Rooted In Texas: Purpose, Progress and Partnership Thursday, October 22, 2026
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About
Diversity Team
Agenda
Speakers
Supplier Diversity Awards
Be the Change
Visit Supplier Diversity
Resources
Take our Survey!
About This year, the H-E-B Supplier Diversity Team proudly presents our 15th annual and 6th virtual Opportunity Exchange and Expo (OPEX). The H-E-B Supplier Diversity OPEX provides a platform to educate local, small, and diverse suppliers interested in doing business with H-E-B. From H-E-B’s Quest to Texas Best to Tournament of Champions, H-E-B Supplier Diversity focuses on community and supporting suppliers in a multitude of ways. OPEX provides a space for suppliers to learn about H-E-B and the process and requirements in becoming a vendor; while networking with current H-E-B diverse suppliers and learning from members of the H-E-B procurement and global sourcing teams. Sign up here to join our mailing list to receive updates.
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Meet the H-E-B Diversity Team!
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James Harris Sr. Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity
Alyse Gamble SD/D&I Manager
Crystal Royal Supplier Diversity Manager III
Sonia Quirino Canales Diversity & Inclusion Manager
Andrea De La Cruz Marlith Cantera SD/D&I Manager II
Sr. Coordinator, D&I/SD
Agenda Click here to go back to main menu.
9:00 – 9:10 A.M. Welcome 9:10 – 9:55 A.M.
Why Supplier Diversity Matters & Diversity at H-E-B 9:55 – 10:00 A.M. Supplier Diversity Awards 10:00 – 10:45 A.M. CIC: The Current State and Future of Small Business
Agenda Click here to go back to main menu.
10:45 A.M. – 11:40 A.M. • Beyond the Handshake: Dispelling the Myths after the Acquisition 11:40 A.M. – 12:20 P.M. Angels in the Trenches: Preparing for Venture Capital Funding 12:20 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. A GEM in CPG: From Venture Capital to CPG with Arlan Hamilton & Drew Davis
1:00 – 1:10 P.M. Crystal's Corner: Supplier Opportunities & Survey
Featured Speakers Why Supplier Diversity Matters & Diversity at H-E-B
James Harris Sr. Director of Supplier Diversity and Diversity & Inclusion, H-E-B
Featured Speakers CIC: The Current State and Future of Small Business
Erika Prosper
Senior Director of Customer Insights, H-E-B
Angelica Arriola Qualitative Research Manager, H-E-B
Featured Panelists Beyond the Handshake: Dispelling the Myths after the Acquisition
Purav Patel Artisan Bakery
Renee Morris Uncle Funky’s Daughter
Featured Panelist Angels in the Trenches: Preparing for Venture Capital Funding
Charles Goodin Geekdom
Featured Panelists A GEM in CPG: From Venture Capital to CPG with Arlan Hamilton & Drew Davis, Co-Founders of GEM Blends
Arlan Hamilton
Drew Davis
Supplier Diversity Awards The Supplier of the Year Award is awarded to a supplier who exemplifies strong customer relations and business skills. The business or representative of this supplier possesses a high professional acumen and solid reputation in the industry. They advocate for other small businesses by providing coaching, mentoring and business opportunities. Additionally, they support and endorse H-E-B and the supplier diversity efforts. The Supplier Diversity Champion Award is given to a Supplier Diversity Champion who has effectively supported the H-E-B Supplier Diversity efforts by driving spend with Local, Small and Diverse within H-E-B's Supply Chain. The Tanique Evans Community Partner Award, formerly known as the Supplier Diversity Advocate Award, is given to Individuals who have clearly demonstrated passion, leadership, and innovation in working with diverse suppliers.
Be the Change H-E-B was founded on the unwavering belief that Each and Every Person Counts. Through our Be the Change initiative, H-E-B pledges to do our part to advance equity and inclusion across our great state. Be the Change builds upon our established Diversity and Inclusion framework driving us to be a better employer, retailer and community partner. To amplify diverse voices, we’re proudly sharing their stories and highlighting their products and services Click here to learn more about Be the Change
Check Out Our Quest for Texas Best Suppliers! A logo for a restaurant Description automatically generated
Click me for all Quest Winners!
Click here to view 2026 winners.
Helpful Resources & Links Thank you so much for attending! Please see the following resources for more information on the content discussed throughout the Expo. A qr code with a few black squares H-E-B Resources: Description automatically generated •H-E-B Be the Change •H-E-B Supplier Diversity •H-E-B Quest for Texas Best •H-E-B Tournament of Champions
•Business Incubators: ••Launch SA (Funded by Geekdom) ••SKU ••Chobani Incubator ••PepsiCo Nutrition Greenhouse Collaborative Accelerator ••Stacy’s Rise Project ••Naturally Austin Co-Packers: •The Specialty Foods Association •Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Resource •The Association for Contract Packagers and Manufacturers •Amigos Foods •San Antonio Farms (Bay Valley) •Humble House •Simply Fresco •Creative Food Works •Consolidate Mills •Griffin Laboratories •Pick Your Co-Packer •Uniquely Gourmet
Small Business Saturday Resources: Scan or Click Me!
Kr is tine@G etNuf s.com
Questions? Email supplierdiversity@heb.com Commercial Kitchens: •Renting a Commercial Kitchen •Link to the Kitchen Door •Link to Culinary Incubator •Link to Cooks Nook in Austin •Link to Wingman Kitchens in Austin •Link to PREP Kitchens in Austin •Link to Capital Kitchens in Austin •Link to Alamo Kitchens in San Antonio •Link to The Green Cart in Austin •Link to Ghostline Kitchens in Austin
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Insurance: •BDI Insurance •Contact insurance and liability expert Melissa Elizondo melizondo@bdi-insurance.com for more information on general commercial insurance services. Construction & Logistics: •SPAWGlass •Robinson General Contractors •PermitUS Now •Joeris •Noble •Parkway Systems Additional Resources: •PeopleFund •LiftFund •Apply for Certifications: South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA) •Innovation and Entrepreneurship Catalogue •Governor’s Small Business Handbook •Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide •Governors Small Business Resource Portal •Portal
Kr is tine@G etNuf s.com
Accredited Laboratories & QA Resources: •Food Safety Net Services •Merieux NutriSciences •H-E-B Manufacturing Academy of Excellence (MAE) •The Global Markets Program •FDA Requirements for Food Business •99 Designs (Package Design) Business Development Organizations (BDOs) •Maestro Entrepreneur Center •Go Texan •Geekdom •Dallas Fort Worth MBDA Business Center •Dallas Fort Worth Business Council •SBDC Gulf Coast •HMSDC •Small Business Administration (SBA) •Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC) •Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce •Greater Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce •WBC Southwest •U.S. Small Business Administration •McLane Global Logistics •Dallas Fort Worth MBDA Business Center •Texas State University Small Business Development Center •Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) •City of Austin Economic Development Department •Dallas / Fort Worth District Office •El Paso District Office •Harlingen District Office •Houston District Office •Lubbock District Office •San Antonio District Office