AGENDA
APRIL 9, 2025
02:00 PM - 05:00 PM
1:15 PM 2:00 PM 2:10 PM 3:05 PM 4:10 PM 4:45 PM 5:00 PM
4:00 PM
KIMPTON SAWYER
500 J St Sacramento, CA 95814
Registration & Check In
Welcome Remarks
Fireside Chat: Navigating AB 1392, Its implementation and long-term impact for Hospitals Supplier Diversification
Panel 1: Hospitals’ Current Landscape and Future Strategies to Meet Stakeholders’ Needs
Panel 2: Preparing Chamber Members for Hospital Contracting Opportunities and Collaborating to Meet AB 1392 Plans
Closing Remarks
Reception
About AB 1392
This legislation strengthens California’s commitment to supplier diversity by requiring large hospitals to go beyond reporting and develop annual action plans detailing their efforts to increase procurement from minority, women, LGBT, and disabled veteranowned businesses. Introduced on February 17, 2023, and signed into law on October 13, 2023, the bill takes effect on July 1, 2025. At that time, hospitals with operating expenses exceeding $50 million—or $25 million if part of a hospital system—must take tangible steps to expand opportunities for diverse suppliers at both the tier 1 (direct supplier) and tier 2 (subcontractor) levels. This shift ensures greater accountability and fosters meaningful inclusion within California’s healthcare industry.
11:45 AM
SPEAKER BIOS
Julian Cañete President & CEO
California
Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Julian Cañete serves as the President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Through its network of over 120 Hispanic chambers and business associations, the CHCC is a leading voice on issues impacting business in California. The mission of the CHCC is to foster economic growth, creating and sustaining prosperity benefiting California’s economy and communities.
Julian previously served as the Director of Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and as President and CEO of CHCC from 1999 – 2006 and again from 2009-2012.
He is currently a member of the California Department of General Services Small Business Advisory Board, Californians for Affordable & Reliable Energy (CARE), CalTrans Small Business Council, CA Secretary of State Voters’ Choice Act Task Force, the SBDC Northern CA Network Advisory Board, T-Mobile California External Diversity Sub-Council, and the CalVet Foundation.
Michael D. Valle Chief Information Officer/Deputy Director
California Department of Health Care Access and Information
Michael D. Valle was appointed Chief Information Officer and Deputy Director at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information in 2020, where he directs data analytics and technology.
The department’s mission is to expand equitable access to health care for all Californians and is a leader in health data, transparency, and evidence-based analysis. Since 2009 he has worked in various health data and technology policy and management roles, both with the department and the California Health and Human Services Agency.
He has overseen the implementation of numerous data transparency programs, including hospital supplier diversity, prescription drug cost reporting, and the first statewide health open data portal in California.Mr. Valle holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy.
Baljeet Sangha
Commission Chair
HCAI Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission
Baljeet is a nationally recognized leader with a proven track record in leadership, governance, change management, crisis management and operational turn-arounds, strategy, finance, and operations. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Pain and Rehabilitative Consultants Medical Group, a leading provider in California of comprehensive pain management and rehabilitation services, specializing in delivering high-quality care to patients suffering from chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions as a result of workplace injuries, and improving patient outcomes through personalized care plans and a multidisciplinary approach.
Prior to this, Baljeet was the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and Deputy Director of the San Francisco Health Network, the City and County of San Francisco’s only fully integrated health care delivery system, which includes San Francisco’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and the Country’s Largest publicly funded Skilled Nursing Facility. In this regard, he also simultaneously served as an Incident Commander guiding the organization towards a nationally tracked Recertification effort with CMS. Prior to this, he also led the City and County of San Francisco’s Pandemic Vaccination roll out, championing health equity in COVID-19 vaccination operations targeting vulnerable populations, and by Fall 2021 provided one vaccine dose to at least 70% of all race and ethnicities, well above state (57%) and national (37%) averages.
He received his bachelor’s degree in History from UC Berkeley, a master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Health Policy & Management and a Specialty in Multicultural Health from UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and a Fellow of America’s Essential Hospitals (AEH). Baljeet is a Lecturer at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health, the Chair of the State of California’s Hospital Diversity Commission (created by California Assembly Bill 962), Immediate Past-Chair for the City of Dublin’s Human Services Commission, and an Executive Board Member with Donor Network West. He is also a past president of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health Alumni Association and the California Association of Healthcare Leaders.
Darrel Sauceda Chairman
LA Latino Chamber of Commerce
Darrel Sauceda is founder, owner and chief operating officer of Associated Construction Services Group (ACS) a Los Angeles based, Latino, minority-owned, Tier 1 business established in 2005, where Sauceda has been the driving force behind the unprecedented growth of the company into multiple verticals.
For three consecutive years, ACS Group has been listed in Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the top 500 fastest growing Hispanic businesses nationwide. ACS holds certifications including SBA 8(a), CPUC, Metro SBE, Cal Trans DBE, including Wal-Mart corporation and Bovis-land lease preferred vendor status. Sauceda credits ACS Group’s consistent growth, despite economic downturns, to a company and business philosophy steeped in excellence, quality, value and trust.
Widely recognized as a trusted industry leader, Sauceda’s areas of expertise encompass ground up, design-build, tenant improvement, and turnkey construction including: value engineering, construction management, contract negotiations, purchasing, reduction of project costs and business development for municipalities and local markets. Under his leadership, ACS Group has been propelled from a small, residential interior remodeling company, into a thriving, commercial construction firm with government, utilities, and private sector clients. When asked about the company’s success, Sauceda explains, “…as a business owner, you must embody an unrelenting work ethic, sheer determination, commitment to a never-stop attitude, passion and constant relationship-building as drivers for success. There are no shortcuts. Our attitude and company culture are the reasons why ACS Group has grown, prospered and continues to thrive” he concluded.
Earlier in his career, Sauceda served as president of Casa Blanca Construction, a family owned firm recognized as the 2nd largest home improvement company in Southern California at the time, and setting the pace for Sauceda’s establishment into the construction business where the firm subbed for Alcoa for their manufactured prototypes business of high end glass enclosures, taking Sauceda from Texas, to Kentucky, to Ohio, to Hawaii and as far as New Zealand where he led trainings and installation processes for Alcoa as a subcontractor entity.
Before establishing ACS Group, Sauceda served in a senior capacity as General Manager of Construction and special projects for The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU), a $100million dollar non-profit housing corporation, where he led a variety of affordable housing projects from concept to build out leveraging funding and relationships to execute a long term vision of increasing affordable housing assets including school construction projects throughout the state of California.
Under Sauceda, ACS continues to focus its business development efforts in the government c o n t r a c t i n g sector where they work closely with Federal, State and local municipalities to foster business growth and small minority owned business opportunities. ACS continues to work on various fede rally and state funded projects including completing the construction of the 5- mile Greenway Pedestrian & Bike Trail, Parnell Community Zoo, and the Parnell Senior Center in the City of Whittier, California, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Dept. of Defense, VA Hospitals, National Parks Services, National Guard, and various surrounding city governments in the Southern California area. As part of their commitment to education and conservation, ACS Group continues to serve surrounding communities by teaching energy conservation and under a contract with Southern California Gas Company in 2010, provided weatherization services to over five thousand families living below the national minimum income level per year.
As an established business leader and respected voice in industry circles, Sauceda’s no nonsense advocacy on behalf of small business contracting opportunities is legendary. Currently serving on the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (WIOA) as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and the Montebello - Whittier Masonic Lodge 323, as President, Temple Board of Directors; and most recently elected as Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles County Latino Chamber of Commerce (2020). Over the year’s Sauceda has served on local chambers of commerce including chairing contracting committees on the California Hispanic Chamber, and in the 1990’s he was instrumental at the LA Latin Business Association (LBA) under the direction of former SBA Administrator, Hector Barreto, then Chairman of the LBA, where Sauceda traveled the country as a volunteer membership and procurement advocate securing millions of corporate dollars to critical chamber small business programs.
Darrel Sauceda continues to be recognized as a generous community and business leader and has been presented with various accolades including the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce 2014 statewide award, the John Aguilar “Procurement Advocate of the Year” in 2014. A devoted husband to Anna, a family man, volunteer and business icon, Darrel Sauceda describes himself as a ‘simple guy’ born and raised in a small farming community in Holtville, California in the Imperial Valley, the eldest of 8 children, who grew up knowing first-hand what long hours and hard work meant to achieve our dreams. This work ethic has carried Darrel Sauceda throughout his entire professional and entrepreneurial journey and as he is apt to say: “I believe that anything is possible with hard work, determination, opportunity, some luck and unwavering faith.” His success and continued impact are testaments to these beliefs.
Carlette Lewis Vice President of Business Relations
d2 Distributors LLC
Carlette Lewis is the Vice President of Business Relations with d2 Distributors, LLC. (D2) is a well-established wholesale distribution firm specializing in sustainable goods. Founded in 2008, D2 is a Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) committed to providing environmentally friendly cleaning products, personalized services, advanced safety solutions, and comprehensive training programs
D2 has offices in Las Vegas, Nevada, and San Diego, California, with gross sales exceeding $15 million year-to-date.
Alex McCracken
Director of Supplier Diversity
Sutter Health
Alex McCracken is an industry professional with a 25-year history in contract procurement for small businesses, including understanding legislative bills and the impact on small and diverse businesses, providing the bridge of communication between primes and subcontractors, and guiding those businesses through the prime contracting process. My career spans various industries such as Healthcare, IT, and Construction consulting. Specifically, I was the Local Government Contracts Officer for UDOT, the Small and Disadvantaged Businesses Sr. Program Manager for the $100 B High-Speed Rail Project, and also a diversity supplier procurement counselor and advisor for a subcontractor for the DoD.
Nancy Maldonado
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Rady’s Children Hospital
Nancy Maldonado is a visionary executive leader with extensive experience in nonprofit and for-profit sectors, specializing in strategic planning, organizational development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Rady Children's Hospital, she spearheads initiatives to advance health equity and cultural humility. Previously, she served as President & CEO of the Chicano Federation, where she expanded programs, increased funding, and led the organization to statewide recognition.
Nancy is also an educator, currently teaching leadership courses at the University of San Diego and facilitating professional development programs. While earning her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, she continues to drive impactful change through consulting, coaching, and community engagement. Her contributions have been widely recognized, earning accolades such as the San Diego Business Journal’s Businesswomen of the Year Award, the Nonprofit Institute’s Libby Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership, and the prestigious Becker’s Healthcare Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer to Know recognition.
Juan De La Cruz
President, Charitable Foundation | Government Relations Executive Adventist Health White Memorial
Juan has a wealth of experience in strategic partnerships, public policy, education, government relations, fund development, board development and community development. Juan has held key positions within government and non-profits. As Chief of Staff to an LAUSD School Board Member, he managed and directed all board staff to support the goals of the board member and worked alongside LAUSD Superintendent and senior leadership in developing policies that supported student growth and high school graduation. As Government Relations and Development Manager for LAUSD’s $20 billion school construction program, Juan led efforts with federal, state and local officials to build more than 130 new schools in Los Angeles: particular emphasis in high-need areas. As LAUSD’s Joint Use and Innovation Program Manger he led efforts and created a Health Care Master plan with LA County and LAUSD officials to build and program the largest School based Wellness Center project in the country. At the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Juan was Senior Vice President of Community Development. Juan’s responsibilities included leadership for the Y’s association $3.5M Annual Campaign, Urban Initiative: Cradle to Career Success, Urban Council, Association Strategic Partnership and Initiatives, Association Corporate and Foundation support, Lead the Advocacy and External Affairs. During the pandemic Juan directed all social service support to all 26 Y’s in the association that led to $33 million in fundraising in 2020, the largest fundraising efforts in the history of the LA Y. Juan currently serves as the President of Adventist Health White Memorial Charitable Foundation and Government Relations Executive for both LA and Montebello sites. In his current role he manages the foundation fundraising and giving of $11,000,000 to support capital projects, community projects and community programs. In addition, he leads all efforts with local, state and federal elected officials to support the hospitals goals.
Juan is a son of an immigrant father from Guatemala and an immigrant mother from Mexico. Juan was raised in Los Angeles County and continues to live there. Juan is the first person in his immediate and extended family to graduate from a university. Juan holds a BS from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in Sociology and Chicano Studies and a Masters in Education from Whittier College. Juan also serves on the A Community of Friends (ACOF) board, Alliance for Better Community (ABC) Board, The Pat Brown Institute Board at Cal State LA and formerly served as Trustee at the State Bar Board of California appointed by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Juan currently resides in Glendale CA with his wife Iris, his children Juan Jr., Aura and Luis.
Linda Sotelo
President/CEO of LCS Enterprises & former Trustee of Sharp Metropolitan Healthcare Board of Directors
Linda Caballero Sotelo has over 25 years of professional experience as a senior level executive, advocate and activist for high profile national and international projects and organizations. She is fluent in Spanish, conversant in French and has led initiatives and high performing teams in a variety of corporate, public and non-profit settings in both the U.S. and abroad. She has led a successful strategic marketing consulting business with local and national clients, and previously served in the following roles: president & chief executive officer for the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; director of marketing & corporate communications for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, former ‘consejera of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, president emeritus of the National Latina Business Women Association-SD, and founder & chair of Latinas Foundation, a 501c3 women’s leadership, advocacy and education Forum. She has been honored with various recognitions throughout her career including NAWBO’s Advocate of the Year, KPBS’ Hispanic Heroes award, Women Who Move the City, 40 Under 40, San Diego Magazine’s 50 People to Watch, and is featured in the City of Tijuana’s Paseo de la Fama [Walk of Fame] corridor for her contributions to bi national understanding, advocacy and cooperation.
Caballero Sotelo received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations & History [USIU/US International University] and Master of Arts degree in International Business & Economics, Marketing concentration [Webster-Regents College, UK], Masters of Public Administration degree, [Harvard Kennedy School].
Fred Sotelo President/CEO Tolteca Corp
Fred Sotelo is the President and CEO of Tolteca Corp, an omni-channel marketing, distribution, and technology company. Tolteca's distribution division holds vendor IDs with major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Sprouts, local convention and event centers, as well as mom-and-pop retail outlets. The marketing division has successfully executed campaigns in various sectors including utility, banking, food and beverage, arts, and large non-profits. Notable clients include SDG&E, Unidos US, and Ceveza XTECA. Tolteca Corp is certified by CPUC as DVBE.
As an advocate, Fred Sotelo has been a local chamber leader and advocate for small businesses for over 20 years. He believes that the most important thing we can do for small businesses is to advocate for procurement vehicles and contracts with government and corporate companies.
