MEET THE SPEAKERS

Opening Session & Keynote Speakers

Ana M. Lasso

Director - California Department of General Services (DGS)



Ana M. Lasso was appointed as Director of the California Department of General Services (DGS) by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 19, 2021. She leads California’s business management agency, which provides essential services to state agencies through procurement and acquisition solutions, real estate management and design, environmentally sustainable buildings and transportation, and facilities management.

Under her leadership, Director Lasso has championed affordable housing development projects and sustainable building practices that align with California’s environmental goals and climate commitments. DGS opened the May Lee State Office Complex – one of the nation’s largest zero-net carbon facilities – during Director Lasso’s tenure. She has been actively involved in California’s forward-thinking initiatives on generative AI, helping to position the state as a leader in responsible procurement, adoption and governance.

Victor M. Gordo

Mayor - City of Pasadena



Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Victor immigrated to the United States with his parents as a young child. The oldest of six, Victor grew up in Pasadena and is a proud product of the Pasadena Unified School District. 

Victor was elected Pasadena’s third Citywide-elected Mayor on November 3, 2020. Throughout his time as Mayor, Victor has focused on fostering an improved quality of life and promoting safe, family-friendly environments throughout the City. As Mayor, together with the City Council, Victor has guided Pasadena through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery during a challenging time of social inequity, mass retirements and the search for a new City Manager.

Tyron Hampton

Councilmember, First District - Pasadena City Council



Tyron Hampton is a lifelong Pasadena resident and dedicated public servant committed to strengthening the City’s First District through access, advocacy, and meaningful community engagement. Elected to the Pasadena City Council in 2015 and re-elected in 2020, he has prioritized neighborhood safety, traffic improvements, and enhanced local amenities while maintaining consistent outreach through community meetings, neighborhood walks, and district events. He has championed youth initiatives such as the “Get in the Swim” and “Field Trip to the Field” programs at the Rose Bowl, expanded internship opportunities for young people, and advocated for PACE centers to better serve Pasadena’s senior community. He currently chairs the Economic Development & Technology Committee and the Pasadena Center Operating Company and previously served as Vice Mayor from 2019 to 2020.

Chandara Phanachone

Chief, Office of Insurance Diversity & Innovation - California Department of Insurance (CDI)



Chandara believes in the transformative power of community, and has dedicated more than 20 years to a career in public service that spans public policy & legislation, consumer affairs, strategic project management, stakeholder relations, and marketing communications. In 2024, Chandara was appointed by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara as the inaugural Chief to lead the newly-created Office of Insurance Diversity & Innovation where she spearheads policies & programs that advance consumer protection, economic inclusion, and responsible insurance innovation across California's $400B insurance market - the largest market in the nation. Along with overseeing CDI's nationally-recognized Insurance Diversity Program to propel access & opportunities in corporate governance within insurance boardrooms and procurement practices, Chandara is building out CDI's first-ever Insurance Innovation Program.

Danetta Jackson

Chief, Statewide Supplier Diversity Program - California Department of General Services (DGS)



Danetta spearheads the development and implementation of strategic statewide objectives, underpinned by data-driven initiatives to propel diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within state contracting. She currently leads and facilitates the Government Operations Agency Minority-Owned Small Business Task Force, guiding initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive business landscape. Danetta was previously the state's Business Outreach Program Manager for 13 years, where she oversaw outreach engagement strategies, cultivating external partnerships, managing communications, ensuring compliance with state contracting goals, and leading the department's Small Business Advisory Council.

Danetta is an active member of the Sacramento Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women, advocating for the African American community, addressing critical issues such as civic engagement, education, health, sound public policy, and social justice.

Anda Draghici

Branch Chief, Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise - California Department of General Services (DGS)



Anda leads statewide programs that champion small and veteran-owned businesses through certification, compliance, outreach, and advocacy. Her 25-year career focuses on assisting small business and spans economic development, transportation, housing, and procurement, with various roles in the Small Business Development Center Program and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.

Warren Ruis

Vice President, Procurement - Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)



Warren Ruis is vice president, procurement for Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Sempra’s regulated California utilities. He oversees supply management, logistics and responsible sourcing at both utilities and has extensive experience in supply chain, risk management, and community engagement. Since joining the Sempra family of companies in 2006, he has held leadership positions in supply management, community relations, insurance and public affairs.

Lynell Bevels

Vice President, Community Impact Lending Manager - Columbia Bank

Lynell Bevels is a financial advocate with strong community connections. The Bay Area native has dedicated her professional life to helping individuals and families realize their dream of homeownership. For Lynell, it all started as a teen. That’s when she landed her first job in real estate working for a small, minority-owned development firm. Her mentor taught her how to navigate the complex world of city politics as it relates to property development along with the day-to-day mechanics of securing mortgage loans. As a result, Lynell regularly partners with community organizations and realtors to educate others on homeownership and the importance of responsible lending.

Breakout Session Speakers

John Arena

Business Outreach Program Manager- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California



John manages the Regional/Small Business Program and is responsible for reviewing $500 million annually in contracting activity in an effort to maximize business opportunities for regional and small businesses in the six counties of Southern California. As manager of the Regional/Small Business Program for Metropolitan, John and staff provide the outreach to regional and small businesses in the six-county service area of southern California. Annually, 30 percent of the contract dollars are paid to small businesses in the Southern California region.  

Karmin Bailey

Supplier Diversity Manager - Southwest Gas



Karmin brings more than 24 years of expertise across finance, procurement, compliance, and supplier diversity. Honored as Ambassador of the Year by Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council in 2025, Karmin is committed to advancing supplier diversity programs beyond compliance to deliver meaningful, measurable results. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council and is an active member of Junior League Las Vegas. Previously, she served on the Global Board of Directors and the Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee for the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

Tyler Coats

CEO - Falcon Critical Care Transport



Falcon Critical Care Transport is a non-emergency ambulance provider serving Northern California, which Tyler has led since 2017. Prior to Falcon, Tyler served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Henry M. Jackson, a strategic nuclear submarine, where he held leadership roles including Head Engineering Officer and Officer of the Deck. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Quantitative Economics and Applied Mathematics from the United States Naval Academy. 

David DeLuz

Deputy Director, Office of Civil Rights - California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

David oversees the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise programs. He ensures compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With over 20 years of leadership experience in government and non-profit sectors, David is a respected authority in civil rights, equity, small business and community development.

Dalia Demian

Statewide Outreach Branch, Office of Civil Rights - California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)



Dalia currently leads with a mission to empower and increase the participation of Small Business (SB), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) firms in both Federal and State contracting and procurement. Dalia strives to promote equity by extending outreach to small businesses owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, ensuring they have a fair chance to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.

Helen Gao

Responsible Sourcing Manager - San Diego Gas & Electric



Helen leads SDG&E's first ever centralized team dedicated to supplier diversity, supply chain sustainability and third-party risk management. SDG&E provides energy services to 3.6 million people in San Diego and Southern Orange Counties. The company is a leader in clean energy and wildfire safety innovations, including battery energy storage, transportation electrification, and wildfire and weather predicative analytics. SDG&E is also committed to buying responsibly – maximizing the positive impact of its supply chain on the environment and local communities while securing the best value for its customers. In 2024, SDG&E’s total expenditure on goods and services with certified diverse businesses exceeded $1 billion.  

Timothy Garbinsky

Communications Director - National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)



Timothy works with volunteers, allied organizations, and the press to creatively and effectively disseminate information about employee ownership and advance the NCEO's mission. He earned his BA from Duke University in 2009 and has since worked in the food industry and as an educator. Originally from the D.C. metropolitan area, Tim now lives in California's Central Valley with his wife and son.

Karla V. Gonzalez

Assistant Director - Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Program Lead - OCIE Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for Contracting



With over 20 years of experience spanning business management, government procurement, and strategic planning, Karla is a dedicated advocate for small business growth throughout Southern California. Today, she leverages her deep expertise in financial management and government certifications to help entrepreneurs scale their operations and create jobs. Karla serves an Adjunct Professor at Cal State San Bernardino’s School of Entrepreneurship, where she mentors the next generation of leaders in Small Business Management and Consulting. She holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor’s in Business & Management from the University of Redlands, as well as a specialized certificate from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Karla is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Isaiah Green

Assistant Deputy Director & Central California Regional Advisor - California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)



In this role, Isaiah oversees the Economic Engagement and Business Resiliency team, working to strengthen regional ecosystems and expand equitable access to resources for small businesses across the Central Valley.

Isaiah is also a retired NFL athlete dedicated to community impact. With a background in communications, leadership, and community engagement, he brings a relationship centered approach to his work focused on meaningful impact dedicated to building bridges between government, small businesses, and the communities they serve.

Daniel Han

Director - PACE Business



Daniel leads programs in entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, counseling, and procurement. Previously, he held roles with the Cities of Long Beach and Irvine, where he launched inclusive capital access initiatives. At Jobs for the Future, he supported regional economic strategies across California. His private sector background includes leadership roles at JP Morgan, EY, and City National Bank, with expertise in strategy, operations, and cross-sector partnerships. Daniel also has international development experience with the Peace Corps in Thailand and the World Bank’s IFC. He serves on the Leadership Advisory Board for the Small Business Diversity Network.

Shonda Hornbeck

Small Business and Title VI Manager for the California High-Speed Rail Authority

Shonda works as a consultant supporting the Authority’s SB and Title VI Civil Rights Programs. These programs expand opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and disabled veteran-owned businesses while ensuring compliance with federal civil rights protections. She has partnered with the Authority for over a decade and has held her current leadership role for the past six years.

Holley Joy

Supplier Diversity Program Manager - Liberty Utilities West Region



Holley ensures identification of potential opportunities for introduction and inclusion of diverse business enterprises in Liberty Procurement events for products and services. As part of Liberty’s diverse supplier outreach initiatives, Holley seeks to establish relationships with our current Supply Chain, diverse suppliers in the Arizona marketplace and Community Based Organizations offering membership and providing resources to diverse suppliers throughout the state.   

Helen Karadjian

Founder and CEO of Pampered Bee



Pampered Bee is a certified women-owned small business and USDA certified organic baby skincare brand focused on safe, science-backed products for families. Helen launched the company in 2021 as a passion project inspired by her daughter’s severe eczema and the need for truly clean, effective and affordable baby care.



In 2024, Pampered Bee secured its first national retail partnership with Walmart, expanding into approximately 100 stores across 32 states. In January 2025, just before a major retail expansion, Helen lost both her newly built home and business inventory in the Altadena wildfire. Despite the devastation, she remained committed to honoring retail contracts and maintaining operations. Today, Pampered Bee continues to grow and is in the process of securing an additional major partnership with a leading natural retailer, further expanding its national footprint.

Allison Kenngott

SB/DVBE Advocate - California Department of General Services (DGS)



Allison supports Statewide Small Businesses (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) to navigate state procurement processes and contract with DGS. Allison previously served as Contracts Analyst and IT buyer for the DGS Office of Business and Acquisition Services, establishing a well-rounded procurement background. Allison previously worked in the nonprofit sector, leading strategic communication and project design and management efforts for a variety of community-based organizations. Allison is passionate about expanding and diversifying the pool of businesses participating in State procurement.

Teresa Macias-Ruiz

Bilingual Business Outreach Liaison, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services - California Department of General Services (DGS)



Teresa educates business owners about the benefits and opportunities of pursuing a Small Business (SB) certification, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification, and contract opportunities with the state of California. Previously, Teresa worked in various capacities in banking for about 20 years. Later on, Teresa worked as a substitute teacher for five years at the Washington Unified School District.

Ritu Mahajan Estes

Directing Attorney, Community Development Project - Public Counsel



During her 15 years at Public Counsel, Ritu has engaged in direct legal services, litigation, and policy advocacy to help create healthy, inclusive, and vibrant communities and build power in communities of color. As Senior Supervising Staff Attorney, Ritu led Public Counsel’s efforts to provide legal services to hundreds of low-income small business owners across LA County each year. Ritu is a member of the Small Business Alliance for Equitable Communities and the State Small Business Coalition. In addition, she is a past Co-Chair of the Access & Inclusion Sub-Committee of the Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee and past member of the Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee.

Drisha Melton

Southern California Supplier Diversity Liaison  - California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)



Drisha provides education and outreach to raise awareness of various regulatory and legislative policies. She is committed to promoting consumer needs and protecting the public interest. She builds relationships with local government groups to promote GO156, the CPUC’s supplier diversity program, which encourages greater economic opportunities for women, minority, and disable veteran business, LGBT, and Persons with Disabilities enterprises.

Mark Morales

Senior Vice President, Community Lending & 504 Specialist - AmPac Business Capital



Mark has over 20 years of business banking experience and specializes in SBA financing and Supplier Diversity for diverse and veteran owned businesses. Mark has produced programming on access to capital, creating an industry standard capability statement, held multiple supplier diversity events, and connected suppliers to public and private procurement platforms, lending opportunities and corporations.

Anne W. Muchiri

Supplier Diversity Program Manager - SoCalGas



Anne promotes inclusion of small, local and diverse suppliers in procurement. She supports the SoCalGas' supplier diversity program in alignment with the requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) General Order 156 while also promoting sustainable practices in the utility industry. Her work focuses on fostering community engagement, sharing educational resources that prepare and develop new and existing small, local, & diverse businesses for future contracting opportunities.

Abimbola (Abim) Odusoga

Director of Economic Development & Policy (EDP) - University of California, Office of the President



Abim's team is leading strategic procurement initiatives to grow the local, California, and US economy. EDP operates through two integrated pillars. The Economic & Community Impact team strategizes on economic impact, creates pathways for small and local businesses to engage, provides access to capital, builds public-private partnerships, and embeds sustainability across procurement. The Policy & Compliance team develops policies and governance frameworks, ensures regulatory compliance and risk management, manages reporting, and leads public affairs and government relations. The work is grounded in the belief that procurement can be a powerful economic development engine. Success is measured in dollars directed to local businesses, jobs created in communities, and sustainability achieved through strategic supply chain decisions.

Ramon Ortiz

Director of Certification & Economic Development, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority



Ramon has over 22 years of public sector experience in Diversity & Economic Opportunity functions including Contract Compliance, Certification, Workforce Management and Project Labor agreements. He has extensive experience in contractor & workforce development with community-based experience, including DBE, SBE, LSBE, Micro SBE, ACDBE, DVBE, Section 3, & local/disadvantaged worker outreach & compliance monitoring. Ramon currently serves as the Vice Chair of the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP).

Joann Patty

Business Outreach Manager, Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise - California Department of General Services (DGS)



Joann leads statewide outreach, strategic partnerships, and the SB/DVBE Emergency Registry, ensuring certified firms have access to resources and contracting opportunities with the State of California. With over a decade of experience in public and nonprofit leadership, Joann is dedicated to advancing equity, strengthening business engagement, and driving results that expand opportunities for small and diverse businesses.

Carlene Rueger

Procurement Specialist, Statewide Emergency Resource Support Unit - California Department of General Services (DGS)



Carlene works with emergency procurements with vendors throughout the state serving the immediate needs to protect life, property and environment. At the conference, she will be sharing insights to past activations (Fire, PSPS, Floods, Earthquakes etc.) and how to get involved!

Claudia Shah

Consultant - Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC)



With over 28 years of experience in various industries in both Colombia and the United States, Claudia has expertise in developing business plans, coaching entrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses, enhancing their social media presence, and managing day-to-day business operations. Currently, Claudia leads the entrepreneurship program for the Hispanic community in Los Angeles County at the Los Angeles Regional SBDC. She is a recognized leader in her community and has been part of various organizations such as FDIC's AEI, Hispanic Group Advisory Board, and BELLA Entrepreneurs Board of Directors. Claudia has also been awarded the State Star Award by the ASBDC - Association of SBDC for the State of California in 2022 and Advocate of the Year for NAWBO LA in 2023. Her latest certification in August 2024 is with Coursera in Google AI Essentials.

Angela Shell

Deputy Director, Procurement Division - California Department of General Services (DGS)

Chief Procurement Officer - State of California



Angela is responsible for overseeing the State’s purchase of goods and services vital to state department operations that serve the needs of the California. This includes developing and awarding statewide leveraged procurement agreements, delegating purchasing authority, developing statewide policy and training, identifying sustainable procurement methods and products, and certifying Small and Disabled Veteran Business enterprises.

Tommy Smith

Manager, Economic Impact, Impact Spending - Kaiser Permanente

Tommy leads the engagement strategy for measuring the economic and community impact of Kaiser Permanente’s supplier diversity spend. He is the custodian of the Kaiser Permanente’s National Supplier Diversity policy and oversees Kaiser Permanente’s prime supplier program for identifying contract and development opportunities for diverse suppliers throughout our its value chain. Prior to his current role, Tommy conducted policy analysis and program evaluation in civic engagement, economic development, education, supplier diversity, and workforce training.

Dennis Thurston

Supplier Diversity & Development Program Manager - Southern California Edison

Dennis advances the inclusion of small, local, and diverse suppliers within the company’s procurement process. He leads community engagement efforts, providing technical assistance to help emerging and established businesses prepare for future contracting opportunities. Dennis also identifies pathways for diverse business enterprises to participate in SCE procurement events and drives outreach initiatives across California. By building strong relationships with Supply Chain partners, diverse suppliers, and community-based organizations, he expands access to resources, strengthens supplier readiness, and supports a more inclusive marketplace.

Chardena Valley

Assistant Chief of Small Business - California High-Speed Rail Authority

In her leadership role, Chardena is instrumental in driving economic equity and ensuring small businesses have a seat at the table in one of the nation's most ambitious infrastructure projects. Chardena’s commitment to civil rights and business advocacy began in 2021 at Caltrans, where she served as the DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) Certification Manager. In 2023, she transitioned to the California High-Speed Rail Authority as the Small Business Advocate. Her success in bridging the gap between government agency requirements and small business capabilities led to her current appointment as Assistant Chief. Today, Chardena continues to champion small business participation, focusing on transparency, accessibility, and the long-term success of the small business community within the high-speed rail program.

Terra Van Andel

Director, Central Procurement Services Division - Port of Long Beach

Terra is the first Director of the new Central Procurement Services Division at the Port of Long Beach, California, named to the post in January 2024 by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, governing body for the Port. The new division was formed to standardize purchases and contracts across the Long Beach Harbor Department’s 19 divisions. The Central Procurement Services Division will centralize how external contracts and purchases are initiated, processed and executed in an effort to heighten consistency, transparency and efficiency.

Michelle WIlson

Purchasing Agent - City of Long Beach

Michelle began her career with the City over 28 years ago at the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. Michelle rose through the ranks to become Superintendent of the City’s recreation programs. In this role, she used data-driven approaches to expand the City’s portfolio of recreation programs, increasing revenue by 50% while expanding free programs in low-income neighborhoods. Michelle brings this expertise in public administration to her role as Purchasing Agent, which she assumed in 2020. In the last 5 years she has spearheaded an effort to transform the City’s procurement practices to be more efficient, inviting, impactful, and equitable.

Matt Zweier

Business Outreach Manager, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services - California Department of General Services (DGS)

Matt educates business owners about the benefits and opportunities of pursuing a Small Business (SB) certification, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification, and contract opportunities with the state of California. Matt previously worked in the California State Assembly and California State University system.