier Diversity program, as well as various other roles in procurement and recruiting. Jessica received her undergraduate degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Law, Criminology, and Deviance from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.  In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, including her husband and two sassy children.

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Tobias Thornwell

Regional Director of Global Business Impact

MGM Resort International

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.

Deborah Robinson Resized

Deborah Robinson

Procurement Manager

MGM Resort International

Deborah Robinson

Procurement Manager
MGM Resort International

Penn resized 5 9 2023

Bridget Carter

Manager, Supplier Diversity

Penn Entertainment

Bridget Carter

Manager, Supplier Diversity
Penn Entertainment

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Drew H. Misher

Vice President of Procurement

Penn Entertainment

Drew 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.

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Joyce Eggers

Global Lead of S.D.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Joyce Eggers

Global Lead of S.D.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Joyce Eggers is a passionate Supplier Diversity expert with over 20 years of experience in the Life Sciences industry. Joyce is responsible for providing the leadership for Takeda to grow and develop a sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion program for suppliers.

Supported by and aligned with Takeda’s overall DE&I strategy, her expertise and passion for fostering an inclusive and innovative supply chain drives positive impact in the global communities in which our patients, employees, and customers live and work, guided by Takeda’s commitment to patients, our people, and the planet.

In her role, Joyce also serves as an advocate, mentor, and coach for small and/or diverse suppliers and is actively involved with numerous NGOs and advocacy groups focusing on supplier mentoring, development, diversity, and inclusion.

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Susan McGowan

Manager of Supplier Outreach

USPS

Susan McGowan

Manager of Supplier Outreach
USPS

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Chasity Chatmon

Procurement Officer

USPS

Chasity Chatmon

Procurement Officer
USPS

Trung Tieu

Trung Tieu

Supplier Diversity Global Procurement Manager

Wells Fargo

Trung Tieu

Supplier Diversity Global Procurement Manager
Wells Fargo