2011 Conference Speakers

Kiran Ahuja

Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Kiran Ahuja was appointed on Dec. 14, 2009, as executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) at the U.S. Department of Education. In this capacity, she is responsible for directing the efforts of the Initiative and the Presidential Advisory Commission on AAPIs and advising federal agency leadership on the implementation and coordination of federal programs as they pertain to AAPIs.  |Read More

Eloise Abernathy Alexis

Vice President, College Relations, Spelman College

Eloise Abernathy Alexis is an educational administrator with professional experience in constituency relations, leadership and principal gifts fundraising, events planning, program development, volunteer management, and writing and editing. She currently serves as vice president for college relations at Spelman College, the nation’s foremost historically Black college for women.|Read More

Sonia Alleyne

Editorial Director, Black Enterprise

Sonia Alleyne is the editorial director for all careers and lifestyle coverage at Black Enterprise. She is responsible for writing and editing features, and determining the editorial direction of the Work and Lifestyle sections across all media platforms. She covers career development and diversity trends, as well as health, lifestyle, fashion, automotive, and travel and tourism news.  |Read More

Cheryl M. Ayers

National Business Development Executive,
IMPACT Group

Cheryl Ayers is the National Business Development Executive for IMPACT Group – a Transition Company, where she brings over 16 years experience in the areas of Career Transition and Outplacement, Leadership Development and Management, Human Resources, and Business Development.  She formed and is President of Career Vision Group, LLC, a consulting firm that focuses on career transition and career management and training.   |Read More

Linda Goler Blount

President, WFG Equity

Linda Blount is president of WFG Equity, a collaborative practice for academic and non-profit institutions interested in understanding and employing equity strategies to reduce and eliminate disparities in health, education and well-being.  |Read More

Josefina Bonilla

Managing Director, Color Media Group

Josefina Bonilla is the Managing Director of Color Media Group, LLC, and Publisher of its flagship publication, Color Magazine.  She is responsible for creating business partnerships and developing opportunities to promote diverse professionals in New England and New York City.  Bonilla oversees the management of Color Magazine as well as the launching of new markets.   |Read More

Cassandra Clayton

Lecturer, University of Maryland

Cassandra Clayton currently teaches broadcast journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Hired as an NBC News correspondent in 1983, over the next two decades she reported from their Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., bureaus. She co-anchored a nightly news and talk program on CNBC called "The Real Story," and substitute anchored “Nightly News Weekend Edition”, “Sunrise” and the “Today”
news segment.   |Read More

Rev. Elizabeth Mitchell Clement

Georgia South Carolina Association of the United Church of Christ

Rev. Elizabeth Mitchell Clement is an ordained minister in good standing with the Georgia South Carolina Association of the United Church of Christ. An independent process designer and facilitator, Rev. Clement has worked with non-profits that support organizations in cultivating the leaders of the future, faith communities, schools and neighborhoods.  |Read More

Brenda Dalton

Director of Student Health Services, Spelman College

Brenda D. Dalton, RN-C, MSN, MBA, WHCNP is the director of the Student Health Services Department at Spelman College. With over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience, her expertise encompasses medical-surgical nursing, burn unit nursing, hemodialysis, perinatal nursing and women’s health nursing.  Additionally, Dalton is a retired Lt. Commander from the U.S. Navy Reserves where she served as charge nurse for the burn unit in the Fleet Hospital 500.  |Read More

Kimberly Davis

President, JP Morgan Chase Foundation

Kimberly Davis is Managing Director, Global Philanthropy and President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.  She is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.  Her responsibilities include overseeing the firm’s philanthropic activities globally, including employee volunteerism and strategic corporate marketing programs.  |Read More

Marietta Davis

General Manager Enterprise and Partner Group, Greater Southeast District, Microsoft Corporation

Marietta Davis is the General Manager for Microsoft’s Greater Southeast District Enterprise and Partner Group.  In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the sales, marketing and service delivery functions to the company’s enterprise customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.  In addition, she is responsible for Microsoft’s engagement with the community on issues of importance including economic development and innovation.  |Read More

Sally A. Dean

Retired Investment Banker

Sally A. Dean is a retired investment banker with over 20 years of service on public company and non-profit boards and more than 20 years of experience managing endowments. She has advised and raised capital for municipalities, corporations, and public authorities. She has advised and led both highly successful institutions and struggling institutions during boom and difficult markets.   |Read More

Alicia Diaz

Director of Government Affairs and Legislative Policy, Cuban American National Council

Alicia Diaz is the Director of Government Affairs and Legislative Policy for the Cuban American National Council’s D.C. office, an office she launched in 2002 and guided through unprecedented expansion and growth for over three years.  |Read More

Aeva Gaymon-Doomes, M.D.

Board Certified Physician, Psychiatry

Aeva Gaymon-Doomes, M.D., is a board certified physician who specializes in psychiatry.  Dr. Doomes completed both a residency program in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Maryland and the world-renowned Sheppard Pratt Hospital.  |Read More

Katherine Giscombe

Catalyst, Vice President

Katherine Giscombe, Ph.D., leads the Catalyst initiative to address the specific challenges faced by diverse women around the world. These include, among other groups, women of color and Canada's "visible minorities," a legal term for specific underrepresented groups in Canadian corporations. She directed Catalyst’s groundbreaking study, Women of Color in Corporate Management: Opportunities and Barriers, and formerly led the Women of Color Issue Specialty Team, an internal group that builds knowledge on
that topic.  |Read More

Louis Gutierrez

Senior Vice President of Human Resources,
Turner Broadcasting System

Louis Gutierrez is senior vice president of human resources for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) In this capacity, Gutierrez oversees human resources staff and activity supporting the Turner entertainment and animation, young adult and kids media networks and businesses, including TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, truTV, Peachtree TV, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Adult Swim.   |Read More

Kym A. Harris, Ed.D.

CEO and President, Your SweetSpot™ Coaching and Consulting Company

Kym Harris, Ed.D., is CEO and president of Your SweetSpot Coaching and Consulting Company. The mission of Your SweetSpot is to help individuals reach their professional and personal potential, and guide organizations in maximizing the potential of their human capital through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and the creation of professional development and leadership development initiatives.  |Read More

Phyllis Haynes

Marketing Partner and Co-Founder, InterChange Consultants

Phyllis Haynes is a partner and principal with Inter-Change Consultants and a specialist in communications including extensive knowledge on new media application.  She consults on cross-cultural communications issues and offers assistance to companies who wish to broaden their exposure in the international arena.  Haynes was invited by the European Union and the Hellenic Foundation to bring her work to the emerging marketplaces of Central and Eastern Europe.  |Read More

Marilyn D. Johnson

Vice President, Market Development, IBM Corporation

Marilyn Johnson is Vice President, Market Development for IBM, based in Armonk, New York.  She leads an organization responsible for developing IBM’s strategy for and marketing to businesses owned or operated by Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and women in the Americas.  Her mission includes women-owned and women-led businesses in selected markets around the globe.  |Read More

Aqualyn Y. Laury

Brand Strategist

Aqualyn Laury has over 15 years of leadership experience in brand management, sales, and account management for top consumer packaged goods and technology companies including Procter & Gamble and BBN/GTE Internetworking. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal as well as a variety of consumer and trade magazines. |Read More

Nancy J. Lewis,

President (MS, PHR, RCC) Progressive Techniques

Nancy J. Lewis is a leading motivational/inspirational speaker, trainer, author and registered corporate coach.  She is the President of Progressive Techniques, Inc. based in Fayetteville, Ga., where the theme of her organization is “Developing a Better YOU!”. |Read More

Paulette Lewis

Regional Adminstrator,
Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor

Paulette Norvel Lewis accepted the position of Regional Administrator of the Women’s Bureau of the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) in November of 2006.  She is responsible for advocating for policies to improve salaries, working conditions and access to better jobs for working women and implementing the Bureau’s programs in the eight southeastern states.  As Regional Administrator, she also serves on the DOL’s Regional Executive Committee.  |Read More

Kimberly Mitchem-Rasmussem

Director, Political Institute for Women

Kimberly Mitchem-Rasmussem is Director of the Political Institute for Women. In this role, she oversees an organization that trains women to run for elected office and pursue careers in politics. Prior to taking the helm of the Political Institute for Women, Rasmussen served as Regional Director for the White House Project’s southeast region. |Read More

Soledad O'Brien

CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent

Soledad O’Brien is an anchor and special correspondent for CNN/U.S. Since joining the network in 2003, O’Brien has reported breaking news from around the globe and produced award-winning, record-breaking and critically acclaimed documentaries on the most important stories facing the world today, including, Black in America, Almighty Debt and Gary and Tony Have
a Baby. |Read More

McGhee Williams Osse

Co-CEO of Burrell Communications Group

McGhee Williams Osse, a seasoned marketing and advertising professional, is Co-CEO of Burrell Communications Group, one of the leading and most highly regarded multi-cultural advertising agencies in the country with annual billings exceeding $200 million dollars. Burrell’s roster of clients include Procter & Gamble, McDonald’s, American Airlines, the Illinois State Lottery, General Mills, and most recently 3M Water Solutions. |Read More

Scarlet Pressley-Brown

Director, External Affairs & Community Relations
Vice President, The Delta Air Lines Foundation

Scarlet Pressley-Brown is director of external affairs and community relations at Delta Air Lines and vice president of the Delta Air Lines Foundation. Joining Delta in June 2000, she has managed Delta’s presence in the community, establishing the company as a leading corporate citizen. Prior to Delta, Pressley-Brown spent six years with the East Lake Community Foundation as director of community affairs, successfully restoring and revitalizing the historic East Lake Golf Course community. The restoration included the establishment and opening of Drew Charter School, Atlanta’s first charter school. |Read More

Julius Pryor, III

General Managing Partner, JPryor Group LLC

Julius Pryor, III, is General Managing Partner of JPryorGroup LLC.  He is a speaker and strategic consultant in high demand. He helps individuals and high performing teams marshal strengths to realize true potential. His focus is on conceptual thinking: becoming more comfortable being uncomfortable. He speaks about how to be relevant in the 21st century. |Read More

Reverend Lisa D. Rhodes

Dean of Sisters Chapel, Spelman College

Rev. Lisa D. Rhodes has been the dean of Sisters Chapel at Spelman College for nine years. In 2003, she gave vision and leadership to the establishment of the Sisters Center for WISDOM (Women in Spiritual Discernment of Ministry), a Center of Distinction she now directs. During her tenure at Spelman College, she has increased the College’s religious and spiritual life programming, mentored hundreds of students, revived the spirit of Sisters Chapel worship services, presented at national conferences and engaged students in national and global partnerships. |Read More

Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D.

Dean, Executive Vice President,
Morehouse School of Medicine

Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D., a renowned infertility specialist and researcher, serves as the dean and executive vice president at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Her primary responsibilities include overseeing the academic enterprise and guiding the continued advancement of MSM’s patient care, research, community health and education and training programs. |Read More

Roslyn Ridgeway

CEO of DeRoz Entertainment

Roslyn Ridgeway, CEO of DeRoz Entertainment, is a seasoned business professional and a long-time national leadership expert in the areas of entertainment, leadership diversity, work-life balance and women’s issues. Currently serving as the chair of the board of trustees for the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, Ridgeway is committed to supporting issues that affect working women. |Read More

Andrea Riggs

National Fitness Expert & TV Personality/Trainer

Andrea Riggs is a national fitness expert and TV trainer. She appeared on three seasons of “Atlanta's Biggest Loser” (NBC-WXIA) and is host of “Get Body Beautiful” on Radio One - Atlanta. A sought after spokesperson, community leader, public speaker and columnist, Riggs is known for her mantra "Get Body Beautiful." |Read More

Laurie Nicole Robinson

Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, CBS Corporation

Laurie Nicole Robinson was recently promoted to Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of CBS Corporation, where she reports directly to the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CBS Corporation. Robinson assumes executive and managerial responsibilities in interfacing with legal divisions, facilitating training and overseeing the legal department’s initiatives and special projects. |Read More

Dr. Jane E. Smith

Executive Director, Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement Spelman College

Jane E. Smith is an accomplished educator and nonprofit executive. Since 2004, she has served as the executive director of the Spelman College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (LEADS at Spelman College).
Prior to joining LEADS, Dr. Smith held leadership and executive positions at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, INROADS Inc. and The Carter Center.  |Read More

Bonnie St. John

Olympian and Author

Despite having her right leg amputated at age 5, Bonnie St. John became the first African-American to win Olympic medals in ski racing at the 1984 Paralympics.  She has been honored for this achievement at Nike's Headquarters, at the Essence Awards, at the White House Black History Month celebration, and with a featured quote on millions of Starbucks
Cups.  |Read More

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

President, Spelman College

When Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum became the ninth president of Spelman College in 2002, she set an expectation that Spelman College would be recognized as one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country – a place where young women of African descent could say, “This place was built for me and it is nothing less than the best!” With her creative energy focused on five strategic goals – Academic Excellence, Leadership Development, Improving our Environment, Visibility of our Achievements, and Exemplary Customer Service (collectively known as Spelman ALIVE), Spelman College has experienced great growth.  |Read More

Linda Torrence

TV Executive and Producer

Linda Torrence is a former executive of CBS and FOX television affiliates, Rogers Cable systems of Canada and “Girlfriends Health Guide” for Everyday Women. Previously, she hosted a cable talk show called, “Women in Focus,” served as producer of “The Georgia Gang,” Georgia’s most popular political talk show and the community service program for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service. |Read More

Keith A. Webb

Director, Office of Cooperative Education,

Spelman College

Keith A. Webb is the director of the Office of Cooperative Education at Spelman College. In this role, he works collaboratively with faculty, students and staff to build a cooperative education program for Spelman, which will focus on opportunities that align academics with professional practice.   |Read More

Beverly Wright

Chief Elected Official and Chairperson, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head/Aquinnah

As the chief elected official and chairperson of an 11-member Tribal Council, Beverly Wright maintained the integrity and goals of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head/Aquinnah as per the Tribal Constitution. She served as chairperson from 1991 to 2005, and was the chief negotiating official with all federal, state and contracting agencies, other tribes or tribal organizations, and any other legal entities wishing to enter into agreements with the tribe. |Read More

Telisa Yancy

Director of Advertising, Brand and Media, American Family Insurance

Telisa Yancy is the director of advertising, brand and media for American Family Insurance.  Within her first 12 months at American Family, Yancy piloted an innovative marketing campaign that changed the way people think about insurance.  Along with her internal team and media agency, Yancy brought together powerhouse media properties, NBC Universal Digital Studios, MSN and CBS Radio Network, to achieve the right balance between educating consumers through entertainment and driving business. |Read More

Elizabeth Young

Co-Founder, InterChange Consultants

Elizabeth Miu-Lan Young co-founded Inter-Change Consultants in 1987.  She is a specialist in cultural competencies training focusing on Asian issues at work.   She has been active in the New York City Asian Community for the past 40 years.  One of the founders of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in NYC (formerly the Chinatown Health Clinic), she also taught the pilot Asian American Experience course at Hunter College and the University of Southern California. |Read More