Editorial guidance and story ideas for Racing Toward Diversity Magazine are provided by Advisory Board Members. Our board includes:

Jennifer Brown (she/her) is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, author, and diversity and inclusion expert who is deeply passionate about building more inclusive workplaces where more of us can feel welcomed, valued, respected, and heard. As the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), a certified woman- and LGBT-owned firm, Jennifer and her team design and execute inclusion strategies that have been implemented by some of the biggest companies and nonprofits in the world. She is also the bestselling author of two books, Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace, and The Will to Change (2017) and How To Be An Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive (2019), a shortlist winner of the O.W.L. Award and winner of the 2019 Nautilus Book Awards' Business & Leadership category. Her podcast, The Will to Change, is downloaded by nearly 15,000 listeners per month, and she is a sought-after keynote speaker and expert for leading research institutions and business schools. She lives in New York City with her partner of over 20 years, Michelle.

https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com

https://twitter.com/jenniferbrown

https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrownspeaks

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbrownspeaks/

inclusiveleaderthebook.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbrownconsulting

A champion for women and girls for over 30 years, Heather Ettinger is widely recognized for her dedication to helping women build their financial acumen and philanthropic legacy, culminating in the founding of Luma Wealth Advisors in 2017. She specializes in helping clients align their resources around their family values to create an impact in their communities. 

Heather has a bestselling book entitled, Lumination: Shining a Light on A Woman’s Journey to Financial Wellness and co-authored two significant Women of Wealth studies, highlighting the individualized needs of women. She has been featured in many publications including The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and Bloomberg and is a frequently requested speaker for industry associations, women’s initiatives and wellness events. She was honored on InvestmentNews’ inaugural “Women to Watch” list in 2015. For conceiving new ideas and tools that have propelled the financial industry forward, she was recognized at “Icons and Innovators” by Investment News and proudly accepted The Ruth Bader Ginsburg award from the Women’s Vote Project for advancing the aspirations of women in 2019.  

Heather remains an ardent supporter of her alma maters including Dartmouth College, where she earned a B.A., and Laurel School for girls, where she serves as an Emeritus Trustee. Passionate about advancing women and minorities, Heather currently devotes her advisory time to the Women’s Business Collaborative, 100 Women in Finance, Schwab Advisor Services DEI Advocacy Board, and Racing Towards Diversity. She has served on numerous non-profit and corporate boards primarily in healthcare, financial services, and consumer products. 

Heather lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio, with her husband, Jeff, and considers raising their three children to be empathetic and giving adults to be her greatest and most rewarding accomplishment. In her free time, she can be found playing ice hockey, snow skiing, and hiking. 

An authentic change-maker and advocate, Heather’s theme song is "You Will (The OWN Song)” by Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Nettles.

Website: www.lumawealth.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lumawealth/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherettinger14/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherinsight

Geoff Foster graduated in 1990 and 1996 with a BS & MS in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Applied Engineering Technology from North Carolina A & T State University. Foster attended the Babcock Graduate School of Business at Wake Forest University and went on to complete his MBA with a concentration in Marketing Management in May 2001.

In 2006, Foster founded Core Technology Molding Corporation where he is the Chief Executive Officer and President. Core has quickly grown and ships parts to over 150 countries.  Core provides parts for BMW Manufacturing as a Tier I supplier to Greer, SC as well as Germany, China, Russia, and South Africa. These plastics parts and assemblies are on every X3/X4 globally.  Core Technology recently signed a long-term contract with Merck, with the Vaccines division with their certified Class 10,000 and Class 1,000 Clean Rooms. Core is growing in the biological pharmaceutical space with their newest customer Pfizer in 2021.  Other customers include Volvo & Mack Trucks, Unilever, Husqvarna, and Newell Rubbermaid. Foster was named the Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020 by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.  He was also named a winner of Ernst & Young Southeast Entrepreneur of the Year in the same year.

In 2016, Geoff was invited by the Chancellor to join the Board of Visitors at his alma mater, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT). Foster is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Applied Engineering Technology and has been one since 2007. Foster is also the faculty advisor for the Society of Plastics Engineers on the NCAT campus. In 2021, Foster started a 501 (c) (3) non-profit “Molding Kids for Success” working with underrepresented groups of children and teaching STEM principles and hands-on training.  

Foster has been married 29 years and he and his wife have a daughter who graduated from Clemson University and a son who is a Senior at NCAT.

Web site - coretechnologycorp.com

 Twitter - twitter.com/CoreTechMolding

Reggie Howard

Title: Assistant Coach / Cornerbacks

Memphis University Football

Reggie Howard enters his first season as cornerbacks coach for Memphis in 2024. Head football coach Ryan Silverfield announced Howard's hiring on Jan. 11, 2024. Howard returned to Memphis with nine years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels. After lettering for two seasons for the Tigers, Howard played seven seasons in the NFL.

“We are excited with the addition of Reggie Howard to our staff,” Silverfield remarked at the time of Howard's hiring. “It’s great to add another Tiger alum to the staff. Reggie will make a make a terrific impact not only on our cornerbacks, but on our defense as a whole and our entire program.”   Howard returned to Memphis after serving as a defensive quality control coach for the Washington Commanders in 2023.   “I am extremely excited to return home to the University of Memphis Football program and I'm all in.” Howard said. “I would also like to personally thank Coach Silverfield for providing this amazing opportunity.”

Prior to Washington, Howard was on staff at Campbell University for two seasons. In 2021, he served as the defensive backs coach before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator for the 2022 campaign. Before departing for the Commanders, Howard was promoted to associate head coach following the 2022 season.

In 2022, three members of Howard’s defensive unit earned Second-Team All-Big South honors – defensive ends Brevin Allen and Josh Johnson, as well as linebacker Keshawn Thompson.   In his first season in Buies Creek, Campbell’s defense ranked fourth in the FCS in turnovers gained (25) and defensive touchdowns (4) at season's end.   Darion Slade was named Second Team All-Big South, ranking 10th in the league in tackles per game (6.8), collecting 61 stops for the season, including 5.0 for loss with two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, a pass breakup and a defensive touchdown. Defensive back Levi Wiggins was also named to semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy, as well as the Big South’s All-Academic team, making 32 tackles with 2.0 stops for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and three pass breakups after starting at both cornerback and safety in 2021.   Howard came to Campbell after spending the 2020 season on staff at Memphis, where he was the program’s director of high school relations.

Howard spent seven years in the NFL, initially signing with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2000 following a standout college career with the Tigers, going on to play for Carolina (2000-03, 2006) alongside Minter, the New Orleans Saints (2000) and the Miami Dolphins (2004-05). He finished his NFL career with 251 tackles, six interceptions, 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.   He intercepted New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady in the 2004 Super Bowl while with the Panthers. Howard was inducted into the Memphis Hall of Fame in 2018.   

After his playing career, he began the Reggie Howard Foundation (2006-08). He then became the president and executive director of the United Athletes Foundation (2008-present). He followed his interest in coaching with a pair of stops in the NFL Bill Walsh Minority Coaches Internship Program. He was with the Denver Broncos (2014) and the Chicago Bears (2016).   He began coaching at Lane College as the secondary coach in 2015 and 2016. There, he helped six players on defense earn all-region honors, including second team all-conference defensive back Anthony Blackmon.   He then returned to Memphis, serving as the defensive coordinator at Kirby High School (2016) before spending the 2017 season at his alma mater as a defensive assistant.  As a defensive assistant at Memphis, he was part of a team of coaches that helped freshman TJ Carter earn USA Today and ESPN Freshman All-America honors, along with AAC Rookie of the Year and second team all-conference honors.   Howard spent the past two seasons (2018, 2019) at the University of Central Arkansas as cornerbacks coach.  There, he helped cornerback Robert Rochell earn a pair of FCS All-America and first team All-Southland Conference honors. The Bears claimed a share of the Southland Conference Championships in 2019 and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs.   A 2000 graduate from Memphis with a degree in marketing management, he also completed the NFL Entrepreneurship Internship Program at Stanford University. He also completed the NFL Business Internship at Northwestern and the NFL Wealth Management Internship at Wachovia Bank.   

He has four children: daughters Allegra, Kristen and Marley and son, Reggie Jr.

Twitter   https://twitter.com/reggiehoward

Bill Imada, Chairman and Chief Collaboration Officer of the IW GroupChairman and Chief Collaboration Officer of IW Group (formerly Imada Wong Communications Group), a full-service marketing communications firm that specializes in the growing of multicultural markets in the U.S. With more than two decades of experience in marketing, public relations, advertising and cross-training, Bill and his company represents some of the top brands, including American Airlines, The Coca-Cola Company, GODIVA Chocolatier, McDonalds USA, Verizon Wireless, Wal-Mart Stores, Walt Disney Imagineering, Warner Bros. Pictures and several others. 

The IW Group also represents a number of prominent governmental agencies and non-profit organizations, including AARP and The California Wellness Foundation, 

His firm has more than 60 full-time employees and offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City - three of the top markets for the U.S. Asian consumer and B2B markets

Web site -www.iwgroupnc.com  

Twitter - https://twitter.com/IWGroup

Greg draws extensively from a successful US Army career, one that ranges from Germany to South Korea to Iraq, as well as a number of stateside assignments to include his final mission at the Pentagon.  While being assigned to the Army’s highest levels, Greg was selected by the Director of the Army’s Diversity Task Force to help establish the Army’s Diversity program, policy and products.  

Greg’s military background helped shape his perspective towards diversity & inclusion, leadership and equal opportunity in the workplace.  In addition to his military experience, Greg has provided training, facilitation and oversight for thousands of personnel, ensuring quality and relevant equal opportunity, diversity and leadership training and education for mid-, senior- and executive-level managers and leaders. 

Greg is a published author, holds a master’s degree in human resources development, has started and operates two small businesses and provides mentoring and coaching to veterans and others wanting to improve their professional lives.  He enjoys spending time with his friends, family, and staying physically fit while volunteering for organizations within his community."

Website: - www.gregjenkinsconsulting.com

Twitter - @GregBJenkins 

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/gregjenkinsconsulting 

Facebook - www.facebook.com/gregjenkinsconsulting

Fairmont State University, Fairmont, West Virginia, Fairmont State University Board of Governors announced Dr. Mirta M. Martin as president of the university.

Prior to this appointment Dr. Mirta Martin was the ninth president of Fort Hays State University, HAYS, Kansas. 

Dr. Mirta M. Martin served as Dean and Professor of Management at the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. Martin holds a baccalaureate degree in psychology and political science from Duke University; an MBA from the University of Richmond; and a doctorate with an emphasis on strategic management and leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.  Her career involves work in both the public and private sectors.

As a senior banking executive, Martin was recognized as a highly effective and innovative practitioner, positioning companies for growth and profitability via leadership in strategic planning, investment management, operations, business development and legislative advocacy.  Dr. Martin’s higher education experience is equally diverse and successful.  She has served as tenured professor and Interim Dean at Averett University, Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Management Institute at the University of Richmond’s Robins’ School of Business, Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the John Tyler Community College Foundation and Special Assistant to the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System.

Governor Bob McDonnell appointed Dr. Martin to the Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment and to the State Board for Community Colleges, where she serves as Chair of the Audit Committee.  She also serves as ex-officio member on behalf of the Secretary of Education to the Virginia Latino Advisory Board. Former Governor Tim Kaine appointed Martin to the Virginia Council on the Status of Women.  She is active in many educational, civic and charitable organizations serving among others, as President of the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN), Chair of the Hispanic College Institute, Co-Chair of the Citizenship, Core Values and Innovation Team/Strategic Planning Committee for Chesterfield County Public Schools; director for the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Business League, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), and Safe Harbor.

Under Dr. Martin’s leadership, the Reginald F. Lewis School of Business made history by delivering its core curriculum through digital textbooks at no cost to its students.  Six semesters after its implementation, the program has increased student retention by over 30% and has resulted in out-of-pocket savings to students in excess of $1,121,000.  Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell awarded Martin and the School of Business his prestigious Governor’s Award for Technology in Innovation in Higher Education.  The RichTech Technology Council awarded Martin and the Business School its Innovation Deployment Award.  In 2013, the school transitioned to a college status.  Martin created a Foundation to benefit of the College of Business students.

Martin has received many awards for her volunteerism and commitment to education, including the Metropolitan Business League Humanitarian Award for Educational Excellence, the Hispanic College Fund Legacy Award, and The President of the United States’ Volunteer Service Award – President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Dr. Martin is the first in her family to attend college in the United States.  She uses her interpersonal and cultural expertise to work diligently to create a pathway to achieving the American dream by actively promoting access to an affordable education.

https://www.mirtamartin.com

BRIAN MORAN, Founder/CEO

Brian Moran & Associates

Small Business Edge

Bricks or Sticks

Brian is dedicated to helping business owners achieve their objectives and to run better companies. With his three companies, Small Business Edge, Brian  Moran & Associates, and Bricks or Sticks, along with a global team of subject matter experts, Brian leverages 30+ years of experience in the small to midsize business market to assist entrepreneurs with everything from social media to accessing growth capital to expanding into the global marketplace.

Prior to rejoining the world of entrepreneurship, Brian was an Executive Director at The Wall Street Journal where he led the sales development and marketing programs for the financial and small business categories among the many Journal brands.

From 2002-2010, Brian was President of Veracle Media and Moran Media Group, two companies that provided relevant and practical information to business owners which helped them start, manage and grow their companies. The companies published three national magazines for the small-to-midsize business market: Small Business Success, Urban Success and Winning Bids.

In addition to magazines, the companies partnered with many leading small business organizations in running workshops, seminars and national conferences aimed at various segments of the small business market.   

In 2012, Brian co-authored Lessons From the Great Recession, a book that provided practical solutions to small business owners riding the economic rollercoaster. Also in that year, Brian was given the prestigious Lou Campanelli award at SCORE’s national conference in recognition for his years of service in the small business market.

Prior to running his own business, Brian was the Associate Publisher at Inc. Magazine, a Publisher and Associate Publisher at Entrepreneur Media and held management positions at Success Magazine and Medical Economics Magazine.

Brian sits on several boards of small business organizations and is a strategic advisor to business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide through his interviews, published articles and blog posts. He is a graduate of Marquette University’s School of Journalism.

Twitter

Linkedin

Inaugural Director of Graduate Career Education, (Master of International Business) for the Darla Moore School of Business, Universtity of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. The University of South Carolina is a public research University in Columbia, South Carolina. It has seven satellite campuses thoughout the state and its main campus covers over 359 acres in downtown Columbia. 

Allison is the former Clemson Football program, Inaugural Director of Career & Professional Development.

Allison Waymyers made history as the first female hired in a leadership role in Clemson Football. Waymyers led the 5TH QUARTER Program, which is the career and professional development area in the leadership program P.A.W. (Passionate About Winning) Journey.  This is the first position of its kind in the country.  The 5TH QUARTER focuses on ensuring each athlete successfully catapults into their next phase of life whether the focus is on entering the N.F.L., or pursuing purposeful employment. “Success is the expectation as each man prepares to excel in the next phase of life,” Waymyers said. “I am a change agent who transforms the lives of our men by strategizing their trajectory of success.  We empower our student-athletes to thrive off the field in the biggest game of all…LIFE.”  Waymyers has a diverse 10 years of experience in athletics working with the NFL, the NBA and Augusta National Golf Club.  She created an inaugural course called “Paradigm Shift: Women Leading in Men’s Sports” and was an adjunct instructor at Columbia College. She has worked as a lobbyist in the education sector, a fundraiser in the non-profit and higher education sector, and led procurement for two one billion dollar facilities in the energy sector. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in marketing with a specialization in international business and minor in Spanish, and her master’s in organizational change & leadership from Columbia College.

Recognized in 2012 as a Top 20 Under 40 in The State newspaper of Columbia, S.C., she is a Leadership Columbia graduate and has been a leader on numerous boards such as the United Way of the Midlands, S.C. Science Academy, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, (Columbia Opportunity Resource), and the youngest President in history of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.  She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Junior League of Columbia. She and her husband William have one son, Trey.  They enjoy family time, traveling, and empowering youth.

Tim Zanni was the Global Leader of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) industry for KPMG. In addition, Tim specifically led the technology segment globally and, in the U.S. In his role, Tim played a key client relationship role for the firm’s largest TMT clients. Tim has over 38 years of global experience and his KPMG responsibilities included representing the firm in the marketplace, developing marketplace strategies, leading the growth and success of the firm’s Global TMT industry, and ensuring that KPMG’s clients received exceptional service. Previously, Tim served as the Silicon Valley managing partner for seven years and before that, a leadership role in KPMG’s New York office.

Tim has also been living and supporting diversity and inclusion within KPMG through his work with underrepresented students at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, and most recently with students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Tim also founded KPMG’s Building a Diverse Board program in 2012 to connect aspiring female board members with current corporate board members. Since he retired from KPMG, Tim has been focused on corporate board service as well as assisting companies with go-to-market and financial strategies.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/timzanni

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/timzanni

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS 

In 2009, Jino organized the first-ever annual Asian MBA Leadership Conference and Career Expo, similar to the highly influential Black MBA and Hispanic MBA conferences. With 2,500 attendees and over 120 exhibitors, the conference became the largest and most influential event to take place within the United States for the Asian professional community.

Jino earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing & International Business from New York University and an MBA from Baruch College, with a concentration in human resource management. Jino served in the U.S. Army Reserve through the R.O.T.C. program achieving the honorable rank of First Lieutenant. He is a Certified Personnel Consultant and Certified Diversity Consultant. Jino is also involved in various organizations, including serving as the current President of the Korean Alumni Association of New York University, as well as a Founding Board Member of the Asian Healthcare Leaders Association. He makes frequent appearances as a speaker at various events throughout New York City, on radio, and on television. In January 2011, Jino was appointed by the Boy Scouts of America to lead the Leadership Mission Critical Task Force Committee "Establishing Boy Scouts of America as an Employer Brand."  

He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children.

Web site - www.asianlife.com  

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Asian_Life

Consuella “CJ” Jordan, Special assistant to the Secretary of Commerce and National Director with the Department of Commerce, is the former CEO of the Jordan Management Group, where the firm taught Politics and Business development 101.

She most recently served as the lead on President Trump Transition Landing for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

This following a successful Cleveland RNC Convention where she served as Deputy Political Director, with responsibility for MBE participation. She devotes time to Minority Recruiting for the United States Military Academy at West Point and other Military Service Academies as well as Chairman and Co-founder of “I am Not A HERO Foundation, Inc” which encourages athletes and entertainers to visit our Troops and Wounded Warriors.

CJ served as director of the coalition to get former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based and Community Based Bill HR7 passed the US Representatives in 2001. She also served as project director for a US Lead Trade Mission to West Africa with included 6 members of Congress and 31 US Businesses and 7 Government agencies. CJ attended St. Paul’s College, and fully understands the role and importance of our HBCUs and MSIs. She became the first major Black consultant to the RNC where she advised former Chairman Rience Preibus now White House Chief of staff to President Trump.

CJ is a published poet, who says that a true leader is one who can be heard and not always seen as a critical thinker who will have to make tough decisions that might not be popular but are right.

Tanya M. Odom is a highly regarded consultant, coach, facilitator, teacher, writer, and thought leader.

As a speaker, presenter, facilitator, and consultant, she focuses on several areas including: Mindfulness, Inclusive Leadership, Innovation and Creativity, Diversity and Inclusion, Team

building, Mindfulness, Coaching, Well being and Leadership, Women of Color,  Educational Equity, and  Girls’ Leadership Development. Tanya's work has focused on civil and human rights, dialogue, and education for over 20 years.

Tanya’s unique portfolio career has allowed her to work in the education, private sector/corporate, not-for-profit/NGO, law enforcement, and university/college arenas.

She is the co-author of "Evaluation in the Field of Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance.” Tanya is also a contributor to the Huffington Post, where she has written posts about diversity, leadership, civil rights, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Tanya has also written for cnn.com and Diversity Woman Magazine.

Tanya was named by Diversity Best Practices as “One of the Five Diversity Thought Leaders to Follow on Twitter.”

Ms. Odom has traveled extensively, and has both lived and worked abroad. Tanya has lived and/or worked in more than 30 countries. She is fluent in Spanish.

A recent area of work focus has been working with the U.N and 15 U.N. entities in 7 countries on their gender equity education and strategy efforts.  

As a mindfulness practitioner, Tanya weaves in mindfulness research and practice into her work with individuals and groups and connects it to leadership, teams, and the mitigating of unconscious bias.

Ms. Odom has a Masters degree in Education from Harvard University. She received her B.A. in Anthropology/Sociology with a correlate sequence in Women’s Studies from Vassar College. Follow Ms. Odom on Twitter 

@TMODOM

Last year, Group O was named the 9th largest Hispanic owned business in the U.S. by Hispanic Business Magazine. The Milan, Illinois based company offers marketing, packaging and supply chain products and services. Group O has about 1,500 employees throughout its 34 U.S. facilities and has clients across a broad range of industries including food and beverage, telecommunications, manufacturing, health care, technology, financial services, pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods.

Bob is one of the founders of the Greater Quad-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

April 2013 - Group O Founder and Chairman Robert (Bob) Ontiveros was recognized with Illinois' highest honor, the 2013 Order of Lincoln Award, April 13th in a ceremony at Augustana College in Rock Island. Presented annually by the Lincoln Academy, the award honors Illinoisans who have excelled at both their occupational and volunteer efforts.

The Order of Lincoln Award was established in 1965 to recognize individuals whose contributions to the betterment of humanity have been accomplised in Illinois. The proclamation establishing the Order requires that the award shall recognize those individuals whose "dedication to the principles of public service inspire all Illinoisans to respond to what Lincoln called 'the better angels of our nature'."

Web site - www.groupo.com 

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/groupoinc