AmerisourceBergen

Lamont Robinson joined AmerisourceBergen in February as director of supplier diversity and is looking forward to building a global world class supplier diversity program. He has been a leader in supplier diversity for the past 17 years, receiving a plethora of national awards and acknowledgements for every supplier diversity program overseen. His most treasured achievement is receiving the 2010 Corris Boyd Leadership and Diversity award from the Federation of American Hospitals, which recognizes an individual or company that has made an outstanding contribution in fostering leadership and workplace diversity in the health care industry. Robinson has led supplier diversity efforts for healthcare companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Hospira, Cardinal Health and Vizient before leading Nielsen’s supplier diversity program for six years, after leaving which he launched his own consulting firm.

The Britto Agency

Cauley & Associates

Michelle Cauley is the visionary behind Cauley & Associates, a distinguished psychotherapy group practice based in Los Angeles, established in 2004. With a focus on adults and couples, Cauleyspecializes in addressing a range of clinical concerns including high functioning depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. Beyond her clinical practice, she has a wealth of experience collaborating with major corporations, providing invaluable insights in business consultations, coaching, crisis management, training, and development. Cauley holds certifications in cognitive coaching, is a grief and loss expert, and has completed the Dare to Lead trained program by Brene’ Brown. Her expertise in emotional intelligence further enhances her ability to guide clients toward personal growth and fulfillment. Cauley cultivates a secure and empowering space where clients discover acceptance, healing, learn self-love, and reconnect with their authentic selves.

Bristol Myers Squibb

Rondu Vincent is Executive Director, Global Supplier Diversity & Sustainable Procurement. In this role, Vincent leads an award-winning program that is responsible for all internal and external supplier diversity and small business operations, community outreach and strategic alignment with Bristol Myers Squibb’s inclusive Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Organization. He is also responsible for supporting the company’s procurement sustainability goals, including standards for suppliers relating to social responsibility, environmental stewardship, ethical practices, and governance. Externally, Vincent is involved with key supplier diversity organizations and has forged strong partnerships with a variety of national and international advocacy groups. He serves on the board of directors for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, is Board Chair of the New York, New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council and is an international advisor for the Global Supplier Diversity Alliance.

VIVO360, Inc.

Sophie L. Gibson is a pioneer in the digital world and a respected expert in marketing and digital communications, Sophie L. Gibson is the founder and CEO of VIVO360, Inc. and the driving force behind the advertising, creative marketing, and digital media agency she formed 22 years ago. In this role, Gibson oversees all digital, marketing, publicity, and communications strategies for VIVO’s clients including media, creative, social, digital, and publicity. Her passion professionally is meeting and learning from extraordinary leaders around the world and sharing innovative ideas on the disruptive forces reshaping the global economy and helping her clients adapt to changing conditions that create long-term value for the companies and organizations they lead. She serves her community as a board member with Norcross Development Authority board and spearheads Show You Care, an organization she created dedicated to educating and building awareness about sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse.

Salesforce

Madison Gunter is a dynamic and visionary leader in procurement programs, known for his success in advancing operational excellence across risk management, compliance, sustainability, community impact, and business diversity. With a remarkable career spanning two decades, Gunter has established himself as an industry thought leader who excels where global procurement expertise meets commitment to sustainability and inclusion. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Procurement Programs—Supplier Governance & Compliance at Salesforce, where he is at the forefront of reshaping how organizations approach procurement and supplier best practices. Gunter orchestrates high-performing teams to spearhead supplier diversity, inclusion, and sustainable procurement efforts, illuminating a path toward sustainable business practices that prioritize both social impact and financial success. His ability to establish a clear mission and vision for program leaders in partnership with global stakeholders reflects his strategic acumen and unwavering commitment to driving tangible change. Additionally, Gunter is the Managing Partner at Gunter Group, Inc., a boutique business strategy consulting firm. He focuses on designing disruptive and impactful industry strategies for business development, supplier diversity, and supplier sustainability programs. Previously, Gunter nurtured global partnerships and inclusivity efforts for Cisco. He holds an MBA from Santa Clara University and a BA in International Relations from California State University, Chico. Gunter has demonstrated his commitment to giving back through volunteer efforts that align with his passion for diversity and sustainability.

CéteraMarketing

Dana Hali is the President and CEO of CéteraMarketing where she oversees marketing, management, and operations. In 1999, Hali received a marketing degree from Houston’s Texas Southern University and continued her studies at the University of Southern California and IBM’s Tuck University. Following her graduation, she moved to Los Angeles where she earned a living as a product sales associate, including stints as territory sales manager for National Tobacco and account sales for Energy Star. Hali pursued her love for writing which helped trade in the sales grind for Hollywood glam. She secured an internship with The Steve Harvey Show, where she did daytime television scripting, and went on to write for the Disney cartoon, The Proud Family, before continuing her path to business ownership. Hali launched GiftsCetera, an upscale gifting boutique where she provided specialty marketing and promotions to several record labels, and then rebranded the company to CéteraMarketing, where the team serves global clients from its headquarters in North Hollywood, California.

Next Generation Fuel, LLC

Bernita McCann Hightower is the president and CEO of Next Generation Fuel, a wholesale distributor of gasoline, diesel and alternative fuels throughout the United States and South Africa. In her role, she has secured international partnerships with Fortune 100/500 corporations. In 2016, Next Generation Fuel was recognized by Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) as the Top Female and Minority-Owned Energy Firm. In 2018, it was recognized by Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) as the Emerging Company of the Year. And in 2019, it was ranked #24 by Cincinnati Business Courier Largest Women-Owned Businesses in Cincinnati. In 2020, Next Generation Fuel received the Ohio Success Award, and was recognized last year in The Dayton Business Journal 40 under 40 Class of 2020!

Bernita has completed various executive leadership programs, including at Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, Procter and Gamble Business Development Program, Shell Oil & Gas Energy Executive Program, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and OMSDC Middle Market Executive Program at The Fisher College of Business.

Bernita is married to Steve Hightower, Founder & President of Hightowers Petroleum and is a member of National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), International Black Women Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI), Odyssey Media, The Dream Walker Academy and Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

CEI Media Group

Jared L. Kelly has an uncommon business acumen and skill for problem-solving. He has more than 20 years of unmatched experience in strategy, corporate sales, marketing, accounting, and financial management. In 2002, Kelly founded his first startup venture, Complete Entertainment Inc, now known as CEI Media Group. As the principal consultant and marketing/tech strategist, he delivers C-Suite consultation, strategy, and execution services for the firm’s top clientele. As a trusted advisor and creative director, his company has been the invisible bridge for numerous clients who need assistance filling critical gaps in data, design and digital media and technology. The firm has won multiple awards including Southeast Chicago Commission’s Small Business Partner Award and the Class I – Supplier of the Year from the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council.

Forward Planning & Solutions

Steve Lamar is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in construction, diversity, and real estate development. He is strongly focused on sustainable development and construction diversity, and as an early adopter of green construction, became a LEED accredited professional and a green building advocate. He is well-versed in sustainable design and construction and formerly served on the board of directors for the United States Green Building Council Los Angeles chapter. During his tenure as the Director of Diversity Services for Kaiser Permanente’s National Facilities Services Department, Lamar helped the organization’s capital projects teams ensure opportunities were being provided to diverse vendors, including (but not limited too) minorities, women, and veterans; and ensured all diversity goals and requirements were met and exceeded, leading to KP being the first healthcare provider to join the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

One2Zen

Charmain Lewis is a RYT-200 certified yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and wellness-practitioner. Lewis received her training from Hanaq Prana School of Yoga in Tampa, Florida, under the leadership of Lorena Saavedra.  She provides yoga, meditation, and mindfulness classes to people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds across the globe. Her sessions are designed for all levels and invites individuals to open their hearts and embrace their unique qualities through breathwork, movement, and wisdom. Her passion for people, music and laughter are incorporated in all her sessions. Lewis was a new mom of two when she began her journey into yoga. Feeling pulled in multiple directions to constantly give to others, she turned to yoga for the physical benefits. After her first class, Lewis experienced a sense of peace and emotional well-being that continued to bring her back to the mat. A former elementary school educator who eventually transitioned into the entrepreneurial world, her consistent practice is a reminder that she is walking in her path.

GSD&M

In his role at GSD&M, Max Rutherford applies his innumerable years of supplier diversity expertise in managing, directing, and providing leadership to the agency’s Vendor Partner Diversity and Small Business Subcontracting Plan. His efforts consistently help ensure that small, disadvantaged, veteran-, minority- and women-owned firms are provided equitable purchasing opportunities. In his 10 years here, Rutherford has successfully developed and implemented an agencywide Vendor Partner initiative that has brought an emphasis to the continuation and advancement of vendor diversity efforts across various accounts. He has been recognized with the DiversityFIRST™ Award for having demonstrated outstanding commitment to D&I in the workplace. As a result of his efforts, GSD&M has been honored in the Multiethnic Supplier Partners category by the American Advertising Federation’s Mosaic Awards.

The Diversity Advisors

Edward Simon is a highly respected leader in the fields of regulated water operations, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility, with a strong track record in both supplier diversity and workforce diversity. Throughout his career, Simon has held significant leadership positions within the utility industry, where he played a pivotal role in driving substantial improvements in organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. His impact was particularly evident when he joined California American Water as Vice President of Operations in 2010. At that time, Simon initiated the company’s official supplier diversity program, including the hiring of its inaugural supplier diversity manager. Under his direct leadership (2015-2023), the program’s results soared from the low to mid 20% range to an impressive 48% by 2020. In 2022, under Simon’s guidance, California American Water became the sole regulated utility out of 27 utilities to successfully meet all four of the California Public Utilities Commission’s category goals for minority, women, LGBTQ+, and disabled persons.

Arcadis

Catrina Snell-Rehder is a dedicated diversity professional who has worked in the industry for 10+ years and is driven by her mission to advocate, advise, and advance small and diverse suppliers. Her current dual role as a supplier diversity manager and small business liaison officer at Arcadis has led her company to increased spending of 50% with small businesses and 120% with woman-owned small businesses.

While she is excited to lead at Arcadis, her career journey has not been a straight path but rather a variety of twists and turning speed bumps into steppingstones. Catrina started her career at several woman-owned small businesses, pivoting to SCMSDC and moving on to Amgen. She understands firsthand the impact that a deliberate, intentional, transparent, and inclusive supplier process can have to ensure fair competition. She has built on that knowledge, working on the purchasing side, and gaining experience and a passion for understanding procurement processes before joining Arcadis to design, develop, and lead the future of supplier diversity and small business utilization.

Catrina considers herself a unicorn—an introverted extrovert, a big-picture thinker who pays attention to details and relishes observing small aspects built into significant impact. She is active in several diversity advocacy associations and enjoys traveling with her three children, chasing sunsets, and visiting stadiums across the country. She is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur and sports fanatic.

Ford Motor Company

Travis Spencer is the Senior Purchasing Manager for Supplier Diversity & Inclusion at Ford Motor Company. In this role, Spencer is responsible for driving diversity and inclusion among Ford’s strategic partners and supply chain. He accomplishes this by connecting minority, women, veteran, disabled, LGBTQ and small business enterprises to Ford and its Tier 1 suppliers. Spencer believes that economic empowerment for diverse suppliers and their corresponding communities is the epitome for what it means to drive human progress, ultimately delivering Ford’s vision of Creating a Better Tomorrow. He brings a strong professional business acumen in Corporate Purchasing & Strategy, Supply Chain Management, Program Management, and Negotiation along with an academic focus in Accounting, Finance, and Business Ethics. Spencer is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy, a private Jesuit institution known for its emphasis on service and servant leadership, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration.