the future is now schedule of events

Monica Davy, SVP Chief Culture, Diversity, and Impact Officer

Lorenzol Ellis, DEI Implementation Director, ArchKey

3:45 pm

Federal & Corporate Connection Zone – Exhibit Hall Behind Center Stage | Exhibit Hall Behind Center Stage

The Corporate Connect gives Minority and Womenowned businesses the opportunity to meet with corporate discussion makers in a speed-dating format. Companies will have the opportunity to introduce their products and services and learn how to access future contract opportunities.

Prizes and Awards Announced – Best Corporate and M/WBE Booth Exhibit Hall - Center Stage

DAY 3 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023

7:00 am – 4:00 pm

7:30 – 8:30 am

8:45 am – 10:00 am

Registration | Renasant Convention Center –Exhibit Hall

Continental Breakfast | Ballroom Level Lobby

Plenary Session | Ballroom B

Facilitator:

Travis M. Spencer, Ford Motor Company

Panelists:

Kel Kearns, Ford BlueOval City

Ermal Faulkner, Ford Motor Company

Tracy Church, Ford Motor Company

Chris Morgan, Walbridge

10:30 – 11:30 am

(Concurrent)

SEMINARS

Dismantling Inequities: A Deep Dive into Corporate DEI | Ballroom C

During the seminar, panelists will provide insight on enterprise-wide DEI strategies created in a corporate culture that fosters respect and shared values among the employees, stakeholders, and customers. Our hope is that attendees will learn how the implementation of enterprise-wide DEI strategies changes the culture within organizations and increases societal impact in the communities they work and serve.

Facilitator:

Travis Spencer, Head of Supplier Diversity and Warranty Recovery, Ford Motor Company

Panelists:

Amy Shelton Little, HR Director, Talent Management & Chief Diversity Officer, International Paper

Natasha Berry, Smith & Nephew

Transportation and Infrastructure: By Air, By Road, By Rail, or By River | Ballroom D

The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) signed into law in 2021 authorized $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending. The funding, expansive in its reach, is an opportunity to rebuild America’s ports, airports, rail and roads; expand access to clean drinking water; ensure that every American has access to high-speed internet; and to tackle the climate crisis and advance environmental justice. For decades Memphis, has been marketed as and has created a strong economy due its geographic location and specifically the intersection of major highways, the river, rail, and its international airport. During the seminar, panelists will discuss airport, river, roads, and rail projects underway and the opportunities these projects will provide to businesses, communities, and individuals.

Facilitator:

Joe Jackson, USDOT Mid-South Atlantic Small Business Transportation Resource Center

Michael Fulton, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

Priscilla G. Sweeney, Army Corps of Engineers

Bacarra Sanderson Mauldin, Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA)

Victor C. Tyler, P.E., Tyler Construction Engineers, P.C.

11:45 am – 1:00 pm

LUNCHEON | Ballroom A

Keynote Speaker

Bryan Wood, Data Science Executive, Bank of America

1:15 – 2:30 pm

An Opportunity of a Lifetime: Is it Unethical or Illegal? | Ballroom C

The recently announced near $25 billion of unprecedented capital investment in West Tennessee includes a substantial amount of public investment. Federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and policies may include combinations of minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprise (M/WBE/DBE) spend goals. To secure contract awards, general contractors and M/WBE/DBEs may be tempted to participate in certain contracting practices they should avoid. During the fireside chat, panelists