| 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.
In addition to the Resource Expo, join us for micro-learning sessions and roundtable discussions on key topics, including how small business advocates can help you, tips on preparing invoices for Prompt Payment, navigating non-advertised solicitations, understanding the Target Area Contract Preference Act, and more!
Agenda is subject to change. Be sure to check back often for the latest updates, as we build in more valuable sessions. |
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Registration Starting at 8:00 AM | 1st Floor Atrium |
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Resource Expo 8:00 AM - 1:45 PM | Room 158
Meet with industry representatives, 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 Remarks 9:00 - 9:45 AM | Auditorium
Kick off the day with a welcome and opening remarks, including a special Q&A with leaders of the State of California. Co-Emcees: Chandara K. Phanachone - Chief, Office of Insurance Diversity & Innovation - California Department of Insurance Danetta Jackson - Chief, Statewide Supplier Diversity Program - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Ana M. Lasso, Director - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Angela Shell, Chief Procurement Officer and Deputy Director - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Clair Whitmer, Deputy Director, California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
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| Cal eProcure Profile Optimization Clinic 9:45 AM - 1:00 PM | Room 153
Bring your laptop and tablet, and drop in for personalized assistance in optimizing your presence on Cal eProcure. This includes assistance with vendor profile updates, keyword refinement, diversity data information and more.
- Joann Patty, Business Outreach Liaison – Department of General Services (DGS)
- Chad Wright, Business Outreach Liaison – Department of General Services (DGS)
Learn more about Cal eProcure |
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Breakout Sessions 10:00 - 10:40 AM
Contracting with State Government | Auditorium Presented by agencies of the California Statewide Coalition for Diversity Initiatives, this session will cover what is needed to contract with the state, including the California Department of General Services (DGS), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Learn tips, strategies, and other resources businesses can leverage to be successful.
- Moderator: Anda Draghici, Chief, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services - California Department of General Services
- Dalia Demian, Statewide Outreach Branch Manager - California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- Stephanie Green, Small Business, Supplier Diversity Program & Community Outreach Manager - California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
- Demeshia Swanson, Business Outreach Program Manager - California Department of General Services (DGS)
Future of Responsible Innovation | Room 151 As many organizations are still in the early phase of Gen AI adoption and implementation, a key consideration for business leaders is how to best approach this innovation. This session will explore key insights from leaders in the healthcare, insurance, and technology space who will share their leadership journey through lessons learned and use cases. Join us to learn more about what you need to know as you embark on your responsible innovation journey.
- Moderator: Chandara Phanachone, Chief, Office of Insurance Diversity & Innovation - California Department of Insurance
- Pradip Khemani, Vice President, Business Solutions & Strategic Alliances - Blue Shield of California
- Cecil Plummer, CEO - fastr.ai
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Breakout Sessions 11:00 - 11:40 AM
Tools and Resources to Help You Start, Run and Grow Your Business | Auditorium Whether you are just starting or looking to grow your business, this session might be for you. Get the assistance needed to help you navigate every turn at every stage of your business including business planning, lending options, technical assistance, securing government contracts and more!
- Moderator: Chris Earl, Assistant Deputy Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship - California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
- SiewYee Lee-Alix, Director - Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center
- Lydia Looknanan, Director - California State Small Business Loan Guarantee Program (iBank program)
- Deborah Lowe Muramoto, Founder/CEO - California Capital Financial Development Corporation
- Tim Stanley, Director of Lending - California Direct Lending Programs (CDFI)
- Paul Tavernia, Director - Sacramento Valley APEX Accelerator
Emergency Procurement | Room 152 As the state of California reels from the wildfires that affected the Los Angeles region earlier this year, 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.
- Kimmi Carey, Emergency Logistics Coordinator - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Dalia Demian, Statewide Outreach Branch Manager - California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- Carlene Ruger, Emergency Logistics Coordinator - California Department of General Services (DGS)
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Lunch & Learn: Micro-Learning Sessions 12:00 - 12:30 PM
Learn About Leveraged Procurement Agreements and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing | Room 151 Join this panel session to learn what happens when DGS advertises a solicitation on Cal eProcure for statewide contracts. You will hear about both the administrative and technical side of the procurement process from our two panelists:
- Carol Bangs, Chief, Acquisitions Branch - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Brenden Jiang, Chief, Engineering Branch - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Christina Nunez, Manager, Contracts Management Section - California Department of General Services (DGS)
The Role of the Advocate | Room 202 Join this panel session to learn about the certified small businesses (SBs)/disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBEs) advocates, including:
- The Advocates & Their Roles
- Outreach & Advocacy - Advocates support small and diverse businesses with services, such as marketing to state departments
- Navigating Entry-Level Contracts - Advocates help businesses position themselves for different types of solicitations, including purchases under $10,000 (Fair and Reasonable) and purchases under $250,000 (SB/DVBE option)
- Navigating the Prompt Payment Act (PPA) - The PPA requires state agencies pay properly submitted, undisputed invoices within 45 calendar days of initial receipt or may be penalized for failing to do so
- Meeting Procurement Goals - Advocates support state departments in meeting and exceeding the 25% SB or 3% DVBE goals
Panelists:
- Moderator: Imran Chaudhary, State Advocacy Support Program Manager - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Marcus Delfin, Procurement Equity Program Advocate - California Military Department
- Allison Kenngott, SB/DVBE Advocate - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Jeff Kincaid - Office of Technology & Solutions Integration
- Michele Sakamoto, SB/DVBE Advocate Statewide and Contract Analyst - California State Parks
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Networking One-on-Ones with State Department Advocates 12:30 - 1:30 PM | Rooms 202, 206, and 231
Certified small businesses (SBs) and disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBEs) have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with state department program advocates.* Advocates will share their department’s contracting needs and best practices for navigating their department’s procurement process. Meanwhile, SBs and DVBEs can present their core capabilities, explore contracting opportunities, and develop personal connections with state department procurement teams.
*After registering for the 2025 California Supplier Diversity Symposium, SB/DVBEs will receive follow-up information from the California Department of General Services (DGS). This will contain directions on how to pre-register for this unique opportunity. Limited number of walk-in registrations may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
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Micro-Learning Sessions 1:00 - 1:30 PM Learn About SB/DVBE Incentive Programs | Room 151 This panel will provide an overview of the state’s incentive programs: Small Business (SB) Preference, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Incentive, and Target Area Contract Preference Act (TACPA) for businesses located in distressed areas. These programs are designed to give businesses a competitive edge and expand their opportunities in state contracting.
- Tonya Rogers, Support Services Unit Manager - California Department of General Services (DGS)
- Demeshia Swanson, Business Outreach Program Manager - California Department of General Services (DGS)
Unique Strategies to Access Contracting Capital | Room 152 It's broadly understood that working capital for small businesses engaged in public contracting, in particular, is very challenging. The proverbial vicious cycle, and chicken and egg dilemmas are entrenched barriers. Qualifying for working capital loans or lines of credit assess financial worthiness which is negatively impacted when a business suffers from aged receivables due to the long payment cycle in public contracting. Lack of access to adequate working capital is the leading cause of small contractor failures and inability to grow capacity.
There are unique ways such as Contract Based Financing that are designed to disrupt the vicious cycle and bring small firms access to working capital not based on financial strength or credit. Come learn how these programs work and what the real-life impact is when access to contract funding when needed can build business capacity in warp speed.
Our contractor development program service areas include San Francisco, Alameda County and Los Angeles, which is supported by LA Metro, the City of Los Angeles and LA County. We provide insurance and surety bonding services statewide, which are not program-supported and are offered on an independent business basis.
- Ingrid Merriwether, President, Aligned Risk Management - Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services
Closing Remarks 1:45 - 2:00 PM | Auditorium |
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