Crystal Alba has more than 17 years of experience in government and non-profit organizations.  Crystal’s career trajectory highlights her ability to manage complex projects, foster community relationships, and strategically allocate resources to achieve organizational goals. Her hands-on experience in supplier diversity, legal compliance, and nonprofit development has equipped her with a robust skill set ideal for driving impactful change within her industry and the business community.

She is also involved in numerous community organizations and sits on the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber Board of Directors, North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency and the Women’s Business Council-SW. Crystal is also an alumni of Leadership ISD and Leadership of Fort Worth and has chaired the Hispanic Women’s Network and has sat on numerous planning committees for events with non-profit organizations.

Jessica is passionate about lifting women-owned and minority-owned businesses, while positively 
impacting the community through inclusive partnerships. She is a Procurement Manager who drives cost savings initiatives and contract negotiations to procure goods and services and is committed to maintain a productive client-vendor relationship. She's also an Industrial Engineer with +10 years of experience in the CPG industry. 

Cherron Castillo is a dynamic force in the world of professional development, renowned for her ability to provoke reflective thought that leads to transformation and deliver results through innovative, customized training solutions. As the owner of Fruitful Training Group, a WBENC-certified and minority-owned business, Cherron combines over 20 years of expertise in HR, management, and training/facilitation with a passion for leadership development, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Haydee Clark is the Founder and CEO of Resilient Freight Solutions, a certified Minority/Women's Business Enterprise freight agency. Haydee is a seasoned expert in Sales & Marketing with over two decades of experience across various industries, including Consumer Goods. Her expertise extends to the intricate operations of trucking and logistics, making her a standout professional. Originally from Puerto Rico, Haydee relocated to Texas in 2013 to pursue greater career opportunities.

Haydee is a powerhouse who empowers women in business and is deeply involved in several organizations. She is the former Treasurer of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter, the former Vice Chair of Development & Finance for the Hispanic Women Network of Texas Dallas Chapter (HWNT-Dallas), and a mentor for the Women of Color Committee for Women Business Council Southwest (WBCS/WBENC). Haydee is also an enthusiastic Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA) ambassador.

Haydee's achievements shine brightly. In October 2023, she secured second place at the WEDallas Business Week Pitch hosted by CapitalOne and The DEC Network. The Women Business Council Southwest honored her with the WBE Rising Star Award 2024, a testament to her innovative spirit and leadership in the industry. Most recently, Haydee received the prestigious Luna Award for Business Advocate of the Year 2024 from the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA), recognizing her commitment to advocacy and her impact on the industry. She also recently graduated from the Turner School of Construction Management, further enhancing her expertise and capacity to serve the construction industry.

Resilient Freight Solutions continues to grow under Haydee’s leadership, having achieved Blue Wave certification through the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Avanzando Program and becoming a Protege of Turner Construction in the City of Dallas Mentor-Protege program.

Haydee's life is about more than just professional proficiency. She treasures her family and indulges in various hobbies, including Bonsai cultivation, fly-fishing, tennis, and cheering for her favorite sports teams. With an MBA in Marketing, she combines her educational background with her industry knowledge to lead Resilient Freight Solutions with flair.

Sharon Evans: Leading with Vision and Empowerment at CFJ Manufacturing

Sharon Evans is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CFJ Manufacturing, a role in which she demonstrates exceptional leadership and strategic vision. With over four decades of experience in the manufacturing industry, Sharon has been pivotal in driving the company's growth and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Professional Journey

Sharon's entrepreneurial journey began in 1983 when she founded Collections Fine Jewelry in Saginaw, Texas. Her dream of owning a jewelry store quickly became a reality, and she made her first sale while sitting on the floor waiting for the phones to be installed. Over the years, Sharon's business acumen and dedication to quality helped Collections Fine Jewelry grow into a beloved local business known for its exceptional customer service and unique designs.

In 2000, Sharon expanded her business ventures by establishing CFJ Manufacturing. This new endeavor allowed her to diversify her offerings and cater to a broader market. CFJ Manufacturing specializes in employee uniforms, brand identity products, employee recognition programs, embroidery, warehousing, and fulfillment. Under Sharon's leadership, the company has formed partnerships with numerous Fortune 500 companies, resulting in consistent year-over-year growth.  Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, CFJ has offices across the US and in multiple global locations.  

Leadership and Achievements

As CEO, Sharon has been at the forefront of CFJ Manufacturing's transformation. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the company's technological capabilities and expanding its market reach. One of her notable achievements includes the implementation of a state-of-the-art ERP system, which has streamlined supply chain management and improved customer satisfaction.

Sharon is also a strong advocate for sustainability and has led CFJ Manufacturing's efforts to adopt eco-friendly practices. Her initiatives have not only reduced the company's carbon footprint but have  positioned CFJ Manufacturing as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.

Empowering Women in Manufacturing

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sharon is passionate about empowering women. She is an active member of the Women's Business Council Southwest and Women’s Enterprise National Council. Serving on the Board of Directors for WBCS and as Global Committee Chair on the national WBENC. Advocating for greater gender diversity in leadership roles,  Sharon believes that diverse teams drive innovation. Sharon's dedication to mentorship extends to her role at CFJ Manufacturing, where she has established a leadership program. This program provides training and career development resources to help employees advance their careers within the company.

Personal Life

When she's not leading CFJ Manufacturing, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She believes that staying active and connected to friends and family is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Dennise is a seasoned Senior Global Recruiter and Manager with a proven track record spanning over nine years in the management consulting and research industry. Her skill set encompasses negotiation, sales, LinkedIn headhunting, networking, and market research across more than 16 diverse industries. I excel in creating efficient recruiting workflows, developing best practices for hiring managers, and mastering talent management.

Grace currently serves on the Women’s Business Council – Southwest Board of Directors as Secretary and is on several committees including the Council’s Women of Color committee.  She previously served as chair of the D/FW Minority Supplier Development Council Supplier Diversity Professionals Working Group and served on the Council’s Inclusive Supply Chain Working Group.   Grace also serves on committees with other organizations including the Edison Electric Institute Business Diversity Advisory Committee and the Association of Electric Companies of Texas Diversity Committee. 

Grace serves on the Women’s Enterprise Magazine Advisory Board and the Dallas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (aka VisitDallas!) Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
She previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Educational Scholarship committee and is a Past President of the Northwood University Alumni Association.  

Grace Hastings began her career with Oncor, formerly known as TXU, in 1988. She previously held positions in Customer Service, Procurement, Materials Management and Corporate Contracts. Grace joined the corporate supplier diversity organization in 2000, as a supplier diversity coordinator.  In 2008, Grace was promoted to Supplier Diversity Manager for Oncor.

As manager, Grace directs Oncor’s Supplier Diversity program with full support from executive leadership.  Oncor’s supplier diversity initiative has consistently resulted in a level of spend with diverse businesses that continues to grow year over year.  Since the onset of Oncor’s supplier diversity program in 2007, total expenditures with diverse suppliers at the Company have exceeded $2.5 billion dollars.

Under Grace’s leadership of Supplier Diversity at Oncor the Company has been recognized as the Corporation of the year by the DFW Minority Supplier Development Council, the Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council and the Women’s Business Council – Southwest.

Grace has been recognized by the Women’s Business Council – Southwest as it’s “Corporate Advocate of the Year" in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, and most recently in 2019.  She has also been named as “A Woman Who Means Business” by Minority Business News USA and recognized by Women’s Enterprise USA as one of the “100 Women Impacting Supplier Diversity.  Grace was recognized as a “Master of Supplier Diversity” in the Energy and Utility Industry by Minority Business News USA in 2009.  In 2013, she was named one of Women’s Enterprise USA magazine’s – Top 50 Women of Supplier Diversity and Women’s Enterprise USA – Top 100 Leaders in Diversity in 2016 and Champions of Supplier Diversity in 2017.   She was selected to represent Dallas in the 2014 Dallas Business Journal “Who’s Who in Energy” multistate publication, and she received the Dallas Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council Excellence-Award as the 2014, 2017 and 2019 Corporate Advocate of the Year.  Grace was also selected as one of the 2018 Minority Business Leader honorees by the Dallas Business Journal.  In 2019 she was recognized by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with the La Cima Latina Leadership Award. Most recently she was recognized by DiversityPlus Magazine as a 2020 Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity and the 2020 Corporate Advocate of the Year by the Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council.

From 2009 through 2011, Grace served as the Dallas Chair for the Institute of Economic Empowerment for Women’s – Peace through Business Program and she still supports this effort.  The program educates women business owners from Afghanistan and Rwanda with a focus on leadership, finance and business planning. During a three week visit to the United States, the business owners are partnered with women entrepreneurs from across the country. Their activities conclude with an international summit and closing ceremonies that have included former first lady, Laura Bush as the keynote speaker to the graduating class.

Grace is a proud graduate of Leadership Texas – Class of 2012.

Kathleen Hunt founded her company, Personalized Payroll Services, Inc., in 2011 with the goal to help women-owned businesses thrive and prosper. Personalized Payroll partners with small to mid-sized businesses to customize and streamline their payroll processing and HR services. As a certified women’s business enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and an active member of the Women’s Business Council - Southwest (WBCS) and Women’s Business Enterprise Council South (WBEC South), Kathleen is passionate about connecting WBEs to one another. She is an advocate for WBEs and frequently makes introductions, referrals, and recommendations for others. 

Personalized Payroll helps clients avoid costly penalties and accrued interest with timely and accurate local, state, and federal tax deposits and filings. The company provides real time payroll solutions offering clients the ability to process payroll anytime from anywhere. Personalized Payroll provides a fully integrated HCM system with applicant tracking, on boarding, benefit enrollment, employee career development and management, and employee HR portal for employee to review their paycheck history on line, request PTO, etc. Smart phone technology and unlimited document storage round out the services offered. Also offered is HR On Demand which provides a dedicated HR professional to assist her clients. Personalized Payroll partners with other WBEs, such as Lone Star Benefits, to provide health insurance services.

Kathleen is an active leader in the business community serving on many boards and committees that support women business owners. She is a member of the WBENC Forum and has served on the Engagement committee since 2017. Kathleen serves on the board of directors for WBCS and WBEC South. She is a recipient of the WBE Volunteer of the Year Award in 2017 by WBCS and Volunteer of the Year Award in 2014 by WBEC South.  In 2022 she was awarded the Women Working Together Award by WBCS and the Advocate Award of the Year by WBEC South.  In 2023 she was awarded the WBE Advocate of the Year from WBCS.

Personalized Payroll sponsors business events throughout the year including the WBENC Summit & Salute; WBEC South WE Summit & Awards Gala; and Connections to Contracts hosted by WBCS. The company is a Champion Circle Sponsor WBCS and a Champions Circle Sponsor for WBEC South.

Kathleen was selected to participate in and successfully completed the WBENC Robert Half Accelerated Leadership Development Program and the Energy Executive Program presented by the University of Texas at Austin in 2019. She earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration and Management at Fox College, Inc.

Dee Maddox is the Chief Excellence Officer of DMX Consulting, LLC, where she is dedicated to empowering teams to achieve success with a people-first approach. She aims to make a positive impact by sharing the wealth of HR experience gained during her extensive 20-year HR career. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University, Dee is a professional speaker, corporate trainer, career coach, and published author. She takes pride in her historic role as the Human Capital Transition Team Lead for NASA Space Shuttle Retirement.

Dee is dedicated to revitalizing the H.U.M.A.N. element in human resources by prioritizing people over processes. Her informative and transformative presentations offer actionable insights that empower audiences to navigate complex organizational challenges with integrity and resilience. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences and dedication to driving meaningful change makes her an invaluable asset to any development activity focused on empowering professionals and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Join Dee Maddox in reshaping the future of HR, one person at a time. She holds active memberships in the National Speakers Association - North Texas and Dallas HR.

Silvana Rosero started her professional career 20 + years ago in Public Relations at the second largest airline in Colombia, South America - ACES. This experience shaped her style as a strategic planning oriented professional, with an emphasis in contributing to achieving strategic goals through the implementation of different forms of communication. While working there, she had the privilege to be part of the team that successfully introduced the first Airbus 320 jet fleet to Latin America.

In 1998 she moved to the United States and worked in several roles both in the news industry and in corporate America as a Bilingual Marketing Professional. After getting acclimated to the U.S. business environment and mastering the English language, in 2003 Silvana was asked by Laguna Media Group’s founder – Gary Wall - to join the team as a Producer. Little she knew that she was about to become an entrepreneur one year later when Laguna’s founding partner saw the opportunity to permanently keep this talent in the organization by offering Silvana the opportunity to become a partner in the business. Twenty years later, Silvana Rosero continues to run the Company as its President & CEO.

Over the years, Silvana has lead her teams to complete hundreds of projects including video productions, live events and digital marketing/social media strategy. Clients include corporations, public sector agencies and non-profits. Her company is a Certified Minority and Woman Owned Business, and has been recognized by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with the Quality and Excellence Groundbreaker Award, by Oncor with the Supplier Diversity Rising Star Award, the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council with the Excellence Award (Supplier of the Year – 3 times), the Telly Award (Cinematography). Most recently, Laguna Media Group received the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) supplier of the year award and was recognized by the Women’s Business Council – Southwest as Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) of the Year.

Silvana served on the DFW MSDC Board of Directors and the DFW MSDC MBEIC Committee from 2016 -2022. She is also part of the WBENC Forum and serves on the Women of Color Committee and Marketing Committee at the Women’s Business Council – Southwest. In 2022 Silvana served on the Hispanic 100 (H100) Board of Directors as Immediate Past-President and served a 1-year term with the Dallas Regional Chamber Board through H100 in 2021. Silvana is currently serving on the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board.

Silvana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Communications and Journalism from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia. She is a graduate from the 2015 MBE and 2022 Tuck School of Business WBE Program. In her continuous search for innovative approaches for her business, Silvana also completed the Digital Marketing Strategy Program at Harvard, and the Google – Tuck School of Business, Digital Excellence Program. She was also in the 2018 Capital One – Catapult Cohort, where she received training in Design Thinking as a framework for innovation. She also graduated from the Toyota Mentoring Program and received negotiation training from Harvard.

Jessica Schultz is a Vice President on JPMorgan Chase’s Emerging Middle Market Banking Team in Fort Worth, TX. She is primarily focused on strategy execution, business development and growth of mid-size companies throughout North Texas.  She specializes in working with Diverse, Women and Veteran-Owned Businesses to bring differentiated resources and expertise to their banking relationships. Jessica has been with JPMorgan Chase for 20 years. She started her career as a personal banker in Chase’s branch network, and learned very early on that she had an affinity for working with entrepreneurs.  During her tenure with JPMorgan Chase she has helped businesses of every size ranging from start-up to $100+ Million in annual revenue and remains passionate about helping companies grow and scale.  

Jessica earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Banking and Finance from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.  Both she and her husband are transplants from the Midwest and happy to have started their family in Texas.  In her spare time she loves to attend concerts and live music events with her family, and travel with friends. 

Angela Seaman is a visionary entrepreneur who has significantly impacted sustainability in the plastic industry. As the founder and leader of Seaman Group, she has transformed the way manufacturers and distributors of plastic resins manage their environmental footprint. Recently, Angela expanded her enterprise with Seaman Group Construction Services, providing innovative construction solutions that reshape the industrial landscape and empower businesses.

Angela's leadership has propelled both Seaman Group Plastics and Seaman Group Construction Services to the forefront of their industries. These companies are renowned for their cutting-edge services that prioritize sustainability and cost efficiency, a testament to Angela's unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.

In addition to her professional achievements, Angela is a prominent figure in numerous influential nonprofit organizations, including the Women Presidents' Organization and the Women’s Enterprise Forum of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Her leadership roles with the Junior League of Dallas and the Crystal Charity Ball further reflect her deep dedication to community service.

Angela, a proud Baylor University graduate, leads a rich and balanced life. Her professional achievements are complemented by a diverse range of interests, from exploring the world to staying active in the gym, perfecting her golf swing, and enjoying target practice at the gun range. She also finds joy in baking sweet treats and spending quality time with her five godchildren and six nieces and nephews. Angela's dynamic leadership and multifaceted interests make her a truly inspiring and relatable figure.Top of Form

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.”

Victoria Stevenson is the CEO & Founder of Allied-SCSS. Established in 2013 as a Business Development Consulting firm, Allied-SCSS specializes in helping minority and woman owned businesses successfully navigate government contracting to help scale and grow their business. Our niche is Government Contracting we empower our clients to make SMART, informed decisions at all stages of a project. Allied-SCSS assists B2G clients with PMCM development to help realize their visions and exceed their expectations. 

As a business consultant expert with more than 25 years of executive management experience in supplier diversity, program management and business development consulting. Victoria’s primary focus and mission is to improve marketability, equity, and successful M/WBE participation in government and commercial procurement sectors. She exemplifies outstanding business acumen, industry leadership, and a commitment to doing business with fellow M/WBE’s and helping her clients execute their vision from conception to profitability. 

Cindy founded CM Promotions after moving to Texas from Massachusetts. With a background in large corporate real estate events, she traveled to DFW for an event where she met her now husband on a blind date. Six months later, she quit her job, packed everything she could fit into her Chevy Sonic and drove twenty seven hours to Denton. Cindy founded CM Promotions in December of 2017 after not finding a job she truly enjoyed. Fast forward to six years later and it has grown more than her wildest dreams. As an event planner in Dallas, she loves being a mentor and coach to her team. All couples or clients will speak with her at some point as she is still highly involved in the growth of the company.

Cindy became a mom in September of 2023 and being a mom is her best role yet! She is an avid member of Camp Gladiator, aims to read a book a month and has watched every Shark Tank episode aired! On her days off, you can find her hanging with her husband Joe, son Weston and dog, Layla. Cindy loves being outside, trying new restaurants and dreaming of her next  beach vacation.