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Connecting Government & Pennsylvania’s Small Diverse Businesses

City & State PA’s 2nd Annual Diversity Summit will offer industry executives, public sector leaders, and academics a half day conference dedicated to fostering business partnerships between the state and local government, prime contractors, and MWBEs. Find out what it takes to thrive in Pennsylvania’s competitive procurement arena by connecting with key government agencies, prime contractors and state & local representatives at the City & State PA Diversity Summit.

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Details

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST

July 14, 2022 at Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, Columbus Ballroom

VIEW EVENT PHOTOS

 

Keynote Speaker

 

Yassmin Gramian, P.E.

Secretary; Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

 

Speakers & Panelists

 

Kerry L. Kirkland

Deputy Secretary; Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities; Pennsylvania Department of General Services

 

Jennifer    Olzinger, NIGP-CPP, CPPB

Chief Procurement Officer; Office of Management & Budget, City of Pittsburgh

 

Lynn T. Newsome

Deputy Commerce Director; Office of Economic Opportunity; City of Philadelphia

 

Ron Drozd

Director, Export Programs and Services; World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia

 

Denise Clay-Murray

Reporter/Editor; Write Me, Inc.

Moderator

 

Lisa Sanford

Director; Diversity, Inclusion & Small Business Opportunities; Pennsylvania Department of General Services

 

Karl Singleton

Chief Equity and Compliance Officer; City of Harrisburg; MLK Jr. City Government Center

 

Kenneth Anderson

Vice President, Civic Affairs; The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

 

Jennifer Rodriguez, MCP

President & CEO; Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

 

Jonathan D. Lovitz

Public Policy & DEI Advocacy Advisor; Special Advisor to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

 

Lauren Vidas

Founder & Principal; Enact Strategies

Moderator

 

Denise Pearson

Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer; Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education

 

Gary N. Lee

Chief Administrative Officer; Erie County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission

 

Chad Dion Lassiter

Executive Director; Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission 

 

Kristen Davis

Senior Business Partnership Specialist; Philadelphia Youth Network

 

Marlo Edwards

Outreach Coordinator; Moravia Health

 

Nefertiri Sickout

Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer; Office of the Mayor, City of Philadelphia

Moderator

 

Michael Days

Board Chair; City & State PA Advisory Board

Emcee

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Agenda

10:00 AM

Doors Open + Check-in + Networking

10:40 AM

Welcome Remarks By Emcee Michael Days, Board Chair; City & State PA Advisory Board

10:45 AM

Keynote Remarks By Yassmin Gramian, P.E., Secretary; Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

11:00 AM

The Future of MWBEs in Pennsylvania

  • Since 1987, Pennsylvania has focused on breaking barriers by implementing one of the most robust Small Diverse Business (SDB) programs in the nation. Nevertheless, the economic impact of COVID-19 is more acutely and disproportionately felt by communities of color and small businesses. What has changed with Pennsylvania’s procurement guidelines for Small Diverse Businesses (SDBs) and the eight classifications that fall under this category (MBE, WBE, MWBE, DOBE, LGBTBE, BE, SDVBE and DVBE)? How can PA further level the playing field and provide these diverse small businesses with the tools they need to succeed?
  • Moderated By Denise Clay-Murray, Reporter/Editor; Write Me, Inc.
  • Panelists: 
    • Kerry L. Kirkland, Deputy Secretary; Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities; Pennsylvania Department of General Services
    • Jennifer Olzinger, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Chief Procurement Officer; Office of Management & Budget, City of Pittsburgh  
    • Lynn T. Newsome, Deputy Commerce Director; Office of Economic Opportunity; City of Philadelphia
    • Ron Drozd, Director, Export Programs & Services; World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia

12:00 PM

Lunch + Networking

12:45 PM

Current State of Pennsylvania’s Projects and Procurement

  • In February 2022 Pennsylvania leaders announced a jointly funded, partnership to open paths for more minority-owned and other disadvantaged business to get a greater share of the lucrative government contract pie in the Mid-Atlantic region.  One of the goals is to inform businesses out there that have been disconnected in some way from both city and county government in terms of doing real partnerships, that Pennsylvania is open for business.  This panel will break down new programs, projects, and market-specific opportunities in Pennsylvania, including transportation, construction, technology, hotels, and more. Our panelists will also dive into the ever-expanding project delivery methods like design build and public private partnerships.
  • Moderated By Lauren Vidas, Founder & Principal; Enact Strategies
  • Panelists:
    • Lisa Sanford, Director; Diversity, Inclusion & Small Business Opportunities; Pennsylvania Department of General Services 
    • Karl Singleton, Chief Equity and Compliance Officer; City of Harrisburg; MLK Jr. City Government Center 
    • Kenneth Anderson, Vice President, Civic Affairs; The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
    • Jennifer Rodriguez, MCP, President & CEO; Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
    • Jonathan D. Lovitz, Public Policy & DEI Advocacy Advisor; Special Advisor to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

1:45 PM

Break + Networking

2:00 PM

Diversity in Pennsylvania Panel

  • Pennsylvania is working harder than ever to implement inclusive hiring practices and foster a diverse workforce across the Commonwealth. These strategies are a win-win: they promote good quality outcomes and help organizations remain competitive. What else can the government and sectors like tech, education and health care do to foster diversity and inclusion? How can Pennsylvania’s government ensure that the diversity in our state and major cities is further embraced?
  • Moderated By Nefertiri Sickout, Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer; Office of the Mayor, City of Philadelphia 
  • Panelists: 
    • Denise Pearson, Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer; Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education
    • Gary N. Lee, Chief Administrative Officer; Erie County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission
    • Chad Dion Lassiter, Executive Director; Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission 
    • Kristen Davis, Senior Business Partnership Specialist; Philadelphia Youth Network

3:00 PM

Summit Concludes

 

Sponsors

 

Gold


 

Silver


 

Bronze


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