Michelle Sourie Robinson accepts from Theresa Harrison

Advocate Award Honoree

Michelle Sourie Robinson has a long history of innovative, progressive leadership in corporate and advocacy roles. Prior to taking the reins at the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council almost five years ago, she founded Give & Receive, a non-profit organization that acts as a matchmaker, connecting individuals and businesses to various charities. The impact has been far-reaching and helped launch an academy that has taught leadership skills to more than 600 African girls.

Michelle previously served as the director of supplier diversity at Home Depot, where she created the company’s first supplier diversity department and supporting initiatives and gained industry recognition for her employer and herself. She was named Advocate of the Year by the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council — three times — and a Trumpet Awards High Tea and Heels Distinguished Woman Honoree; listed among Crain’s Business Most Influential Women; and received the National Association of Minority Contractors Advocate Award.

Candace Waterman accepts from Benita Fortner

Advocate Award Honoree

Known as a fierce advocate for women business owners, Candace Waterman heads Washington, DC-based, non-partisan Women Impacting Public Policy. This organization’s mission is to work with leaders in Congress, global corporations and grass-roots groups to strengthen the impact of women entrepreneurs on public policy and create economic opportunities.

Candace’s professional experience includes business ownership, leadership roles in corporate America and, prior to taking the lead at WIPP, serving as chief of staff and vice president of certification and program operations for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. During her tenure with WBENC, she worked closely with WIPP and jumped at the chance to take on a role that combined her love of politics with a passion for leveling the playing field for women entrepreneurs.

Debra Jennings Johnson accepts on behalf of Emilia DiMenco from Debbie Hurst

Advocate Award Honoree

Emilia DiMenco has been the president and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago since 2013. The WBDC is an economic development organization launched in 1986 to provide start-up, emerging and established business owners with access to capital, contracts, contacts and information. Emilia works directly with employees, board members, corporate partners and clients to deliver support and acceleration of women’s business development across the Midwest.

Under her direction, the WBDC has expanded its WBE certification program in a nine-state Midwest region, opened a third office in Aurora, Illinois, and established two WBDC micro-loan programs with a lending pool of nearly $1.7 million. It has also expanded the Latina business programs offering bi-lingual business services, developed an eLearning library and launched an entrepreneurship program to serve military veterans.

Kathleen Trimble accepts from Jill Sasso

Advocate Award Honoree

Kathleen Trimble is vice president of supplier inclusion at Robert Half International, She is responsible for the management of the company’s U.S. supplier inclusion initiative. Her previous role at Robert Half was director of the office of diversity and inclusion.

For more than 25 years, Trimble has been an active supporter and champion for diverse businesses, partnering with numerous organizations nationwide. Kathleen currently serves as chair of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s National Certification Committee, executive Committee and board of directors. She also serves on the board of directors for Women’s Business Enterprise Council – West.

Beverly Jennings accepts from Benita Fortner

Advocate Award Honoree

As head of supplier diversity and inclusion, Beverly Jennings drives a growth strategy that benefits diverse and small businesses and the many Johnson and Johnson customers and business partners it serves.

Bev’s career has spanned the healthcare, consumer goods, food service and retail industries. Today, her passion for community, talent in collaborative leadership, and expertise in optimized business operations are combined into a robust initiative that enhances business development, job creation, education and healthcare.

Johnson and Johnson’s leadership in diverse business development is evidenced in its role as the first health care company member in the elite 28-member Billion Dollar Roundtable, where Bev is co-chair of the global committee. Johnson and Johnson has spent up to $1.5 billion annually with certified minority- and women-owned businesses and $3 billion with small businesses in the U.S. Additionally, the company’s supplier diversity and inclusion initiative is advancing a global strategy for diverse business development on six continents.

Eliseo T. Rojas accepts from Bill Alcorn

Advocate Award Honoree

For nearly 30 years Eliseo T. Rojas has demonstrated a commitment to supporting the progress of women in business, as well as in the community. The native Peruvian is a leader in the procurement and supplier diversity arenas, he is passionate about the importance of creating partnerships between minority and women-owned businesses with corporate America as a key ingredient of strategic growth.

In his current role as CEO of ETR Business Solutions, a company he founded in 2004, Eliseo assists clients with business development and revenue growth strategies, specializing in supply chain management.