| The California Supplier Diversity Symposium will feature a range of breakout sessions covering topics such as access to capital, contracting opportunities, and effective contracting strategies across various industries, including insurance, utilities, and transportation.
Agenda is subject to change. Be sure to check back often for the latest updates, as we build in more valuable sessions.
Learn more about the speakers. |
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Registration Starting at 8:00 AM | Ballroom Lobby |
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Resource Expo 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Ballroom DE
Meet with over 60 organizations from California state government agencies, diverse chambers of commerce, diverse certification agencies, and organizations that can provide diverse suppliers with tools, programs, and resources to grow your business in the insurance industry. |
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Opening Session 9:00 - 9:45 AM | Ballroom AB
Hear from influential leaders across state and local government as they set the tone for a day of opportunity and collaboration, including a special overview of the new virtual training series offered by the California Department of General Services.
Emcee:
- Chandara K. Phanachone, Chief, Office of Insurance Diversity & Innovation - California Department of Insurance
Welcome and Opening Remarks:
- Councilmember Tyron Hampton – Pasadena City Council
- Mayor Victor M. Gordo - City of Pasadena
Acknowledgement of Community Partners:
- Danetta Jackson, Chief, Statewide Supplier Diversity Program - California Department of General Services
Brief Remarks from Community Partners:
- Title Sponsor: Warren Ruis, Vice President, Procurement - Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
- Presenting Sponsor: Lynell Bevels, Vice President, Community Impact Lending Manager - Columbia Bank
Keynote Speakers:
- Ana M. Lasso, Director - California Department of General Services
- Anda Draghici, Branch Chief, Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise - California Department of General Services
- Joann Patty, Business Outreach Manager, Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise - California Department of General Services
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Breakout Sessions 10:00 - 10:45 AM
Emergency Procurement - Ballroom AB As the state of California reels from the wildfires that affected the Los Angeles region in 2025, we will discuss how businesses can support emergency response efforts through the DGS Emergency Registry and Caltrans Contractors Interest Registry. Learn how to participate in recovery efforts and future statewide emergencies, including wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.
- Dalia Demian, Statewide Outreach Branch, Office of Civil Rights - California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- Carlene Rueger, Procurement Specialist, Statewide Emergency Resource Support Unit - California Department of General Services
Doing Business with the City of Pasadena - Ballroom C This interactive workshop will introduce participants to the City of Pasadena’s purchasing practices—including how the City acquires goods, services, construction, and professional expertise on behalf of its 18 departments and three operating companies. Attendees will learn how contracting opportunities are advertised, how bids and proposals are evaluated, and how local and small business preferences are applied.
- Erika Alvarez, Purchasing Administrator - City of Pasadena
- Antonio Watson, Project Manager - City of Pasadena
Don’t Go it Alone - Ballroom F Landing and delivering on state contracts require thorough research, careful planning, strategies, and persistence. Fortunately, we have the resources so you don’t have to go it alone. This panel tackles the critical questions small business owners often overlook when pursuing state contracting and capital for their business.
- Karla V. Gonzalez, Assistant Director - Inland Empire SBDC & Program Lead - OCIE SBDC for Contracting (Moderator)
- Daniel Han, Director - PACE Business
- Mark Morales, SVP, Community Lending & 504 Specialist - AmPac Business Capital
- Claudia Shah, Consultant - Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
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Breakout Sessions 11:00 - 11:45 AM
Government Contracting: State & Reciprocity Partners - Ballroom AB Certification is a powerful tool for small and diverse businesses but navigating multiple certification processes across agencies and organizations can be time-consuming. This session brings together certification reciprocity partners to discuss how businesses can leverage the State of California’s certification to expand opportunities reduce duplication and streamline access to contracts.
- Matt Zweier, Business Outreach Manager, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services - California Department of General Services (Moderator)
- John Arena, Business Outreach Program Manager- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- Abimbola (Abim) Odusoga, Director of Economic Development & Policy - University of California, Office of the President
- Ramon Ortiz, Director, Certification & Economic Development - Los Angeles Metro
- Terra Van Andel, Director, Central Procurement Services Division - Port of Long Beach
- Michelle Wilson, Purchasing Agent - City of Long Beach
Small Business Succession Planning - Ballroom C What does the future of your business look like? Many of our small and diverse businesses are focused on surviving and thriving in the now, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. Join our panelists as we present a roadmap for succession planning, supply chain resilience, and continuity.
- Tommy Smith, Senior Manager, Economic Impact, Impact Spending - Kaiser Permanente (Moderator)
- Tyler Coats, CEO - Falcon Critical Care Transport
- Timothy Garbinsky, Communications Director - National Center for Employee Ownership
- Megan Gordon, Business Engagement & Partnerships Senior Manager - Project Equity
Expanding Access to Procurement with California’s Investor-Owned Utilities - Ballroom F Join us for this informative workshop on navigating procurement opportunities with California's Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs). The session will provide valuable insights into the IOU's procurement processes, upcoming projects, and strategies for forming successful partnerships. Learn from industry experts and utility representatives about the latest developments, trends, and best practices in IOU procurement.
- Drisha Melton, Southern California Supplier Diversity Liaison - California Public Utilities Commission (Moderator)
- Karmin Bailey, Supplier Diversity Manager - Southwest Gas
- Helen Gao, Responsible Sourcing Manager - San Diego Gas & Electric
- Holley Joy, Supplier Diversity Program Manager - Liberty Utilities West Region
- Anne W. Muchiri, Supplier Diversity Program Manager - SoCalGas
- Dennis Thurston, Supplier Diversity & Development Program Manager - Southern California Edison
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Breaout Sessions 12:00 - 12:45 PM
What's on the Horizon for Small Businesses? - Ballroom AB In this session, participants will gain a clear and practical understanding of the latest DBE program changes, why they were implemented, and how these updates affect both new and longstanding certified firms. Learn about initiatives SBs should be preparing for and what actions they can take to maintain a competitive edge.
- David DeLuz, Deputy Director, Office of Civil Rights – Department of Transportation
- Angela Shell, Deputy Director, Procurement Division - Department of General Services & Chief Procurement Officer - State of California
Fair & Reasonable and SB/DVBE Option Acquisition Methods - Ballroom C Discover how to navigate fast turnarounds with ease, evaluate solicitations efficiently, and craft confident responses. We’ll also walk you through the final steps from invoicing to getting paid so you’re set up for success from start to finish.
- Allison Kenngott , SB/DVBE Advocate - California Department of General Services
Prepare to Compete: Resiliency as a Supplier Advantage - Ballroom G Disasters aren’t a matter of if—they’re when. This panel explores how preparedness strengthens a supplier’s reliability, reduces the risk of costly contract disruptions, and keeps businesses operating through both blue-sky days and gray-sky emergencies. Learn why resilience is now a competitive edge in California’s procurement landscape.
- Isaiah Green, Assistant Deputy Director & Central California Regional Advisor - California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
- Ritu Mahajan Estes, Directing Attorney, Community Development Project - Public Counsel
- Shonda Hornbeck, JD, Small Business & Title VI Manager (Consultant) - California High-Speed Rail Authority
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| Cal eProcure Profile Optimization Clinic 12:00 - 1:30 PM - Ballroom F
Receive personalized assistance in optimizing your presence on Cal eProcure. This includes assistance with vendor profile updates, keyword refinement, diversity data information and more. Drop-In Clinic.
- Teresa Macias-Ruiz, Bilingual Business Outreach Liaison, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services - California Department of General Services
- Joann Patty, Business Outreach Manager, Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise - California Department of General Services
- Matt Zweier, Business Outreach Manager, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services - California Department of General Services
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Networking 12:45 - 2:00 PM |
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