No Longer Divided

President • The Joseph Center / Joseph Business School

Dr. Deloris Thomas is a leadership strategist, author, and international speaker whose distinguished career spans Fortune 500 corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and global nonprofit executive management...

Founder, Chairman, Co-CEO & CIO • Ariel Investments

John’s passion for investing began at age 12 when his father began buying him stocks as Christmas and birthday gifts. His interest in equities grew while in college...

Senior Pastor / Former NBA All-Star • Hope Egeneto Ministries

Terry was born in Hammond, IN to Verda Mae and Johnail Cummings on the southside of Chicago. He is the father of 3 boys and grandfather of 12...

Deputy Director, Office of Energy & Business Utility • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde (O-goo-ren-day) is a clean energy and economic development leader committed to creating opportunity...

Vice President of State Government and Regulatory Affairs • Constellation

Dwayne Pickett is the Vice President of State Government and Regulatory Affairs at Constellation, leading the development, planning, and execution of Constellation’s advocacy strategy in Illinois...

Principal and Founder • IDG Architects + Partners

Ben McMillan, AIA, NCARB, NOMA is the Principal and Founder of IDG Architects + Partners, bringing over four decades of experience in architecture, planning, design, and project management.

Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer • African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ)

Dr. John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, is the Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), advocating for economic equity and growth for Black-owned businesses.

Construction Manager • Structure Re-Right, Inc.

Kareem Broughton is the Construction Manager of Structure Re-Right, Inc., where he oversees field operations and the full lifecycle of project delivery, bringing over 25 years of experience.

Executive Director • State of Illinois Procurement Policy Board

Matt von Behren is the Executive Director for the State of Illinois Procurement Policy Board, pushing for open and transparent procurement.

Government Relations Director and Counsel • Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres / Point of Difference Strategies

David Adeleye is an attorney with Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres and serves as Government Relations Director and Counsel for Point of Difference Strategies, bringing experience from private practice and roles in the White House and U.S. Senate.

Assistant Deputy Director • Bureau of Strategic Sourcing (BoSS)

Krysti Rinaldi is the Assistant Deputy Director for the Bureau of Strategic Sourcing (BoSS), overseeing the procurement and administration of hundreds of State-wide master contracts.

President and Chief Executive Officer • The New England Business Growth Collective (The Collective)

Robert Johnson, JD is the President and CEO of The New England Business Growth Collective (The Collective), leading strategies to accelerate business growth, scale, and competitiveness.

Founder • Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce

Ruben W. Hopkins, a 14-year military veteran, is the founder of the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to improving the quality of life in Black communities.

Vice President, Buildings and Facilities • Ardmore Roderick

Sam Boye is the Vice President of the Buildings and Facilities group at Ardmore Roderick, expanding the firm’s footprint across Chicago and managing program-level vertical contracts.

President & CEO • Angel Flight Marketing Services

Gabriel Mitchell is the President & CEO of Angel Flight Marketing Services, which he founded in 1992, bringing over three decades of marketing, project management, and strategic leadership experience.

Founder & CEO • Ardmore Roderick

Rashod R. Johnson, PE is a businessman who transformed Ardmore Roderick into one of the largest Black-owned infrastructure engineering and construction firms in the US, with 300+ employees across multiple states.

Business Owner, COO & Executive Director • Phoenix CCI / Black Contractors Owners and Executives (BCOE)

Irma R. Holloway is a Business Owner and COO for Phoenix CCI and serves as the Executive Director for Black Contractors Owners and Executives (BCOE), bringing over 15 years of general contracting and advocacy experience.

Regional Public Engagement & Compliance Manager • Walsh Construction

LaKisha Hillard, M.Ed., is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience advancing strategic initiatives in workforce diversity, community engagement, and higher education. She currently serves as Regional Public Engagement & Compliance Manager for Walsh Construction's Midwest Transportation Group.

Director of Business Diversity • Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)

Alexander Buckles, MPA, ECMCA is the Director of Business Diversity for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), leading initiatives designed to expand equitable contracting opportunities and strengthen participation by certified minority- and women-owned businesses.

CPA, Founder, and Advocate for Small Business Owners • Your Select CPA & Black Zenith Hub

Dr. Erica Blakely, CPA, is a senior financial reporting executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in accounting, SEC reporting and business advisory.

Senior Vice President, Operations and Technical Services • Ameren Illinois Company

Luke Wollin, a 22-year veteran of Ameren, is the Senior Vice President of Operations and Technical Services at Ameren Illinois, overseeing all electric and natural gas field operations.

Vice President for Regulatory Policy and Strategy • Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd)

Kristin Munsch is Vice President for Regulatory Policy and Strategy for the Commonwealth Edison Company, an electric utility serving over 4 million customers in Northern Illinois.

Vice President of Business Development • Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. (IEI)

Dr. Kia Sutton is the Vice President of Business Development at Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. (IEI), leading business development strategies across all nine IEI office locations with over eight years of experience in the A/E/C industry.

Commissioner & Founder • State of Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) / Montgomery & Company

Bruce Montgomery was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to the State of Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) to advance inclusive procurement and hiring practices across state government.

Deputy Director • Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI)

LaTasha Binder stands as a dynamic leader in supplier diversity, equity, and inclusion, with over 17 years of experience in government contracting, procurement, and certification.

Executive Director • Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)

Jonathan Feipel is the Executive Director of the Illinois Commerce Commission, overseeing the $4 billion annual Illinois utility industry, alternative energy markets, and transportation safety.

President • Ardmore Roderick

Sharon A. Jean-Baptiste, PE, MBA is the President of Ardmore Roderick and an accomplished engineering executive with more than 26 years of experience spanning water, transportation, and the built environment.

Chief of Contract Services • Illinois Tollway

Eric Occomy is the Chief of Contract Services at the Illinois Tollway, with nearly 20 years of procurement experience leading teams and managing goods and services contracts valued at approximately $1 billion.

Chief Procurement Officer • City of Chicago

Sharla Roberts is the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Chicago, leading the Department of Procurement Services and overseeing contracting, certification, and compliance with over 30 years of economic development experience.

CEO • Business Leadership Council (BLC)

Keiana Barrett is the CEO of the Business Leadership Council (BLC), Chicago’s premier Black business organization representing business leaders and entrepreneurs across more than 25 industries.

Chief Procurement Officer • Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

Jezieel Cortes serves as the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) for the Illinois Department of Transportation, overseeing independent procurement processes for state transportation and infrastructure contracts.

Deputy Secretary • Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT)

Patrick Nolan serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), overseeing Innovation and Strategy teams ensuring state technology evolves to support residents and agencies.

Vice President, Delivery & Managed Services • SLG Innovation

Dr. Arnold Crater serves as the Vice President of Delivery & Managed Services at SLG Innovation, bringing over 25 years of executive leadership in technology delivery, infrastructure, and public-sector operations.

Director, Office of Business & Workforce Diversity • Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

Brandy Phillips serves as Director of the Office of Business & Workforce Diversity at the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), overseeing the Small Business Enterprise and Civil Rights bureau with over 20 years of experience.

Managing Partner & Media Personality • Raeh Digital / WVON 1690 AM

Dr. LaDonna Raeh is a media personality, technology professional, marketing strategist, and Managing Partner of Raeh Digital, bringing decades of experience in technology, digital strategy, and AI workflow optimization.

CEO & Emerging Tech Strategist • The Future of NOW, LLC

Dr. Michael L. Crawley is a globally recognized pioneer at the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Cybersecurity, and Quantum Security, with a 25+ year track record of converting technical mastery into enterprise outcomes.

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer • UnSpoken Memories Inc.

Sherron Sadler is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of UnSpoken Memories Inc., whose KinnectAI platform uses artificial intelligence to keep families and legacies connected across time, bringing over 15 years of Corporate America leadership.

Assistant Secretary and Deputy State Chief Information Officer • Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT)

Christopher Britten is the Assistant Secretary and Deputy State Chief Information Officer at the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), providing strategic direction with over 20 years in IT.

Chairman & CEO • MG Media / The TRUTH Magazine

Carl West is the Chairman and CEO of MG Media, parent company to The TRUTH magazine and TRUTH B Told News Service, and a distinguished journalist and entrepreneur in Chicago media.

President & CEO • Bowa Construction

Nosa C. Ehimwenman is the President & CEO of Bowa Construction, bringing extensive leadership in construction management spanning K-12, mission critical, higher education, healthcare, and commercial sectors.

Chief of Supplier Diversity • Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)

Alice Rivera-Alfaro serves as Chief of Supplier Diversity for the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), leading agency supplier diversity, compliance, and equitable procurement efforts.

State Chief Information Officer & Secretary • Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT)

Brandon Ragle is the State Chief Information Officer and Secretary for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), leading enterprise technology and cybersecurity strategy with over 30 years of public service.

Portfolio Manager, IT Procurement • Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)

Chris Brinkmeyer, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, is a seasoned public procurement professional with extensive experience in government contracting, strategic sourcing, and modern procurement operations.

Former Illinois State Representative & Government Policy Consultant • Governmental Policy Consultant / Former MWRD Commissioner

Ken Dunkin is a public servant, intergovernmental affairs professional, and government policy consultant who served 15 years in the Illinois House of Representatives and as a Commissioner of the MWRD.

Leader of Community & Citizenship • Turner Construction Company

Pamyla Brown boasts over 28 years of experience developing diversity programs in construction, elevating Community & Citizenship at Turner Construction and leading economic impact programs for high-profile projects like the Obama Presidential Center.

Diversity Administrator • Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)

Richard L. Martinez, Jr., serves as the Diversity Administrator for the Diversity Section of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), bringing nearly 30 years of public service experience in equity-focused administration and compliance.

President & CEO • UJAMAA Construction

Jimmy Akintonde is the Founder, President & CEO of UJAMAA Construction, leading the premier diversity general contractor and construction management firm in the city of Chicago with a mission to rebuild communities.

Founder, President and CEO • Anchor Staffing Inc.

Joyce Johnson is the Founder, President and CEO of Anchor Staffing Inc., a leading minority women-owned workforce solutions and human capital management firm, bringing over 40 years of staffing and recruiting leadership.

CEO & President • The IT Architect Corporation (ITA)

Charles Harrell II is the President and CEO of The IT Architect Corporation (ITA) and Chicago MSDC MBEIC Chair, championing diverse business opportunities, technology consulting, and telecommunications solutions across Illinois.

CEO • Empowerment Strategies

Jason Cummings is the CEO of Empowerment Strategies, counseling senior leaders on AI and technology modernization with over 20 years of hands-on executive advisory experience across Google, public sector, and civic leadership.