TIME	EVENT
9:00 AM	Welcome Remarks
9:07 - 9:32 AM	Strengthening Supplier Relationships
9:34 - 9:59 AM	Getting Buy-In Outside of Procurement
10:01 - 10:26 AM	Measuring Success: Program Maturity
10:28 - 10:53 AM	The Impact of Storytelling
10:55 - 11:40 AM	Supplier Diversity Under Attack
11:44 AM - 12:14 PM	Breakout Sessions
12:15 PM	Summit Ends

Speakers

Hosts

Lynn Reddrick, Co-Host

Assistant Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Business Partners

Lynn Reddrick is the AVP of Supplier Diversity and Sourcing at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering those programs in the Twelfth Federal Reserve District. Lynn is an advocate for fair inclusion of diverse businesses in the procurement process. She serves on the board of directors for the WRMSDC, Women’s Business Enterprise Council-Pacific, and the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity. She is also a member of the Executive Committee for the Bay Area Business Roundtable.

Donna Ruff, Co-Host

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.

Strengthening Supplier Relationships

Explore the vital aspects of Strengthening Supplier Relationships, from building key strategic partnerships to fostering supplier strategy, and ensuring mutual growth between your business and Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs).

⭐ WRMSDC MBE PLATINUM PARTNER ⭐

Kaycee Kiesz,
Moderator

Manager, Supplier Diversity

Kaycee Kiesz is a Connector, "3-degrees from Kaycee Kiesz", who possesses a wealth of social capital by continuously nurturing authentic relationships with corporate organizations, external agencies, and grass root community groups. She has a diverse background, with 20+ years of experience. From working in HR, DEI, Corporate Social Responsibility, Retail Operations, Finance and Accounting, and Supplier/Business Diversity. She has a knack for seeing the big picture and connecting the dots to accomplish team goals, while ensuring everyone feels they are respected, valued, heard, and belong. She has a respected reputation for communicating important information and building trusting relationships across global organizations. She is energized by finding common ground and connecting with others. Kaycee has been recognized for being a detail-oriented, collaborative project & program manager who has the ability to add context, link goals, and navigate silos. Specialties: Program/Project and Event Management, Communications, Supplier Diversity, Global Diversity, Cultural Competence, Interpersonal Savvy, Event Management; Project Management, Supplier & Vendor Management, Group Facilitation, Procurement/Purchasing, Non-profit Fundraising.

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.

Kenyatta Lewis

Executive Director of Supplier Diversity & Sustainable Procurement

Kenyatta Lewis is the Executive Director of Supplier Diversity & Sustainable Procurement at MGM Resorts International. From her start in procurement at New York-New York in 2000, Kenyatta designed, implemented, and expanded the company’s robust supplier diversity program. She is responsible for defining innovative strategies for supplier diversity and providing leadership direction to advance ESG priorities in the supply chain. She also oversees training and development programs for 80+ procurement professionals. Kenyatta was recently named a 2022 Women of Distinction in Hospitality, Retail & Conventions by NAWBO-Southern Nevada. She leads MGM Resorts’ executive Supplier Inclusion Task Force and is a member of the Institute for Supply Management’s Sustainability Committee; the Advertising, Entertainment Media & Sports Industry Group; and the Houston Minority Business Council’s Business Development Advisory Council. Kenyatta earned her degree in Business Management and served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Lynn Reddrick

Assistant Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Business Partners

Getting Buy-In Outside of Procurement

Take the next step in your Supplier Diversity programs by getting business areas outside of Procurement involved. Gain tips from industry experts on how to align your Supplier Diversity goals/strategies with non-procurement parts of your company, how to convince outlying departments, and ways to talk with your leadership.

Casey Oakes,
Moderator

Head of Community Impact; Supplier Diversity & Sustainability

Casey Oakes serves as Head of Community Impact for Google Supplier Diversity and Sustainability. Casey has a long and varied history in supplier diversity leading corporate programs as Director of Global Supplier Diversity for Marriott International and GlaxosmithKline and in the Non-Governmental Organization space where he served as Vice President of Corporate Relations the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Casey is a former WBENC board member and currently serves on the boards of WBEC-DMV, NYC & The Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. Casey grew up in central New Jersey and graduated from the American University with a degree in Political Science.

Amy Clark

Senior Manager

Amy Clark has over 20 years of experience in supply chain in the electric utility and gaming industries. After retiring from the Tennessee Valley Authority, Amy joined NV Energy as a supply chain and procurement manager. Amy is currently a senior manager at Aristocrat focused on supplier diversity, environmental social governance, and compliance. In addition to her supply chain experience, Amy was an adjunct professor at Georgia Northwestern Technical for five years. At GNTC, she taught business law, economics, HR management, leadership and management principles, labor relations, managerial accounting, and employment law. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. She is a Certified Professional in Supply Management as designated by the Institute for Supply Management, Inc. Amy continues to further her education and will graduate this year with her Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Global Supply Chain Management.

Ernie Flores

Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Ernie Flores leads the Supplier Diversity program for Kaiser Permanente. He oversees and advocates for securing a spend worth more than $3.4 billion (2022) with diverse companies in staffing, professional and business services, and marketing sector. Ernie is also responsible for relationship building, supplier diversity compliance efforts, and creating strategic alliances for upcoming sourcing initiatives across the organization.

Theresa Harrison

Global Environmental Social Governance Services Leader

As EY Director – ESG & Enablement Services (ESGES) in Supply Chain Services, Theresa drives an inclusive and sustainable mindset to procure in a sustainable way looking beyond short-term needs and considering the longer-term impacts. She oversees EY’s approach to create a distinctive experience for small, diverse and sustainable suppliers by teaming together to develop innovative solutions and strategies for EY, our clients and the communities we serve. A member of the Supply Chain Services Executive, Theresa chairs the ESG Network, the Inclusiveness in Supply Chain Network and oversees the monitoring and tracking of the Supply Chain Services organization to buy sustainably sourced products and services and build an inclusive supply chain. An award winning and recognized leader in the industry, Theresa is a frequent public speaker and works to build awareness of the importance of supplier diversity both inside and outside of EY. She earned a BS in Business Management from Emmanuel College and an MBA in Management from Bentley University Past Awards: Corporate Advocate–WBE Hall of Fame, Advocate of the Year-NYNJ MSDC, William Alcorn Award-WBENC, Applause Award-WBENC, Advocate of the Year–NGLCC

Measuring Success: Program Maturity

Moving beyond the RGMA standard – how can we quantify the value of Supplier Diversity? Industry experts will discuss metrics and measurements for mature programs, critical success factors, and how to increase impact in our communities.

Donna Ruff, Moderator

President & CEO

Danetta Jackson

Chief, Statewide Supplier Diversity Program

As the Statewide Supplier Diversity Program Chief within the California Department of General Services (DGS) Procurement Division (PD), Danetta Jackson is a member of the executive team focused on developing and implementing statewide strategic objectives, supported by data to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in state contracting. In Ms. Jackson’s previous role as the state’s Business Outreach Program Manager for 13 years, she oversaw outreach engagement strategies, external partnerships, communications, state contracting goal compliance, as well as the department’s Small Business Advisory Council.

Jackson leverages economic impact through collaboration and leads the Government Operations Agency Minority-Owned Small Business Task Force. Ms. Jackson’s education includes a BA in Psychology from CSU, Sacramento, continuing education and certificate in their Management and Executive Leadership Programs, DGS Procurement and Contracting Executive Certificate Program and various training in DEI. Outside of work, Ms. Jackson serves as a member of the Sacramento Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women where she advocates for the African American community in the areas of civic engagement, education, health, sound public policy, and social justice.

Jerilyn Gleaves

Senior Manager, Supply Chain Responsibility

Jerilyn Gleaves leads Supply Chain Responsibility for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. In her role as Senior Manager, she is responsible for developing strategies to increase spending with women-, minority-, service-disabled veteran, and LGBT-owned companies and promoting a supply chain that is sustainable and ethical. She is charged with building relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, as well as with prime and diverse suppliers to foster business opportunities.

Hector Martinez

Vice President Supplier Diversity | Senior Procurement Relationship Manager

Mr. Martinez is the Vice President of Supplier Diversity at U.S. Bank. He and his team support the bank’s efforts in building a sustainable and diverse procurement program. In 2020, he was recognized as a Top Diversity Professional in the United States by the Diversity Plus Magazine. He was also recognized by the Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal as 2009’s Minority Business Advocate of the Year. Hector’s leadership at U.S. Bank was most recently recognized by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council as a Top Corporation in the U.S.. The North Central Minority Supplier Development Council in Minneapolis awarded U.S. Bank Corporation of the Year in 2017 for leadership in Procurement for the council and for developing Best in Class Supplier Diversity programs in the Midwest region. Under Hector’s engaged leadership model, the bank has achieved national recognition for Supplier Diversity by NAVOBA,NGLCC, USHCC, USPAACC, and WBENC. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Hector worked at Xcel Energy, the fourth largest Public Utility Company in the U.S. His leadership and role in Supply Chain led to significant gains in dollar spend and contracts awarded to diverse suppliers including the first ever contract to an MBE in MN for the nuclear energy division. Hector also worked as a consultant and Loan Officer for small and micro businesses before his entry into the corporate procurement and finance world. Hector holds Marketing and Business Administration undergraduate degrees from Winona State University and earned his MBA in 2014 from Hamline University.

The Impact of Storytelling

Turning metrics into impact – how to use storytelling in your Supplier Diversity programs. Hear examples of how storytelling has been utilized at different organizations, how to incorporate your data, and how storytelling can be employed within an organization to make a compelling case for the preservation and expansion of Supplier Diversity initiatives.

⭐ WRMSDC MBE PLATINUM PARTNER ⭐

Christine Maddela, Moderator

Managing Partner

Christine Maddela is a lifelong storyteller. She’s a veteran broadcast journalist and media coach who now puts her decades of experience to work for her clients. That’s how Storyville Road was born. Storyville Road specializes in full-service video production and public speaking/presentation coaching. This month Christine was named a winner of the 2023 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Award by the Women Presidents Organization. Storyville Road was named 2023 WRMSDC Supplier of the Year: Class 1 and 2022 “Rising Star MBE Award”. Maddela was a featured speaker at NMSDC’s 2022 national conference where she presented “The Science of Storytelling: Building Your Brand.” She was named one of VEGAS INC’s “40 Under 40” and recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada as a “Rising Star” in entrepreneurship and winner of the Woman of Distinction Grant. She has received numerous Regional Emmy® Awards, Edward R. Murrow® Awards, and National Press Photographers Association Awards for her work. The National Bar Association also named her one of 19 finalists in the country for the 2017 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts.

Sal Peinado, Jr.

Head of Responsible Sourcing

Sal joined Autodesk Inc., in October 2020. He is responsible for developing and implementing Autodesk Inc.’s global supplier diversity program. He currently serves on the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council’s board of directors. Prior to Autodesk Inc., Sal was Sr. Supplier Diversity Consultant at CSAA Insurance Group, where he was responsible for developing its Supplier Diversity program. He is past Chair of the California Department of Insurance Diversity Task Force. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from UC Berkeley and a Master’s degree in Economics from San Jose State University. Sal also taught courses in Microeconomics and Investments at San Jose State University.

Tiffany Rodriguez

Manager, Supply Chain Responsibility

Tiffany Rodriguez is a Manager of Supply Chain Responsibility at PG&E. She has worked in the utility industry for 20 years and has held positions in customer service, renewable energy, sourcing, and supplier diversity. Presently, she manages a team focused on PG&E’s Supply Chain Environmental Sustainability, Ethical Sourcing, and Supplier Diversity program enablement. Her team works to reduce environmental footprint via product and service strategies, drive supplier environmental sustainability improvements, engage suppliers to maintain conformance to PG&E's supplier code of conduct, and support supplier diversity efforts. She led the creation of an innovative supplier training on greenhouse gas emissions accounting. Tiffany received her undergraduate degree in Global Leadership and Management and her MBA focused in Supply Chain, both from Arizona State University. Also, she holds certificates as Certified Professional in Supply Management and Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity from the Institute of Supply Management among other professional certifications.

Scott Vowels

Manager, Supplier Diversity

Scott A. Vowels is part of the Supplier Diversity Team at Apple Inc. and author of the highly successful book “Hacking Supplier Diversity.” He is a recognized thought leader and expert in the field of supplier diversity. His experience comprises over 20 years in procurement and 10 years in supplier diversity.

Supplier Diversity Under Attack

With the growing anti-DEI legislation and the battle being waged against affirmative action in schools, critical race theory, Corporate DEI initiatives, and more, Supplier Diversity and those who work within it are under attack. Our panel members will discuss the hot-button topics surrounding current events, including how many are rooted in our nation's history of racism and oppression, as well as strategies you can use to fight back, gain support (in the C-suite and beyond), and defend the importance of diversity in our companies and communities.

Scott Vowels,
Moderator

Manager, Supplier Diversity

Joyce Christanio

Senior Program Manager, Supplier Diversity

Joyce is a wireless industry veteran with deep experience in diversity, equity & inclusion, helping lead T-Mobile’s Supplier Diversity initiatives under the company’s Chief Procurement Officer. In this role Joyce supports initiatives that engage diverse suppliers while meeting the company’s short- and long-term supplier diversity goals and compliance requirements. Since joining T-Mobile when the Un-carrier merged with Sprint, Joyce has been instrumental in the development of the company's NextTech Diversity Program, an industry-wide effort to diversify the telecom workforce, that has won Joyce several T-Mobile awards. In less than one year, the NextTech Network Technician and Network Equipment Driver’s programs were launched to fund recruiting, training, certification, and job placement services for hundreds of women, veterans, and men of color. The program has placed 100 percent of 388 trained graduates, within 15 days of graduation, into sustainable careers as network technicians or commercial truck drivers. Both positions are vital to the expansion of America’s 5G networks--aiming to build program momentum through at least 2025.

Joan Kerr

Former Director of Supply Chain Responsibility for Pacific Gas and Electric Company Happily Retired

Joan Kerr is the former Director of Supply Chain Responsibility (Supplier Diversity, Sustainability, and Ethics) for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She joined the company in 2009, and under her leadership PG&E more than tripled its annual spend with diverse business enterprises, exceeding $2 billion and 40 percent of total procurement spend since 2013. Her service included Board service for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, National Utilities Diversity Council, National Minority Supplier Development Council, WBENC’s Encore Committee, NGLCC Corporate and Procurement

Beverly Norman-Cooper

Chief Strategist

Reimagining Economic Regeneration Strategies, LLC

Beverly Norman-Cooper is the President/Owner of Reimagining Economic Regeneration Strategies, LLC, a Black, woman-owned strategic and management advisory and consulting firm based in Baltimore, MD. The company helps large corporations, small-to-midsize companies, anchor institutions and non-profits harness the power of inclusive and diverse purchasing to regenerate communities and improve lives. She is the former Executive Director of National Supplier Diversity at Kaiser Permanente, where she oversaw increased spend with certified women- and minority-owned companies from approximately $1.3 billion when she took the role in 2015 to more than $2.3 billion when she retired from the healthcare company in 2018.

Breakouts

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in supplier diversity our Breakout Room Leaders are ready to meet you at your level (Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced) to provide program guidance and solutions.

Beginner

For newer programs or supplier diversity professionals with 0-2 years experience.

Amy Clark,
Co-Moderator

Senior Manager

Scott Vowels,
Co-Moderator

Manager, Supplier Diversity

Intermediate

For intermediate programs or supplier diversity professionals with 3-5 years of experience.

Michelle Picard,
Co-Moderator

Director Business Governance & Risk Management / DBE Liaison Officer

Michelle Picard is currently Director, Business Governance and Risk Management and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Liaison Officer for Siemens Mobility’s North American Rolling Stock headquarters in Sacramento, CA. As DBE Liaison Officer, Michelle partners with procurement and advocacy groups to help establish relationships with businesses recognized as small or diverse. Michelle leads the DEI Education & Inclusion Council for Siemens Mobility North America.

Bryan Wiggins,
Co-Moderator

Leader, Supplier Diversity

Bryan Wiggins is Supplier Diversity Leader in Global Procurement Services. He promotes Supplier Diversity for Cisco’s ever evolving needs. His previous roles included Category Manager for IT, Consulting, Staffing, and Technology suppliers. As a U.S. Army veteran, he served as a helicopter pilot in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Ft Bragg, NC. A graduate of NC State University, Bryan has currently serves on the Supplier Diversity Leadership Council and on the NC Veteran Business Association board. Previously, he chaired Cisco’s RTP Veteran employee organization and served as president of Temple Beth Or.

Advanced

For advanced programs or supplier diversity professionals with 5+ years of experience.

Roger Cheng,
Co-Moderator

Sr. Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager

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 several organizations across the country. In 2017, Roger was recognized as the #Hes4Shes Champion at the WBENC National Conference.

Sal Peinado, Jr.,
Co-Moderator

Head of Responsible Sourcing

October 19, 2023 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM PT

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Agenda

Speakers

Hosts

Strengthening Supplier Relationships

Getting Buy-In Outside of Procurement

Measuring Success: Program Maturity

The Impact of Storytelling

Supplier Diversity Under Attack

Breakouts

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

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