Diversity Summit

City & State’s Diversity Summit will offer industry executives, public sector leaders and academics a full-day conference dedicated to fostering business partnerships between the state and local government, prime contractors and MWBEs. Find out what it takes to thrive in New York’s competitive procurement arena by connecting with key government agencies, prime contractors and state & local representatives at the City & State Diversity Summit.

Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Julissa Gutierrez
Chief Diversity Officer, New York State

Hope Knight
President & CEO, Empire State Development

Panelists & Sponsored Speakers

James Sanders, Jr.
Chair, New York State Senate Democratic Conference MWBE Task Force Committee

Elizabeth Velez
President, Velez Organization

Carlos Bannister
Chief MWBE Officer, New York City Department of Transportation

Dynishal Gross
Deputy Commissioner, Division of Economic & Financial Opportunity, New York City Department of Small Business Services

Michael J. Garner
Chief Diversity Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Jerome A. DuVal
Executive Vice President & Executive Director, Empire State Development Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development

Kristin Malek
Director of Business Diversity, CDW

Suzanne Veira
Chief Diversity Officer, New York City School Construction Authority

Brian Sanvidge, CIG, CFE
Principal Leader of Regulatory Compliance and Investigations, Anchin Block & Anchin

Trip Yang
Board Member, CSNY Advisory Committee

John Rooney
Economic Inclusion and Community Affairs Manager, Gilbane Building Company

Lou Coletti
President & CEO, BTEANY

Lorna Stark
National Sector Leader for Government and Lead Partner for City of New York, KPMG

Eric Alemany
Senior Director – Supplier Relationship Management, New York Power Authority

Details

9:00 AM - 3:35PM EST

Thursday, May 19th, 2022 at Hebrew Union College, 1 West 4th Street, New York, NY

Get Tickets HERE

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Agenda

The Future of MWBEs in New York

For more than 10 years, New York has focused on breaking barriers by maintaining the most aggressive MWBE program in the nation.  The economic impact of COVID-19 felt by businesses across the state demonstrated how it disproportionately affected communities of color and small businesses, making it more important than ever to keep fighting to level the playing field and ensure everyone has an equal chance to help build New York's economy back better than ever.  How can NY provide MWBEs the tools they need to succeed?

• Madina Toure, New York City Reporter, Politico New York (moderator)
• Lisa M. Flores, Chief City Procurement Office and Director, New York City Mayor’s Office of Contract Services
• James Sanders, Jr., Chair, New York State Senate Democratic Conference MWBE Task Force Committee
• Suzanne Veira, Chief Diversity Officer, New York City School Construction Authority
• John Rooney, Economic Inclusion and Community Affairs Manager, Gilbane Building Company
• Lou Coletti, President & CEO, BTEA NY

Custom Presentation: BTEA NY

• Lou Coletti, President & CEO, BTEA

Current State of New York Projects and Procurement

The opportunities for government contracts in New York are practically limitless. Between the city and state, there will be over $100B in capital spending over the next few years. How can we promote productive capital spending, encourage public/private partnerships and make sure MWBE's and small business can fit into the implementation of major government projects? This panel will break down new programs, projects, and market-specific opportunities in New York, including transportation, construction, technology, hotels, and more. Our panelists will also dive into the ever-expanding project delivery methods like design build and public private partnerships.

• Trip Yang, Board Member, CSNY Advisory Committee (moderator)
• Michael J Garner, Chief Diversity Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Dynishal Gross, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Economic and Financial Opportunity, New York City Department of Small Business Services
• Brian Sanvidge, CIG, CFE, Principal Leader of Regulatory Compliance and Investigations, Anchin Block & Anchin

Introduction By Elizabeth Velez, President, Velez Organization

Afternoon Keynote Speaker: Hope Knight, President & CEO, Empire State Development

How to Elevate your Business into the Next Level

New York strives to promote equality of economic opportunities for MWBEs and we are working hard to eliminate barriers in respect to participation in state contracts. Major challenges faced by these firms are limited access to networks and information, and a lack of access to capital at affordable rates.  How can certifications, specialized trainings, grants and other resources assist these companies? What are ways we can provide dedicated involvement and cooperation from membership organizations, unions, companies and government to get to the next level?

• Jerome A. DuVal, Executive Vice President & Executive Director, Empire State Development Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development
• Eric Alemany, Senior Director – Supplier Relationship Management, New York Power Authority

Diversity in New York

New York is working harder than ever to implement inclusive hiring practices and foster a diverse workforce. These strategies help promote good outcomes and help organizations remain competitive. What else can the government and all sectors do to increase diversity and inclusion? How can New York’s government ensure that the diversity in this city and state is further embraced?

• Kristin Malek, Director of Business Diversity, CDW (moderator)
• Carlos Bannister, Chief MWBE Officer, New York City Department of Transportation
• Tenisha Dyer, Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Performance Reporting, NYC Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises
• Charmaine Bourbon, Senior Vice Presidents and co-lead of our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Grant Associates