Full Registration

Private Master Suite

$1700

Full Registration

Shared Room Suite

$1400

Membership Dues

Annual Membership

$250

2025 Presenting Sponsors


Current & Previous Corporate Supporters


Summit Overview

Diversity Professionals Connect (DPC) is a unique and exclusive experience where corporate diversity leaders and diverse business owners work together to develop applicable, innovative business solutions. Our workshops and discussions highlight current issues affecting industries in which diverse businesses and advocates are challenged. The transparency in our discussions encourages guests to openly share industry trends, exchange ideas and explore potential business opportunity and collaborations.

Our Mission

The goal of DPC is to embrace, fulfill, grow, and sustain the advancement of Diverse Business Owners and Diversity Professionals. We are passionate and dedicated to connecting people, exploring opportunities, and building success through personal relationships and shared experiences.

Who Should Attend

DPC is for you, if you are looking for a new way of doing business and are a diverse business owner, veteran, LGBTQ, supplier diversity, workforce diversity or diversity & inclusion professional working in an environment with a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality.


Guest Speakers

Moderator
Lamont Robinson
Director, Supplier Diversity
AmerisourceBergen
Brand Expert
Marvet Britto
President/CEO
The Britto Agency
Wellness Speaker
Michelle Cauley, LCSW BCD
Owner and President
Cauley & Associates
Industry Keynote Speaker
Rondu Vincent
Executive Director, Global Supplier Diversity & Sustainable Procurement
Bristol Myers Squibb

Speakers

Kimberly Coffman
Director, Supplier Diversity
Voya Financial, Inc.'s
Sophie L Gibson
Founder and CEO
VIVO360, Inc.
Madison Gunter
Vice President, Procurement Programs
Salesforce
Dana Hali
President and CEO
CéteraMarketing
Bernita McCann Hightower
President/CEO
Next Generation Fuel, LLC
Jared L. Kelly
President
CEI Media Group
Steve Lamar
CEO
Forward Planning & Solutions
Charmain Lewis
Certified Yoga Teacher, Entrepreneur, and Wellness-Practitioner
One2Zen
Max Rutherford
Vice-President, Vendor Partner Diversity/SBLO
GSD&M
Edward Simon II
COO/Founder
The Diversity Advisors
Catrina Snell-Rehder
Supplier Diversity and Small Business Manager
Arcadis
Travis M. Spencer
Head of Supplier Diversity & Inclusion
Ford Motor Company

Testimonials

What People Are Saying:

The intent behind DPC is to disrupt the way we lead diversity. The landscape is changing, and we need to operate from a solutions perspective that advances progressive thinking when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce and supply chain. DPC provides a collaborative table where innovative companies, independent businesses and brands can work together to look at the economic impact of diversity, where it’s being challenged and where we can take advantage of new opportunities. And, in bringing together the best minds in the business, DPC is building a network that we think can emerge as one of the country’s strongest think tanks when it comes to inclusion.

Todd Gray

Director, Supplier Diversity
Kaiser Permanente

Through DPC, we are able to obtain a better understanding of all the different layers of supplier diversity from the perspective of corporations, suppliers and different advocates in the community. DPC creates a safe environment that allows each stakeholder to openly discuss their perspective on supplier diversity and share their expectations, best practices and struggles from a corporate and personal space. My participation in DPC has helped me identify ways WBEC-West can better prepare WBEs for today’s opportunities and tomorrow trends. We work with corporations more proactively and identified ways to actively engage and partner with other certification entities and advocacy groups. I don’t think that there is any other organization that brings together all stakeholders for the purpose of collaboration, understanding and personal and professional growth.
Jaymee Lomax
Vice President, WBEC-West
DPC is a small, intimate “penalty free” environment where there’s no fluff and you can really connect on a professional and business level. Meeting and learning from other members is almost like having your own advisory board or mastermind group. You can grow those relationships to a point where they can help you with your business; you can help them with their roles and what’s going on in the industry. You won’t find another forum like it.
LaSonya Berry
President/CEO, McPherson Berry Associates, Inc.
DPC is a unique environment that I’ve not seen anywhere else. You spend the weekend getting to know people instead of going through the usual “meet and greet” that happens at traditional trade shows. This environment creates more comfortable, intimate discussions. We had some of the most genuine, personal conversations without constantly talking about business and without the hard sell. For WWT, it helped us build a relationship that was instrumental in getting a major contract opportunity. That happened only because of DPC. We are grateful for Melissa, her team and the entire DPC family for this innovative platform!
Shay Gillespie
Global Enterprise Sales, Central Division Business Development Manager, World Wide Technology
The absolute brilliance of DPC is that you don’t get what it’s all about until you’ve gone through it. You don’t realize that you, a diverse professional, are at the intersection of small businesses, entrepreneurs and corporate America. The spirited dialogue that happens at DPC, the ones touching on the pain points and gaps we all face, trickle down to Diversity Professional the magazine, which gives DPC a greater, national reach. It’s the kind of honest conversation that needs to happen, consistently, but not many people want to have it. I’m thankful that Melissa has created a space where people can have those uncomfortable discussions because if they don’t happen, then we’ll all suffer for it.
Steve Lamar, LEED AP, EMCA
Owner Forward Planning and Solutions
DPC is the future of diversity. It’s on the cutting edge of finding innovative ways to make companies better and making personal connections happen. Connecting with great business minds, on both the corporate and diverse supplier side, makes DPC incomparable to any other networking organization. Everyone brings their own specialty. Being able to tap into those resources provides a point of reference to any business you’re in and strengthens your network beyond your own territory. Those connections become lifelong friends.
T.J. Lewis
Director Supplier Diversity, Ally

AGENDA

Event Theme

“Within every single one of us is our authentic and truest self. Once embrace and properly presented your identity has the potential to become a powerful brand with great influence. Discover what makes you Different, Valuable and Influential.”

~Lethia Owens

THE BRAND CALLED YOU

Arrival Day

Thursday 2-27

4:00 P.M. – House Check-in / Arrivals, Networking and Orientation

Day 1

Friday 2-28

If you come in on Friday we ask that you arrive by 4:00 P.M.

Welcome reception and dinner.

Day 2

Saturday 3-1

The day begins with a group yoga/workout session and will be filled with activities to promote personal and business growth.

Day 3

Sunday 3-2

The final full day of the summit will explore fundamental strategies for building and managing a successful personal and professional brand. You’ll uncover the different facets of your brand, using your values, proposition, and knowledge of your customer/company to differentiate yourself in the market.

(We will hear from our Keynote Speaker on this day)

Day 4

Monday 3-3

DPC attendees will be able to enjoy additional workshops and breakfast together prior to departures.

(Final program will end at 2:00 P.M.)

Departure Day

Tuesday 3-4

DPC departures (Check-out time is 8:00 A.M.)

Transportation

Orlando International Airport is a major public airport located six miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, Florida, United States. In 2017, MCO handled 44,611,265 passengers, making it the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the eleventh-busiest airport in the United States. Click here to book your flight www.southwest.com/flight.

Accommodations:

Reunion Resort, an AAA Four Diamond-rated property, is an exclusive 2,200-acre destination. The resort’s accommodations include multi-bedroom luxury homes. The resort is conveniently located six miles from Walt Disney World and only 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

Check-in: 4:00 P.M.

Reunion Resort

This is a Diversity Professional event. All rights reserved. © 2024