2013 "Champions of Diversity" Announced

Southport, CT, February 09, 2013 --(PR.com)-- DiversityBusiness the nation’s’ leading multicultural business website, today announced the honorees for its "Champions of Diversity Award" for 2013. This distinguished group of individuals are recognized for their outstanding achievements in various diversity initiatives within their companies and communities.

The "Champions of Diversity Award" represent individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to solutions in diversity issues on a regional and national level. The honorees have made a significant impact on diversity issues in employment, procurement, housing and education. These "soft" sell champions have not waved a diversity flag but have quietly made a difference in the lives of people by positively impacting their lives, and improving the economic conditions for their families and communities.

Some of the remarkable leaders joining this year’s list include Fred Lona, Senior Director of Supplier Diversity at Hilton Worldwide; Adrienne Trimble, Manager, Supplier Diversity North America at Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America; Berlon Hamilton, Supplier Diversity Leader at Hospira; Barbara Taylor, Senior Manager Supplier Diversity at Boeing; and Carol Evans, Founder and President of Working Mother Media.

"I am extremely excited about this year’s honoree list," said Kenton Clarke, CEO of DiversityBusiness. "This recognition brings attention to real results provided by many different people representing all sectors of diversity and who can quantify success made by their efforts."

The "Champions of Diversity" will be honored at a special awards ceremony at DiversityBusiness 13th Annual Multicultural Business Conference, taking place April 24 – April 26, 2013 at The Wynn Resort and in Las Vegas, NV.

"America should be proud of the results produced by the 'Champions' and others," says Mr. Clarke. "They are most deserving of this recognition and they continue to make our country the greatest place on earth to live."

Below is the complete list of this year's recipients.

Honoree
Company
Title

Rocky Egusquiza
AARP
Vice President, Multicultural Markets

David L. Campbell
American Airlines, Inc.
Vice President- Safety, Security & Environmental

Deborah Levine
American Diversity Report
President, Editor-in-chief

Renee A. Watson
Bexar County
Manager, Bexar County’s Small, Minority and Women Owned-Business Enterprise (SMWBE) Program

Aly Jetha & Shabnam Rezaei
Big Bad Boo & Oznoz.com
CEOs

Kate Armstrong
BP
Supplier Diversity Manager

Mark Williams
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Business Development Manager, Americas Channels Distribution

John E. Taylor
Delphi Automotive Systems
Senior Global Supplier Diversity Manager

Cristina Villacinda-Farr
Empleos and Employment, LLC
Supplier Diversity Program Consultant

Darraugh Butler
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Supplier Diversity Program Manager

Cynthia Turner
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Supplier Diversity Program Manager

Connie Glaser
GenderTalk Works, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Glaser Associates
Keynote Speaker and Diversity Expert

Dawnita J. Wilson
Highmark, Inc.
Director, Inclusion Initiatives

Fred Lona
Hilton Worldwide
Senior Director Supplier Diversity

Berlon Hamilton
Hospira
Supplier Diversity Leader

Farad Ali
Institute of Minority Economic Development
Vice President

Robyn H. Snyder
Lockheed Martin MS2
MS2 Undersea Systems Supplier Diversity Program Manager

Kristie Strom
Mach 1 Global Services, Inc.
Chief Sales Officer

Sandra Scott
Marriott International
Director, Technology Procurement

Michele Ruiz
MicheleRuiz.com, Ruiz Strategies
Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Strategic Consultant, Brand Ambassador, Blogger & Vlogger

Karen Blackwell
Nestle
Manager Supplier Diversity North America

Mona Lisa Faris-Placey
Professional WOMAN'S Magazine,Hispanic Network Magazine, Black EOE Journal, U.S. Veterans Magazine
President & Founder

Joyce Christanio
Sprint Nextel Corporation
Supplier Diversity Manager

Dr. Cecila Carter
Starbucks
Vice President, Global Community & Civic Affairs

Barbara A. Taylor
The Boeing Company
Senior Manager Supplier Diversity

Lisa Sandos
The Principal Financial Group
Supplier Diversity Manager

Adrienne C. Trimble
Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America
Manager, Supplier Diversity Purchasing

Matt Thursam
Walt Disney World Company
Supplier Diversity Manager

John Forsyth
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Chairman and CEO

Susan Wolper
Wolper Information Services
President & CEO

Carol Evans
Working Mother Media
Founder and President

Valentin Castaneda
YMCA of the US
Director, Strategic Sourcing

Press Contact: | Quantise Rodgers | DiversityBusiness | Director of Communications

About DiversityBusiness
Launched in 1999, DiversityBusiness is the largest organization of privately owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and colleges and universities. DiversityBusiness provides research and data collection services for diversity including the "Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities", "Top 500 Diversity Owned Companies in America", and others. Its research has been recognized and published by Forbes Magazine, Business Week and thousands of other print and internet publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. Its e-magazine reaches over 3,000,000 readers, an e-newsletter that reaches 2.4 million, and website visitors of 1.2 million a month. It is a leading provider of diversity management tools. DiversityBusiness produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii) of Southport, CT. Founded in 1980.