Mick Penn works for Swinerton as the Northern California Regional Community Relations Liaison. Mr. Penn spearheads Swinerton’s workforce development, small, diverse, veteran business outreach and community engagement in Northern California. Mr. Penn currently serves on the board of directors of the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, Cypress Mandela Training Center, Mission Hiring Hall, Construction Industry Education Foundation Board of Trustees, and the City of Richmond Workforce Development Board. In 2021, Mr. Penn was named the Western Regional Minority Development Council’s Supplier Diversity Leader of the Year and the Associated General Contractors of California’s Construction Education Foundation Friend Award winner. Mr. Penn has a BA from San Francisco State and a Master of Public Administration from University of San Francisco.

Lester Lafiguera serves as the Purchasing Manager for Gilbane's Western Division; in this role, he is responsible for trade contractor prequalification, bidding, and developing and maintaining supplier relationships. Lester advocates for diverse companies to help achieve Gilbane's economic inclusion commitment that provides contract opportunities to small and minority businesses. Gilbane has pledged to generate $4 billion in awards to minority, women, disadvantaged, LGBTBE, and veteran-owned businesses over the next five years. Lester is passionate about providing opportunities to all segments of society and helping improve the economic situation, especially those disadvantaged.

LaNiesha Littleton is the CEO of iHealth 360, a company dedicated to enhancing workplace health and safety by offering access to the largest network of ergonomic experts and musculoskeletal health providers. Since 2020, iHEALTH 360 has supported diverse industries, from office and industrial settings to life sciences and healthcare, across single locations and global operations. As a certified woman- and minority-owned enterprise, iHealth 360 leads the way in providing scalable solutions that protect employee health from hire to retire.

Dr. Neetu Trivedi is a Physical Therapist, holding a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University. With over 20 years of combined clinical and management experience in the industry, Dr. Trivedi is deeply committed to helping individuals regain their functionality and return to work, life, and play. Dr. Trivedi possesses a comprehensive skill set to address various rehabilitation needs and is especially passionate about a holistic approach that embraces a culture of safety and well-being. With a focus on injury prevention in the workplace, she collaborates closely with individuals and their employers to mitigate risks and promote overall wellness.

Bay Area native, Sharla Sullivan, is a mom of three who’s passionate about workforce development and supplier diversity. As the Outreach and Partnerships Manager at Webcor, she works to increase small and diverse business participation, local hiring, and community engagement on private and public works to further Webcor’s mission to build solutions and better lives. Webcor is a general contractor building structures all over California that bring exceptional value to public and private clients while operating in a safe, quality-driven environment.

Tony is a proud San Francisco native with over a decade of experience in banking, where he held leadership roles in retail banking, business banking, and commercial lending. After transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Tony joined ASIAN, Inc. and has been a key team member for the past nine years, serving as the Director of Business Development Programs for six of those years. In this role, Tony is dedicated to empowering socio-economically disadvantaged businesses by providing expert technical assistance tailored to their unique needs. Specializing in facilitating access to capital, contracts, and new markets, Tony has played an instrumental role in fostering growth and opportunities for underserved communities. Under Tony’s leadership, ASIAN, Inc. has achieved remarkable success, including facilitating over $1 billion in contracts and enabling access to more than $600 million in capital for small businesses. Through their unwavering commitment and strategic guidance, Tony continues to make a lasting impact on the economic development and success of the communities they proudly serve.

Brooke joined McCarthy Building Companies in early 2023 as a Supplier Diversity & Community Outreach Manager. She is working to include diverse and local businesses on the UC Davis Health hospital tower project in Sacramento. Prior to McCarthy, Brooke worked for the state of California’s Department of General Services where, as a Business Outreach Manager, she led a team dedicated to promoting the state’s supplier diversity program through outreach, education, and advocacy with the goal of increasing California’s small and diverse business contracting participation.  Brooke holds a BA and MA degree in Communication Studies from Sacramento State University and prior to her time with the state, she taught Communication Studies for five years at Sacramento State University and Los Rios Community Colleges. Brooke is passionate about providing contracting opportunities to small and diverse businesses, particularly within underserved communities. She strives to continue working to connect with businesses to help them grow and gain valuable experience as project partners.

Melanie Dodson is a Sr. Precon Director at McCarthy Building Companies with 30 years of experience in the construction industry, including 26 years specializing in tenant improvements. Her career has been rooted in preconstruction, where she has developed a passion for delivering high-quality commercial tenant improvement projects across the tech, medical, and life science sectors. She is excited to connect and share insights at this event.

Johanna Le-Penn, Contractor Technical Assistance Program (CTAP), Business Development Manager for Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services. Johanna is responsible for providing and coordinating technical assistance services for small and emerging contractors. The services offered through the CTAP includes individual and group counseling, assists small and local contractors, identifies and shares Alameda County’s construction contracting opportunities, provides technical assistance including certification assistance, one-on-ne training, workshops, and seminars, and offers bonding assistance for qualifying projects up to 40% of the bond amount or $750,000, whichever is less, works with prime and subcontractors and will work with primes to meet their Small Local Emerging Business (SLEB) or ECOP requirement.

Jennifer Elmore, Contractor Development Program (CDP), Program Manager for Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services. Jennifer is responsible for coordinating technical assistance services for small and emerging contractors. The services offered through the CDP include individual and group counseling, contract review, business development training, and mentor protégé support.

Charles is passionately driving UCSF's Small Business Initiatives, bringing a unique perspective rooted in his personal connection to small business ownership. His parents managed a small family business which instilled in him a deep appreciation for the hard work, resilience, and determination required to succeed as a small business owner. Under his leadership, UCSF’s Small Business initiatives aim to create a supportive ecosystem where these enterprises can thrive. Charles is dedicated to empowering small business owners to achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.

Charles focuses on three core programs that can provide opportunities for small business participation:

1. Deferred Maintenance
2. Renewal Projects: Projects to keep facilities up to date.
   
   1. 15-year program – Fixtures, finishes and controls systems.
   2. 25-year program – Entire building systems
3. Tenant Improvements

UCSF welcomes the opportunity to connect with the small business community, offering projects from these programs that will pave the way for long-term partnerships.

Cesar is driving innovation and continuous improvement at UCSF, leading Facilities Services with a forward-thinking approach to efficiency and strategic growth. With an extensive background in facilities management, he oversees a $140 million operation and a team of over 400 employees, encompassing engineering, utilities, infrastructure projects, operations and general services. His aim is to ensure that UCSF’s infrastructure remains resilient and adaptable to the institution’s evolving needs. Under his leadership, UCSF’s Center of Excellence (COE) has become a hub for continuous improvement, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and leveraging structured methodologies ISO 9001 and A3 thinking to accelerate impactful initiatives. Cesar is committed to cultivating a culture of innovation, collaboration, and problem solving that enhances UCSF’s built environment while empowering teams to drive meaningful change.

Since joining Hathaway Dinwiddie in 2010, Leticia has been actively recruiting diverse subcontractors, vendors and trades workforce. Her extensive experience in community engagement allows her to seamlessly develop and manage day-to-day activities such as outreach, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the project’s commitment goal. Leticia has been an integral part of many projects bringing her understanding and expertise of procurement, inclusion and diversity initiatives to Hathaway Dinwiddie’s projects including 50 UN Plaza, The Exchange, HealthRIGHT 360, SOMA Hotel and is currently focused on the Mission Rock Development. In partnership with Tishman Speyer and the San Francisco Giants, Leticia assisted with the Mission Rock Academy first all-woman construction training class in San Francisco history.

Nasim Adeli is the Industry Advancement Manager for the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC), which represents more than 1,000 construction companies and construction related firms throughout the state. Nasim works closely with AGC members and partners to provide resources and programming for small and underrepresented business in California and bridge the gap between small, diverse businesses and larger prime contractors. In her previous role, Nasim worked as AGC of California’s Sr. DE&I Program Coordinator and Sr. Executive Assistant. Before joining AGC, Nasim worked as an Administrative Assistant/Program Support Coordinator for an international exchange organization that provided J-1 Visas to international students/interns. Nasim has also previously volunteered in community-based organizations that create safe and fun spaces for queer people to celebrate. She earned her B.A. degree in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. During her undergraduate studies, she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for one semester to study Spanish.

Javier Gresham is the DEIB Engagement Manager at MidPen Housing. He works in Values Contracting/Supplier Diversity, Targeted Recruitment, and Residents & Communities.

Nico Katerkamp is currently a Business Governance & Outreach Specialist for Siemens Mobility, Inc. – Rolling Stock headquartered in Sacramento, CA with 2 years in the Transportation Industry and 6 years in Strategic Procurement. Nico currently supports the implementation of Supplier Diversity initiatives for Siemens Mobility, Inc. - Rolling Stock and strives to build relationships with small and diverse businesses for Siemens through partnering with advocacy organizations and chambers of commerce. Nico joined Siemens Mobility from the Digital Industries business of Siemens AG where he was responsible for procuring IT consulting and development services. Nico graduated with a BA in International Business and Management in the Netherlands.

Aaron Shah is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in both commercial and residential sectors. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Aaron has a proven track record of building high-performance, multifaceted teams that drive project success and innovation across a diverse range of projects, including single-family homes, multifamily residences, healthcare facilities, and corporate and government tenant improvements. Beginning his career in rough carpentry, plumbing, and a plethora of other trades, Aaron gained invaluable hands-on experience that laid the foundation for his expertise in construction. This diverse background has equipped him with a well-rounded perspective on the complexities of construction projects and the intricacies involved in various trades, allowing him to effectively address challenges and optimize processes. As a leader in construction operations, Aaron excels in utilizing advanced project management techniques and earned value management principles to oversee multiple projects simultaneously. His strategic vision has led to the successful departmentalization of construction organizations and the implementation of automated systems, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and streamlining workflows. A strong advocate for the design-build approach, Aaron integrates design and construction processes to streamline project delivery, reduce costs, and improve overall quality. This methodology fosters greater collaboration among stakeholders and ensures that project goals are met effectively. In addition to his extensive experience, Aaron is a licensed General Contractor in California and the founder of Greyhawk Construction. He continues to foster a culture of collaboration and excellence in every project undertaken. His commitment to quality, innovation, and teamwork has made him a respected figure in the construction industry.

With over 20 years of experience in architecture, design, and construction, she brings a multi-disciplinary perspective to every project. Her expertise spans tenant improvements, multifamily housing, retail, restaurants, industrial developments, and custom single-family homes, allowing her to approach diverse challenges with a well-rounded vision. As a designer and design-build professional, her strengths include attention to detail, problem-solving, spatial planning, material knowledge, construction integration, and balancing aesthetics with functionality. She excels in bridging the gap between design and construction, ensuring that creative visions are both buildable and cost-effective. She approaches projects with creativity, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to excellence, ensuring thoughtful, high-quality results that align with both design intent and construction feasibility. Now in market development and client relationships, she is dedicated to providing the highest level of service—ensuring that every project aligns with the client’s vision, budget, and timeline. Her strengths in business development include relationship building, strategic planning, industry knowledge, negotiation, and client service. She is adept at identifying opportunities, fostering partnerships, and ensuring customer satisfaction through tailored solutions and seamless project execution. She is always curious about exploring new opportunities in design and construction. Joining Greyhawk Construction, she continues to provide design creativity and solutions that integrate early-stage planning with construction execution, ensuring a seamless process from vision to reality. She is committed to enhancing service quality, fostering innovation, and maintaining a dedicated team that brings every project to life with passion and expertise.

Tim Trias is a seasoned Project and Portfolio Manager with 20 years of experience in mechanical engineering, design, construction, and capital project management. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University and an MS in Project Management from USC. Tim is a registered Mechanical Engineer and a certified Lean Greenbelt. Currently at Genentech, he leads a team of construction and safety professionals while serving as Chief of Staff for the Design and Construction group within Site Services. During his tenure at Genentech, Tim has managed key infrastructure and sustainability projects, including the Bloom Fuel Cell installations and the K6 Program, which focused on reducing greenhouse gases on the South San Francisco campus. Prior to Genentech, Tim worked at Critchfield Mechanical, contributing to notable projects like the UC Berkeley Helios facility, SF Museum of Modern Art, and the former Solyndra fabrication facility. Tim is passionate about continuous improvement, engineering, and fostering diverse perspectives.

Alicia Partee is the Founder and CEO of Authentigrate, a pioneering company that leverages predictive analytics and AI-driven insights to help businesses support their global workforce through cultural adaptation. With over 20 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies and Silicon Valley startups, Alicia combines data-driven strategies with a deep understanding of the personal challenges of relocation, having lived abroad herself. She is also the author of Authentigrate: The Journey Toward True Integration Abroad, a guide that empowers individuals and organizations to navigate culture shock with intentionality and success. Under Alicia’s leadership, Authentigrate provides innovative solutions to engage, prepare, and retain global talent.

Detria Mixon, founder and leader of Executive Human Resource Service. Detria is a Human Resources Specialist & Consultant with expertise in maximizing HR resources deliverables. She is recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the Human Resources industry. Detria collaborates and partners with companies to address their Human Resources needs and challenges, by assessing human resources trends, and provide leadership aimed at enhancing efficiency through employee engagement. Executive Human Resource Service is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco / East Bay / Silicon Valley Area) and offers services nationwide.

Patricia Kingston is the Prequalification Manager at Rudolph and Sletten. She is proud of her 9-year track record with R&S. Her primary responsibility is to prequalify all subcontractors with whom R&S does business, in addition to outreach, sourcing, and creating matchmaking opportunities for diverse vendors and suppliers.