OPEX Digital Program 2025

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally, Driving Economic Impact Thursday, October 23, 2025

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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.

As we celebrate 25 years of our department, the H-E-B Supplier Diversity Opportunity Exchange 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.

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Winell Herron Sr. Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity & Environmental Affairs

Winell Herron serves as the Sr. Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental affairs for H-E-B, leading strategy and initiatives across Texas. A native of Austin, Winell has made Houston her home for more than a decade. She began her H-E-B career in store operations and has held many positions including unit director, service team leader, director of workforce diversity, vice president of customer service, and group vice president of diversity and people development before her current position. Winell actively serves the community through her roles on numerous boards and is a strong advocate of organizations that support diversity and inclusion – especially in the areas of education, equity and empowerment.

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 – 9:25 A.M. Supplier Development & Supply Chain Sustainability 9:25 – 9:55 A.M. 25 Years of Supplier Diversity at H-E-B 9:55 – 10:00 A.M. Supplier Diversity Awards 10:00 – 10:45 A.M. Tariffs Reshaping Consumer Loyalty 10:45 A.M. – 11:40 A.M. The Family Table: Weaving Generations of Partnership with H-E-B

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11:40 A.M. – 12:20 P.M. Partner Panel: Change Makers 12:20 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. BDO: Funding the Future: Navigating Economic Impact 1:00 – 1:10 P.M. Crystal's Corner: Supplier Opportunities & Survey

Supplier Development, Supply Chain Sustainability & 25 Years of Diversity in 2025

James Harris Sr. Director of Supplier Diversity and Diversity & Inclusion, H-E-B

Winell Herron Sr. President of Public Affairs, Diversity & Environmental Affairs, H-E-B

Tariffs Reshaping Consumer Loyalty

Angelica Arriola Customer Insights Qualitative Research Manager, H-E-B

Featured Panelists The Family Table: Weaving Generations Legacy in Business

Chad Wilson Slaton Bakery

Brent & Juan Reaves Smokey Johns BBQ

Miguel Garcia Julio's Corn Chips

Lakisha Jackson Growth & Partnerships Director, Firstline Brands

• To learn more about Firstline Brands, visit us at www.firstlinebrands.com [firstlinebrands.com] and Follow @firstlinebrands on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.

• FIRSTLINE BRANDS ON FACEBOOK [facebook.com] • FIRSTLINE BRANDS ON TIKTOK [tiktok.com] • FIRSTLINE BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM [instagram.com]

Featured Panelists Supplier Diversity Changemakers: Champions for Small Business

Sylvia Everitt H-E-B Drugstore Procurement

Benjamin Covarrubia H-E-B Senior Business Development Manager: Total Beauty Hair Care

Billy Gabriel H-E-B Construction Project Leader & Supplier Diversity Champion

Featured Panelists Funding For the Future: Navigating a New Economy

Charles Woodin CEO, Geekdom

Kristie Narvaez CDFI Ambassador & Vice President of Business Banking Relationship Manager, Bank of America

Andrew Nash Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dallas Fort Worth Business Council

About 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!

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Click me for all Quest Winners!

Click here to view 2025 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.

H-E-B Resources: •H-E-B Be the Change •H-E-B Supplier Diversity A qr code with a few black squares •H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Description automatically generated •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!

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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

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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