A
Shanita Akintonde, 37
Professor
Columbia College Chicago
Illinois Institute of Technology
Emerging
Akintonde is a faculty member in Columbia College’s marketing communication department, where she’s also first-year student liaison and faculty advisor. She developed several courses, including Advertising to Women and Hip Hop Cultural Trends in Advertising. Previously, Akintonde created strategic campaigns for several major ad agencies. She is also creator/faculty producer of Adstock, a career advice and networking conference for media arts majors. She’s a doctoral student at Loyola University, and holds certifications from Lake Forest College, University of Illinois, and Hamburger University. She was a contributing author to the book Unleash the Leader Within You. Outside work, Akintonde is a member of AMA’s Collegiate Council, American Educational Research Association, Toastmasters International, and PR Society of America.
Margaret Annett, 50
Corporate Treasurer
Art Institute of Chicago
University of Chicago
Executive
A certified CPA, Annett is responsible for all the Art Institute’s corporate finance, investment administration and cash management functions. She recently financed a $350 million expansion of the downtown Chicago museum with a bank line at favorable terms. She handles daily cash management for the museum and school, and redesigned their banking process, for which she received Treasury and Risk Magazine’s Alexander Hamilton Best Practices Silver Medal. Annett also worked with outside consultants and counsel to administer asset allocation in investment vehicles. Before coming to the Institute, she was director of financial planning at BorgWarner Inc., and supervisor of financial analysis at Amoco Corp.
Kathy April-Barr, 48
Manager, Supplier Diversity
Abbott Laboratories
Dominican University
Emerging
April-Barr is responsible for Abbott’s $2.5 billion supplier diversity program, interacting with small-business advocacy groups and government agencies. She is also Abbott’s representative at supplier advocacy and outreach events. Prior to Abbott, she worked in recruiting positions at various companies, including a MBE enterprise focused on diversity consulting/recruiting, Quaker Oats Co., First Chicago NBD and Amoco. April-Barr serves on the board of Diversity Alliance for Science, and is immediate past president of the Chicago Chapter of the National Black MBA Association. She is a member of the Conference Board Council on Supplier Diversity, the Institute for Supply Management’s Supplier Diversity Pharmaceutical Forum, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s Health Care Industry Group.
Khalid Azim, 40
Executive Director, Global Capital Markets
Morgan Stanley & Co
University of Virginia/Darden School of Business
Emerging
Azim is involved in raising debt capital for banks, insurance companies and financial institutions. He began his career in the fixed income division at Morgan Stanley and was eventually transferred to Hong Kong, where he covered emerging market issuers and Asian Banks. In 1999, Azim was selected to be a member of the White House Fellows program, serving as special assistant to the president of the Import-Export Bank of the United States. Azim is a term member on the Council of Foreign Relations, and serves on the A Better Chance Inc. alumni advisory board. He served five years in the U.S. Navy as a supply corps officer during the first Gulf War.
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Ralph Baker, 42
Executive Director
New York Shock Exchange
University of Virginia/Darden School of Business
Executive
Baker directs the New York Shock Exchange, a program that mixes sports, business, and education. It is a traveling basketball team and youth mentorship program that teaches kids both basketball skills and investment management (they manage their own funds with stocks they pick after performing due diligence). Previously, Baker was with FTI Consulting, specializing in due diligence for clients seeking acquisitions, and before that, with Prudential Financial and GE Capital Corp. He played basketball at Hampden-Sydney College, earning Division III All-America status in 1989. Baker is currently writing a book that teaches kids the fundamentals of stock investing.
Jennifer Ballard, 26
Associate Attorney
Hinshaw & Colbertson
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Emerging
Ballard’s practice focuses on business litigation and regulatory matters. She also works with the hospitality industry, representing restaurants. Before joining H&C she was a legal extern to the vice president/general counsel of Rush Oak Park Hospital. As a graduate student at Loyola University Chicago, she conducted research in bioethics and healthcare disparities. She was named a Beazley Institute for Health Law Fellow and received a Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction Award for legal writing. Ballard is an active member of the Women’s Bar Association and Cook County Bar Association, and hosts a live, interactive Chicago cable television show that focuses on current legal issues.
Please review her update bio that was sent to us. She is not doing any of the things that is reflected on her present bio.
Luis Miguel Barros, 42
Senior Vice President, Investment and Industry Development
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Sloan School of Management
Executive
Barros is on the team responsible for implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a 10-year, $1 billion initiative, for MLSC, a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prior to MLSC, he served as executive vice president at IC Sciences Corp. a manager/principal at e.Lilly and Lilly Ventures, and several successive roles as consultant/vice-president, director, and manager of business development at Softricity and Spotfire. He has a BBA in marketing as a W.E.B. DuBois Scholar from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s Isenberg School. He currently serves on the board and/or as advisor/consultant to Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union, LusoMundo Institute, and Winn Development.
Heidi Bartholomew, 38
Vice President & Controller
FedEx Ground
University of Akron
Executive
Bartholomew handles all financial accounting and reporting, including internal controls, payroll, contractor settlement, and accounts payable. She also oversees functional area compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley 404 requirements. She joined FedEx in 2000 and has served in various financial reporting management positions. Before FedEx, she served for six years in various internal audit, treasury and accounting roles at Diebold Inc. She serves on the boards of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners, and is a volunteer for the East End Cooperative Ministry. Bartholomew has played the bassoon for over 30 years, and performs with the Alliance Symphony and the North Suburban Symphonic Band.
William Battle, III, 41
Senior Manager - Safety
FedEx Ground
Spring Arbor University
Emerging
Battle is responsible for leading FedEx’s safety program throughout the United States and Canada. He also spearheads improvements in the overall safety culture. He has more than 10 years experience at FedEx Ground in operations management within the distribution, warehousing and safety divisions. He has served as vice president of operations for the National Black MBA Association’s Pittsburgh chapter and is presently a board member of the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA.
Gregory Bell, 48
Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations
Scholastic Inc.
Columbia University Graduate School of Business
Executive
Bell oversees financial planning and analysis of Scholastic’s $400 million Scholastic Book Clubs division. Working with the division’s president and CFO, he refocused the Clubs’ core business, providing product analysis, pricing, operations and strategic marketing. His efforts resulted in a 60% margin improvement, and reduced marketing costs by $30 million while still achieving revenue goals. Since joining Scholastic in 2005, Bell has increased analytical rigor of the Clubs’ product portfolio by identifying key cost-drivers for manufactured and contracted products, leading to changes in the strategic direction for some lines. Bell also manages profit & loss for Scholastic’s Teaching Resources business, increasing profitability by 40% in his first year.
Cynthia H. Bowman, 40
Senior Vice President, Leadership and Organizational Development
Bank of America
Northwestern University/Kellogg Graduate School of Management
Executive
Bowman is responsible for driving BoA’s organizational effectiveness and development. She built and deployed new capabilities in the areas of organization assessment, organization design, team effectiveness, leadership assessment, change management, and cultural assessments for merger and acquisition activity. She also works with senior executives to develop solutions that improve the effectiveness and productivity of the bank and its internal organizations. Bowman has led cultural assessment and integration efforts for four major acquisitions, enabling the integration of approximately 100,000 new leaders and associates. Before BoA, she held various positions with Accenture, Ernst & Young, and AT&T Network Engineering Services.
Marc Brooks, 41
CEO
MKMB Corp.
Northwestern University/Kellogg Graduate School of Management
Executive
Brooks is CEO/Managing Partner of MKMB, an investment company with capital placed in the restaurant, hotel, telecommunications and private equity industries. Companies include Burger King franchises, Oak Hill Capitol, and RLJ Development.
Previously, as a national distributor for U.S. Cellular Corp., Brooks grew the firm from two to 28 wireless retail stores over a six-year period. In addition to his responsibilities with MKMB, Brooks serves as managing partner of Chicago’s Park 52 restaurant. He currently serves on the boards of Brooks Food Group, and MKMB Restaurants, and is a member of the board of trustees of Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art.
Yolanda Butler Stephens, 35
Director of Employee Labor Relations
University of Chicago Medical Center
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Emerging
Butler-Stephens oversees the day-to-day operations of employee/labor relations at the Medical Center, providing service to more than 6,500 employees. She has extensive experience in collective bargaining negotiations, and engaged the Center’s largest union in discussions settling 24 of 34 cases pending litigation. She recently led the Center through mass layoffs with minimal union opposition and no filing of external charges. Butler-Stephens previously worked with United Airlines in its labor relations department, and in the office of the general counsel for the Chicago Housing Authority’s labor and employment group. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Governors State University in the College of Business and Public Administration.
Vidya Byanna, 43
Executive Director of Infrastructure
Accenture
Illinois Institute of Technology
Emerging
Byanna manages a $290 million budget and leads a team of 1,200 employees. By streamlining knowledge-management processes, simplifying support, and consolidating applications, he reduced operating costs by 25%. He recently led Collaboration 2.0, one of the world’s largest unified communications and collaboration deployments, which enabled Accenture to network with colleagues around the world, and improve its ability to serve its clients. The new capabilities are expected to drive five-year savings of $30 million and improved employee productivity. Byanna also enabled one-click communication between Accenture and its top clients. He ranks in the top 5% of Accenture’s senior executives, leads the organization’s diversity program and coaches at Accenture minority leadership development seminars.
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Luz Canino-Baker, 48
Managing Director, Marketing/Programs
Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement
University of Chicago
Emerging
Canino-Baker has profit and loss responsibility and helps define strategic goals for the Hispanic professional support agency, developing and executing programs for its constituency base of 40,000. Her team delivers twice-monthly customized recruitment programs at Fortune 500 companies. Earlier this year, she created a program to assist professional Latinas with work/life balance challenges. In 2007, she created a leadership development program targeting Latino professionals from Fortune 500 companies with Latino affinity groups. She also manages a high-school program offering 90 students college readiness programs. Prior to HACE, she was with JPMorgan Chase in several positions.
Sharmal Cannon, 35
Pastoral Assistant
Triedstone Baptist Church
Freedom Bible College
Emerging
Before joining Triedstone in 1993, Cannon worked as a sales rep and case manager for several major insurance firms, including New York Life and United Insurance of America. She attended Bible college after compiling an extensive backround in administrative and human-services positions, including working as a case manager at West Englewood Service Connector Program, a bereavement/volunteer coordinator at Odyssey Healthcare, and a file coordinator at CNA Insurance. She has also served as director of outreach training for 75 churches in the state of Illinois, a youth ministry leader/trainer, and a volunteer for the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center and VITAS Hospice Care.
Angela Jinghong Cao, 39
North America Seed Manufacturing Finance Lead
Monsanto Company
Tulane University/ A.B. Freeman School of Business
Emerging
Cao heads a staff of 15 analysts, costing supervisors, and grower accounting supervisors, and has overall financial responsibilities of $2.5 billion annual spending with $5.5 billion net sales opportunities for the company. She co-led Monsanto’s Global Finance People Strategy initiatives in 2007 and 2008, and is a founding member and served multiple leadership roles on the board of Monsanto Asian Connection diversity network. Cao sponsors the Monsanto finance function’s Asia-Pacific diversity recruiting initiative, and actively coaches and mentors staff and diverse members from its finance community.
Candi Castleberry-Singleton, 33
Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer
UPMC
Pepperdine University
Executive
Castleberry-Singleton is responsible for developing UPMC’s inclusion strategy, including its Health Care Dignity and Respect Campaign, and for overseeing progress toward system-wide goals involving 50,000 employees. In 2008, she launched UPMC’s Center for Inclusion in Health Care, a resource center for UPMC employees, business partners and community residents. Her diversity initiatives have been implemented at Motorola, where she was Vice President of Global Inclusion and Diversity, and at Sun Microsystems, where she led the Global Inclusion Center of Expertise. She also created the Integrated Inclusion Model, a systems-integration model that helps firms move from compliance-driven processes led by human resources, to integrated activities that shift the responsibility for achieving an inclusive culture to every employee.
Martin R. Castro, 46
Vice President, External Affairs, Chicago
Aetna Inc.
University of Michigan Law School
Executive
Castro’s duties include leading Aetna’s diverse markets strategy in the local market; representing Aetna locally in all aspects of corporate, community, and civic affairs; and coordinating the firm’s regional philanthropic, giving initiatives in the local market. He is also responsible for the development of programs, products and services to improve access to healthcare and reduce disparities in under-served communities. Castro is a member of the Aetna North Central Region ASM Executive Council, the Latino and African American Focus Groups of the Aetna Foundation, the Aetna Diversity Annual Report Committee in 2008 and 2009, and was selected as a 2007 Aetna Voice of Conscience Employee Award recipient.
Karen Cavalloro, 35
Global Director of Operations
Pitney Bowes Management Service
University of Michigan
Emerging
Cavalloro coordinates support of a major Pitney Bowes client’s global operations on three continents. She manages profit and loss with total US annual revenue of $7 million, an additional $6 million in international revenue, and $5 million in annual postage expenditure. She directs operations supporting continuous process improvements, resulting in ongoing cost savings for the client. She oversees and coordinates the delivery of service-based solutions offered in support of client operations. She implemented additional business resulting in $2.5 million in document imaging and mail management businesses, and led account transition through a 25% staff reduction that resulted in $4.7 million annual savings for the client.
Lakshman Charanjiva, 42
Vice President/Chief Information Officer
Florida Power & Light Group
Tulane University/ A.B. Freeman School of Business
Executive
Charanjiva’s responsibilities involve information technology for FPL Group. Prior to FPL, he served as chief information officer and vice president of global business technology solutions at AES Corp. a $13.6 billion global power company with operations in 28 countries. Before that, he was vice president and ERP packages practice leader for Capgemini Consulting's North American Telecom, cable, media and entertainment industry sector. He is a charter member of The Innovative Ecosystem (TiE)-DC, the Mid-Atlantic chapter of a global network of entrepreneurs and professionals.
Rhonda Coignet, 40
Senior Staff Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President for External Affairs; Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Special Projects, Office of the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President for External Affairs
Tulane University
Emerging
Coignet manages administrative, operational, student-related, and externally related projects and initiatives with university-wide strategic impact. She works directly with Tulane’s senior administration, staffing board-level ad-hoc task forces and serving on committees. She has managed executive personnel searches and provided leadership for several projects, including Tulane’s reaccredidation study, campus planning projects, post-Hurricane Katrina temporary employee housing, and advancement of the university’s partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana. She has also held positions as technical writer and assistant director in the university’s government affairs office. Prior to joining Tulane in 1996, Coignet negotiated and licensed subsidiary rights for St. Martin’s Press.
Allison Cole, 32
Director, FTTP Strategic Planning and Content Management
Verizon Communications
Georgetown University
Emerging
Cole work focuses on developing strategic initiatives and performance targets for Verizon’s Fiber-to-the-Premises network. Her team is responsible for assuring alignment across multiple business units, and developing and deploying initiatives on time and within budget. She also serves as an advocate for women in engineering, and is a mentor for employees seeking to enhance their career and personal development. She is an active member of the Consortium of Information and Technology Executives and Verizon’s African-American Leadership Network. Cole received Verizon’s 2001 Leader’s Circle award.
Shantella Cooper, 41
Vice President, Human Resources
Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services
Emory University/ Roberto C. Goizeta Business School
Executive
Cooper’s concentration is on diverse workforce development. She was previously vice president and deputy of human resources for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, where she was responsible for HR operations for 27,000 employees. She served at Lucent Technologies before joining Lockheed Martin. Cooper has received several national honors, including the Women of Color in Technology Corporate Responsibility Award and the YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement. Cooper is an executive advisor to the Marietta, GA chapter of the National Management Association, and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the National Black MBA Association, and Lockheed Martin Leadership Association.
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Martin Davidson, Ph.D, 48
Associate Dean & Chief Diversity Officer
Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.
(No Princeton U.)
Executive
In his research, teaching and consulting, Davidson focuses on how leaders use diversity strategically to create competitive advantage for their firms, globally and domestically. His research on culture and its effect on career development and conflict management appears in top managerial and academic publications including Harvard Business Review, Administrative Science Quarterly, Research on Negotiation in Organizations, and the International Journal of Conflict Management. He was national chair of the Academy of Management’s Gender & Diversity in Organizations Division and is featured in The New York Times, Business Week, and The Wall Street Journal. He is writing a new book introducing cutting-edge ways to leverage difference.
Victor De La Paz, 32
Special Assistant to the Superintendent
Hartford Public Schools (CT)
University of Virginia/Darden School of Business
Emerging
De La Paz’s duties involve managing projects of strategic value for the district, including the feasibility of divesting school-based health clinics; the creation of school governance councils; and parental involvement strategies. He co-led the district’s first-ever strategic operating plan process, resulting in a three-year plan adopted by the Hartford Board of Education. He also co-led the student-based budgeting committee, resulting in technical recommendations to a weighted student-funding model. Before joining the school system, he worked at Capital One Financial. De La Paz is a board member of the Capital Community College Foundation and Real Art Ways, and mentored high-school seniors through the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education program.
Diane DeLanoy, 49
Audit Resource Director, Group Internal Audit
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Southern New Hampshire University
Emerging
In her current role with Group Internal Audit at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, which she's held since 2006, Delanoy is responsible for managing North America compliance operations, IT, corporate and commercial audits, in addition to leading the local and global resource planning. With the company since 2001, Delanoy came to AstraZeneca as a Senior Manager of Operations Strategy, prior to which she was the Director of Business Operations with defense contractor BAE Systems. At BAE, she managed defense programs, including their financial controls, pricing, risk and opportunity management, and contract negotiation.
Bernadette A. Dorsey, 38
Executive Director of Global Operations
JPMorgan Chase
University of Delaware, Newark
Emerging
Dorsey has been responsible for setting up and implementing the world securities services at JPMorgan Chase. She held the global management responsibility of 210 employees in 11 locations, and managed a global budget of $20 mm direct and indirect expenses across Asia, North America, and Europe. In 1996, she won the YMCA Black Achiever Industry Award, and in 2005, the President of the U.S. Volunteer Service Award from President's Council on Service & Civic Participation. In 2007, she was also the recipient of Evening of Style Award for contributions toward JPMC diversity Agenda. Dorsey initiated, developed, and delivered the JPMC 2006 Women's Conference in May 2006.
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Marvin R. Ellison, 44
Executive Vice President for US Stores
Home Depot
Emory University/Goizueta School of Business
Executive
Ellison is responsible for driving sales and execution across Home Depot's retail divisions and overseeing operations of more than 1,950 stores in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Prior to his promotion to EVP in 2008, he was the division president of the Northern Division. In this role, he oversaw the sales, profit, and operations of over 700 stores in the Northern United States. He had over 150,000 employees in his division was responsible for driving over one third of the total sales volume of Home Depot’s U.S. Stores. Ellison is actively involved in philanthropic efforts including inner-city school renovations as well as mentoring programs aimed at developing inner-city youth.
Roberto Escalante, 47
Founder & President
Pueblo Consulting, Inc.
Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University
Executive
Escalante provides financial and strategic management assistance to high growth small and medium-size businesses and organizations in all industries. As the President of Pueblo Consulting, Inc., he acts as a financial management consultant or a business advisor to business owners and trains his client's staff in maximizing productivity and financial management. Escalante builds on his experience as the Program Director of the Business Development Program at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a post he held from 2005 to 2006. He is fluent in Spanish and served as the Chicago chapter President of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs from 1999 to 2000.
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Gregory B. Fairchild, 45
Associate Professor of Business Administration
University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Emerging
Fairchild is currently working on a multi-year project to examine the field of community development finance funded by a research grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He also teaches strategic management, entrepreneurship and ethics. Prior to joining Darden, he taught at Columbia University and worked several years in marketing positions at Proctor & Gamble, Kraft General Foods and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Kim T. Folsom, 48
President and CEO
Show Uhow, Inc.
University of Pepperdine
Executive
President and CEO of Show Uhow, Inc, Kim T. Folsom brings to this role her experience in launching and growing innovative technology ventures. One was Seminarsource-- a video, web-based provider of continuing professional education solutions to the association and meetings industries and later Momentum Solutions, Inc, a management consulting and business finance firm in 2001. Folsom also co-founded and co-hosted a weekly business resource talk show, Real Business Radio Hour, and serves on the advisory boards for Qualcomm's Stadium, San Diego Bowl Committee, and the San Diego State University Entrepreneur Management Center. In 1998, she was recognized in the Who's Who of Young American Executives Journal and was selected as a semi-finalist for the 2001 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
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Sunita Gandhi, 41
Vice President, Worldwide Security Services - Technology
JPMorgan Chase & Co
SMU COX School of Business
Emerging
In her career spanning more than 18 years, Gandhi has focused on creating and revitalizing internal groups, building and managing relationships and training or mentoring teams to outperform the competition. At JPMorgan Chase, she has built a web-based reporting system that resulted in a 15% reduction in operation cost, and improved customer satisfaction while also increasing revenue. She's currently responsible for the management of $5M to $20M worth of strategic initiatives, and has specialized business knowledge in investment management, performance measurement, risk measurement, attribution, and compliance reporting for investments.
Quin Golden, 41
Associate Vice President Strategic Affiliations and Urban Health Initiative
The University of Chicago Medical Center
Charles H. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, DePaul University
Executive
As the Associate Vice President of Strategic Affiliations and Urban Health Initiative at the University of Chicago Medical Center, Golden develops partnerships with medical and community providers. Before arriving at UCMC, she was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Public Health, where she managed the day-to-day operations of the company, including managing the $400 million budget and oversight of its 1,100 employees. In 2005, Golden was selected as a Public Health Leadership Institute Fellow and has recently graduated from the 2007 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow Program.
Sergio Guzman, 36
Sales Executive
Vanguard
Drexel University
Emerging
Sergio Guzman has been representing Vanguard in Latin America for five years, where under his management, the assets of the company have increased from $400 million at the end of 2003 to $3 billion in 2007. Guzman is responsible for promoting Vanguard's investment services to institutions in Chile, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, making the company one of the leading providers of investment services to the pension plan administrators. Prior to this, Guzman supervised international corporate actions for Vanguard's Fund Accounting Group, and before that he was a mutual fund accountant at PFPC Worldwide. Guzman is a member of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Roots & Shoots, and the U.S. Masters Swimming team.
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Andrew T. Hahn, Sr.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Cornell University
Executive
Hahn currently litigates general commercial matters as well as employment cases in the litigation department. He has over 22 years of litigation experience at federal, state, arbitration and administrative levels, including seven years with Winston & Strawn and five years with Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine. He is presently president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and a board member of the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York.
Angela Hart-Edwards, 45
Of Counsel
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Temple University
Emerging
A senior attorney in the international law firm Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, Hart-Edwards advises clients on facilitating a fair and inclusive workplace in corporate America. She is responsible for advising senior executives of Fortune 500 companies on diversity-related crisis prevention, management, and resolutions to address legal vulnerabilities through the development or enhancement of diversity initiatives. Prior to this, she was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney's office for the District of Columbia, and has also worked as a trial attorney at the US Department of Justice/Civil Rights Division and a trial attorney at US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She is an adjunct professor at the Georgetown Law Center.
Kenji Hashimoto, 40
Managing Director, Airline Profitability and Financial Analysis
American Airlines, Inc.
J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University
Emerging
Since 2007, when Hashimoto was appointed the Managing Director of Airline Profitability and Financial Analysis, he has been responsible for route performance analysis and profitability reporting, labor analysis and support of labor negotiations, as well as competitive benchmarking and analysis. He leads a team charged with negotiating and implementing a revenue-sharing agreement with British Airways and Iberia, and has previously held other positions in the company, including serving as the Managing Director, Investor Relations and Managing Director, Finance Europe & Pacific, a job that for which he spent two years in London. Hashimoto has also held leadership roles with Teach for America.
Mary Patricia (“Pat”) Henahan
Global Director, Clinical Finance
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
Emerging
Henahan was appointed the Global Director at AstraZeneca and now supervises a staff of 12 finance professionals across four global sites and an external clinical project budget of over $600 million. Pat began her corporate career at Eli Lilly and Company before moving to MedImmune, Inc., as the R&D Finance Director. She spent ten years as a United States Army Medical Service Corps Officer, serving as a medical platoon leader in the first Persian Gulf War, a medical company commander during peace enforcement operations in Haiti, and Chief of Medical Logistics in Honduras, among others.
Gary Henry, 43
Vice President, Head of RSC and Corp. Services
Asset & Wealth Management
JPMorgan Chase
Rockhurst University
Executive
Quickly able to identify areas of opportunity and engage the talent on his leadership team, Henry has improved efficiency, morale, and the overall credibility of the call center with internal and external clients, in his role as the Vice President, Retirement Service Center at JPMorgan Chase. Gary's leadership skills earned him a spot on the business Operating Committee, which is comprised of the heads of the business who together provide the overall strategy. Henry is also the President of Jamaica Basketball Development, a not for profit organization that delivers life skills development to young men and women through the game of basketball.
Audrey Hipkins, 48
Vice President, Chief Product Officer
BNA
Duke University
Executive
Hipkins is responsible for a newly created product research & development unit at BNA, charged with developing and implementing a customer-facing technology strategy, including the ongoing development and enhancement of BNA’s new Web platform. Prior to joining BNA, she was president of Quick Source, Inc., creating CD-ROM products for various government agencies and commercial publishers. She presently serves on the board of Washington, DC’s Higher Achievement Program.
Natalie Holder-Winfield, 34
Founder & CEO
QUEST Diversity Initiatives, LLC
Tulane Law School
Executive
Having experienced discrimination firsthand, Holder-Winfield remains mindful of the many barriers that still exist in the workplace. She founded QUEST Diversity Initiatives, of which she is the CEO, to promote inclusion awareness and equal opportunity through training and development. The author of Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Workforce: New Rules for a New Generation, Holder-Winfield is responsible for creating leadership programs and training videos for Fortune 500 corporations, law firms, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations, including Time Warner, Deloitte, Proskauer Rose, and the New York Mission Society. In 2007, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell appointed Holder-Winfield to serve on an advisory task force charged with reviewing and proposing diversity and affirmative action policies.
Andrean Horton, 35
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary
Bartech Group, Inc
Case Western Reserve University
Emerging
Horton is responsible for the legal affairs of the entire Bartech enterprise. She provides legal counsel to the board of directors and senior level officers in the formulation of corporate strategic plans and the evaluation of new ventures and acquisitions. Before Bartech, she spent six years at YRC Worldwide Inc. as Corporate Counsel and Cice President of Legal/Regulatory cCompliance, and two years as Litigation Associate with Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP.
Richard J. Hosey III, 37
Sr. Vice President, Originator-Historic Tax Credits
Bank of America
Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
Executive
As the Senior Vice President at Bank of America, Hosey is responsible for originating and closing the bank's investments in both Historic and New Market tax credit deals. Prior to joining the Bank of America in February 2005, Hosey held positions with Trammell Crow Residential, Reznick Fedder and Silverman (now the Reznick Group) and Historic Restoration Inc., providing financial and transaction management services. He was the recipient of the Bank of America Award of Excellence for 2006 and 2007.
Glen L. Hudson, 36
Principal
Scroll Capital Partners
Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
Emerging
Within six months of graduation and moving to Cleveland, Hudson was nominated by Kaleidoscope Magazine to be a member of their 2009 Forty-Forty Club for African-Americans under the age of 40 who are making a significant contribution in both their occupation and the Greater Cleveland area. Currently a Principal with Scroll Capital Partners, he has previously worked as an investment banker with National City Capital Markets, and also a regional representative for the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, as well as an alumni leader for the Cleveland Darden Alumni chapter. His volunteer work includes sponsoring, mentoring, and academic advisory for students interested in pursuing careers in business.
Erika Hayes James
Professor of Research
Bank Of America
University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Executive
Associate Professor of Business Administration Erika H. James teaches first year Leading Organizations at Darden and conducts research in the areas of crisis leadership and workforce diversity. She has published in several journals and conducts seminars or consults on how to make decisions under pressure and build trust in the workplace. Before joining the Darden faculty in 2001, James taught at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University and worked for AON Consulting and American Express. She is currently a visiting professor at Harvard Business School and is completing a book.
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Mr. Vivek Joshi, 46
Founder and CEO
LumaSense Technologies
Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
Executive
The founder and CEO of LumaSense technologies, Joshi brings with him corporate experience, ranging from his work as an operating partner at Shah Capital Partners to Senior Vice President of Marketing for Sun Services, a $3.6 billion division of Sun Microsystems. He has also worked as Vice President of Program Operations at Webvan, General Management at GE Corporation and GE Transportation Systems, Management Consultant with Booz Allen & Hamilton, as well as operational roles with Johnson & Johnson.
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Derrick Kelson, 41
Divisional Director
MetLife
Purdue & University of Phoenix
Emerging
Bringing 14 years of experience and expertise in financial services with an emphasis in the areas of financial planning, business development, sales, recruiting, operations, and case design to the job, Kelson has an in-depth understanding of financial products and services as they relate to other business operations. He aims to maximize sales and cross-selling opportunities with existing clients, employer groups, associations, and endorsements. His responsibilities also include oversight of compliance requirements and brokerage business for his division. Prior to his current role, Kelson was the senior Vice President at Citistreet Associations, where he managed six regional managers, and 126 counselors.
Iqbal “Iggy” Khan, 39
Executive Director
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Northwestern Kellogg Graduate School of Management
Emerging
As his role of Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Khan is responsible for performing competitive analysis, defining the product roadmap, and managing product profitability. He's also responsible for a "Go Green" team charged with eliminating paper across Treasury Services and the Commercial Bank. He brings with him, experience as a Lieutenant, Naval Flight Officer in the US Navy, in which he served from 1991-2000, and managed teams composed of officers and enlisted service members, performing a variety of mission-critical assignments. Khan was awarded a Joint Commendation Medal for ensuring the safety of 2,000 NATO flights over Bosnia.
Valarie King-Bailey, 50
Founder/CEO
Onshore Technology Group Inc.
Keller Graduate School of Management
Executive
King-Bailey’s firm delivers “right-sourcing” personal services for IT, marketing, and engineering for global companies across multiple industry sectors and government agencies. She was previously chief marketing officer of Qumas, Ltd and also served as Director of Document Management and Quality Systems for Abbott Laboratories, and spent 13 years with Intergraph Corp. She is a member of the Chicago Chamber of Commerce and was the 2008 recipient of the Madam CJ Walker Award for Outstanding Business Achievement.
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Telissa K. Lindsey, JD, MBA, 39
Senior Manager
Vanguard Flagship Services
Temple University School of Law
Emerging
A senior manager in Vanguard Flagship Services, Lindsey is responsible for establishing strategic vision and providing leadership to deepen relationships with Vanguard's most affluent clients. Since joining the company in 2005, Lindsey has recommended relationship management business processes and technology enhancements, resulting in improved client experience, employee readiness, and risk and compliance controls. Lindsey is a decorated war veteran and served during the Persian Gulf War, receiving the Southwest Asia Service Medal (with two bronze stars), the National Defense Service Medial, an Army Service Ribbon, and an Army Service Lapel button. She is a member of the Urban Financial Services Coalition, and a passionate supporter and volunteer for United Way.
Deborah E. Love, JD, 49
Vice President/Office of Institutional Equity/Assistant to the President on Diversity Initiatives
Tulane University
University of Mississippi School of Law, Oxford, Mississippi
Executive
Love joined Tulane University in 2004 as the Vice President, Office of Institutional Equity and Special Assistant to the President on Diversity Initiatives. Prior to her appointment at Tulane, she served as the Associate Vice President for Diversity and Equal Opportunity at the University of South Florida and also held the position of Director, Center for Human Rights at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Love is a member of the National Association for Colleges and University Attorney and American Association for Affirmative Action, and has served on numerous advocacy and human rights commissions.
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Edward Magee, 43
General Manager, PPG Special Projects
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business/ George Mason University
Executive
Magee serves as the General Manager of Harley-Davidson Motor Company's Capitol Drive Powertain Operations where he oversees the production of transmissions and engines for all Sportster and air-cooled Buell motorcycles. In his previous role as Director, Service Strategy & Technical Communications, he led the development of Service strategy for the quality, operational excellence, and technical services division of Harley-Davidson. He served in the U.S. Marine and his awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Strike Flight Numeral 1, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Magee was recently awarded the May-Penn Award for Alumni Excellence at the 2008 Duke MBA Workshop for Minority Applicants.
Maurice D. Markey, 43
Vice President, Private Brands Sam’s Clubs
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business
Executive
Maurice Markey is Vice President, Private Brands at Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and is responsible for leading the strategic development and growth of Sam's Club's proprietary private brands. Prior to Sam's Club, Markey spent over fourteen years with Kraft Foods, holding positions of leadership in marketing, strategy, and new products in both the US and Asia. He is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, member of Purdue University's Diversity Steering Committee and a former board of director member of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business Alumni Association.
Patricia Martin, 48
Vice President, Global Diversity
Eli Lilly and Company
Harvard Business School
Executive
Martin leads the implementation of Lilly’s integrated diversity strategy inclusion of workforce and marketplace diversity. She also chairs the diversity leadership council and is a member of the company’s senior management council. She has 18 years of experience with Lilly, including financial analyst, manager of finance, director of investor relations and positions in Lily Research Laboratories. She served on the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana board and is presently a board member of the Healthcare Businesswomen Association.
Sondra J. Martinez, 33
Manager, EMS Independent Engineering
Black & Veatch Corporation
Fordham University
Emerging
Sondra J. Martinez joined Enterprise Management Solutions in the summer of 2006 as a Consultant, and is currently responsible for managing independent engineering assessments for project lenders, developers, owners and bidders trying to acquire generation assets. She has worked on several large acquisition projects where she has led the pro forma review for the financial client, which provides technical, financial and economic analysis. Martinez's primary focus is in renewable energy, including wind, solar, biofuels, biomass and landfill gas projects. She is the co-founder of the New York Chapter of Women in Energy and received an Honorable mention, Farsight Award in 2006.
Kelly A. Mathieson
Managing Director, T&SS Clearance & Collateral Management Business Executive
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Stern School of Business, New York University
Emerging
Kelly A. Mathieson, Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., is the Business Executive for the Treasury & Securities Services' Clearance & Collateral Management business. She is responsible for the management of clearance and collateral management services, a business generating approximately $650 million in annual revenue and managing over $1 trillion in securities, derivatives and cash collateral and clearing over $600 billion in cash and securities, across 70 global markets. She has served as a Director of the Board of the Financial Women's Association of New York since 1994 and was the organization's President in 2004-05.
Dorri C. McWhorter, 36
Partner
Crowe Horwath LLP
Northwestern University-Kellogg
Executive
McWhorter brings her experience in management consulting, business process improvement, enterprise risk management and internal control design to her role as a Partner with Crowe Group LLP. McWhorter gained her experience while in consulting roles with the following organizations: Arthur Andersen, Booz Allen and Hamilton, and Catholic Healthcare Audit Network (CHAN). McWhorter has won the contributing author of the year for New Perspectives Magazine for healthcare internal auditors for her articles about Sarbanes-Oxley and enterprise risk management. She serves on the Board YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago as the Audit Committee chair and on the Board for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Other board memberships include the Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Chicago Child Care Society.
Ivonne Monteagudo, 43
Vice President -- Superama
Wal-Mart Mexico
Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo De Mexico
Executive
Monteagudo is currently responsible for delivering sales and profit goals of Superama supermarket chain of 67 stores located in 14 states in Mexico. She is also responsible for operations, merchandising and marketing functions. Before Wal-Mart, she had 11 years experience in marketing with Procter & Gamble-Mexico as well as eight years experience as a vice president at Mead-Johnson Nutrition. She has also worked with the United Way internal fundraising campaign organization.
Rajan Mehra, 40
Venture Partner
Clearstone Venture Advisors
University of Virginia/Darden School of Business
Emerging
Mehra focuses on identifying attractive investment opportunities within technology, media/entertainment, Internet, education/services. His background includes three years of experience as county manager of eBay India, as well as entrepreneurial background on the Internet, space where he set up and managed the operations for Bidorbuy.com. He is a member of the governing council for the Internet & Mobile Association of India.
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Uzair Nathani, 36
Managing Director, International Revenue Management
American Airlines
University of Michigan
Emerging
Nathani is responsible for the pricing and yield management of all of American’s international routes in addition to establishing revenue sharing agreements with its partners. He joined AA as an analyst in the finance group in 1991. Prior to his current position, he was managing director of corporate planning, where he was responsible for fleet planning and network performance improvement initiatives.
Stephanie D. Neely
Treasurer
City of Chicago
University of Chicago
Executive
Neely is responsible for investing a portfolio of approximately $7 billion while trying to ensure the best return for the citizens of Chicago. The city treasurer’s office is also responsible for developing and implementing programs that foster and promote the economic vitality of the city's neighborhoods. Neely, a native South Side Chicagoan, brings to her office more than 20 years of financial-services experience with leading investment-banking institutions. She has a deep personal commitment to serving the city and is a board member of several organizations, including the Chicago Summer Business Institute, Urban Prep Charter School and Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Securities Professionals.
Sherry Nolan, 41
Director of Global Talent Management, Development and Diversity
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
University of Connecticut
Emerging
Nolan currently develops and leads the company’s business-wide initiatives and programs for executive and associate recruitment and retention. She also develops performance management, talent development, and succession planning. Prior to Goodyear, she had nearly 20 years of business-related and broad-based HR experience, included eight years in HR positions at Pepsi Bottling Group, most recently responsible for Pepsi’s worldwide diversity and organizational capability.
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David Olivencia, 37
Executive Director, Insight Program
Oracle Corp.
University of Notre Dame
Emerging
Olivencia is currently responsible for providing sales strategy, enablement and support for Oracle’s Fortune 500 and higher-education accounts. He leads a matrixed team of five insight directors and Oracle enterprise architects. He also has four years experience as an enterprise architect with Ford Motor Corp. He was a founder of ND Business School annual retreat, “Strengthening the Spirituality Within Your Leadership” and is presently a board member of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business.
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Lisa Padden, 40
Director, Organization Development and Training
United Stationers, Inc.
University of South Carolina
Emerging
Padden currently directs talent management processes, including succession planning, organizational capability assessment, and high potential development. She also drafted a diversity white paper that served as the roadmap for increasing diversity awareness and effectiveness across the organization. She also has three years experience as manager and consultant with Gateway Inc in addition to seven years as consultant with BP Corp. She has served as president of the Chicago Chapter of the University of Virginia Alumni Association and a Chicago Cares volunteer.
Leslie D. J. Patterson, 37
Partner
Ernst & Young LLP
Emory University/Goizueta School of Business
Emerging
Patterson is a CPA, and the Southeast Sub-Area people Team Leader and a Partner at Ernst & Young. Prior to this, she was the Americas Director of the Fffice of Diversity Strategy & Development and worked with the firm's leadership to implement programs and initiatives that promote a culture of inclusiveness. Before that position, she was a national recruiter for Ernst & Young, focusing primarily on the firm's minority recruitment efforts and building relationships with minority professional organizations. She often speaks on diversity strategy and career development issues at conferences, universities, and other venues, and has been quoted in various publications. Patterson serves as a board member of Hampton University's board of trustees and other community organizations.
Jose Piazza, 47
Staff Vice President, Strategic & Financial Planning
Verizon Wireless
University of Rochester (NY)
Emerging
Piazza is responsible for the strategic planning, reporting and analysis, network support, and business performance initiatives for Verizon Wireless. He has over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and executive reporting. Prior to joining Verizon, Piazza was director of budgets, forecast, reporting and analysis at Genuity, a $2 billion Internet infrastructure provider. A leader in many professional organizations, he is a co-founder and former treasurer of the New Jersey chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, founding member and executive vice president of Puerto Ricans in Management and Executive Roles and a founding board member and advisor of the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s New Jersey chapter.
Mark A. Pitts, 46
Vice President of Sales, North America
Berger King Account Team
Coca-Cola Company
Emory University/Goizueta School of Business
Emerging
Pitts is responsible for managing the sales and local marketing of Coca-Cola products to the more that 7,500 franchised and company owned Burger King outlets across the U.S. In addition to his account team responsibilities, he serves as chairman and president of Coca-Cola’s African- American Forum, which serves to enrich the professional and personal experiences of the firm’s Black associates. Pitts’ experiences have included profit/loss management, developing, implementing and executing marketing strategy, sales management, sales training, alliance relationships, and national and global client management. His best practices research in recovery auditing was featured in the on-line version of the Wall Street Journal in 2005.
Judith Polzer, 45
Trading Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director
JPMorgan Chase Worldwide Securities Services
New York University/Stern School of Business
Emerging
In her role at JPMorgan, Polzer focuses on market-risk issues and optimizing global efficiencies among the trading desks. Among her responsibilities is leveraging global broker dealer relationships, overseeing the group's collateral and pricing policies, assessing MIS needs and managing day to day trading issues as they relate to market risk. She is also involved in liaising with various regulatory bodies to address the current market conditions and impacts to the security lending business caused by recent governmental policies and facilities. Previously, Polzer was a business manager in JPMorgan Chase's treasury department. In 2006, she joined Wall Street Select as head of the DRX group.
Kelly Richmond Pope, Ph.d, CPA, 35
Assistant Professor
DePaul University
N. Virginia Tech
Emerging
Pope teaches classes in accounting at the school of accountancy and MIS. Prior to joining DePaul in 2006, she taught at Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Kellstadt Graduate School of Business- College of Commerce, Depaul Univeristy. Her professional experience includes work for KPMG, LLC. Pope is the author of several research papers, and her work has appeared in several industry publications such as CPA Journal, New Accountant, Journal of Health Care Finance, Journal of Nonprofit Management and Journal of Financial Services Professionals. She’s a board member of the Young Women's Leadership Charter School and has a membership in the Chicago chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants.
Julian Posada, 41
Founder/President
Cafe´ Media LLC
Northwestern University/ Kellogg School of Business
Executive
Posada oversees the vision and strategy of his fast growing media company that targets second- and third-generation Hispanics through a combination of print, events, e-newsletters, and web platforms. He was previously general manager of Tribune's Hoy Newspaper, Chicago's only Spanish daily newspaper, where he was responsible for setting the tone and guide the newspaper to be relevant to its readers as well a vehicle for advertisers to reach the growing Hispanic community. Prior to these roles, Posada also held senior-level positions at Citibank in Colombia, South America. He assisted in starting two national non-profit organizations, Public Allies and Campus Outreach Opportunity League, and has participated as a board member for numerous organizations.
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Nadia M. Quarles, Esq., 43
Director of Business Diversity
The University of Chicago
Hamline University School of Law
Emerging
Quarles is responsible for building the business diversity process university-wide and increasing the school's business relationships with minority and women-owned business enterprises. Prior to joining the university in 2006, she worked at Chicago Public Schools as manager of business diversity, and for the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services where she was responsible for increasing the city's target market contract opportunities. She was also an adjunct professor at Northeastern Illinois University. Quarles serves on the University of Chicago Diversity Leadership Council and is a board member of Changing Worlds, a non-profit organization dedicated to building cross-cultural understanding through art and literacy programs in the Chicago Public Schools. She was featured in the 2007 edition of Who's Who in Black Chicago.
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Derica Rice, 44
Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
Eli Lily and Co.
Indiana University
Executive
Rice has a working career with Lilly that covers nearly 20 years. He has three years experience in his current position. During his time at Lilly, he has held various assignments as sales representative, manager of global financial planning and analysis for the medical devices division. He also has served as general manager of Eli Lilly/United Kingdom and Ireland. He presently serves as a board member for Target Co., Clarian Health North and the Center for Leadership Development.
Tara-Sekayi Robinson, 28
Investment Consultant, Supervisor
Vanguard Business Development Group
University of Phoenix
Emerging
Robinson leads a team of investment consultants responsible for assisting existing and prospective clients with the transfer of retirement and non-retirement assets to Vanguard in excess of $100,000. In addition, she is a member of the BDG chat team, where she recently assisted in the creation of quality standards for chat communication between associates and clients. She led the team in the creation of operational definitions and a chat quality forum that is used to create an unmatchable chat experience for clients. Prior to joining Vanguard, Robinson worked for Western and Southern Financial Group as an insurance sales agent. She’s currently on the board of directors for the young alumni chapter at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
Curtis Robinson, 37
Director of Business Sales
Verizon Wireless
Lindenwood University
Emerging
Robinson oversees all segments of Verizon’s business channel for Arizona, New Mexico, Las Vegas, El Paso and Southern Utah. He is responsible for growing the customer base, revenues and employees within his territory. He recently served as associate director of strategic sales (government), where he built and led a team of 21 employees who were responsible for the Kansas/Missouri and Southern Illinois region. His team finished number-one in the nation for net adds with YOY growth at 131% through February of 2009. Among his other accomplishments are leading high-performance teams for GTE Wireless and Nextel Communications.
Peter L. Rodriguez, 37
Associate Dean, International Affairs
Taylor Murphy International Center at The Darden School of Business
Princeton University
Executive
Rodriguez teaches classes on global economies and markets. He’s an economist and specializes in the study of international business, trade, and economic development, with an emphasis on corruption. His research publications range from theoretical explorations of international trade policies and firm behavior to empirical and practiced-based studies of issues in international business and management. Before joining Darden, he was on the faculty of Mays Business School and the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. He previously taught at Princeton University. Rodriguez has received numerous awards for teaching excellence in classes ranging from traditional international macroeconomics to business-government relations.
Rolando B. Rodriguez, 41
Vice President, Regional General Manager
Illinois, Northern Indiana
Wal-Mart Stores, U.S.
Rockhurst University
Executive
Rodriquez currently oversees and leads 170 business units with full P&L responsibilities in three states for Wal-Mart. His span of responsibility includes more than 60,000 associates and four different formats -- supercenters, division 1 stores, neighborhood markets and marketsides. He has served as a mentor of minority business with the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s POWER Program.
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Cindy Sanborn, 44
Vice President, Northern Region
CSX Transportation
University of Miami
Executive
Sanborn has two years experience in her current position at CSX. Her career there spans 22 years during which she served as assistant trainmaster in Rocky Mount, NC and as superintendent transportation in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition she served as division manager in Baltimore, MD. She is presently a member of Conrail, Good Government Fund Advisory Board as well as the American Association of Railway Operating Officers.
Monique Saunders, 43
Managing Director
American Cancer Society
University of Virginia/Darden School of Business
Emerging
Saunders is responsible for the day-to-day operations, financial and business operating plans, strategic external alliances and partnerships, and a $48 million operational budget. She has a consistent history of achievement in finance, operations, and organizational structure, and has extensive strategic management and multi-million dollar P&L experience. She directed and provided strategic leadership for the management team to support the mission and organizational structure for the health promotions business unit of the society. Saunders provides pro bono work for non-profit organizations by providing guidance and direction for strategic operating plans and executive business coaching. She is a member of the Georgia Coaches Association.
Carmen J. Smith, 50
Vice President of Global Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
New York University
Executive
Smith leads the development of global strategies and tactics for designing, implementing and sustaining a dedicated diversity and inclusion focus for Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide. Prior to her current position, Smith served as the vice president of the talent development programs for the Disney/ABC Television Group. She presently serves on the board of the Urban Resource Institute and the Robey Theatre as well as the Urban Women’s Retreat.
Tara Spann, 41
Director, Diversity Initiatives
Staples Inc.
Suffolk University Law School
Emerging
Spann handles the direction and management of diversity initiatives, including directing the supplier diversity program in Staples’ contract division -- the company’s fastest-growing business, serving mid-sized and Fortune 1000 companies. Prior to joining Staples, Spann was contract manager of Harvard University’s procurement management department. She has also served as first assistant coach for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s women’s varsity basketball team.
Sterling Stanford, 37
Director of Human Resources/Diversity
Walton Construction Co. LLC
Webster University
Emerging
Stanford is responsible for the management of recruiting, hiring, company-wide employee benefits, Human Resources Administration and Employee Relations. He is the facilitator of the department and aids in the implementation of program goals, and is implementing a comprehensive diversity program at all Walton locations. Stanford has four years experience as Director of Human Resources/Diversity. He has also served on the board of the state of Kansas’ Black Chamber of Commerce and is also currently a board member of the Minority Contractors Association.
Maria Sullivan, 45
Vice President, Small Business Sales
CDW Corp.
Northwestern University/Kellogg School of Business
Executive
Sullivan is responsible for $1 billion of P&L business while directing a sales force of 800, including directors, managers and account managers. She joined CDW in 1992 as a director of training and sales recruiting. She was promoted to vice president of organizational and learning development in 1999 where she developed a new process for talent management for over 500 managers that included evaluation and development for high potentials, created a leadership curriculum and launched a company-wide mentoring program. In 2007, her first full year in her current position, she boosted revenue by 13.3 percent to $1.021 billion.
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Candice Teruszkin, 37
Executive Director/Client Sales Manager
JPMorgan Chase
Columbia University
Emerging
Teruszkin is a sales team leader responsible for depository receipts business for Latin America and a revenue goal of $20 million a year. She is also a relationship manager at Vale, the largest demand-response program in the world. She has trained and managed new DR sales resources in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, Teruszkin was a director and head of Latin American client services at Labranche & Co., where her responsibilities included bringing Latin American companies to list on the New York Stock Exchange. She has won the JPMorgan Chairman Circle Award for three consecutive years.
Shundrawn A. Thomas, 35
President, Northern Trust Securities, Inc
Northern Trust Securities Inc.
University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Executive
Thomas is chiefly responsible for developing long-term strategy, executing operating plans and attracting and developing talented professionals. His capital market experience includes equities, fixed income, and derivative investment products. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Thomas served as a vice president of Goldman Sachs, advising some of the world’s largest institutional equity investors. He presently serves on the board of UMI, Inc., a privately held publishing and media company. He is also a Board Member of the Florida A&M University Foundation, and Trustee of Wheaton College.
Debra Toba, 48
Director, Global & Inbound Logistics
United Stationers, Inc.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Emerging
Toba is responsible for optimizing cost and service for all global and domestic inbound transportation, including global sourcing transportation network design and management, carrier and broker qualification, selection and negotiation of cost and service contracts. She is also responsible for managing trade compliance for all United Stationers companies and other risk avoidance related to transportation and logistics. She has been with United Stationers 24 years, with a history of developing a staff of diverse associates that went on to have successful careers at US.
Alfred J. Torres, 48
Executive Director, Human Resources
Verizon Telecom
University of Rochester/William E. Simon School of Business
Emerging
As the head of all staffing, recruiting and diversity management for Verizon Telecom, Torres leads an organization focused on acquiring and supporting the retention and development of the best, brightest, and most diverse talent in the industry. He has been an active member and key leader in the Hispanic Support Organization and served as its president from 1995-2001. Externally, he volunteers and serves on the boards of several non-profits including the El Repertorio Espanol. He has received numerous awards, including Best Human Resources Team, Stevie Award, American Business Institute, and Verizon Corporate Excellence Award.
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Mark Urquhart, 48
Vice-President, Facilities, Design & Construction
The University of Chicago Medical Center
University of Chicago/Booth School of Business
Executive
Urquhart oversees a $1.5 billion new construction budget for the medical center. He has more than 20 years of operations management, construction administration, and project-management experience. Among his accomplishments are directing the construction of the University of Chicago's new $130 million, 155-bed Comer Children's Hospital, and the $100 million capital equipment and renovation program for the healthcare system. Urquhart serves on the board of the Southside YMCA and the Uhlich Children's Advantage Network. He received the Chicago United 2007 Business Leader of Color Award, and was featured in the 2007 edition of Who's Who in Black Chicago.
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Rebeca Vargas, 37
Senior Vice President/Marketing Director
JPMorgan Chase
Tulane University/A.B. Freeman School of Business
Executive
Vargas oversees Chase's multicultural segment across all consumer businesses. She has been successful in changing Chase's approach towards the Hispanic opportunity by developing a business segment within the business. She has focused efforts in expanding Chase's brand positioning within the Hispanic market with a new tagline, “Chase. Juntos Se Puede”. Her team is also responsible for the recent launch of account-opening documents in Spanish, Chase's TV, radio, print, and outside advertising in Spanish, and a marketing campaign based on financial education. Vargas has had seats on several boards of non-profit organizations and received a proclamation from the city of New York in 2006 for her service to the city.
Eli Vazquez, 49
Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President
American Airlines Federal Credit Union
University of California at Berkeley
Executive
Vasquez oversees financial analysis, accounting, strategic and business planning, asset/liability risk management, investment strategy, collections, credit and debit card services and electronic transfer services. Other positions he’s held during his 12 years at American include managing director of airport finance, regional managing director, based in Mexico City, and senior financial analyst. He has served on the board of AACU and is a member of the Credit Union Economic Group.
Arturo Venecia II, 43
President
HCD Experts, Inc.
North Park University
Executive
“Train – Empower – Transform” is Human Capital Development Experts' mission statement. While in corporate America, Venecia observed the lack of visionary leaders, skilled managers, and high performance teams, which had an impact on the development of future leaders, especially those of color. He used this to launch his company. HCDE is a professional development firm specializing in training, human resource consulting, and marketing. Venecia serves on the board of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs in the role of director of professional development. He is also a motivational speaker.
Roxana Vergara, 49
Principal/Consultant
RV Management Consulting
DePaul University/Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
Emerging
Vergara leads entrepreneurial clients in structuring ill-defined challenges and developing customer-centric marketing initiatives from strategic planning and conception through execution and performance assessment. She has more than 15 years of working experience in marketing, communications, and business development. Vergara has been a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, and is a member of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs and DePaul University’s President’s Diversity Council.
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Cindy Wallis-Lage, 46
Vice President/Chief of Global Water Technology Group
Black & Veatch Corp.
University of Kansas
Emerging
Wallis-Lage is responsible for the development and expansion of the company's process expertise in all water related treatment areas. The professionals in her group work to identify and develop emerging technologies in order to provide innovative, reliable solutions for Black & Veatch's global clients. She’s well known in the wastewater industry for her expertise in nutrient reduction and re-use and has worked on over 100 treatment facilities throughout the country. She has written more than 50 papers, 20 technical articles and 10 textbook chapters. Lage also serves on several committees for the Water Environment Federation and International Water Association.
Paul Wanglee, 44
Principal, Manager Search and Enterprise Risk
Vanguard
University of Pennsylvania/Wharton School of Business
Emerging
Wanglee is a principal in Vanguard's portfolio review department, where he oversees manager search and enterprise-wide investment risk activities. He also assists in the oversight of Vanguard's $1 trillion in investment assets. Prior to joining Vanguard in 2002, he spent eight years at Goldman Sachs working out of the Hong Kong office. At Goldman, Wanglee was an executive director with country strategy and sector coverage responsibilities. Additionally, he was ranked among the top analysts for industry research in Greenwich and Reuters surveys. Mr. Wanglee is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder and a member of the CFA Society of Philadelphia, and serves as a trustee and investment committee member of the Church Foundation.
Kevin M. Warren, 46
Chairman/President/CEO
Xerox Canada Ltd.
Harvard Business School
Executive
Warren is responsible for the business operations of Xerox Canada, including human resources, customer service, marketing, and sales. Most recently, he led the successful integration of the $1.5 billion purchase of Global Imaging Systems into Xerox in 2007. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of Xerox's Eastern sales operations, United States Solutions Group. Warren began his Xerox career in 1984 as a sales trainee in Washington D.C. He was recently named one of Black Enterprise magazine's 100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America. He is an advisory board member of the first international chapter of National Black MBA Association, and sits on the national board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Jacqueline M. Welch
Senior Vice President of HR, Talent Management, Diversity and Development
Turner Broadcasting System Inc.
Milano New School For Social Research
Executive
Welch currently manages Turner’s succession planning, performance management, diversity initiatives, learning & development and organizational/development activities. Before Turner, she had six years experience as vice president of employee and organizational effectiveness at Rock-Tenn Co. She also served 10 years as a consultant for Towers Perrin and Accenture (formerly Anderson Consulting). Beyond the office, she chairs the Board of Directors of the Partnership Against Domestic violence and is active with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and the Atlanta Women’s Foundation.
Dontá Wilson, 33
President
BB&T Bank of Alabama
University of Maryland
Executive
Wilson currently leads BB&T’s Alabama operations in addition to heading a North Alabama region. He has also overseen mergers and acquisitions. During his more than 14 years of banking experience, he has served as a regional business banking manager for the Northern Virginia Battlefield region. He has also served as area executive and senior vice president of Prince William County VA. He is a trustee and annual campaign chairman of the Prince William Health System Foundation and chairman of the My Brothers Keeper mentoring program.
Karen Wishart, 48
Vice President/Chief Legal Officer
TV One Online
Emory University/Goizueta School of Business
Executive
Wishart oversees the business and legal affairs department as well as the human resources department for TV One. Her responsibilities include the negotiation of agreements for all the company's business units, as well as corporate governance, risk assessment and strategic planning. In addition, she is responsible for business development for the company and is secretary to the board of managers. Prior to joining TV One, Wishart was vice president of business affairs at Scripps Networks, serving as a negotiator of business agreements for the company's domestic and international television and production units. She received the 2007 National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications Next Generation Leader Award.
Vanessa Wittman, 37
Chief Financial Officer/Executive Vice President
Marsh & McClennan Cos. Inc.
University of Virginia
Executive
Wittman was appointed to her current role in September 2008. Prior to joining Marsh & McLennan she was CFO and executive vice president of Adelphia Communications Corp. from 2003 to 2007. She joined Adelphia after the firm declared bankruptcy, and was part of a new executive team that oversaw what became one of the most complex bankruptcy cases in U.S. history. While there, she was responsible for accounting, tax and internal audit functions, operational and field finance, corporate development, and the bankruptcy and investor relations teams. Prior to Adelphia, Ms. Wittman served as CFO of 360networks, based in Seattle.
Stephanie Wong, 40
Senior Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer
Wal-Mart China
University of Arkansas
Executive
Wong is responsible for the affairs in development, merger and acquisition, asset protection and shared services, covering both Wal-Mart and Trust-Mart. As a localized, top female leader in Wal-Mart China, she not only trains professionals, but also stimulates her teams to win a good reputation and market value among competitors and other domestic and multinational enterprises. Under the efforts of Wong and her team members, Wal-Mart China has achieved a significant number of national-level awards including Best Employer of the Year and Best Enterprise for Talent's Growth.
