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About

ABOUT OUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & FUN-RAISER

✨ Many of you have bravely ventured beyond your comfort zones to jump and advocate for greater equity, inclusion, and access for all. Our Minority Business Enterprises have shown remarkable courage to be more innovative, color outside of the lines, and be vulnerable. Now, it’s time to celebrate! Join us for our Annual Holiday Celebration & Fun-Raiser where we will honor the incredible contributions of corporations, MBEs, and community partners who are jumping to lead the charge in Supplier Diversity/Inclusion. Together, we’ll recognize their bold efforts to uplift and empower minority businesses and strengthen economic opportunities in communities of color.

✨ We'll also recognize Rose Davis, who is retiring after more than 9 years of exceptional service as the Director of Corporate Services & Minority Business Development (Nevada) at WRMSDC.

ABOUT WRMSDC

The best way to make sure children have access to food, safety, and education is to ensure that parents and caregivers have good jobs. As a family’s income increases, their exposure to violence, poverty, and the likelihood of incarceration decreases. WRMSDC’s programs drive the job and wealth creation essential to thriving underserved communities. Visit us at wrmsdc.org.

DATE & TIME

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
3:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. PT

LOCATION

Cili at Bali Hai
5160 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119

What to Wear

THEME

Jump/Bold moves, Taking chances

WEATHER

In Las Vegas early November experiences high temperatures between 61-74 degrees and lows between 42-52. The program and awards program will be held indoors in air-conditioned space, with an outdoor patio for guests to network and take step & repeat photos; plan your attire accordingly.

Suggested Hotel Accommodations

The following hotels are nearby the Holiday Celebration venue.

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(1.1 miles to Cili at Bali Hai)

Delano Las Vegas
3940 S. Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(1.0 miles to Cili at Bali Hai)

Luxor Las Vegas
3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(1.0 miles to Cili at Bali Hai)

Paris Hotel
3655 S. Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(2.9 miles to Cili at Bali Hai)

MGM Grand
3799 S Las Vegs Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(1.8 miles to Cili at Bali Hai)

TICKETS

Thank You!
Registration Powered by

If you don't know how to use the discount code, please email events@wrmsdc.org
ALL SALES ARE FINAL; NO REFUNDS!
Please *do not* purchase a ticket and ask for a refund, as we will not be able to accommodate you.

MBEs and Inclusive Suppliers: Use promo code SUPPLIER-H24 for $50 off.
Corporates: Use promo code CORP-H24 for $25 off

Supporters

Support our Fundraiser!

Support This Event

WRMSDC deeply appreciates the following companies for their support. Their contributions ensure our ability to advocate for and impact diverse communities.

Event Supporters

Make a Difference Supporters

Due to the generosity of our Make a Difference Supporters, many of our 2024 events have been FREE for MBEs and diverse businesses.

Premier Members

MBE Platinum Partners

Annual Video Production Supporter

Annual Branding Partner

Agenda

All time listed are in Pacific Time and activities & times subject to change

Time Activity
3:00-4:00PM Networking Reception, Food Stations, Step & Repeat, Silent Auction
4:15PM Program/Celebrating Success Awards/Recognition
5:15PM Entertainment Fun-Raiser
5:30PM SILENT AUCTION CLOSES
5:30PM Special Presentation
5:45PM Closing, More Networking, Photos, Holiday Fun
6:30PM Event Ends

SPEAKERS

Meet our ‘Master of Ceremonies Trio’

Donna Ruff
President & CEO
Donna Ruff is an accomplished corporate leader with more than 20 years of management experience and a solid background in Supplier Diversity, executive leadership, and business development. Her expertise in program direction, contract negotiations, and sustainability initiatives has enabled her to develop and implement metrics, analyses, improvements, timelines, budgets, and processes that drive cost-saving innovations. Donna's vision for empowering minority-owned businesses will drive positive impacts in Northern California, Nevada, and Hawai'i. Recognized with accolades like the 2020 WRMSDC MBEIC People's Choice, the 2022 Supplier Diversity Leader of the Year, and the 2023 Top 5 Most Influential Women in D&I by CIO Views, Donna is a powerful advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Michael Balestreri
Vice President, Strategic Accounts Services and Law
As a Vice President and attorney for one of the world’s largest specialized staffing agencies, Michael oversees the contract lifecycles of the company’s largest clients and has expertise in contract law, revenue enablement, compliance, process automation, and machine learning. Additionally, he serves as the executive sponsor for Robert Half’s Supplier Inclusion program, leveraging his unique blend of legal and business acumen to be a valuable asset to corporate leaders and departments across the organization.
Juanny Romero
Chief Executive Officer
Step into Juanny Romero's world — a daily masterclass in breaking barriers and leading with heart. As the CEO of a fast-growing woman- and minority-owned coffee brand, MOTHERSHIP COFFEE, Juanny embodies resilience and turns challenges into stepping stones on a path to greatness. Juanny's leadership style is unapologetically fierce, radiating warmth and a belief in the transformative power of community. Alongside accolades like VEGAS Inc's 40 Under 40, Entrepreneur of the Year NAWBO 2021, and SBA National Runner-Up Small Business Person of the Year 2023, she serve on the Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs, where she advocates for minority communities, ensuring all voices are heard, challenges are addressed, and contributions are celebrated. Juanny transcends the business realm; she's an entrepreneurial beacon for the next generation. Her story rings with resilience, empowerment, and the joy of crafting connections — making every cup of coffee a celebration of the unstoppable MOTHER in us all.
Lili Kwan
Senior Manager, Racial Equality and Justice Taskforce - Purchasing
Lili Kwan is a seasoned supply chain responsibility professional with decades-long experience in sourcing and developing sustainable and inclusive supply chains. She has implemented various programs that advance equity and justice in the diverse business community, many in partnership with community-based organizations. These include technical assistance training, mentorship, and prime supplier engagement programs. Her deep business operations background also includes management of regulatory compliance, supplier risk, metrics and reporting, communication strategy, and engagement.
Gerald Johnson
Principal & MBEIC Chair
Gerald is a Certified Management Consultant, the Principal of Sabacon Consulting, a management consulting firm and known as the Strategic Savant. Gerald approaches every engagement with positivity, passion, and persistence. His company transforms small and mid-sized business leaders’ goals into reality through effective strategic planning, establishing operational excellence and creating organizational discipline. He enjoys utilizing his corporate expertise and knowhow to bring customized strategic solutions and management techniques to his clients.
Thomas Warthen
Supplier Inclusion Partner
Thomas Warthen is the Supplier Inclusion Partner at MGM Resorts International’s Global Procurement Division. Thomas is also the chair of Planet Protector’s Business Recourse Group which collaborates with the company’s Sustainability team and goals. He joined MGM in 2021 and has been involved in their logistics and philanthropic efforts over the years. Prior to MGM, Thomas has a background in real estate, marketing and fundraising for charitable events and an education in Business Management.
Rose Davis
Director of Corporate Services & MBE Development (Nevada)
Rose Davis serves as Director of Corporate Services & MBE Development (Nevada) for the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council. She has dedicated more than two decades to passionately championing diverse businesses for inclusion within corporate America’s purchasing and supply chain strategies. Rose has over 25 years of experience in supplier diversity, business development, accounting, and finance. Her accomplishments include a 29 percent 5-year net growth in Nevada MBEs from 2017-2021. Recently, she was awarded the 2023 Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Year Award-Urban by the Nevada Small Business Administration.
V Liwai Garcia
VP of Program Development & Minority Business Services
V Liwai Garcia has spent over fifteen years impacting minority communities in the nonprofit sector. In their current role as WRMSDC’s Vice President of Program Development & Minority Business Services, V provides strategic leadership in the areas of program development, marketing and communications, knowledge management, community relations, and events in addition to the development and delivery of Minorityowned Business Enterprise (MBE) engagement, training, and services. They have been instrumental in growing the Council’s events and communications impact, including increasing the net profit by 42% over three years for the Minority Business Opportunity Expo and 229% over six years for the Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards Gala, and increasing the Council’s LinkedIn followers network by 2,001% over four years.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS AWARDS

Thank You!
Awards Supporter

We are pleased to applaud and celebrate these Corporate, MBE, and Community Partners making bold moves to advance supplier diversity, increase minority business success, and build economic wealth in communities of color.

Honorees

Rose Davis

Congratulations on Your Retirement!

ROSE DAVIS
Director of Corporate Services & Minority Business Development (Nevada)

After over nine years of service, the legendary Rose Davis is retiring from WRMSDC! As Director of Corporate Services & MBE Development (Nevada), Rose has been a beacon of dedication, knowledge, and impact within the Nevada Region and beyond, and our community is fortunate to have had her guidance. The WRMSDC staff and network will be gathering together to highlight her many contributions at the Holiday Celebration. Please join us to celebrate the retirement of a true legend in supplier inclusion and community impact.

For ways to help celebrate Rose, please contact v@wrmsdc.org.

Entertainment

Thank You!
Entertainment Supporter

JUMP! Showdown in the Desert is an electrifying dance-off that promises high energy and excitement. Participants will dance to upbeat, crowd-favorite songs that include "Jump" in the title or lyrics. Hold onto your seat as the CA Team Electric Elegance II battles the NV Team Boogie Brigade II, in an epic showdown in the desert. Both teams will dazzle the audience with their slick dance moves and vibrant rhythms, all in the spirit of fun, while supporting WRMSDC's mission. Who will take home the victory?

Captain
Que Alicea
Q & A Consulting
Name:
Que-Motion
LaSandra Hunt
JPMorgan Chase
Name:
Lipstique
Sheena Lyons
WRMSDC
Name:
Shake It
Mick Penn
Swinerton
Name:
MC Mickey Hype
Captain
Rhoda Hassad
MGM Resorts International
Name:
R. Boogie
Jammie Hsu
Proforma element7
Name:
Jammin' Jammie
Rose Davis
WRMSDC
Name:
Mo' Bounz
Kameelah Shareef Sims
Caesars Entertainment
Name:
Kween K
V Garcia
WRMSDC
Name:
Hapa Hype
Wanda Luna
Universal Furniture
Name:
Luna Tunes
Kenyatta Lewis
MGM Resorts International
Name:
Sista Souljah
Lili Kwan
Salesforce
Name:
Lili-Palooza
Austin Kight
Martin-Harris Construction
Name:
Lei’d Back Hula Girl
Rahul Kuruvilla
Triune Infomatics
Name:
RK's Latest Arrival
Your donation of: 
⭐⭐⭐ $100 Creates an opportunity for (1) diverse business to Meet & Greet with a buyer from a Fortune 500 Corporation
 
⭐⭐⭐ $1500 $1500 creates a sizzle reel and press kit for (1) Minority Entrepreneur 
 
 

Every dollar large or small counts! 

Support Team
CALIFORNIA
Electric Elegance II
Support Team NEVADA
Boogie Brigade II
Donations will be made through PayPal. If you don’t have a PayPal account, click here to set up your account before the evening of the Holiday event.

Silent Auction

⭐ EXCITING GETAWAYS, SPORTING EVENTS, UNIQUE OUTINGS, & MORE! ⭐

TVGK Sports Jacket/Bottle of VGK Wine
TVGK Sports Jacket/Bottle of VGK Wine
Draymond Green Golden State Warriors Autographed Basketball
Draymond Green Golden State Warriors Autographed Basketball
Wine Basket
Wine Basket
Vegas Sleep, Eat, & Spa at the LINQ Hotel

All funds are dedicated to efforts aimed at promoting the advancement of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and positively influencing communities of color.

GETTING STARTED

Happy bidding!

Bid on Auction Items
Want to Donate a Silent Auction Item?


Contact: Tedi@wrmsdc.org

Support Package

Please support our Holiday Celebration & Fun-Raiser!


Click here for options

Access

Please contact rose@wrmsdc.org if you have access questions or require accommodations to fully enjoy the Holiday Celebration. We will also ask each attendee during the registration process for any accommodations they may need, including: materials provided in formats like large print, text-only, electronic files, etc.; communication aids like American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, other interpreting, etc.; and other needs. The Holiday Celebration will have limited tables with seats available throughout the full event, should any guests need access. Please notify rose@wrmsdc.org ahead of time if you need a seat so our team can reserve a place for you and show you the location of your reserved seats during various parts of the program.

Share

Invite others to help support our Holiday Celebration & Fun-Raiser!

Contact

WRMSDC supports the growth and welfare of minority communities by championing the use of minority-owned businesses in Northern California, Nevada, and Hawai‘i. Our parent organization, the National Minority Supplier Development Council, helps over 14,000 minority businesses connect with major Fortune 500 corporations and their buyers every year. Please visit us online at www.wrmsdc.org.

WRMSDC Nevada Office
500 N. Rainbow, Suite 300
Las Vegas, NV 89107

Please contact rose@wrmsdc.org
for questions about this event.

Contact Us
(702) 996-6158

Know Before
You Go

Coming Soon!