Experienced Founder with a 22 year demonstrated history of working in the transportation/ trucking/ railroad industry. Skilled in Freight Transportation, Owner-managed businesses, Transportation Management, Women Owned Business, and Transportation Operations. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in Business Administration and Management, General from Saint Martin's University in Lacey Washington.

An experienced diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) practitioner, LaTisha Brandon has developed and executed DE&I strategies for Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations. In 2021, she took on a similar role for The Container Store, the nation’s leading specialty retailer of organizing solutions, custom spaces, and in-home services.

LaTisha developed and oversees The Container Store’s first DE&I strategy, employee resource and affinity groups, DE&I councils and supplier diversity program. In July 2022, she was promoted to Vice President and added Culture and Charitable Giving to her purview. In this role she is charged with leading the company’s DE&I, employee engagement and corporate giving efforts.

Prior to joining The Container Store, LaTisha developed the DE&I strategy and spearheaded the supplier diversity program at Celanese. Earlier in her career, she served in a variety of leadership positions at JCPenney, in the areas of inclusion & diversity, ecommerce and merchandising; and in regional marketing for Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

In 2021, she was named a Top 100 Diversity Officer by the National Diversity Council.

LaTisha is involved in numerous community, business and philanthropic pursuits, including memberships in Society for Human Resources Managers, National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, National Black MBA Association and Junior League of Collin County. She is on the Board of Trustees of the African American Museum Dallas, and Assistant Director of the Southwestern Region for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

An alumna of Southeastern Louisiana University, LaTisha holds a bachelor of science degree in finance and a master of business administration degree in marketing.

Susan is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Tax Coach with a passion for positive change. She works with business owners to help them achieve their dreams by professionalizing the finance function within their organizations. She knows that when leaders of businesses get accurate reliable accounting data combined with advanced tax planning and strategic advisory services, that it’s a real game changer in propelling the business forward. For the past 15 years, Susan has served her clients in a variety of capacities with her favorite roles being the architect of accounting processes, M&A advisor, and tax strategist.

As co-owner and Principal of MB Group, a CPA firm headquartered out of Plano, TX, she’s working alongside her business partner and talented team to make public accounting awesome again. MB Group’s people-first focus landed the firm on the prestigious Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces line up for 2022 with a special article highlighting how they are humanizing accounting work and creating an environment that accelerates each employee towards their professional and personal goals.

Susan considers herself to be a fierce advocate for the accounting profession which has earned her a spot in Ignition’s 2021 Top 50 Women in Accounting. She is also a member of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable and a frequent guest on business and accounting podcasts.

Outside of work, Susan’s using her talents as the Treasurer of the Board for Harmony Community Development Corporation, a non-profit focused on strengthening families and revitalizing neighborhoods through community-driven and solution-oriented approaches. You may also see Susan out and about helping on committees for the Women’s Business Council – Southwest, volunteering at her teenage daughters’ school as an accounting/business instructor or serving the Small Business Administration as a subject matter expert in their Emerging Leaders Program.

Donna Erhardt joined Ericsson in December of 2021 to lead their Global Supplier Diversity Program.  She is located in Plano, Texas and brings with her over thirty years’ experience in Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Diversity and Business Development.  

Most recently, Erhardt spent eight years with a successful large WBE (Ampcus) as their Senior Vice President of Business Development where she spent much of her time cultivating relationships with key clients throughout the US.  She leveraged the local and national WBENC network to drive sales and optimize Ampcus’ brand awareness while also advocating for diverse suppliers looking to grow their business.  Prior to joining Ampcus, Erhardt spent nearly twenty-two years with Verizon where she held various leadership positions including Director of Sourcing and Supplier Diversity.  

For over a decade, Erhardt has held a variety of board positions including WBCS, WBENC, WEConnect International, US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce - Southwest,  D/FW MSDC where she served as Secretary and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Procurement Council Advisory Board.  She has also won numerous Supplier Diversity awards to include Corporate Advocate of the Year, Buying Entity Advocate of the Year, Supplier Diversity Champion of the Year, Executive Advocate of the Year, Outstanding Asian American Achievement Award, Legacy Outstanding Achievement Award, and the Reflection & Vision Award. 

She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Gardner Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC.  

By being in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, he has accumulated a certain set of skills that allow him to adapt and overcome any crisis that he comes upon. He has gained the ability to defuse situations that have become critical and turn them into a positive experience before the guest leaves. His creative mind and attitude allows him to see and create solutions that are uncommon, yet effective. He takes pride in his ability to make his guests happy, smile and make his name memorable to them.

His experience of becoming an Eagle Scout has allowed him to learn a great number of things about leadership. How there is not only 1 way to lead, but the need to adapt your leadership techniques to the personality of those you're trying to guide. He believes the most important things he can bring to the hospitality industry are his ability to create a standard customer experience that exceeds their expectation of greatness, and develop a reputation of perfect customer service for himself and his place of business.

From wine sales representative to fitness entrepreneur, Sarah is the go-to expert in creating custom strategies for women executives and leaders who want to eat healthier, feel stronger, and lose weight without spending hours in the gym or dieting. It was her personal journey of losing 65 pounds that led her into starting her own company to serve others. Founded in 2018, Sarah Jane Fitness has grown to help over 150 women to lose weight and keep it off because of Sarah Jane Fitness’s FTM fat loss formula that delivers results in a simple, sustainable, and enjoyable way. Sarah is the founder of the Faith and Fitness platform on the audio-app Clubhouse. Her Faith and Fitness platform has over 20,000 members that listen from all over the U.S. and internationally. Sarah enjoys watching movies, solo traveling, brunching with friends and serving in her local church and community in her spare time.

Diana is the Founder and Chief Strategist of DMGroupConsulting, a boutique consulting firm, specializing in nonprofit organizations. She uses her expertise, skillset, and knowledge to assess the needs and create the best plan of action to meet her client’s goals. Their success is her success: to resolve challenges, identify resources, and implement a plan.

Diana Marquis has been a fundraiser in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for more than twenty years. She worked for academic, social service, environmental education, and consulting/training agencies. Diana served various nonprofits as Executive Director, Chief Development Officer, and Manager of Major Gifts. In addition to two decades of professional fundraising, Diana also had a career in radio and television production, and small business development.

She served the AFP Dallas Chapter as President and held other board positions as well as chair for the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon. She is a Leadership Dallas alumnus, a Charter Member of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas and a founding member of the DFW Hispanic Communicators. She served four terms on the City of Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission.

After many years of being a part-time college student, Diana earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Southern Methodist University when she was forty-one years old. She then joined the staff at her alma mater and earned her master’s degree.

Diana has lived in Dallas her adult life, but her roots are in the High Plains of West Texas.

As the founder of a certified-disabled, minority, women-owned small business, she has experienced and empathizes with businesses that struggle with various adversities. As a result, she is passionate about supporting diversity, inclusion, and education initiatives.

Tia is an ambitious market innovator and visionary leader. She has extensive experience in coaching teams to peak performance and developing go-to-market strategies.

Wildflower Insight partners with corporate representatives to increase diverse spend globally, while also preparing small businesses to successfully deliver Purchase Orders with two commas. The team has placed over 150 million units of products across various Fortune 500 retailers, hospitals, casinos, and hospitality groups. We offer convenient locations for distribution, warehousing, and logistics to our corporate and small business partners.

Tia sits on various boards including committees within NMSDC and WBENC and often volunteers her time as a mentor for local entrepreneurship programs. In her free time, Tia enjoys wakeboard surfing, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with family. She prides herself on empowering others and encourages everyone to find what lights their soul on fire.

Victoria Reneau joined the CFJ family in April 2018 as a member of the uniform team. After two years of on the ground experience managing onsite uniform events for Frito Lay and Toyota, she was promoted to Director of the Corporate Uniform Program. Currently, she oversees the operation of all current uniform programs for CFJ, as well as actively seeking new uniform clients. She received her Master’s degree from Texas Christian University.

Megan is a retail executive with 25+ years’ experience across specialty, department store and big box retailers.  She currently leads the team responsible for buying all categories within Family footwear, Handbags, Fashion Accessories and Jewelry for both channels; stores and ecom at JCPenney.  She began her career at Parisian Department Stores in Birmingham, Alabama and has held progress roles in both merchandising and product development at Express, Saks Inc, Kohl’s and JCPenney.   She is passionate about her team development and engagement as well as serving the customer.  Megan has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in French.  Personally, she is married and has 3 sons.  She is an avid dog lover, and her hobbies include Peloton, photography, watching college football and shopping.  Her motto is “Work Hard, Play Hard and Always be Kind.”

Karen M. Smith & Associates (KMS & Associates) is a certified WBE, SBA/WOSB, SBE, & HUB business/technical writing and training company that operates under the watchful eye of owner, Karen M. Smith Jackson. Karen started the company in 1995, after working as a technical writer, business analyst, and trainer for other entrepreneurs and several small to large sized companies in the mortgage, telecom, government, education, environmental, jail management, real estate investment, tollway, medical device, healthcare, and non-profit fields.

Clients choose and recommend us for our professionalism, knowledge, responsiveness, and creativity.  We bridge people, processes, and technology helping companies succeed and delight staff and customers. When you are unsure of your needs, we can help your company discover the type of documentation and training required to achieve your business objectives and goals.

KMS & Associates operates under the watchful eye of owner, Karen M. Smith Jackson.  Karen serves on the board for Mt. Hebron Christian Academy and Second VP for the Society for Technical Communication - Lone Star Chapter.

Karen has taught technical writing at the University of Texas at Dallas, business and developmental writing at Richland College.  She is a certified Scrum Master and Instructional Designer & Developer.  She also holds a master's degree in Human Relations & Business and undergraduate's degree in Business Education.

A long time Arlington resident, Deborah has an extensive history in the healthcare industry and business development initiatives.

She has a Pharmaceutical Sales background, Physician/Nursing/Medical Staffing experience and has a strong community and volunteer history in Arlington and the DFW metroplex.

Most recently, Deborah worked at Medical City Arlington and the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, furthering her commitment to the growth, education and prosperity of those she served.

Deborah believes in the values of working together makes everyone stronger and women supporting other women to grow, succeed and mentor others.

She is a dedicated life long learner who enjoys recreational volleyball, pickleball, travelling, eating and discovery new food and reading a great book.

Tamika W. Tutt is a 25-year Procurement and Supplier Diversity Professional who creates quantifiable and sustainable cost savings by driving towards a lower Total Cost of Ownership for materials and services. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, she started her corporate career with the BNSF Railway in Fort Worth, TX. There, she held various positions in Engineering, Transportation, and Finance departments before finding her home in Procurement where she developed and executed Supplier Management strategies and lending sourcing expertise for various departments and stakeholders while saving over $15M for the company. Her dedication to supporting and contracting with Women-Owned businesses led her to receive the 2011 Buyer of the Year award by the Women’s Business Council Southwest (WBCS).

In 2012, Tamika left BNSF Railway and went to work for Xerox Corporation where she managed the $130M Contingent Labor Program. She was promoted to Manager of Supplier Diversity & Sustainability in 2014 and then moved to the same role with the spinoff company Conduent, Inc. in 2017.

When contacted by Alcon Vision, LLC in early 2019 to join their Global Procurement Department, Tamika could not pass up the opportunity to help the world “See More Brilliantly”. She currently serves in the role as Sr. Sourcing Manager & Supplier Diversity and is responsible for various Professional Service categories, while ensuring that Procurement provides Small and Diverse Suppliers opportunities to contracts. When Alcon separated from Novartis in April 2019, she was tasked to create a sustainable Supplier Diversity Program.

Alcon has increased their Supplier Diversity Spend 25% since 2019, with WBE Spend increasing 39% from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, Tamika created a 3-Year Supplier Diversity Roadmap to further enhance the Supplier Diversity Program. Due to her efforts, she was most recently named one of Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity by DiversityPlus Magazine in 2022.

Tamika was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in April 1991 and is a 31-year and Life Member. She served as the 2007-2008 President of the Xi Theta Omega chapter in Arlington, TX and as the 2017-2020 President of the Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education, which is the 501c3 arm of the Xi Theta Omega Chapter. Under her 4-year leadership, the Foundation increased the number of scholarships and corporate support. Her main accomplishment during her administration was creating and capitalizing two scholarship endowments.

Since 2006, Tamika has served on the University of Oklahoma’s College of Engineering, Dean’s Advisory Board for Diversity. The Board’s focus is to foster diversity of students in the College of Engineering and provide scholarships. She currently serves on the Finance Committee and as the Membership Chairman.

Tamika has also been a member of the Junior League of Arlington since 2012, where she has held several leadership positions on the Fund Development Council. She is currently a Sustaining Member and most recently served as the 2021-2022 Sustaining Advisor for the Communications Council.

In May 2022, Tamika was honored to become a charter member of the Southern Metroplex (TX) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated and currently serves as the Program Chairman.

Tamika currently resides in Kennedale, TX with her husband Mark. They have three adult children and six grandchildren. They currently attend City of Light International Ministries in Arlington, TX.