Diversity Summit

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Opening Keynote Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chair, House Small Business Committee with introduction by Ralph Bumbaca - Regional Vice President - TD Bank

The Future of MWBEs in New York

Last year the New York State budget included an extension of New York State’s Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program for one year, meaning the program is up for renewal once again this session. And with a Democratic majority in the state senate, renewal is expected to be smoother and many are pushing for the legislation to do more. We convene a panel of experts to discuss what this could mean for the future of MWBEs in New York State.

Panelists:

• Sandra Wilkin, President and CEO, Bradford Construction (moderator)
• Jonnel Doris, Director, New York City Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women Owned Businesses
• State Senator James Sanders, Chairman, New York State Senate MWBE Task Force
• Valerie D. White, Executive Vice President & Executive Director, Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development, Empire State Development
• New York City Councilman Robert Cornegy, Chairman, MWBE Task Force

Funding & Resource Opportunities for Small Business

Various financing programs have different funding opportunities, options and requirements. Depending on the project, MWBEs can take advantage of loans, bonds, tax incentives and more. This panel helps to demystify these possibilities and help small businesses get the most out of the resources available.

Panelists:

• Rebecca Lewis, Staff Reporter, City & State NY (moderator)
• Gregg Bishop, Commissioner, New York City Department of Small Business Services
• Ray Salaberrios, SVP, Capital Access, Empire State Development
• Lisa Futterman, NYC Regional Director, Workforce Development Institute

Lunch

Luncheon speaker:  Victor Calise, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

Building Trades Employers Association presents Construction Opportunities & Diversity in New York

by Louis J. Coletti, President & CEO, Building Trades Employers Association

Becoming a Part of New York’s Biggest MWBE Projects

From Sunnyside Yard to East Side Access and beyond, construction and development projects are taking place across the city. What kinds of contracting opportunities does this present? Panelists discuss opportunities to become part of the city’s biggest projects in transportation, construction, technology and more.

Panelists:

• Lorraine Grillo, Commissioner, NYC Department of Design & Construction, & President and CEO, NYC School Construction Authority (moderator)
• Michael J. Garner, Chief Diversity Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• New York City Councilman Rafael Salamanca, Chairman, Committee on Land Use
• Lawrence Roman, Chairman, WDF Inc.
• Denise Richardson, Executive Director, The General Contractors Association of New York, Inc.
• Thomas Britt, Supplier Diversity Officer, Cubic Corporation

Refreshment Break & Networking

 Diversity in Government, Business, Tech and Health Care 

The current cultural and political lens is in many ways on business and government to be inclusive in hiring practices and fostering a diverse workforce. Additionally, organizations stand to benefit from advancing diversity and inclusion as a strategy to remain competitive. What else can be done for government, business, tech and health care organizations to become more inclusive? How can New York’s government ensure that the diversity in this city and state is embraced within these sectors?

Panelists:

• Wendy Garcia, Chief Diversity Officer, New York City Comptroller’s Office
• Lawanna Kimbro, Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Office of the Commissioner NYC Department of Social Services 
• Gary Johnson, Director of Strategy & Operations, Mayor’s Office of the CTO, NYCx
• Bernie Milan, Enterprise Account Executive, Microsoft