Board of Directors
An award-winning advocate for diverse suppliers and civil rights, Crystal Anderson King has been responsible for driving growth and providing economic impact in the communities she serves. She is a leader who takes pride in cultivating fair and favorable opportunities for small businesses. As Director of Supplier Diversity for Grady Health System, Crystal works to identify, mentor, and engage diverse suppliers in Grady’s supply chain process. She has worked diligently to develop strategies that ensure an environment of inclusiveness for all suppliers and participants.
DeShawn Bullard ( Licensed Cosmetologist/Certified Trichologist /Hair Loss Specialist) provides healthy and thinning hair restoration products and services nationally & internationally. Her retail brand, NouriTress Perfect Hair Products has graced the shelves of major retail stores such as Walmart, Walgreens, Sally Beauty Supply, J.C.Penney, Target, and in select grocery store chains and beauty supply stores. Her NouriTress Professional Salon division products are distributed to professional hair salons and Beauty Schools across the USA. NouriTress also has international distribution in countries such as Canada, UK & Africa.
Dr. Georgette Fraser-Moore also known as “Dr. Gee” is a passionate, motivational and thought-provoking leader in Business, Technology, Transformation and Solution Implementations. She the President and CEO of Transformation Lead LLC, a global technology and business consulting firm focused in driving and implementing innovative technology and organizational change business solutions for enterprise corporations and government agencies. In addition to running a growing consulting business, Dr. Georgette is a published author, researcher, educator, philanthropist, missionary, and active member of the global community. She was been featured in several publications such as USA Today, New York Newsday and Black Enterprise Magazine. She was awarded the Presidential Service Award from President Barack Obama in 2016 for her volunteer and philanthropic work and was recently awarded the International Woman of Excellence Award in India at the Women’s Economic Forum 2019.
Natonya Harbison is the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager at MetaBank located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She is responsible for the rollout of a comprehensive organization-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program, including the design of a multi-phase training plan, and execute on department strategy.
In her previous role at Papa John’s International, Natanya led the strategy, mission, and vision to ensure that Papa John’s Supplier Diversity program increased awareness, developed, and leveraged diverse suppliers; while sustaining an organizational environment that is inclusive of all suppliers to participate in supplying products and services.
Stephanie Lee is Supplier Diversity & Community Outreach Manager at McCarthy Building Companies in Atlanta. She brings 18 years of extensive supplier diversity experience from across multiple industries in the Atlanta area. In her new position, Stephanie will support McCarthy’s Atlanta project teams through innovative solutions in the supplier diversity space as well as engage in regional and national efforts for the company.
Advisory Board
Telisha Farrow Jackson joined Live Oak Bank as VP – Inclusive Banking Program Director, to design strategy and oversee execution of an innovative ecosystem to bridge capital, capacity, and education for minority, women, and veteran entrepreneurs. Creating a sustainable and efficient infrastructure necessary to support, scale, and amplify available resources for businesses is a key component of the ecosystems she helps to build. Engaging business partners and empowering diverse small business owners and under-served entrepreneurs throughout the country has been essential to her programming success.
Jackson has more than 15 years of programmatic experience. In her most recent role with Greater Women’s Business Council, she oversaw the development and execution of all programs, operations, events, monthly networking and training events, as well as large-scale annual programs. Jackson ensured that GWBC provided continuous value to its 1,100+ certified members, sustaining corporate members and sponsors through relevant educational, networking and procurement opportunities. Jackson also supported GWBC’s committees, including Engagement, Advocacy and Sustainability, and supervised GWBC’s certification managers, programs and events coordinators.
Prior to joining the GWBC, Jackson was with the Department of Administrative Services – State Purchasing Division (DOAS SPD) as a Small Business Outreach Specialist and Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate (GCPA). There, she used her budgeting, underwriting and marketing skills to build civic relationships and awareness for small businesses, and establish and implement programs that increased small businesses’ core capabilities and their chances of procuring government contracts. Of the programs Jackson created, the most notable one was named a finalist for the National Association of Procurement Officers’ (NASPO) 2021 A. George Cronin Excellence in Procurement Award. She was later invited to participate on a NASPO Webinar: Engaging Small Businesses in Procurement, and the 2021 DOAS Leadership Academy Program.
Before her time with the DOAS, Jackson worked for UGA Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC at GSU) as Program Coordinator where she evaluated, designed and executed up-to-date program strategies and curriculum that enhanced processes and increased effectiveness by identifying client needs and the client experience through brand management. Additionally, she used her people skills to build relationships with corporations such as The Coca-Cola Company, the National Cyber Security Alliance, and Porsche when she conceptualized, developed and managed the center’s program outreach initiatives.
Jackson has worked in a variety of industries, including construction, where she managed a multi-million dollar development project; in banking as a branch manager and lending specialist; and as an educator for an inner-city elementary school. She has participated in various outreach events and professionally moderated conferences. Her combination of expertise and experience makes her the best choice for working with small and enterprise-level businesses looking to leverage resources for capital and growth.
Jackson resides in Atlanta with her family and enjoys community engagement, outdoor activities, and cultural events.
Slade is founder and president of IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC. an independent financial services firm. She lends her 28 years of banking and finance experience to provide personalized comprehensive financial planning and advisory services to small business owners and professionals. In 2022, she was recognized as a Visionary for Advisor Group’s Women Forum. In 2019, she was a nominee for the Ladenburg Institute of Women & Finance. Prior to founding IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC, Slade began her financial services career as a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed, where she was recognized as a recipient of Waddell & Reed’s 2015 Pacesetter as well as received her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Designation. In 2017, Slade became an independent financial advisor and emerged as an industry thought leader. A 21-year veteran of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, in this capacity, Slade served as a senior regional community development manager for the Atlanta Fed’s community and economic development (CED) team whereby she provided regional and national input around these areas. Slade has been featured in several media outlets and publications providing industry insights and expert knowledge to include but are not limited to CNBC, U.S. News Report & World Report, RollingOut, Thrive Global, and Insurance Net. Likewise, she has been recognized by Congressman John Lewis, David Scott, and Hank Johnson for her work addressing unnecessary foreclosures in Georgia. In 2020, she was named one of Atlanta Business League’s 100 Black Women of Influence for her leadership in assisting small businesses impacted by the COVID Pandemic. She was also a 2020 and 2021 Unilever United for America Luminary Fellows. In addition to her role with IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, Sibyl serves as the secretary of the board of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE); as an advisory board member for ACE’s Women’s Business Center; a member of ACE’s loan committee; and an advisory board member of the One Million Dreams Foundation. She was also the founder of 1st Gen Femmes Mentoring Program, a mentor for the Mack Robinson Business College of Georgia State University, and 2021 advisory board member of Females & Finance. She received a BS in planning and economic development from Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. She is also a graduate of Kennesaw State University’s certification for financial planning program. When she is not working, you can find her riding her Harley or camping. A native of Atlanta, Slade resides in Powder Springs, Georgia, with her husband. She is the proud mom of three sons and grandmother of two grandsons and one granddaughter.
Subject Matter Experts
Darlene Williams-Roberts is committed to fitness, beauty, health, and wellness. A Homestead, Fla., native, she has run several successful businesses, including a gym and multiple spas.
Darlene recently opened SpaTique, a day spa focusing on health and wellness in Macon, Ga. A member of the National Academy of Sports and Medicine, and a certified personal fitness coach. She is a true entrepreneur and has ventured into the world of wine as she maintains a vineyard.
Jacqueline is a technologist, author, speaker, educator, advocate, and activist for STE(A)M for women, youth, people of color, and overall anyone that is underserved by mainstream venues. She’s had 20+ successful years in corporate America rising to the status of Vice President for a major organization before turning 30. She then transitioned into starting her own IT consulting firm and has been successful for 10+ years since leaving corporate America. The one common thread over the last 30 years has not been creating software but helping inspire, motivate and mentor women along her journey.
Technology Expresso is a platform, an incubator, and a springboard for those intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs who just need exposure, access and the tools to fulfill their aspirations.
Jameka Reese Character has over 20 years of expertise in helping professionals and people present their brand and culture well. She is the Senior Executive of Character Consulting, a two-tiered organization focusing on decorum and décor, #act_right_look_tight
Character Consulting has provided etiquette training for numerous civic organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alumnae Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Alumnae Chapter, Sigma Ghama Rho Sorority, Inc. Rosebud Club, Cascade United Methodist Church, and Antioch AME Church Business clients have included Kids R Kids Grayson, Summit Chase Country Club, Paschal’s Restaurant Management Team, and the Simon Scholars Family Foundation.
Founder and Executive Director of non-profit Excel Youth Academy, Rachelle Houston, has created tremendous opportunities for underserved youth. Noticing a wealth gap in the name of golf, Houston has made it her mission to not only get our youth on the golf course but to also provide S.T.E.A.M activities, garden clubs, and mentorship. Centered around the “FORE CORE” Values, Excel Youth Academy aims to instill etiquette, confidence, perseverance, and integrity within participants, building better outcomes for their future, as it was once done for her.
Rico Peña helps businesses build the right processes to attract and keep the right people and increase team performance. Rico is an Author, International Master Trainer, and Employee Behavioral Analyst. You can find Rico giving talks on leadership and communication skills as well as how to unleash your inner CEO.
Rico Pena has over 25 years of experience working with everyone from individuals to top Fortune 500 companies around the world, specializing in tactical sales, team development, hiring analysis, and communication. He served in the US Marine Corps from 1989-1995 and received 12 distinctive awards, medals, and commendations during those six years of active service.
Valaise Smith is the Founder & CEO of Tried & True Financial Services.
Tried & True provides a full range of bookkeeping, accounting & income tax services structured towards helping individuals and small business owners. The firm is committed to building & maintaining long-term relationships to foster a community of individuals who are educated on tax & financial planning matters.
Valaise Smith brings decades of experience in accounting, banking, compliance, customer service and finance. Valaise’s experience started in banking and spans a wide range of working in the financial services industry, including the reconciliation of a book of business in excess of One Billion Dollars. Valaise loves working with numbers and she has a passion for helping people build budgets that include S.M.A.R.T goals to ensure that your personal and business dreams are fulfilled.