Speakers

Victoria
Boston

Region VP - Engineering, Network Maintenance, & Construction

Comcast

Boston is an accomplished senior leader with distinct experience leading large teams in the sales, marketing, service, network, collections, and construction functions at Fortune 50 organizations. She’s been recognized for consistently pioneering organizational transformation while delivering promoter-creating employee and customer experiences, double-digit revenue growth, and savings. Boston currently serves as the regional vice president of engineering, network maintenance, and construction for the northeast division at Comcast NBC Universal and serves on the National DEI Steering Council. Previously, she led Comcast’s west division loyalty centers of excellence as division vice president and chair of the DEI Council. She also served as group vice president of sales, retention, and collections at Frontier Communications. Boston began her illustrious career with Verizon Communications in numerous roles and functions with increasing responsibility, ultimately landing as area vice president of customer service and global tech support. Often sought after for her ability to energize and influence with more than ~6K followers on LinkedIn and speaking engagements with audiences as large as 20,000 in attendance. Boston’s accomplished this by leading with integrity and trust while remaining authentic and relatable to diverse audiences. She’s a third-generation writer and internationally bestselling author of the book, 3 Slow Nickels, a chronicle of her journey from humble beginnings to renowned executive and public figure. Originally from Washington D.C., she now spends time on both the East & West coasts. Boston is actively engaged in her community as a board member for organizations including Strayer University, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Discover YOU Compton Inc., Skills Society Basketball, and a volunteer at From the Heart Church Ministries. Boston’s contributions have been publicly recognized and she’s the recipient of esteemed awards and honors including but not limited to: - Best in Class - Customer Service, Balanced Performance COO Award, Women Making History Now Award, and the prestigious CEO Leadership Excellence awards (Verizon, 2014-2015) - The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award for supporting the professional development of others - Acknowledgement of her contributions to the EEOC Women’s History Month Celebration by the United States Department of Agriculture - Recognition for her Outstanding Support of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education - Honored for her Leadership by the Essence Communications Achievement Counts Program - The subject of multiple features for her contributions to the local community in the Baltimore Afro American Newspaper Fortunate to be married to her best friend Troy, she’s also the proud mom of author, actress, professional dancer/choreographer, philanthropist, and homeschool teacher – Danielle Watson. She ‘s a hot yoga enthusiast, enjoys boxing, hiking, actively participating in the community, and totally in love with her grandbabies, King and Zenzi.

Angelica
Cortez

Vice President of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Uplift Family Services

Dr. Angelica Cortez is the Vice President for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) at Uplift Family Services, one of the largest mental and behavioral health providers in the state of California. She is also a daughter, sister, cousin, and friend that raises her vocation to honor communities often not represented. As Uplift's first Vice President to head the organization's diversity and racial equity efforts, she is responsible for developing and applying a racial equity lens to the group's policies, practices, and procedures. Her background consists of advancing civil rights, public policy, and nonprofit management. In 2020, she played a pivotal role in the strategic outreach of the Yes on Proposition 16 campaign, a push to repeal Proposition 209, California's current ban on Affirmative Action. She most recently served as the Vice President of Racial Justice and Equity for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a business association of over 400 technology companies. Dr. Cortez frequently writes and speaks on topics of Filipina/x/o American civic participation, Queer identity, and democratizing legislative advocacy within disenfranchised groups.

Sharoni
Denise Little

CEO, The Strategist Company

Head, Global Inclusion Strategy, Creative Artists Agency

Dr. Sharoni Denise Little, CEO, The Strategist Company, LLC (A boutique advisory), is an organizational and leadership development strategist, educator, global facilitator, and media commentator, who helps organizations and institutions devise evidence-based, sustainable strategies and solutions. She also serves as Head, Global Inclusion Strategy, at Creative Artists Agency, where she leads the company’s strategic efforts to foster a diverse workforce who can thrive in an equitable, inclusive, and antiracist culture, thereby driving innovation and business outcomes. Dr. Little, the former Vice Dean and Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer/Professor at the University of Southern California’s, Marshall School of Business for over twenty years, is an author and renowned scholar, who shares her expertise globally and domestically on workplace inclusion, equity, and antiracism, mitigating bias, strategic leadership, critical race, and global organizational strategy. Dr. Little earned her Ph.D. from Indiana University in Rhetoric and Cultural Studies where her dissertation, “Death at the Hands of Persons Known: Victimage Rhetoric and the 1922 Dyer Anti-lynching Bill,” examined how the Black Male as Rapist myth was used in Congressional discourse to hinder federal anti-lynching legislation and to promote a paternalistic rhetoric of control. She also obtained an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education, where her dissertation, “The Ph.D. as a Contested Intellectual Site: A Critical Race Analysis of the Factors that Influence the Persistence and Retention of Academically Successful Black Doctoral Students,” examined personal and institutional factors impacting student engagement and academic success. She received her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Organizational Communication from California State University, Los Angeles. A noted author and speaker, Dr. Little publishes her research on issues of equity and inclusion, strategic leadership, and global business, is completing her forthcoming book, The Perpetual Surveillance of Black Men (2022), and has contributed chapters on Michelle Obama and racialized educational disparities. She has been featured in various media outlets, including her two TEDx talks, Storytime: Confronting and Disrupting Marginalizing Narratives (2020), and The Gift of Corrective Lenses (2016), Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, the Financial Times, Marketplace, the Los Angeles Times, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, and PBS. Dr. Little has consulted with and served numerous organizations and Executives across disparate industries. An educational and social advocate, Dr. Little serves as a Board Trustee and Vice-Chair at Compton Community College focusing on educational equity and access, community engagement, literacy, and culturally responsive pedagogy and curricula. Dr. Little serves on statewide Equity and Inclusion Leadership Committees focused on systemic change and student success and was selected as an Inaugural Trustee Fellow (2020) for strategic thought-leaders developed in partnership with the California Community Colleges and the Aspen Institute, College Excellence Program. Dr. Little also serves as a Senior Advisor for the City of Compton, Compton Pledge Guaranteed Income program, the Compton, My Brother’s Keeper Initiative in partnership with the Obama Foundation, and the Aspen Institute’s, Forum for Community Solutions, Fresh Tracks leadership development program for urban, rural, and tribal communities. While she values her community and organizational efforts, her most cherished blessing is being the proud mother of her twin sons. To whom much is given, much is required, Luke 12:48.

Scott
Fiddler

Partner

Jackson Walker

Scott Fiddler is board certified in both labor & employment law and civil trial law, placing him among only approximately 25 attorneys in Texas board certified in both specialties. As lead trial attorney, Scott has tried nearly 60 cases, including 40 jury trials and nearly 20 arbitrations and bench trials. Scott’s resume is one of impressive wins in jury trials and published cases. He has obtained jury verdicts for clients in FLSA wage and hour cases, non-compete and misappropriation of trade secret cases, discrimination, executive termination, and sexual harassment cases. He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2007, and as a Houston Top Lawyer by H Texas magazine every year since 2008. Scott’s focus is on high-stakes employment litigation involving non-compete agreements and trade secret misappropriation, executive terminations, and wage and hour class and collective actions. He has successfully defended FLSA class and collective action cases across the country in bet-the-company litigation, and he is routinely either seeking or opposing applications for temporary and preliminary injunctions on behalf of companies in state and federal court in trade secret and non-compete litigation. In litigation Scott has represented companies in the oil and gas, technology, software, staffing, insurance, food, medical, home building, hotel, industrial cleaning, and energy industries, among others. Scott’s litigation experience is broad and has included representation of executives, physicians, and lawyers, as well as celebrities, professional athletes, and a professional basketball coach, among others. His versatility as a trial lawyer has been demonstrated by his having obtained one of the largest verdicts in Texas for a plaintiff in a race discrimination retaliation case, and having obtained one of the few attorney fee awards for an individual in Texas in defending a case under the Texas Covenants Not to Compete Act. He is recognized for his work by his peers and publications alike and has been featured in the attorney profile sections of Forbes and Newsweek.

Paul
Frazier

Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Dr. Paul Frazier holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership, a Masters in Educational Mid-Management, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University. Dr. Frazier currently serves as Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Previously he served as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the University of South Alabama. He has taught as an adjunct instructor at Texas Tech University, teaching both undergraduate and graduate level education courses. He served in public education for 24 years as the Executive Director of Student Administrative Services, a high school principal, middle school assistant principal, and alternative school assistant principal. He has also taught History and English on the high school and middle school levels, in addition to coaching several high school sports. Dr. Frazier has served on various civic and community boards. He has served as a board member for the Region 1 Disportionality Texas Statewide Representative for Child Protective Services, as a board member of the Lubbock American Diabetes Association, is a member of the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity, is a member of Mobile United, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is a member of the Mobile Area 100 Black Men. He has previously served as a board member for the Texas Diversity Council and is board member for the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education. He previously served on the Athletics Diversity and Outreach Advisory Council for Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Diversity Council. He is a member of Texas Association of Chicanos, f. He serves on the Ethics Advisory Committee at Texas Tech, the Texas Tech Greek Life Advisory Council, the International Affairs Council and the Texas Tech Academic Council.

Zahra
Jamal

Associate Director, Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance

Rice University

Zahra N. Jamal is CEO and President of The Inclusion Expert and Associate Director at Rice University's Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance. As an award winning former-faculty member at Harvard, MIT, and the University of Chicago, Zahra has addressed the United Nations, G-20 Interfaith Summit, and her research has circulated at the White House. Zahra has consulted for 20+ years on diversity in religion, race, gender, and generation for the US Department of Sate, US Department of Justice, Canadian War College; Fortune 500s including Facebook, Goldman Sachs, Siemens, DHL, and Disney; and nonprofits including Aspen Institute, Junior League, the Tanenbaum Center, and the Aga Khan Development Network. She has appeared on BBC World News, Australian Broadcast Corporation, CBS, and documentaries produced by Discovery Channel, UNESCO Global Peace, International Religious Freedom Peace Activist, and the Middle East Leadership Network. Zahra has published with Duke University Press, Rowman & Littlefield, Lexington/Fortress, Peter Lang, Info. Age, White Cloud Press, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, The Hill, and I Speak for Myself, an anthology of American Muslim women’s autobiographical essays praised by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, Queen Noor, and Deepak Chopra. She was appointed by HH Aga Khan to two national boards, and recognized by the World Economic Forum, President Obama’s Interfaith Service Challenge, and Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer. Zahra received her Ph.D. in Social Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard and is a Certified Diversity Professional.

Robert
Jensen

Emeritus Professor in the School of Journalism

University of Texas at Austin

Robert Jensen is Emeritus Professor in the School of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin and a founding board member of the Third Coast Activist Resource Center. He collaborates with the Ecosphere Studies program at The Land Institute in Salina, KS.Jensen is the author of The End of Patriarchy: Radical Feminism for Men (Spinifex Press, 2017). His other books include Plain Radical: Living, Loving, and Learning to Leave the Planet Gracefully (2015); Arguing for Our Lives: A User’s Guide to Constructive Dialogue (2013); All My Bones Shake: Seeking a Progressive Path to the Prophetic Voice, (2009); Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity (2007); The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege (2005); Citizens of the Empire (2004); and Writing Dissent (2002). Jensen is also co-producer of the documentary film Abe Osheroff: One Foot in the Grave, the Other Still Dancing (Media Education Foundation, 2009), which chronicles the life and philosophy of the longtime radical activist. An extended interview Jensen conducted with Osheroff is online at http://www.robertwjensen.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Abe-Osheroff-interview-by-Robert-Jensen.pdf. Jensen is associate producer of the documentary film Prairie Prophecy: The Restless and Relentless Mind of Wes Jackson and is collaborating with Jackson on a book that captures his key insights in agriculture, ecology, and culture.Jensen can be reached at rjensen@austin.utexas.edu and his articles can be found online at http://robertwjensen.org/. To join an email list to receive articles by Jensen, go to http://www.thirdcoastactivist.org/jensenupdates-info.html. Twitter: @jensenrobertw.

Dr. Jobi
Martinez

Executive Director

Racial Justice Institute

Jobi Martinez, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of J|M Consulting. Dr. Martinez has 20 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion and has worked with non-profits, city municipalities, colleges and universities, and for-profit corporations. Her work and research primarily examine how institutions advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. The last five years, Dr. Martinez has strategically focused on antiracism and guiding institutions on becoming antiracist institutions. In 2018, Dr. Martinez joined the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), one of the most diverse universities in the nation, as the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion. With over 20 years of experience in diversity and inclusion, Dr. Martinez has spent most of her career leading DEI work in higher education. Dr. Martinez worked closely with the president and other administrative leaders on diversity, access, equity, and inclusion initiatives with a special focus on the university’s antiracism initiatives. In her capacity building role, she led the university to receive its first Insight into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. Prior to joining UHD, Dr. Martinez served as the Managing Director and Deputy Chief Diversity Officer at Texas Tech University (TTU) where she helped establish a division of 13 units committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement from 2009 to 2014. In 2014, she left her position to complete her doctorate degree and examine to advance her research and teaching in diversity and inclusion. During this time, she consulted colleges and universities on campus climate studies, diversity and inclusion marketing and communication, antiracism, and strategic plans. Dr. Martinez was recognized as a National Thought Leader (2018 and 2019) for her diversity leadership, innovative practice, and media and communication research.

David
Medina

Director, Multicultural Community Relations

Rice University

David D. Medina is director of Multicultural Community Relations at Rice University, a position he has held since 1991. His responsibility at Rice is to enhance relationships between the ethnic communities of Houston and the university. Under his guidance, his team has won a gold and two silver medals in the national CASE competition. As part of the centennial celebration at Rice, Medina led a group that produced a documentary about blacks at Rice that was featured on Houston PBS and was nominated for a state Emmy. Medina also writes feature stories for the award-winning Rice University Magazine, edits the newsletter Rice At Large, and writes book reviews for Literal Magazine. He has won 17 writing awards. Before joining Rice, Medina worked as a reporter for the Austin-American Statesman, the Dallas Times Herald, the Houston Post, The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek magazine. Medina received a B.A. in Spanish from Drake University, an M.A. in Spanish from Rice University, and an M.S.J. from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He also studied in Barcelona, Spain and at the University of Colorado at Boulder and received his high school diploma from the Chinquapin School. Medina taught Spanish for two years at St. Mark’s School of Texas in Dallas. In 2017, Medina was honored by the Chinquapin School as a distinguished alum and for being the first graduate of the high school. In 2012, Medina received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals. He received from Rice the 2012 Demaris Hudspeth Endowed Award for extraordinary service to student life and organizations. He was honored with a DiversityFIRST Award from the Texas Diversity Council. The award recognizes Medina as one who has “demonstrated outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, marketplace and community” and “demonstrated exemplary leadership.” He also received the 2010 Willie Velasquez Hispanic Excellence Award for education from the Tejano Center for Community Concerns and Houston TV station Telemundo. He received the 2010 Diversity Champion Award from the Association of Chinese-American Professionals. Medina has served on the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board for the past six years. He also served as a fellow of the 2010-11 class of the American Leadership Forum’s Houston/Gulf Coast chapter. He served three years as president of the Houston Hispanic Forum. He was co-chair of the 2009 Diversity Summit in Sugar Land. He is a former president of the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals and a former vice president of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education. He served on the boards of Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say, Ser Niños Charter School, and Musiqa. He is on the advisory board of the Chinquapin School and Inprint. He has also coached YMCA soccer and basketball and little league baseball. He is married and has two children, both graduates of Rice University.

Binny
Nanavati

Head of Belonging

Workiva

Binny Nanavati serves as the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Workiva Inc., the world’s leading provider of regulatory, financial, and ESG reporting technology. In her role, she leads the creation and execution of DEIB strategies to build a diverse workforce, inclusive culture, and equitable practices that foster belonging. She is a skilled DEIB professional and storyteller with years of experience launching business employee resource groups and accountability around workforce and workplace goals that align with business growth strategies. Prior to joining Workiva, Binny held senior DEI leadership positions at both ADT Commercial and Dell Technologies, and has served as a consultant with organizations and individuals to drive an inclusive work culture environment and cultivate champions at every level in the workplace. Prior to her work in DEIB, Binny held various management positions at Dell and AT&T in workplace transformation, program management, IT, sales and marketing. Binny is the award-winning author of 108 Indian Home Remedies, receiving the Living Now Evergreen Silver Medal for her contribution to positive global change. She is also a 2022 recipient of the Top Inclusive Leader award by the Inclusion Lab, and a highly regarded public speaker on topics of diversity, allyship, belonging, and inclusive leadership. She serves on the board of advisors of Momentum Scholars and Parents Council for Business Honors Program at the UT Austin McCombs School of Business. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Economics from Rutgers University and a mini-MBA in Finance from Wharton and the AT&T School of Business. She enjoys spending time and playing cards with her sons Sunay and Saavan, traveling around the world with her husband, Sujal, and going on walks with family and friends.

Brian
Norgaard

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Culture Change Specialist

Practitioner, writer, speaker, and consultant, Brian Norgaard has been accompanying individuals and organizations on their diversity, leadership, and empowerment journeys for over twenty years in the US and abroad. As a culture-change specialist, he has directed nationally recognized DEI initiatives. Known for his frank and engaging style, Brian is a sought-out speaker on DEI and empowerment topics. Brian is one of the few professionals in the diversity field to hold an advanced degree in diversity studies. He received his MA in intercultural relations from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, concentrating in DEI training and consulting. By additionally completing a graduate business program at Harvard University with a concentration in organizational development, Brian possesses a rounded set of skills, theoretical and practical, sensitive to the art and science of DEI strategy and organizational design. He also holds a BA in Asian studies from the University of Hawai’i, Manoa, was a Fellow at the Health Research and Education Trust’s Cultural Competency Leadership Fellowship, and spent two years as an undergraduate student in Japan. Born and raised in rural Oregon, Brian currently resides with his family in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, promoting race unity, skateboarding, and tracking his car.

Shane
Portfolio

Senior Vice President, Reliability Engineering

Comcast Cable

Shane Portfolio is Senior Vice President, Reliability Engineering for Comcast Cable. Previously he was Senior Vice President of Field Operations Engineering leading the company’s One Network, XOC, Headend Operations and Plant Maintenance organizations. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Technical Operations and Engineering for Comcast Cable’s West Division, with responsibility for engineering, technical operations and advanced services for more than six million customers. Shane oversaw the Division’s fiber network and IP-based infrastructure. He also led the Division’s technical operations and engineering teams responsible for testing and deployment of new technologies and resources to deliver innovative new products and services as well as a reliable network and customer experience. Previously, Shane served as Regional Vice President of Engineering for the California region, responsible for the oversight, guidance, direction and vision for all technical engineering aspects throughout the Comcast California footprint. With a career at Comcast spanning 23 years, his journey has taken him from the Central Division’s Engineering and eXcellence in Operations Centers (XOC), which monitors the network around the clock to identify and address issues that could impact service for multiple customers, to the National Engineering and Technical Operations center, which oversaw Comcast’s nationwide backbone and wholesale organization, to leadership roles in IP Operations and network capacity planning. Shane’s extensive experience, leadership ability, and passion continues to assist with setting the pace and direction of the Engineering teams across the enterprise. Shane is a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Army, where he was a Platoon Sergeant recognized as a Top Gun for Colorado and served as a leadership instructor for Combat Arms Units. Shane is also a lifelong learner; after earning his Bachelor of Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver in Computer Information Systems and Management Science, he went on to earn several advanced degrees, including master’s degrees in Organizational Leadership from Regis University and in Telecommunications from Denver University. He is now in his PhD program focused on diversity and inclusion in the technology industry, with an expected completion of 2022.

Sanjay
Sharma

Chief Technology Officer, SEI Wealth Platform

SEI

Sanjay Sharma is Chief Technology Officer, responsible for the SEI Wealth PlatformSM (SWP) Information Technology strategy, execution and delivery. In this role, he oversees enterprise architecture, design, development, global implementations and production operations. Previously, Sanjay was the global head of SWP Delivery, overseeing release management, systems integrations and implementations. Sanjay has worked in the global financial services industry for more than 25 years, spanning four continents and 11 countries. Prior to SEI, he was Head of Delivery, Europe, for a global Information Technology Financial Services (ITFS) consulting company; Head of Delivery ITFS Solutions, North America, for a global top-10 Information Technology consulting company; and Head of Implementation, ITFS Solutions, for another global top-10 Information Technology consulting company. Sanjay holds a Master of Engineering with a specialization in Systems Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.

Jonathan
Stutz

President and Chief Diversity Officer

Global Diversity Partners

Jonathan Stutz is the President and Chief Diversity Officer at Global Diversity Partners. Previously, he led Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity for several global businesses at Amazon. His business experience includes Amazon, Microsoft, and Zulily. He has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and has experience in cross-cultural management, international business, operations, human resources, corporate governance, and leadership development. Jonathan serves on the Board of Trustees for Youth Eastside Services, a Seattle area non-profit focused on the behavioral health of children. He serves on the City of Kirkland, Washington’s Human Services Commission and co-founded the Seattle area’s Eastside Diversity Task Force, the Eastside Latino Leadership Forum, and the Professional Technical Diversity Network in the Puget Sound and Bay Areas. Jonathan is a former President of the Lake Washington Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). He also served on the National Diversity Committee for SHRM. Jonathan is an active runner and hiker and while born in Toronto, Canada, has lived in the Seattle area most of his life. He is married to Stacie for 30+ years, they have two adult children and a Golden Retriever.

Adrienne
Trimble

VP & Chief Diversity Officer

Sysco

Adrienne Trimble is the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Sysco Corporation. She is a known thought leader for advancing corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She has led DEI and Social Innovation initiatives for large, complex organizations nationally and globally. Additionally, she has served as the leader of a non-profit national organization, with global affiliates, providing certification and development for minority owned businesses. Trimble began her work in inclusion at Toyota Motor North America, where she worked closely with the company’s senior leadership team in developing advocacy and accountability measures to integrate DEI processes across the organization’s business operations. During her tenure, she aligned diversity, equity and inclusion with the business strategy to help position Toyota as the #1 sales leader in the African American, Hispanic American and Asian American markets. She also worked closely with the company’s External Diversity Advisory Board, chaired by the honorable Alexis Herman. She led the company’s rise on the DiversityInc Top 50 list from #42 to #25 in two short years. She also firmly solidified the company’s recognition by third party advocacy organizations such as Black Enterprise Best Companies for Diversity, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She oversaw Toyota’s Supplier Diversity initiative from 2005-2012. In this role, she grew the company’s diverse supplier base to reflect an increase in spend that exceeded 300 percent, topping nearly $3B in spend with diverse suppliers. Toyota received numerous accolades under Trimble’s direction, including Corporation of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) as well as Corporation of the Year honors from several of the organization’s affiliates. In recognition of her efforts to advance economic development for diverse suppliers, The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Founder and CEO of Rainbow PUSH, presented Trimble with the Corporate Leader Award and Women in Leadership Award. Securing the future and recognizing supplier diversity as part of the larger goal of economic inclusion have been enduring truths in Adrienne Trimble’s career. Ms. Trimble served as an Executive on Loan as the President & CEO for the National Minority Supplier Development Council from August 2018 – February 2021. One of the hallmarks of her leadership with NMSDC was to re-establish the long-term vision for the organization. Within 18 months, she reversed the organization’s decline in corporate members and certified minority business enterprises. In the spring of 2019, Trimble testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, to further underscore the economic benefits of supply chain inclusion. A graduate of Wilberforce University, Ms. Trimble holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organization Management. In 2014, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of her alma mater. Other board and committee leadership positions include The Herndon Institute Corporate Board Director Development Cohort, VisitDallas Diversity Advisory Council, and The Collin County Business Alliance. Previous Executive Committee roles include the Billion Dollar Roundtable, and Unidos, the leading civil rights organization for Hispanic and Latino Americans. Ms. Trimble has previous Human Resources leadership experience in financial services, healthcare and media broadcasting industries.

Gregory
Vincent

International President & CEO

University of Kentucky

Dr. Gregory J. Vincent currently serves as professor, executive director of the Education and Civil Rights Initiative and program chair of the Ph.D Senior Diversity Officer specialization at the University of Kentucky. He also serves as the CEO of Vincent Strategies, a global diversity, equity and inclusion consulting firm and founding partner of Wilson Vincent Law, a firm focusing on civil rights, education and child advocacy. During 2018-2020, he served as the 48th Grand Sire Archon (CEO and Chairman) of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé), founded in 1904 as the first African American Greek-Letter fraternity. Dr. Vincent also served as the 27th President of the Hobart College and the 16th President of William Smith College in Geneva, New York. From 2005-2017 Vincent served at the University of Texas at Austin as Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, W.K. Kellogg Professor of Community College Leadership and Professor of Law. Vincent led the most comprehensive unit of its kind in higher education with a budget of over $50 Million and 400 employees. He also served as university spokesperson and played a major role in the case of Fisher v. University of Texas, in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold the use of affirmative action in higher education. Under Dr. Vincent’s Leadership The University of Texas- Austin developed a comprehensive diversity action plan and earned the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. In addition Insight into Diversity Magazine named the University of Texas-Austin a 2016 Diversity Champion and Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awardee for 5 consecutive years 2012-2016. From 2003 to 2005, Dr. Vincent served as vice provost for institutional equity and diversity and law professor at the University of Oregon. From 1999 to 2003, He served as vice provost for academic affairs and campus diversity and law professor at the Louisiana State University. From 1995 to 1999, he served as assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs lecturer of law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Vincent served as the assistant attorney general in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General where he successfully argued several major civil rights cases before the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was promoted to director for regional and legal affairs at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in Cleveland and as vice president and lead counsel for Bank One. Vincent was born in New York, New York and attended public schools and graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1979. He received his bachelor’s degree in history and economics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1983. At the Colleges, he was on the Hobart Basketball, Track and Cross-Country teams. He also served as a resident advisor. When he graduated, he was presented with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award. Dr. Vincent received his law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1987 where he has served on the National Advisory Council since 2012 and his Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Dr. Vincent chaired numerous boards including the Austin Area League, Communities in Schools of Central Texas and Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. He is a member of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Austin and served as Senior Warden for two terms. For his service and community engagement, Dr. Vincent has received numerous awards and recognition. In 2016, He was named the Educator of the year by the University of Pennsylvania and in 2012 he received the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Distinguished Service Award. Mayor Steven Adler and the City Council named June 13, 2017 Dr. Gregory J. Vincent Day in the City of Austin. Dr. Vincent is married to Kim Wilson Vincent, a founding partner of the Wilson Vincent Law Firm where she devotes a significant part of her practice to child protective services cases. In 2017 Texas Governor Greg Abbott commissioned Attorney Vincent a Yellow Rose of Texas for her outstanding work in child advocacy, leadership in the arts and distinguished community service. They are the proud parents of two daughters and four sons who are graduates of Louisiana State University/ Xavier University New Orleans ,Spelman College/ Georgetown University, the University of Texas at Austin, Morehouse College and students at the Berklee College of Music and Lake Travis (Texas) High School.