Rick Rodriguez Jr., President of California-based Certified MBE RMI International Inc., will share his story and principles on business. The highly decorated veteran of the United States Army, Rodriguez now runs the leading edge security organization, focusing on oversight of customer relations, quality control, and operations policy for the corporation.

Regina O. Heyward is MassMutual’s Head of Supplier Diversity, leading the company’s innovative supplier diversity strategy that aligns with MassMutual's core values. With more than two decades of multi-industry global supply chain and supplier diversity strategy experience, Regina has led significant supply chain initiatives in North America, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

Regina has served in several business leadership positions across the financial services and manufacturing industries. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President and Head of Supplier Diversity at Wells Fargo, where she was responsible for a $1 billion-plus portfolio of diverse business relationships and capacity building programs. Prior to, Regina served as the Director of Enterprise Supplier Management at Capital One where she was accountable for corporate real estate category management and supplier diversity. Regina spent five years at MeadWestvaco as Director of Global Supply Chain Compliance where she was responsible for global supplier risk management and implemented the company’s first supplier diversity program.

Regina is sought after as a thought leader and expert on diversity, equity and inclusion. Currently, she serves as a board member for Disability:IN and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Nominating Committee and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

Regina has been featured three times by Diversity Plus as one of the “Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity.” Regina, a native of Thomasville, Georgia, is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and earned her J.D. from North Carolina Central School of Law.

Jessica Shely is the Founder/CEO of GPD Creative Agency, a professional services firm that assists organizations to create a polished and high-converting digital presence from strategy to solution. 

In 2015, Jessica founded GPD on the pillars of sustainability and social justice after embarking on a year-long spiritual journey where she traveled around the world to 11 countries in 11 months.

After spending 10 years in digital marketing within various industries, Jessica understands how to design digital user experiences efficiently and effectively for optimum conversion. She’s developed a signature process to assist organizations to develop a brand presence that is both digital and experiential.

Jessica holds a Master of Science Degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute in New York and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Hampton University in Virginia. 

She is the published author of three works, two of which are children’s books, inspired by her daughter to edify Black representation in media.

Sean, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, holds a Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership from Wesleyan Seminary @ Indiana Wesleyan University, Master of Management from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Banking and Finance from Morehouse College.

A versatile, innovative professional with proven abilities in business development, financial administration and project management, Sean’s current role as Project Manager for 10KSB @ Cincinnati State uses every tool in his professional skill set to ensure small business owners receive a practical, world class learning experience to help their business grow and create jobs for the region.

Sean is an adjunct instructor for Cincinnati State, teaching management and entrepreneurship, and as an avid lifelong learning, holds the ITIL® Foundations, Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certified (SSYBC)™, Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certified (LSSWB)™ certifications.

Lastly, Sean is developing a risk management application for retail foreign currency traders to preserve capital while delivering superior market returns.

Spare moments are a luxury, but Sean enjoys spending time with his second grade crush, Leslie, three children, three grandchildren.

Tommie Lewis is the President and CEO of Make It Plain Consulting, LLC, a performance-based human resources management firm specializing in HR Consulting, Workforce Development, Performance Coaching, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Solutions.  Tommie has guided companies, institutions, and agencies along their journey to diverse, equitable and inclusive cultures.  As the co-host of “Diversity Conversations”, the region’s top podcast dedicated to diversity topics and solutions, Tommie provides practical, research-based solutions to complex business and personal issues. 

Previously, Tommie served as Chief Diversity Officer at Convergys Corporation, the world’s leader in relationship management, customer and HR solutions, business analytics and consulting services.  As the Diversity & Inclusion Lead, Tommie directed Global Diversity Strategies for Convergys’ 75,000-employee global workforce resulting in 99.9% employees completing a mandatory Operating in a Global Environment and Emotional Intelligence in business program curriculum.  He managed a global team of 150 professionals in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, India, and Asia Pacific. While most of his business travels were in India, Latin America, the Middle East and the U.S., Tommie was responsible for the company’s overall Global Diversity Strategy, Executive On-Boarding, Employee Resource Groups and Diversity & Inclusion Scorecard Metrics. 

Tommie founded Make It Plain Consulting, in 1996, while serving as a member of the U.S. Council on Race Relations: One America Initiative hosted at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.  He has conducted tens of thousands of seminars, workshops, retreats, trainings, and corporate forums.   

Tommie holds degrees and professional certifications in Africana Studies from Tennessee State University, Egyptology and Deep Thought from the University of Chicago, International & Cross-Cultural Management from the University of Houston, Emotional Intelligence and Diversity from the UCLA and Coaching Across Cultures Executive Coaching from the Advanced International Executive Coaching Seminar in Rome, Italy.  

Tommie’s commitment and broad knowledge is recognized by his service on several community Boards, including the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC), Chatfield College, Society for Human Resources Management Northern Kentucky (SHRM NKY), UPIC Solutions, The Children’s Home, City of Cincinnati SBE Compliance Committee, 4C for Children and Camp Joy.

Veronica Cook-Euell is the President, CEO and Executive Consultant with the Euell Consulting Group where she is responsible for developing strategies to increase Minority business representation in securing contracts, driving Supplier Diversity Initiatives and serving as advocate and a liaison for diverse suppliers 16 years experience.

Her motto is “Inclusion is what we do when exclusion is not an option!”

Veronica is a recent award recipient of the Asian American Commerce Group Supplier Diversity Leadership Award 2016, the Women of Power Award from the Akron Urban League 2015, the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council “Advocate of the Year Award” 2014 and nominated for same again in November 2015, also the Minority Business Advocacy Award from Black Pages Ohio in 2012 recognizing her work in buildingB2B relationships throughout Ohio, and her commitment to supporting growth in emerging and small businesses. In 2012, Veronica was awarded the coveted President’s Excellence Award from Dr. Lefton, President of KSU for her outstanding achievements and performance in her role as Supplier Diversity Program Manager. In 2014, Veronica also led Kent State University in receiving the “Best-In-Class for Supplier Diversity” by the Commission on Economic Inclusion in Northeast Ohio.

Veronica’s thought leadership helped build the Partnership for the Minority Business Accelerator where she created, designed, and implemented the programs’ often talked about ‘Customized Action Plans’ and other effective tools used to accelerate over 70 minority-owned businesses prior to coming to Kent State University.

Veronica received her Executive M.B.A. from Kent State University 2015, MA in Psychology focusing in Diversity Cleveland State University 2001 & a Master’s Degree from Kent State University in Special Education focusing in American Sign Language/English Interpreting also in 2015.

Veronica is married to her love Eddie Euell, has 2 amazing sons; Willie and Jordan, a precious daughter-in-law, Dioswal and two beautiful and adorable granddaughters, Katlea Veronica Pearl and Kira Ann Cook.

George enables organizations and businesses to achieve the impossible. His Lean Six Sigma Expertise, Business Acumen, and StrengthFinder leadership themes (Belief, Competition, Activator, Strategic, and Futuristic) allow him to see possibilities and achieve the impossible in situations that others deem impossible. 

Over the past 35+ years, 28 years with Procter and Gamble, George has  led manufacturing and organization transformations across the globe that have enabled businesses to significantly increase Sales and Profit while dramatically improving Cash Flow.  As he traveled the globe, it was disturbing for him to see U.S. Manufacturing and Operations as 2nd rate when compared to other countries.

His guiding mission is enabling minority and women owned businesses to grow profitably and become strategic suppliers through operational and manufacturing excellence.

George is the President of BreakThru Business Solutions.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA and a Masters of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.  He is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. 

Shawn Nason, founder and CEO of MOFI, #1 best-selling author, and former Walt Disney Imagineer, lives his life with a commitment to create radical relationships with everyone he meets. Armed with the gift of discernment, he has the uncanny ability to walk alongside people and organizations as they struggle to connect with their deepest passions and engage their most debilitating demons. He challenges the world around him to be fully present, get real, and lead with empathy.

On a mission to disrupt the status quo, Shawn dares changemakers to pour their hearts into their work while doubling down on a commitment to humanize their experience ecosystems. Unwilling to separate his heart from his work in the business world, he unapologetically challenges leaders to quit the bullsh*t and think bolder about how to actually improve people’s lives. He’s the person in the room who is undeterred by convention, unafraid to dream big, and unable to settle for mediocrity.

Prior to launching MOFI, Shawn was the chief experience & transformation officer for Healthways and served as the chief innovation officer for Xavier University. He also spent six years at The Walt Disney Company in various capacities within Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Cruise Line. He’s an in-demand speaker and coach, the author of two books, Kiss Your Dragons: Radical Relationships, Bold Heartsets, & Changing the World (2021) and The Power of YES! in Innovation (2017), and the host of The Combustion Chronicles podcast.

Haleema Shafeek has more than 13 years of business management experience as President of GOFS Commercial Interiors, Supply & Technology (Formally Green Office Furniture Solutions, LLC).  She started the business from home after working as a commercial interior designer and project manager in the industry.   Today GOFS Commercial Interiors employs 7 people out of an office space in Columbus, Ohio.  Haleema is also a U.S. Army veteran and a Small Business Advocacy leader for Goldman Sachs 10KSB Voices in Ohio. 

GOFS Commercial Interiors is a design firm offering products and services with a “sustainable” focus. In addition to providing LEED certified product alternatives, GOFS Commercial Interiors helps with space planning, relocation management, project management, product delivery and installation for federal, state and corporate clients across the nation.  The Supply division, (GOFS Supply) offers industrial supplies with over 1 million products for operating and maintaining commercial facilities.  GOFS Tech is a division that is focused on the future of commercial real estate management, from the use of smart building technology to the inclusion of Virtual Reality and AI solutions in design.

President and Co-owner of E.E. Ward Moving and Storage, Brian Brooks is an expert in marketing, business planning & growth, mentoring, fundraising and coaching other entrepreneurs to success.

Brian stepped up to keep the legacy of his Godfather’s company alive in 2001. When his Godfather was looking to close or sell his historical business, Brian answered the call of the responsibility to not let the legacy of this culturally significant organization shut its doors.

Founded in 1881, E.E. Ward is the oldest African-American-owned businesses in the United States. Its roots travel back to the Underground Railroad, where its’ founder John T. Ward served as a conductor leading enslaved African Americans to freedom.

Brian leads this now 137 years old company with the entrepreneurial spirit of its original founder. The Ward's family Legacy of being activist in the community and an inspiration to Entrepreneurs is stronger than ever. The roots of this multi-million dollar company remains one of the most reliable companies nationwide.

Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Capital University, an MBA degree from Franklin University, and completed the Advanced Minority Executive Business Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Under Brian’s leadership E.E. Ward has been awarded:
2017 Agent of the Year for Service Excellence - American Moving & Storage Association
2017 MBE Supplier of the Year Award - Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council
2017 Outstanding Diverse Organization Award - Columbus Business First
2017 North American Van Lines Driver of the Year - Finalist (Jason Carpenter)
2016 North American Van Lines - Quality Excellence Award
2016 Corporate Caring Human Services Award - Columbus Business First
2015 North American Van Lines Driver of the Year (Jason Carpenter)
2012 Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio Torch Award for Ethics
2010 MBE Supplier of the Year Award - Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council

CEO of Demarrt Building Services Inc., Co-Founder of Evolve Global Transportation & Logistics and Sterile Waste Solutions, Carlton builds smart and resourceful teams. He empowers individuals to take ownership in and contribute to the advancement of their organizations.

Carlton is elevating the perception and reputation of the transportation, logistics and janitorial services industries by adhering to four core principles:

1. Operate with a high level of integrity and transparency
2. Invest in people even if we don’t receive an immediate return
3. Propel our customers forward with technology and excellent execution
4. Grow profitably and remain competitive

As an entrepreneur, integrity drives every business decision Carlton makes. He leverages his experience and assets to help diverse businesses connect with resources to grow profitably and effectively.

An advocate for minority-owned and diverse businesses, Carlton sits on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council and owns and operates MBE and EDGE certified businesses.

He serves on the local advisory board of U.S. Bank, Young Life, and has served as BOE co-chair for 2019 and 2020.

Ben Cross is the founder and CEO of GLOMO which is a sales, strategy and events consulting firm specializing in growing MBE and WBE businesses. His team leverages their global reach, relevancy and relationships to open doors and create well-deserved opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. He also hosts the daily live show LOVE + RELO on Linkedin and YouTube.