CVS Executive Learning Series for Diverse Suppliers

Alan Rothenberg

Alan got his start as a copywriter and then as creative director, at boutique and big-conglomerate agencies, including Havas, Omnicom, and WPP, where he and Cindy began collaborating over 30 years ago. At BrandEdge, which was the first branding agency focused entirely on the healthcare industry––and founded by his partner, Cindy––Alan was creative director, overseeing branding and promotional work for clients including Bard, Bayer, Janssen, Millennium, and Siemens.

At Glue, Alan oversees a rapidly growing creative department with expertise across healthcare, financial services, and B2B. With his expert team of designers and writers, he has developed branding for a range of clients, including Allogene, Dynocardia, GXO, MyLungHealth, PROVENGE, SkinTE, and Vestar. 

Alan holds two BAs, one in music and one in economics from Brandeis University. Professional recognition includes Manny, London, Rx, and APEX awards. Alan sits on the board of the Unbiased Science Institute, which is dedicated to improving access to and understanding of scientific information.

Alexia Vernon

Dubbed a "Moxie Maven" by the White House Office of Public Engagement for her unique and effective approach to communication and leadership development, Alexia Vernon is the founder and president of Step into Your Moxie. Since winning the Miss Junior America competition in college, she has delivered transformational keynotes and, along with Step into Your Moxie’s international team of consultants, delivered presentation skills, interpersonal communication, leadership development, and team building programs for Fortune 500 companies, healthcare and educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and the United Nations.

From how to get comfortable with visibility, create epic speaking content, and get booked to speak, to how to use communication to call in the right patients and staff and ensure they feel safe and seen, Alexia’s ‘secret sauce’ is helping her audiences and clients create speak-up workplace cultures and make more positive impact every time they communicate. Alexia is also the creator of Step into Your Moxie® Certification which prepares business leaders, coaches, and trainers to use the Step into Your Moxie® vocal empowerment system to support their employees and clients to speak up and influence.

Alexia has contributed to media such as CNN, NBC, CBS, Entrepreneur, SUCCESS, Inc., and Women’s Health Magazine. She is the author of multiple books including the award-winning, Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World. She is the creator of the popular LinkedIn Learning course, Communicating to Drive People to Take Action. A proud thyroid cancer survivor, Alexia is the creator of The Legacy Fund for women founders and nonprofit leaders as well as a past president of International Coach Federation (ICF) Nevada and Association for Talent Development (ATD) Greater Las Vegas.

Ann Nguyen-Chung, DMD, MBA

As a family dentist with over a decade of experience in patient care, I have a passion to contribute to the overall wellness of others. The story begins in 2020 when I developed a painful allergic reaction to a store-bought lip balm. Unfortunately, due to the long list of ingredients, I could not pinpoint the ingredient causing the reaction. I was upset about the pain and embarrassed about the ugly sores! Motivated to find a solution, I made my own lip balms using high quality, minimal plant-based ingredients. My skin cleared up! I had so much fun, so I continued experimenting with making other personal care products in my kitchen. The combination of my dental background, holistic plant-based lifestyle, and respect for life is how Happi Hippo Plant Organics was born.

We take pride in our use of all-natural, plant-based ingredients that are not only safe for the entire family, but also contribute to protecting our planet and its creatures. Our brand is proudly certified by PETA, demonstrating our commitment to promoting cruelty-free practices. Additionally, we use eco-friendly packaging that can be easily decomposed. To make an even greater impact, we donate a percentage of our sales to various causes that support environmentalism, animal welfare, and humanitarianism. 

In summary, as a result of what we do, thousands of people reduce their risk for toxins, are inspired to choose eco-friendlier choices to defer waste from landfills and help support various causes with each purchase. With increasing global concerns, we help people to be part of the solution by just starting out with something as simple as switching to plastic-free natural toothpaste. Join us on our mission to cultivate a healthier world for all, for a "happi" you and a "happi" planet!

Callie Carpenter

I was raised on a small five-acre farm in rural Adna, Washington. I was homeschooled there with my five brothers and sister. As soon as I can remember my mom had me in the kitchen where she taught me how to bake, the same way my grandmother had taught her how to bake. I had always worked with traditional ingredients, then, my brother turned thirty years old, and he started getting really sick. After weeks of testing, he found out that he could not tolerate gluten or dairy. He started bringing baked prepackaged treats over that were gluten free and dairy free and I could not believe how bad they tasted. I with my mom decided to try baking something delicious that my brother could eat. We worked on making a cookie that was vegan, gluten free, soy free, and was also so good you would never know what was (not) in it. We did it and PNW Cookie Co. was born. 

 I am a first-generation entrepreneur, certified woman owned business, and a certified military spouse owned business.  My husband is active-duty army and currently stationed in Texas. It definitely can be challenging to run a business, take care of our boys, and support my husband all at the same time but it is possible. My story is proof you can achieve your goals no matter how impossible they might seem or where you started in life. 

Operational excellence, an eye for detail, leadership courage, and a love of serving through others are just a few of the things I learned through my thirteen-year career at Starbucks. I have a thorough understanding of manufacturing and customer service. Since starting in 2018 we went from being in one coffee stand to now being in over eighty locations. I knew there was something different about me and that I wanted to accomplish more. I know now that I was meant to be a business owner.

Dave Rogers

With an extensive background in several engineering fields, Dave Rogers has forged a distinguished career as an entrepreneur and technologist, dedicated to utilizing technology to foster growth and healing worldwide. His journey began in the U.S. Navy, where, as a Nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, he operated nuclear power plants and led divisions of sailors, honing his leadership and problem-solving abilities.

After leaving the military, Dave transitioned his focus to technology, taking on a role as an Information Security Specialist at Bank of America, with a focus on Malware research. From there, he ventured into Web Application Development, working with several companies including Wildfire Interactive and Lytro Inc., both later acquired by Google. Working as a staff software developer, he honed his craft under the mentorship of seasoned developers, establishing a solid foundation of technical skills.

As the founder of DevFarm, Dave brings a passion for crafting custom software solutions that cater to clients of all sizes. His team excels at creating top-tier web and mobile applications and providing critical staff augmentation services, focusing particularly on software developer roles. But Dave's commitment doesn't stop at simply delivering services; he places strong emphasis on mentoring software developers, striving to amplify the inherent value of a team from within.

Holding both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science from the United States Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School respectively, Dave brings a unique blend of technical prowess and leadership skills to the table. With his multifaceted background and adaptable skill set, he stands ready to tackle new challenges in the ever-evolving world of technology.

Donna Childs

Donna Childs is the founder and chief executive officer of Prisere LLC. Prisere LLC was founded to develop technology to enable a safer, more disaster- and climate-resilient world. In the year of Prisere’s incorporation, it was included in the “GEW 50”, the world’s 50 most innovative start-up companies as selected by the Kauffman Foundation and celebrated during Global Entrepreneurship Week.  Prisere LLC is certified as a woman-owned small business by WBENC, the Woman’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Donna and Prisere have led projects for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Asian Development Bank, most recently in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Donna advises the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and its Climate Lab. Prisere LLC received a grant from the Global Good Fund. The U.S. Department of Energy selected Prisere LLC for a highly competitive SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Award to advance its innovation to enable climate and disaster resilience of residential and commercial buildings with software developed for reinsurance underwriters to quantify reduced claims arising from energy efficiency and renewable energy, thereby unlocking reinsurance capital to fund deep energy retrofits and clean energy installations. The National Academy of Sciences selected Donna to represent Prisere as one of 40 national experts working on its Gulf Coast Resilience research program. The prestigious Venture for Climate Tech invited the world’s 250 leading climate tech companies to apply to its 2022 accelerator. Of the 220 companies from 35 countries that submitted applications, Venture for Climate Tech selected twelve leading innovators to participate including Prisere.

Donna began her career as a research associate at the Harvard Business School where she contributed to research and case development on insurance and risk management topics. Prior to starting Prisere LLC, Donna was based in Zurich, Switzerland where she was a director and member of senior management of the Swiss Reinsurance Group, the world’s largest reinsurer of property-casualty and life-health risks. Donna also served as a senior columnist for Dow Jones, where her commentary on insurance and risk management, and small business access to capital, set readership records when they were published in the Wall Street Journal.  Donna is the author of Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses (Wiley 2002, second edition 2008). The genesis of the book is Donna’s experience of being in the World Trade Center on the morning of 9-11, being left homeless when civil authorities closed and evacuated her neighborhood and owning and operating her first venture near the World Trade Center. The Rockefeller Foundation, which is known for its global “Resilient Cities” initiative, supported Donna’s work in writing the third edition of her book on small business disaster resilience, introducing new content on climate change. The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, CNBC and other major global news media rely on Donna as their “go-to” expert on topics related to insurance and climate and disaster risk resilience. The Hurricane Director of the American Red Cross honored Donna’s volunteer work to help small businesses in the Gulf Coast states recover from Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike. Donna is fluent in five languages and has lived and worked in 35 countries.

Haydee Clark

 Haydee Clark is a highly accomplished professional and the Principal of Resilient Freight Solutions, a certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) freight agency. With over two decades of experience in Sales & Marketing across various industries, she has developed a strong expertise in trucking and logistics operations. Originally from Puerto Rico, Haydee relocated to Texas in 2013 to pursue greater career opportunities.

Haydee is deeply committed to empowering women in business and is actively involved in several organizations. She serves as a member of the Women of Color Committee for Women Business Council Southwest (WBCS / WBENC), and holds the position of Treasurer for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter. Additionally, as the Vice Chair of Development & Finance for the HWNT Dallas Chapter, she plays a crucial role in advancing Hispanic women in business. Haydee is also an active ambassador for the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA) and a member of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her engagement in esteemed organizations such as the Association of Professional Women in Construction, Women in Trucking, and National Women in Roofing showcases her dedication to supporting diversity and fostering professional networks.

Apart from her professional achievements, Haydee values her family and enjoys various hobbies, including Bonsai cultivation, fly-fishing, tennis, and watching sports. With an MBA in Marketing, she possesses a strong educational background that complements her industry knowledge.

James Sturgis, Jr.

James Sturgis, Jr. is the co-Founder and Chief Sales Officer at the reFOCUS Lifestyle Company.

James and his partners, Charlene Sessoms and Christopher Aden, started reFOCUS in February of 2020. They were able to keep the company alive during the pandemic eventually making deliveries to their first customers in February of 2022. Their reFOCUS Plant-Based Meal Replacement shake is now carried in more than 1500 brick & mortar locations as well as multiple ecommerce platforms. 

Prior to starting reFOCUS, James was the Director of Store Development for Retail Business Services. As Director of Store Development, James was responsible for Architecture & Engineering, Construction, Store Planning and Special Projects for The Giant Company, a grocery retail brand owned by Ahold Delhaize, one of the top grocers globally. Before moving into this role, James was the Director of Supplier Diversity for Ahold USA. In that role, James engaged diverse companies around opportunities to partner with the Ahold family of grocery store brands. James started in supplier diversity at Tropicana Products, LLC where he was their first manager of supplier diversity. James grew the supplier diversity program at Tropicana quickly eventually folding it into the PepsiCo supplier diversity program. PepsiCo was the parent company of Tropicana, Frito-Lay, Pepsi and Quaker Oats.

It was James’ experience as a supplier diversity manager and director that led him to believe that he could build a company of his own. James helped many businesses build their companies as a supplier diversity professional and felt that prepared him to join in the success he facilitated for others. Additionally, his experience in grocery, as well as his experience with consumer products led him to pursue consumer products as an entrepreneurial venture.

Personally, James has a big personality and a big heart. He loves nothing more than helping others and solving problems. He’s a big fan of organization and thrives in chaotic environments. In his free time, you can catch James listening to old school R&B, sipping on a good whisky, traveling, or spending time with his animals.

Jenn Rogerson

Jenn Rogerson received her first leadership role in a company at the young age of 19, managing a team of 5 accountants. Over the past 15 years, she has continually taken on new leadership roles, including the last 7 years in an executive level role in both finance and human resources and most recently running all finance and operations as the CFO/COO at Mixhers. Jenn thrives in helping companies in the early stages, building processes from the ground up, prioritizing efficiency, and maximizing savings.

Jenn attributes her success to being raised on a family farm where a solid work ethic and grit was ingrained into her each day. In her free time, Jenn loves to spend time with her husband and three kids, camping and hiking, and expressing her creativity by cooking and baking bread.

Jessica Broome

 Jessica Broome is a seasoned and dynamic researcher with diverse experience in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. She founded Southpaw Insights in 2008 to conduct meaningful, human-centered research that helps organizations understand what people think, feel, and do. 

Jessica has conducted results-oriented research for clients across a broad swath of sectors, including food, retail, healthcare, and financial services. She focuses on rigorous questionnaire design to collect high-quality data, as well as using data to tell a story that leads clients to action.

Jessica began her career in the non-profit sector, interviewing incarcerated people in both state prisons and city jails across New York. She then worked for several years in the research and insights departments of major public relations agencies, including Ogilvy and Edelman, where she managed the much-publicized Edelman Trust Barometer. 

Jessica holds a B.A. in Sociology from Connecticut College and an M.S. in Applied Social Research from Hunter College. She earned a PhD in Survey Methodology from the University of Michigan, where she returns every summer to teach Questionnaire Design.

Jessica Broome

Jessica Mulligan, founder of Winged, Women’s Wellness, has spent her life in wellness building brands that help women live their best lives. 

She was an instrumental force in bringing ingestible collagen to North America and now is on a mission to do the same in promoting cannabinoids and adaptogens for women’s physical and mental health.

 Jess believes in using business as a platform for positive social change, and Winged works with various organizations with the goal of advancing women in mind.

Kevin Porter

Owner/CEO – KT&T Distributors, Inc. 

Developed product, managed production by outside vendors, coordinated delivery.

Solicited and obtained accounts including Disney Land, Disney’s California Adventure, Anaheim Angels, Universal Studios and FedEx.

Created and implemented sales strategy, designed distribution systems, interacted and coordinated with marketing, planning and customer service departments.

Lee Phillips 

Lee Phillips is an accomplished and dynamic professional with a proven track record in driving sales growth and brand success. Currently serving as the Vice President of Sales at Granny Squibb's Organic Iced Tea, Lee brings a wealth of expertise and strategic insight to the realm of organic beverages.

Lee's exceptional leadership is further evidenced by his role on the Board of Directors for Webster First Federal Credit Union, where his strategic vision and financial acumen contribute to the institution's strategic direction.

With a rich background in brand strategy and new brand consulting, Lee Phillips has consistently demonstrated his ability to position brands for success in competitive markets. His strategic mindset and innovative approach have propelled numerous brands to new heights, making him a sought-after thought leader in the industry.

Prior to his current roles, Lee served as the Regional Sales Manager at The Coca-Cola Company, where he orchestrated impactful sales strategies and played a pivotal role in leading the Honest Tea brand to prominence. His contributions to brand development and market penetration have left an indelible mark on the beverage industry.

Lee's academic foundation includes a degree from Bridgewater State University, providing him with a solid grounding in business principles and a strong platform for his professional achievements.

Recognized as an authority in price strategy and sales strategy, Lee Phillips continually demonstrates his ability to drive revenue growth through meticulous analysis and implementation of effective sales tactics. His proficiency in these domains has been a cornerstone of his career success, and he consistently leverages his expertise to create meaningful impact for the brands and organizations he serves.

In summary, Lee Phillips is a visionary VP of Sales, a strategic board member, and an esteemed brand strategist. His transformative contributions to both established and emerging brands, coupled with his astute business acumen, underscore his reputation as an expert in sales strategy and brand innovation.

Lorena Camargo 

Lorena Camargo has been living logistics from a young age.  She started in the business at age 17 and worked her way up to Vice President of Operations in a courier company.  At age 24 she decided she was ready to strike out on her own.  Because no bank would risk lending to a 24-year-old upstart, Lorena borrowed $25,000 from a friend of a friend and started her own company, PearlTrans Logistics in Los Angeles.

She’s built Pearl on innovation, quality and teamwork. PearlTrans prides itself in providing customized same-day delivery solutions through courier, trucking and airfreight. Pearl’s mission is to provide quality logistics services to positively impact their customers’ operations and profitability. Their clients range from health care facilities to military bases to movie studios. Pearl transports everything from human tissue to printed material to aircraft parts throughout California and several cities in the U.S.

Since 2020, Lorena has been serving on the board of directors of the Customized Logistics & Delivery Association (CLDA), who advances the interests of the final mile sector of the supply chain through advocacy, networking and education. As the youngest woman and first Latina elected, she strives to support other women-owned and minority-owned businesses and keeps pushing for diverse and inclusive representation within the industry.  Previously, she served as an executive board member for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. Lorena is a graduate of the Executive Management Program at UCLA Anderson School of Management and was selected as one of Verizon’s Women in Business.

Recently, PearlTrans Logistics achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a coveted spot on Inc magazine's esteemed Inc 5000 list. This prestigious recognition celebrates the outstanding growth of private companies, with PearlTrans Logistics emerging as one of the fastest-growing entities in its industry.

Michelle Padula

Michelle Padula is President of SBE Media Consulting, a certified woman-owned and operated business, SB eMedia Consulting stands for its original focus on Small Business Media solutions.

Now, whether it’s strategy, operational optimization, marketing and content development, or coaching, she can identify the interrelationships between organizational functions, activities, and goals which allows her to acutely drive client’s forward towards their vision.

Michelle has nearly 25 years of experience working with governmental agencies and the last 14 years specifically in healthcare. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business and Information Systems Technology from Arizona State University.  As a Micro-Systems Programmer Analyst for the second largest county in Illinois, she was able to apply technology to existing processes to create an efficient and seamless user to client experience.  In conjunction, her freelance experience developing effective campaign material led to her transition to Director or Business Development at the largest private ambulance company in the Midwest.  Here she fostered the growth of the government clientele division by 80% in the last five years of her tenure, while also developing and deploying interoperable, compliant, and efficient internal processes which led to not only sustainability in the industry but also an overall quality product and client experience.  Eager for growth, she moved into the Chief Marketing Officer role for an Illinois Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) of $75 million system of integrated healthcare, with 40 locations in 27 communities across 13 Illinois counties. There she developed innovative Value Based Care methods by evaluating and restructuring service models to achieve the highest patient value.

Michelle has certificates from Harvard Business School in Strategy for Heath Care Delivery and Northwestern Kellogg School of Management in Business Analytics and AI, and Northwestern Kellogg School of Management’s Strategic Change Management.

As a lifelong resident of Chicago, Michelle has always believed in strong stewardship of her community.  At 18, she was honored to be recognized by the Mayor of Naperville for volunteerism to the community by creating the first ever website for the City of Naperville.  Later she was awarded as an Honorary Girl Scout for her successful mentorship to emotionally distressed teen girls who were then able to achieve personal success in life through her development of their emotional well-being and self-confidence. Michelle also served on the development board for America SCORES Chicago, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, and creative expression. Using teamwork as the unifying value, America SCORES Chicago inspires youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities.

Russell Gong

Russ is a sustainable product specialist, inventor and the Cofounder & President of Cabinet Health. Cabinet Health is a sustainable healthcare company on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic in medicine. The company sells and manufactures the world's first refillable and compostable medicine system for OTC, supplements and prescriptions and has been show on NBCs SharkTank, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc. and others as a healthcare industry changing brand. At Cabinet Health, Russ leads the development of sustainable healthcare products and services aimed reduce the healthcare industry's plastic footprint. Russ started his career working in state and federal legislatures on environmental policies and later served as a Program Director for Deloitte Consulting social innovation arm building sustainable products & social enterprises. Outside of work, Russ is a US Army Officer, proud husband and father of two young sons.

Timothy Cornelius

In the dynamic world of research technology, Timothy Cornelius embarked on his journey with Gartner, guiding emergent high-tech companies across the United States. His expertise soon led him to Lucid, a promising venture that would later be acquired by Cint, marking it as New Orleans' inaugural unicorn company. The winds of change then steered Tim to QuestionPro, where he assumed the role of Director of Operations.

However, life had a twist in store for Tim. A health setback resulted in temporary blindness, and he was confronted with a stark realization. The very technology he had passionately contributed to and relied upon daily was now inaccessible to him. It was a poignant moment of clarity: after facilitating over 100 million customer interviews, he recognized that the system inadvertently excluded individuals with disabilities from sharing their invaluable insights on products and services that impacted their lives.

Driven by this revelation, Tim pivoted his focus. He founded P3 Technology; a pioneering initiative dedicated to amplifying the voices of those with disabilities. The concept ignited widespread interest, and soon, over a dozen Fortune 500 companies were directly engaging with disabled individuals through P3's innovative technology, ushering in an era of unprecedented equity.

Despite its meteoric rise, P3 remains grounded in its core values, proudly being 100% disability-owned and operated. Today, Tim's mission extends beyond technology; he bridges companies with the untapped potential of everyday experts, fostering the most extensive community of disabled consultants. Through his endeavors, Tim has not only transformed the landscape of research technology but has also championed inclusivity and equity at its very heart. In 2022, Tim and P3 Technology were honored by Greenbook as their Future of Research award recipient, and also by Quirks, The Marketing Research and Insights Excellence Awards as their 2022 Fearless Leader.

Ty Campbell

Creative Director with 10+ years of experience leading and executing successful campaigns across a variety of mediums. Skilled in creative development, motion design, project management, and team leadership. Passionate about delivering high-quality work that exceeds client expectations.

Zach Ricketson

Zach is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of invaluable experience in the realms of branding, digital strategy, data & analytics, operations, and marketing. Zach has played an instrumental role in transforming businesses across diverse industries, from B2B to CPG, leaving an indelible mark on the corporate landscape from Chicago to San Francisco. With a unique ability to construct and nurture teams and departments from scratch, Zach's prowess has found a new home at MH3, where his strategic insights are set to fuel the company's growth. Zach is the Co-founder and current Chief Content Officer of MH3.

Zach's unique skill set lies in his strategic prowess, allowing him to craft meticulously detailed plans and streamlined processes. At the core of his approach is the art of effective communication, a skill he wields to magnify brand messaging and catalyze business growth. His strategies not only captivate audiences but also empower individuals to make informed decisions, thus fostering a culture of diversity, enlightenment, and progress.

Zach most recently transitioned from the dynamic and rapidly evolving cannabis industry. Here, he orchestrated the nationwide launch of several pioneering brands, like High Supply, Good News, FloraCal, and more, navigating the complex landscape with finesse and ingenuity throughout the U.S. Zach's ability to adapt and excel in a rapidly changing environment underscores his status as a true visionary, capable of steering businesses toward new horizons even in the face of uncertainty.

Zach's academic journey laid the foundation for his remarkable career. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Advertising from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, mastering the art of storytelling and persuasion. Building upon this foundation, he pursued a Master of Science in Media Management also from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, refining his strategic acumen and fortifying his leadership skills.

Amanda Bauman

Amanda Bauman is owner and founder of Chica de Gallo, a Tex-Mex dip brand based in New England. Chica de Gallo is a WBENC certified woman-owned business. Growing up in Texas, Amanda developed a passion for Tex-Mex food that she brought with her when she moved to Massachusetts. It was the classic story – friends always said her dips were so good that she should sell them. So, in 2012, Amanda and her fiancé started Chica de Gallo to share the tastes of Texas with New England. Under Amanda’s guidance, Chica de Gallo’s retail presence has grown throughout New England and beyond. She also manages Chica de Gallo’s community engagement, including partnering with a local incubator kitchen to provide grants for emerging food entrepreneurs. Chica de Gallo was named the official salsa and guacamole of the Boston Red Sox’s 2019 season. Amanda has a B.A. in Biology from Smith College. She enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors with her fiancé and their young son.

Braxton T. Fleming (he/him)

Braxton T. Fleming (he/him) is a Licensed Practical Nurse and the CEO and Founder of Stealth Bros. and Co., a luxury Dopp Kit supply company that provides travel and at home personal storage for hormone replacement therapy and other medical necessities. Braxton launched the company in 2017 from his bedroom to raise money for his own top surgery and to create a way to become an an active member of the transgender community. Today, Stealth Bros. and Co. continues to grow and serve the transgender and allied communities, as well as IVF and diabetic communities, among others. Through Braxton’s leadership, Stealth Bros developed a surgery fund for members of the LGBTQ community in need of financial support and his company is a proud Certified LGBT Business Enterprise of the NGLCC. By sharing his own life experiences, Braxton hopes to uplift other trans people in their journeys and to fill a gap in representation of trans people of color.

Catherine Nguyen

Catherine Nguyen practiced law for 10 years before becoming an entrepreneur. Being a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants and from a very large family, food was integral to her upbringing. All family events, holidays and celebrations were centered around the kitchen table. Once she became a mother herself, Catherine became very focused on finding high protein, clean snacks to fuel her own family. Like most moms, Catherine is always on the go. As she’s making meals, going to sports practices with her kids, volunteering, and squeezing in her own workouts, all-day energy is essential. In a quest to find healthy, protein-packed snacks that her foodie family could love, Catherine created Wild Willett in her own kitchen. Hundreds of recipe tweaks and family taste tests later, her better-for-you snacks are now available in five delicious flavors. Wild Willet is named after Catherine’s 3 children – Will, Lilly and Scarlett, who require their mom to triple her energy (and luckily, they also triple the fun).

De’Andre B. Wells SGT. US Army (Ret.)

De’Andre B. Wells SGT. US Army (Ret.) served as an NCO in the US Army, 5th Special Forces Group, where he completed three tours of combat duty during the global war on terrorism and served as an ODA team member during the heated 2004 "Battle of An Najaf." Sgt. Wells was recently elected by his peers to lead a team of subject matter experts in engineering, manufacturing, 3D printing, infection control, industrial and experience design, and healthcare. In Collaboration with Challenge America, The VHA Innovation Ecosystem, and Make America, this team will be designing and developing innovative solutions to address First Responder's challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He is a Baltimore Business Journal 2016 40 under 40 honorees, a National Small Business Leadership Council member, Executive Board Member of The Academy of United States Veterans (AUSV), and Bunker Labs Baltimore Chapter City Leader. As an (NSBA) Leadership Council Member, Wells represents his congressional district as a point of contact with Members of Congress on small business issues. He is a member of the Health and Human Resources Issue Committee where he oversees all issues having to do with health care and employee benefits, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health benefit’s taxation, medical malpractice, health savings accounts and more.

City leaders are the heart of the Bunker Labs team. They plan and host Bunker Labs events, build connections and serve as the public face of Bunker Labs in their local community. An average week might include planning the next Bunker Brews, building a relationship with a local veteran’s group, and making introductions between fledgling veteran entrepreneurs and experienced business leaders. Each chapter has three city leaders, each with a unique focus in the chapter: operations, ecosystem, and entrepreneurs. De'Andre also serves on the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) Curriculum Committee. The Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) is sponsored by the Montgomery Chamber of commerce and Lockheed Martin. A comprehensive training and certification program that helps veteran-owned businesses strengthen their ability to win government contracts and do business with both military and civilian agencies.

The first program of its kind in the nation, VIP START, and GROW is conducted by professional subject-matter specialists in the essentials necessary to win government contracts: law, accounting, insurance, human resources, marketing, and proposals. The curriculum is designed to help companies accelerate the rate of becoming procurement ready. De'Andre holds a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development from Bethel University. He was selected from a strong pool of applicants to be one of 35 participants to be admitted into the Leadership Program in Integrative Healthcare at Duke University for the class beginning in February 2019. Wells holds a bachelor’s degree in leadership and organizational development from Bethel University.

Drita Luule Protopapa

Drita Protopapa was born and raised outside of Boston and is the daughter of two political refugees: her mother was from Estonia and her father was from Albania. She grew up in a multilingual and multicultural household so working in the language services industry came naturally to her. Drita is a native English speaker with native like fluency in Portuguese and Spanish. Drita founded MAPA Translations in 2007 with the goal of providing high quality and affordable written translations, interpreter services and multilingual voice-overs to bridge gaps in communication and connect people who otherwise wouldn't be able to communicate clearly.

Gene Brown

The Beginning Jabba’s Creations a unique company formed by a father and his only child Jeremy. Jeremy and I both are longshoreman at the North Carolina Ports. We both have a passion for cooking but my passion is extremely intense. I cook just to relax from a long working day. Our company began after Jeremy introduced me to a special sauce that he had developed while in culinary school at. One day Jeremy was experimenting and that day he discovered a unique blend of heat and sweet. Jeremy then came home to Leland on Super Bowl weekend in 2011 and introduced this discovery to me his uncles and cousins during the Super Bowl game. After the game Jeremy and I talked about how he had something worth bottling up to sell. We ordered 125 bottles and had a graphic artist friend to design a label. Jeremy gave away 125 bottles to family and friend and the response was extraordinary. Jeremy began the process to make this unique sauce available to the public. Jeremy and I began asking local store owners if they would be interested in selling this unique sauce. We began by putting sauce in local barber shops. Then one day in October 2012 the local Piggly Wiggly in Leland agreed to put 12 bottles of sauce on their shelf for a trial run. The sauce sold within 2 days. We were asked to do a demo and taste test on October 13,2021. The sauce sold out within 2 hours. A total of 10 cases was sold and now the sauce is sold in many local, stores throughout NC. Jabba’s Creations is the company’s name that has created the Jabba’s Hot and Sweet Brand. We together operate a Food Truck; with the truck we introduce our products to the public and to help sustain the business. There’s another sauce just introduced in the past 2 months and a dry rub that is in process of being introduced to the public. Jabba’s Creations is excited for this opportunity to share this short story of the humble beginning of the Jabba’s Hot and Sweet Brand. Gene Brown Operations Manager Jabba’s Creations.

Heidi P. Worcester

A serial entrepreneur with no plans of slowing down, Heidi started her woman-owned business NEATGOODS in her fifties. NEATGOODS focuses on providing exceptionally designed, innovative, and sustainable products for her demographic; pro-social women who are at the stage in life where they have the freedom and resources to focus on opportunities and who want "better, not more." She believes NEATGOODS can offer an authentic and extraordinary brand for her demographic.
Heidi's endeavors have always led with design. Previously, she was a partner in The Farmhouse Collection, a national furniture company, the author of a series of children's books about an adventurous female protagonist published by Harper Collins, and most recently, the founder of HEALgoods, a men's clothing company. In addition, she received a master's from Harvard's Graduate School of Design and trained as a Landscape Architect.
As Heidi's three children head off to college and careers, she looks forward to directing her newfound time into expanding NEATGOODS with her partner Greg Pesky. In addition, she plans to continue her involvement with several not-for-profit organizations primarily focused on education and hunger. And when there is a spare moment, she hopes to visit museums with her husband, cook for family and friends, enjoy the outdoors, and make the world a better place.

James P. Young, Jr.

Dr. Young has over 40 years of working directly with patients, physicians, and healthcare leaders to improve patient‐centered quality and equity. His experience includes working with Federally Qualified Health Centers, where he designed data collection and analysis strategies to improve patient satisfaction scores and transform practices into Patient‐Centered Medical Homes. He has extensive experience working with cardiologists and racially diverse patients to improve clinical care during and after procedures to correct cardiac arrhythmias Dr. Young has conducted and published research on healthcare disparities and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality. He holds an NCQA credential as a Patient‐Centered Medical Home Certified Content Expert. He is a nationally recognized Subject Matter Expert on Healthcare Disparities, Culturally Competent Care, and Patient‐Centered Care. Dr. Young is a nationally known Subject Matter Expert with experience working with the United States Congress members to improve healthcare literacy among people of color. He also served as an SME for Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health to develop a culturally competent patient satisfaction survey. Dr. Young holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management, a Master’s Degree in Organization and Leadership, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Board Chair Emeritus for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, and a Veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Jilliane Orwat

Jilliane Orwat, President of Garland Construction Corporation. A hairdresser by trade, holding an undergrad degree in Legal Studies, and working in Higher Education Regulatory for many years. In 2012, I was requested to bring my confidence, knowledge and education into the commercial construction world. With fear to make the change from the comfort of where I was into a non-traditional career path of construction, I felt intrigued by the challenge and the belief others had in me to come into their team. Coming into the construction world blind, I was eager to understand this new world I have entered. Not only did I learn the ins and outs of the financial part of the company, I worked hands on in the field, and in the office, established relationships with clients, vendors, our insurance agents, architects, state agencies etc., which allowed me to have earned my MA Unrestricted CSL. Since 2012, I have learned and controlled the ins and outs of this company. In 2019 I became majority owner and in 2020 I was voted as President and Treasurer and Chairman of the Board.

Kevin I. Brisco

Franklin Mountain Group Corp (FMG) is a distributor of medical equipment and supplies. FMG was established in 2012 and has operations in Nashville, TN and El Paso, TX. We are dedicated to the belief that the right products in the right facilities can improve healthcare facilities’ efficiency, safety and economy. Our mission is to be a valuable conduit between the manufacturers of medical products and the healthcare organizations that use them. We strive to distribute medical equipment and supplies that are either first to market, best value, or unique in their class of products. We diligently seek out these products and then subject them to review by qualified key opinion leaders. One characteristic that separates FMG from other distributors is that we do not just ship goods and bill invoices, we add a consultative aspect to distribution. This allows us to more fully understand the facilities’ needs and provide a measure of procurement consultation before any purchase orders are placed. We have found that this close-up look at the end user’s requirements helps us to add value from an experienced and objective perspective. The result is a happier customer and greater efficiency.

Rachel Walker

Rachel Walker Optia Group Consulting Principal Rachel has more than 20 years of experience working with organizations and teams during periods of rapid growth and transformation. Areas of expertise include: business process optimization, organizational design, mergers and acquisitions, sales effectiveness, customer and employee experience, new business launch, data-based enterprise decision support, revenue expansion, outsourcing, vendor management and change management. Prior to Optia Group, Rachel worked for a number of international organizations in executive leadership roles. Her background includes working as a National Practice Director for Novell, as a District Director for Cambridge Technology Partners, as the Manager of Technical Services for a venture backed software development firm, and as the Director of International Electronic Commerce and Digital Supply Chain for Rohm and Haas Company. Rachel is a graduate of LaSalle University with a Bachelor of Arts, Economics.

Rico Ricketson

Rico Ricketson is the founder and CEO of MH3, Mental Health for the Mind, Body, and Spirit. A subscription-based platform for direct access to credible mental health education from over 50 diverse health and wellness experts across the United States. Mental Wellness on Demand.

Samantha Williams, M.S.

Samantha (Sammi) is a distinguished content engineer with over twenty years of executive-level, corporate, and professional writing experience. She is also a recognized business coach and social media manager who is committed to supporting and building the local community. As an astute businesswoman and serial entrepreneur, Sammi has launched several companies, including Sam’s Word, Melanated Business Coaching, and 628 Digital Design, launching in February 2021. Sammi is the Co-Founder and President of the Collaboration of Minority Women Professionals (CMWP), with a mission to increase the visibility, capacity, and business profitability of professional minority women. CMWP was started in New Haven in 2018 and has grown to be a national business resource for Black and minority women. Samantha is also the current KNOWNpreneurs Program Manager, which is a BIPOC-focused mentoring and training program that Sammi was selected to build, design, execute, and implement within the Greater New Haven community. Sammi recently served as the Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) at the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL). Samantha is the recipient of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce 2021 Women’s Achievement Awards for Community Impact. the Sammi sits on the Board of Directors for the Black Business Alliance (BBA) and the Clifford Beers Clinic. Sammi is also a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC), the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce (GNHCC), the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the National Black MBA Association (NBNBAA). Sammi earned a master’s in health care administration from the University of New Haven and a bachelor’s in business administration / human resource management from York College – CUNY. Sammi is also a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and Notary Public.

Summer Mydlo

Summer Mydlo is an experienced logistics professional with over 14 years in the transportation industry. Over the years, Summer has developed a skill set in network design, change management, and account management that allows her to offer cost-saving programs throughout the supply chain pipeline. She is currently the Director of Business Development for North American Specialized Transport and proud to be a part of a 100% Veteran owned company. In addition to growth planning strategies, Summer also focuses on relationships with other Veteran-owned businesses, driver recruitment, and establishing and maintaining the Veteran certifications. Summer has an Executive MBA from Michigan State University and her passions include spending time with family, traveling, and making personal and professional friendships along the way.

Theresa Jones, CSA

After 17 years of mastering the sales and marketing industry, Theresa Jones entered the Cyber Security & Information Technology industries in 2016 and took it by storm. Within three years, she successfully earned her CMMC-Registered Practitioners Certification, Certified Cyber Security Awareness accreditation; CFISA: InfraGard Awareness Certification; completed HIPAA Privacy and Security Awareness Training; and PCI-DSS Privacy and Security Awareness Training. Theresa Jones is a specialty business consultant for the Louisiana Small Business Development Centers specializing in Cyber Security & Information Technology. Theresa is playfully known as the Cyber Lady, yet there is nothing whimsical about her drive and determination to continue furthering her career professionally. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors as Membership Coordinator & IT Sector Chief for the InfraGard National Board (Louisiana) partnership with the FBI. Theresa is the owner and principal consultant for EVALV IQ (pronounced evolve). Her agency is the first female, minority-owned Cyber Security consulting firm in the state of Louisiana. EVALV IQ brings the latest technology, security resources, and cyber education into the market. Theresa M. Jones hails from Metro New Orleans.

Tina Stevens

Secondary Solutions CEO Tina Stevens grew up at a time where women knew their place in business —and that was being at the top of their game in everything they did. With a military school education at Vermont’s prestigious Norwich University, Tina’s earliest influencers taught her the importance of “thinking differently” especially as it related to business processes and applications. When Tina first began working in the male dominated manufacturing industry, she quickly discovered that she was someone who saw solutions where others might have only seen problems. After carefully examining the many challenges of modern manufacturing, Tina was on her way to a new venture in Florida when she stopped along the way in Spartanburg, SC. It was there in South Carolina’s rapidly evolving manufacturing community that Tina saw an entrepreneurial opportunity with the creation of Secondary Solutions, a company solely designed to solve the many challenges that manufacturers face. Secondary Solutions has developed a stellar reputation as the company known for solving errors and failures in product design, assembly and delivery. Their roster of clients includes major appliance, healthcare, packaging, and industrial equipment manufacturers—along with first tier automotive companies like BMW and aerospace leaders like Boeing. In addition to her executive duties at Secondary Solutions, Tina also serves as a board member for the Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC). She is also a part of the National Forum of the WBENC (the largest certifier and advocate of women-owned businesses in the U.S) to help strengthen women’s business opportunities across the nation. Along with having a woman owned business that is also a certified ISO 2015 Company, Tina is most proud to celebrate Secondary Solution’s 21 years in business and creating a legacy of success in problem-solving.

Tracey West

Tracey West, owner, Irresistible Pound Cakes In 2012, Tracey decided to pursue her passion for baking and started Irresistible Pound Cakes from her Aunt Ola’s pound cake recipe to create desserts with a southern style flavor. When she baked her aunt’s cake, it brought back many happy childhood memories and the warmth of her Aunt Ola’s embrace. This cake was the centerpiece of every family affair and the glue that kept the family together. Her aunt’s tried-and-true recipe remains as the company’s signature product, which is made with patience, kindness, and love. Her corporate client list contains many Fortune 500 companies as well as mom and pop businesses. Tracey has gained five certifications for Irresistible Pound Cakes which includes Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). Tracey is a 2021 graduate of the Sonoco Minority and Women Business Enterprises Leadership Academy and is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Atlanta.

Vennicia Kingston

Vennicia Kingston is the owner of Eagle Eye Post Construction Service LLC.; a commercial construction cleaning and Labor staffing company. Vennicia is an eleven-year journeywoman with Local 271 Laborers’ Union located in Providence RI. In 2018 she decided to start her own Laborer staffing company, specializing in final cleanup of new build commercial projects in New England.

Vennicia’s past work experience with the union includes Pawtucket Bridge (2010), FM Global (2012), Cosco Guardrail Co. (2013) and Electric Boat (2017). Currently her company has three ongoing projects including the New Bedford Safety Complex (June 2021), Park Holms Phase III Newport (August 2021), King Street Commons (Sept 2021). She currently employs four Rhode Island residents, one of which is a union employee at the new East Providence High School.                     

Ms. Kingston is an alumni of Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship program (2009), she is the elected Chairwoman of RI Building and Construction Trades Council Women’s Caucus and the founder of D.A.PPP (Drug and Prison Prevention Program) a mentor program which focuses on non-traditional education for youth in disadvantaged communities.

Cyril Cohen
president, Cyril's Foods

Established in 1983, Cyril's Foods is a food company that supplies food products to major retailers, airlines, and food distributors nationwide. Cyril graduated from Florida International University with a  bachelor in Business Administration.  Cyril recently became an Alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program.

Melanie J. Haga, president and CEO
Back Thru The Future Computer Recycling, Inc.

Haga founded BTTF was founded in 1990. Back Thru The Future Computer Recycling, Inc. provides secure and compliant IT Asset Disposal. Services include IT Asset auditing, removal, destruction, reporting and recycling. BTTF also provides plant-based shred destruction, mobile shred destruction, data center relocation, leased equipment sanitization & preparation for return shipment to a leasing company. ISO14001, R2 Certified and NJ DEP Licensed.

Lori M. Harrington
president and COO, Capaccio Environmental Engineering, Inc.

As President and COO, Lori recently celebrated her 20-year anniversary at CAPACCIO.   With her unique skill set and drive to innovate, she has proven to be a strong asset to the company and the Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) industry itself. Lori’s technical background in information technology and systems have been instrumental in identifying and developing unique and customized tools for clients and the industry as a whole.

In her role, Lori is intricately involved with the day to day operations at CAPACCIO, which keeps her closely connected to employees, clients and the exciting solutions CAPACCIO offers the EH&S industry.  She has oversight of resource management and project execution across the company, with a focus of delivering impactful strategic solutions to clients across a variety of industrial sectors.   She is driven in cultivating a profitable culture that provides employees opportunities to do exciting work across the EH&S industry.

Lori holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematical Sciences from the University of California and enjoys attending concerts and spending time at the ocean with her husband and young children.

Kate McAleer
owner, founder, Bixby & Co.

 Kate McAleer is an owner and founder of Bixby &   Co.,   an artisan confectionary producer located in the   historic   working waterfront of Rockland, Maine.  Bixby   & Co. was founded in 2011 to produce and sell unique   natural and   organic chocolate products.  Kate earned   her honors BA from New York University and holds   diplomas in pastry arts   and culinary management from   the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. The first Bixby products were   developed after experimentation and trial and error in the family kitchen and are currently sold across the country in over   a 3000 specialty and natural food stores.  Kate is the 2014 Gorham Savings Bank LaunchPad Winner, MaineBiz 2014   “Nexter” of the top 10 people impacting Maine’s economy, and the 2015 Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Maine and 2016 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow and Tory Burch Foundation Grand pitch prize winner of $100,000.

In 2017 Kate and Bixby & Co. launched the first Bean to Bar chocolate production in the State of Maine, souring cacao directly from farmers and processing a complete chocolate product from the bean through to the end chocolate.

Mercedita Roxas-Murray
founder, CEO, Montage Marketing Group, LLC

  Mercedita Roxas-Murray is founder and CEO of Montage Marketing Group, LLC a certified woman and minority owned marketing services agency focused on marketing outreach and engagement. With over 25 years in the marketing industry, Mercedita is a recognized leader in the integrated marketing space. Montage serves federal, state and commercial clients.

Montage was nominated as Minority Supplier of the Year in 2017, Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise in 2018 and was named 2018 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner. Mercedita is a member of USPAAC, WBENC, and CRMSDC where she sits on the Board of the Input Committee and the interim board of the Montgomery County Local Small Business Association.

Mercedita has a passion to provide minority business owners and women, an opportunity for entrepreneurship and she spearheads the initiative 50 in 50 to advance professional development, growth and capacity for success of 50 aspiring professionals. Through the 50 by 50 Project, Mercedita will host a series of physical and virtual meetups and offer one-to-one mentorship to those who seek it. 

Nish Parikh
co-founder, CEO, Rangam

Nish Parikh is the Co-founder and CEO of Rangam, a New Jersey- based company specializing in developing a range of innovative solutions for special needs education, vocational skills  training, and inclusive employment. He is also the founder and executive director of LetUsConnectTM, an employment research park designed to identify and implement sustainable self- and community employment practices for individuals with disabilities in Princeton, NJ. Nish serves on the external executive board of the Undergraduate Research and Innovation (URI) programs at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and is a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council.

Jessica M. Pinette
founder, president, Plantasia Design, Inc.

After attending Massachusetts  College of Art,  Jessica went to work for a Boston based Interior Plant Service Company designing and selling interior plants,  containers and holiday décor to Boston area businesses. When the Plant Service Company that Jessica worked for was purchased by a multi-national corporation out of Britain, Jessica  decided it was time to strike out on her own. Armed with a small family loan and one client, she  vowed to build a company that focused on design, impeccable  customer service and employee happiness. That was over 20 years ago and since then, Plantasia Design has grown their monthly client base to over 200 clients throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island and their team to over 16 employees.

Jessica is actively involved in the national plantscaping industry, enjoys supporting local nonprofit organizations and has built lasting partnerships in the design and property management community. For the last four years Plantasia Design lead by Jessica has been giving back to the Special Olympics RI through the POT-A-PLANT horticultural therapy program at the State Games and has also designed and installed countless event rentals for Adoption RI fundraisers. Jessica acts as one of the interior landscape liaisons for American Hort Association, bringing horticultural and sales training to the local interiorscape community. As an organization, Plantasia stays up to date on the latest trends through their involvement in the design community, industry specific continuing education and the National Interiorscape Network Membership which benchmarks similar national organizations and administers focused training
programs.

Eddy Rodriguez
director of Finance, information systems, Penmar Industries, Inc.

Eddy Rodriguez is the Director of Finance and Information Systems at Penmar Industries, Inc., where he is responsible for all Merger and Acquisition activities. He is also charged with upgrading all information systems used by the company along with their related processes.

Eddy obtained his CPA while working in Audit at Deloitte & Touche and has used what he had learned at the firm to hold senior Internal Audit/Finance positions at large corporations including Sikorsky Aircraft, Homeserve USA and Amphenol Corp.

Eddy earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy at the University of Connecticut and his Master’s of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business (Indiana University).  Eddy has held a number of board position for the non-profit organization Prospanica (formerly National Society of Hispanic NBA’s) and is currently an executive board member/Treasurer for Sterling House in Stratford, CT.

Eddy lives in Monroe, CT with his wife, two sons and two dogs and is an avid reader and outdoor griller.

Yvette Robinson
president, co-owner, Robinson General Contractors, Inc.

Robinson established the company alongside husband, Kurt Robinson, in June of 2010. Yvette’s diverse construction background sprouted as a little girl helping her father on weekends and after school at the family business, Paisano Home Builders, a residential construction company. There she grew from helping clean up jobsites after school to the company’s marketing director and sales coordinator after graduation.

Yvette has extended Robinson General Contractors area of service beyond San Antonio with successfully completing several ground up and remodel projects in all areas of Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma market. She has also expanded Robinson General Contractor’s customer base to include several large retail companies as well as local, state and federal government departments. She has gained 6 certifications for Robinson General Contractors with SCTRCA including, Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Emerging Small Business Enterprise (ESBE), Hispanic American Business Enterprise (HABE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) as well as certified with the State of Texas as Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) and in May of 2016 she obtained SBA 8(a) Certification.

Yvette is constantly working to further the growth that she has started at Robinson General Contractors all the while she devotedly works with the community. She is a proud Executive Board member of the Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio, Volunteer for The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo BBQ Cookoff, member and past Embajadora of the 2015 year for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, ABLDP Class of 2016, Leadership San Antonio Class 43 (LSA300) as well as donating to the DePelchin Children's Center.

Elizabeth Shanley
impact advisor, The Fehlig Group

Elizabeth Shanley is an impact advisor at The Fehlig Group. She grew up watching her mother (the Founder and President of The Fehlig Group) help organizations combine their good works with good business strategy.

Elizabeth joined The Fehlig Group after spending most of her career in the hospitality industry. She identified the same problem at seven of the hotels she had worked for: the corporate level was doing a lot of “good” for the environment and for their community, but it wasn’t getting communicated to the hotel employees. Now Elizabeth helps companies communicate their social impact and sustainability initiatives throughout their organization to give everyone a chance to share in these experiences. Elizabeth is skilled at taking the ideas and values of leadership and helping engage the rest of the company. Her mission is to help organizations tackle the tight labor market by focusing on what their employees want more of: purpose and pride.

Elizabeth moved from the DC area to Rhode Island in 2014 and now lives in Providence with her husband and two children Whitman (3) and Larkin (1).

Christine Walsh
president, CEO, Alpha Graphics, Inc.

I have owned Alpha Graphics (not affiliated with the franchise) for 12 years and have grown the company from low six figures to 1.1M and counting. Alpha Graphics is a custom printing, design, and graphics boutique located in Baltimore, Maryland. We work on large state government projects as well as Federal contracts. We work with local, national and international businesses creating not only digitally printed products but our own version of color transfers that are used as product mockups and have been included in the production on the sets of House of Cards, 13 Reasons, Castle Rock and more. I am also the founder of Baltimore Cake & Whiskey, a curated women's networking group since 2014. Cake & Whiskey is attended by over 250 women each quarter. I am a huge advocate for local women in business and currently mentor 2-3 women a quarter. I advocate for the local artistic community and have sponsored over 10 events for local makers and artists. 

In 2011, I completed the E200 program sponsored by the Small Business Administration. The e200 Initiative is an intensive executive – level training initiative for high potential small business owners in Baltimore City and Baltimore County as well as the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business program in 2018. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a program for small businesses that links learning to action. Through the program, participants gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, and employee management that can immediately be put into action.

I am married with 2 children and 4 step children and live in Baltimore, Maryland.

April Pollock
president, co-founder, C-3 Group

C-3 Group IS an advertising and marketing firm in the Oregon District. April is also co-founder of Tempagenix, LLC. Both are WBENC certified woman-owned businesses. A creative problem solver and strategic thinker, April graduated with a BS in Marketing and has over 17 years of extensive experience in interactive marketing, including brand development, thought leadership, web design, SEM, strategy and more. She is a member of the local organizing committee for the First Four NCAA Basketball Tournament in Dayton and her passion lies in working with women-owned businesses and non-profit organizations.  

Tempagenix, LLC was founded in 2016 by partners Shelly Heller and April Pollock. The co-founders began discussing an issue about promoting an inventory of thermometers that had previously only been sold wholesale to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. They saw an opportunity to market directly to consumers and furthered that by identifying a need for a more eco-friendly solution than the disposable thermometers currently available on the market. With the support and encouragement of our WBENC contacts, Shelly and April took a chance on launching the new start-up now have national distribution through Target and Walmart.com.

Who is Roger Williams University?

Roger Williams University is an independent, co-educational institution with a focus on undergraduate learning, paired with strong, related master's degree programs. The University is also home to Rhode Island's only law school. At RWU, liberal arts education is paired with education for the professions, providing an interdisciplinary educational model where both courses of study are enhanced by their integration and the recognition of their unity. No matter what their major, all Roger Williams students develop the problem solving, reasoning, communications and teamwork attribute that employers seek.

Roger Williams University, based in Providence, Rhode Island, will be hosting the CVS Health Executive Leaning Series for Diversity Suppliers through University College. University College offers a wide variety of non-credit professional certificate programs, sessions, and seminars to provide individuals with a targeted and flexible means to advance, change or refocus career goals. UC also partners with organizations to provide custom solutions to increase their human capital and to address specific business challenges and industry needs.

In addition to professional programs, University College offers an array of personal development programs for lifelong learners. With courses lasting from one session to several weeks, covering subjects from college preparation and nutrition to poetry and social media marketing, University College offers programs for every interest. UC is now a testing site for Pearson VUE testing and is a Certiport Authorized Testing Center (CATC).

How does the selection process work?

National and regional diversity councils will nominate a number of diverse suppliers   who are members of their council to participate in the program.  The nominating council will work closely with the nominee to submit the necessary information/documents to ensure a complete nomination is submitted.  Please note that the individual nominated from the business must be the same person to attend the program.

What is the dress/attire for the event?

Since Most of the sessions will be virtual, business casual attire is completely acceptable.  The Capstone Presentations and the Ruby Awards (Program Completion Celebration) will require more of a business professional or formal attire.

Examples of previous attire include khakis, trousers, and button up or oxford shirts, poor shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, etc. If you are choosing to engage in sight-seeing after hours and/or the weekend please be sure to bring comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.  June/July in Providence tends to be very hot and humid, while October offers more comfortable temperatures requiring layers.

Where is the location of the program?

Part of the program will take place virtually, through conferencing platforms such as Zoom or WebEx and all of our in-person classes and workshops take place at Roger Williams University, Providence Campus, located on 1 Empire Street, Providence, RI 02903.  A few select events take place in Downtown Providence. 

What airport should I fly into?

Rhode Island
Our main airport is T.F. Green Airport, located at 2000 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886.
TF Green →RWU Providence is 9 miles (about 13 minutes of travel time by car)  Google map TF Green to RWU
 
Massachusetts
Another convenient option is Logan International Airport, located at 1 Harborside Drive, Boston, MA 02128.
Logan → RWU Providence is 52.2 miles (about 56 minutes of travel time by car)  Google map Logan to RWU

How do I get from the airport to the hotel?

With so many ride-sharing apps such as Lyft or Uber it is easier than ever to get to places.  Any ride-sharing app should be able to take you from airport to your hotel. If you want to take public transportation instead from the airport (T.F. Green) you can hop on bus #20 ($2.00).  The bus will drop you in Kennedy Plaza where you might only be a short walk away from your hotel (provided your hotel is in Downtown Providence).

How do I get from the hotel to RWU for classes?

If you choose to stay at a hotel in Downtown Providence then our campus is only a short walk away. Please allow enough time to travel to RWU based on the location of your hotel. Travel time between 5-20 minutes.

What supplies and materials do I need to bring for classes?

It would be advantageous to bring note pads, writing instruments and/or electronic devices (i.e. tablet, laptop, etc.). Additionally, we encourage you to bring USB, memory, or access to some other type of cloud based storage system to host your Capstone presentation.  Please keep in mind that we have wireless Internet access and it is not necessary for you to bring a hotspot connection.

What are the technology requirements for the virtual component of the class?

Please note that you will need to have reliable access to the internet and a device (laptop, desktop, tablet, smartphone) with video and audio capabilities for the duration of the program. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with all the platforms in advance with the video conferencing tools WebEx and Zoom. 

Will meals and/or refreshment breaks be provided?

Most meals will be provided as part of the program.  Meal times and frequency will be outlined on the course schedule. Please refer to the course schedule to determine if you need to plan ahead for additional snacks and/or nourishment.

What is the price of the program?

Should you be selected and accept the offer to attend, the tuition will be fully sponsored by CVS Health. The only costs that you will incur are logistics (flights, transportation, hotel, etc.) as needed. Most meals for on-campus sessions will be provided. 

How do your online classes work?

We will use one of our two Learning Management System (LMS) Bridges or Brightspace.  This platform will be used to learn and engage with the content, submit assignments and interact with instructors.  Our online classes are asynchronous and do not require you to log in for live sessions.  Through the LMS, each instructor will provide an overview of the course, expectations, assignments and submission deadlines.  Please only use the LMS to engage with the instructor and to submit assignments.  You will receive an abridged training to use the LMS during the first week of classes.

How does the executive coaching work?

During your nomination process you will be asked to identify your top priority areas.  You will then be matched to one of our expert coaches based on your preference.  Although we try to assign your number one choice, please keep in mind that you may be assigned your second or third choice.  Executive Coaching begins after the program kickoff in June, and runs for the duration of the program. If selected you are responsible for developing a plan of action on how you will best utilize your time with the coach. The Executive Coach will provide valuable feedback for your business.  You may choose to work on responding to RFP's, growing your social media presence, balancing innovation and stability in your business, systems thinking and production planning, or any of the other topics related to the business.

The frequency or mode of communication (in person, virtual, phone) is completely up to you and your coach.