The 8th Annual iLeadership Summit
“From Crisis to Catalyst: Building Resilient Leaders for a Changing World”
September 10, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Morgan Stanley
2000 Westchester Ave, Purchase, NY 10577
PREMIER PARTNER
September 10, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Morgan Stanley
2000 Westchester Ave, Purchase, NY 10577
CEO, Global Ascent Consulting Corporation
President, AGG Consulting
Speakers:
Fredrick Smith, CEO, Global Ascent Consulting Corporation
Ivo Philbert, Vice President, External Engagement, Jackie Robinson Foundation
Discussion Focus:
Speakers
Moderator
Discussion Focus:
Speakers
Moderator
Sponsor Remarks + Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Speaker:
The Rogue Media Group (RMG) iLeadership Award honors visionary individuals or organizations who exemplify bold, principled leadership and a relentless commitment to driving transformative change across industries and communities. This prestigious recognition celebrates those who lead with integrity, inspire innovation, and champion inclusive progress at every level.
Categories
Founder & CEO
Rogue Media Group, LLC
iLeadership Summit
Founder & CEO
Rogue Media Group, LLC
iLeadership Summit
Maximillian L. Hamilton is the CEO & Founder of Rogue Media Group, LLC (RMG), a U.S. Veteran Owned & Operated Company. RMG is the premier multicultural advertising, marketing and media agency that leverage the power of business data, virtual & live experiences, digital media, social media, original content, advertisement and network affiliates to connect brands to an affluent, educated and influential target audience.
Headquartered in New York City, with operations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit and Houston, RMG maintains a list of esteemed clients. Today, this list includes AARP, Belvedere Vodka; a LVMH Company, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., Legal & General America, Lee Hecht Harrison, Lexus Automotive, MetLife, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and Toyota Motor North America. As one of the country’s leading multicultural agencies, RMG services its clients with General Market, Black, Hispanic, Asian and LGBT marketing & advertising, digital & traditional advertising, experiential marketing, diversity & inclusion and corporate social responsibility consulting. Additionally, Hamilton established partnerships with Asia American Business Development Center, Bloomberg, LP, Corporate Corporate Counsel Women of Color and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners & Operators.
Hamilton founded RMG in 2013 under the influence of Earl G. Graves Sr., (Founder & Publisher of Earl G. Graves Publishing Co./Black Enterprise and Richard “Dick” Parsons former chairman of Citigroup and the former chairman and CEO of Time Warner Communications). Hamilton brings more than two decades of experience in media, technology, marketing, strategy, business development and executive management experience to his role with the company. Under his leadership, Hamilton created these agency franchise programs: iLeadership Summit, FUEL; The Ultimate Men’s Summit, Harlem Whiskey Festival, TechCast; The Future of Cybersecurity Summit; Women of Influence Brunch Series; and the Business of Medicine Summit.
Prior to Rogue Media Group, LLC, Hamilton served as Director of Multimedia Sales of Earl G. Graves Publishing Co./Black Enterprise. Hamilton was responsible for all global sales and marketing activities within the beverage, government, military, technology and telecommunications categories. Hamilton brought Bacardi USA, BASF, CIA, Goldman Sachs & Co., IBM, Movado Timepiece, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines, and a portfolio of other enterprises to the company as roster clients to the publication. His focus was on Fortune 500 customer acquisitions, custom integrated media programs, improved operational efficiency, and execution, which led to significant company growth in excess of $30 million dollars during his tenure.
From 2002–2007, Hamilton was the Director of Advertising Sales for The Network Journal (TNJ). During his tenure, he spearheaded TNJ’s “25 Influential Women in Business” and “40 Under Forty” awards recognition programs. Additional, Hamilton created TNJ’s Top Black Lawyers and Top Black Doctors Forums. His client roster there included IBM, FedEx, GE, and Major League Baseball, Macy’s, to name a few.
Hamilton is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Reserve where he served with honors during tours of duty in England, Germany, Turkey and Panama. He held dual careers both in the aviation and healthcare industries. He was honorably discharged.
Today, Hamilton leadership extends beyond his C-suite at RMG. He contributes to many organizations and charities. Hamilton previously served as a board member for National Association of African American in Human Resources and ScottCare Foundation. He is a member of the Advertising Club of New York, the Financial Communications Society and the National Black MBA Association. Hamilton earned his A.A.S. from the Community College of the Air Force. In 2018, he received the Made Man Award, presented to him by Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Representative for New York's 8th congressional district.
CEO, FOUNDER
Global Ascent Consulting Corp.
CEO, FOUNDER
Global Ascent Consulting Corp.
Fred Smith is a seasoned HR Practitioner, Business Consultant, and DEIB Facilitator with over three decades of experience. In addition to being a business and community leader he’s a known Rainmaker and advisor to a variety of industries from oil and gas, academia, retail, distribution, transportation, healthcare, and media. At Global Ascent Consulting Corporation, he drives systemic and intentional organizational results through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), human resources, and labor relations.
He understands that in order to spread key competencies across the organization, inclusive leadership skills are essential at a professional level. Fred is often called on to design, deliver, and facilitate curriculum to drive business outcomes and leverages intersectionality to achieve results. He believes in investing in the development of people, building with purpose and inclusivity, as well as accountability and measurability.
Being able to infuse his entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial spirit into his work makes him unique. Fred grew up in the trenches of the retail, grocery and consumer goods space moving from mid-management to senior management and taking on increasing responsibility quickly at Kroger. He was even charged with leading DEIB decades before anyone had a formal name for it at H-E-B. As his career progressed, he became a skilled business developer. Then he had the honor of serving Veterans that were transitioning from military to civilian life and opportunities with resume writing and interview preparation services at the University of Houston. Fred has been simulating growth and generating revenue and overseeing operations at Uniworld Group Inc., a WPP company, for the last few years.
He's served on multiple Boards spanning a twenty year plus period including LaRosa, Serve Houston, Employee Credit Union, and Houston Community College and served as Chairman at the Houston area United Way. Fred is no stranger to the physical and virtual stage and is often called on to speak or facilitate thought provoking conversations in the DEIB space.
Former Chief Information Officer
JCW Strategic Consulting, LLC
Former Chief Information Officer
JCW Strategic Consulting, LLC
Jennifer Wendel retired from federal government service after 28 years and is currently a senior strategic partner with The Muse Group. She served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from December 2023 through May 2025. As the Senior IT Leader to the multi-trillion-dollar cabinet-level department, she led a strategic transformation of the $8.9 billion dollar enterprise IT and cybersecurity operations. Her leadership was instrumental in elevating the department’s FITARA (Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act) Report card grade from a D to an A, as reported to Congress. This milestone reflected significant advancements in cybersecurity posture, IT governance, and organizational accountability across one of the federal government’s most complex environments. Prior to her CIO appointment, Jennifer served as Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) for HHS from January 2023 through December 2023.
Before her role at HHS, Jennifer was the Acting DCIO for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from March 2020. In this position, she supported the CIO in making strategic decisions regarding technology advancements, guiding executive leadership in IT services, cybersecurity, and governance.
Jennifer's career at the FBI began in 1996 as a biologist, where she managed forensic DNA cases, interpreted DNA profiles, reported results, and testified as a DNA expert in court. She later became the Chief of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Unit, managing the CODIS Program and the National DNA Index System (NDIS).
A former member of the Senior Executive Service of the Federal Government, Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from LeMoyne College and a Master of Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic molecular biology from The George Washington University.
Vice President, External Engagement,
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Vice President, External Engagement,
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Ivo Philbert is Vice President, External Engagement and is responsible for community engagement and partnerships. He supports and partners with the CEO and the Development Team on development initiatives, provides support to the Programs and Museum teams, is the liaison to the JRF Alumni Association and leads JRF’s yearly Rachel Robinson International Fellowship Service and Leadership trip to Africa.
Prior to this role, Ivo was the Global Diversity & Inclusion Relationships Lead at PayPal where he was responsible for establishing and maintaining internal and external partnerships focused on building and implementing new diversity recruiting strategies and programs. He was a critical partner to PayPal’s Global Talent Acquisition team where he provided strategic subject matter expertise and collaborated across functions to develop retention strategies to improve representation.
Ivo has also served as Vice President of Strategic Account Management & Business Development at INROADS, Inc. where he led a team focused on driving strategies to recruit and retain diverse entry level and experienced hires for national clients in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Ivo believes in giving back. He is the Co-President of the Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance (FDBA), Treasurer of the National Black Leadership Commission on Health (Black Health), Board of Trustee member of the Gift Hill School on St. John, US Virgin Islands, Board Member of the Hudson Square Business Improvement District, and a member of the men’s collective, Mastermind Connect.
He received the New York City Police Department’s Civilian Commendation Award, the Mentoring in Leadership Award from Table of Kingz, and the Man of the Year Award from Harlem Haberdashery Take Care of Harlem Initiative. Ivo is also a TEDx speaker, where he spoke about “Living Life ON Purpose, with Passion!”
Ivo is from St. John, US Virgin Islands and currently resides in Harlem, NYC.
Managing Partner
Global Ascent Consulting Corp.
Managing Partner
Global Ascent Consulting Corp.
Amber K. Heckert is a Managing Partner, Senior Consultant, and Facilitator at Global Ascent Consulting Corporation (GACC), charged with partnering with clients to leverage data-driven strategy and assessments, analysis and insights crafting effective Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) solutions for for-profit and non-profit clients including luxury retailers, medical organizations, professional membership associations, financial institutions and talent solutions companies.
She creates customizable interactive, experiential, and skills-based training sessions, conducts baseline assessments and designs business strategies that combine DEIB expertise with quantitative and qualitative data analytics to deliver results at all levels of the organization. Motivated by connecting with people throughout the methodology to gain input so everyone feels heard and feels a part of the process, Amber aligns client workforce and DEIB strategies with the talent lifecycle to understand where DEIB are most impacted to help find and retain diverse talent.
Her successes include collaborating with a luxury retail brand that housed multiple companies to deliver and facilitate customized unconscious bias training and education while providing guidance and instruction to the internal facilitation team to execute and deliver unconscious bias education across the organization. As well as, partnering with a professional membership-based organization to create a DEIB methodology that would increase inclusivity and anti-racism education through comprehensive, customized anti-racism and allyship training and education while focusing on building comprehensive alignment and a long-term strategic plan to support a sustainable approach with stakeholder buy-in.
Prior to joining GACC, Amber worked as Director, Client Services managing key client accounts from initial client assessment and acquisition to project planning and implementation, consulted with clients and project teams to determine strategic steps needed to complete diversity and inclusion initiatives and established successful project implementation methods and supervised all project deliverables to ensure that each element was completed on time within quality standards and priced in a way that maximizes revenue and profitability, while identifying opportunities to expand revenue.
Amber holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies and Women Studies from the University of Minnesota and is dedicated advocate for youth and community building as a 4-H Adult Leader and contributes as a founding member of the IAMKindness volunteer organization to build community enrichment and support small business development.
Former CEO and Board Director
GoDaddy, Inc.
Former CEO and Board Director
GoDaddy, Inc.
Coming soon
President,
AGG Consulting
President,
AGG Consulting
Coming soon
Executive Coach, Leadership Strategist, and Founder of JR Coaching & Consulting
Executive Coach, Leadership Strategist, and Founder of JR Coaching & Consulting
Jessica Rivera is a nationally recognized executive coach and leadership strategist who helps Fortune 500 executives and senior leaders master high stakes conversations, build trust quickly, and create cultures of belonging that drive measurable results. With over two decades of corporate leadership experience — including leading a $4 billion sales and marketing division — Jessica knows what it takes to influence at the highest levels.
As the founder of JR Coaching & Consulting, Jessica partners with C suite executives and leadership teams to strengthen communication, elevate executive presence, and increase retention and performance. She is the host of Success Unscripted, a podcast that delivers unfiltered strategies for leaders who want to stop playing safe and start leading with impact.
Jessica’s unapologetic yet results driven approach equips leaders to command every room, transform team culture, and achieve sustainable business growth.
CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde is the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, a Level Trauma Center and the second oldest public hospital in New York City. She is the first woman and the first Latina to helm the hospital’s executive team. Under Helen’s leadership, Elmhurst has been recognized as one of U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Regional Hospitals” and as one of the nation’s "High Performing" hospitals. Over the past five years Helen has secured millions in public funding for key capital projects for the facility, including $27.5 Million from New York State for a new Women’s Pavilion and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She has a bachelor’s degree from New York University, a Master of Public Health from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from the City University of New York.
In 2025, she was named as one of City and State’s Queens Power 100. She has also been noted as one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “Women Hospital Presidents and CEOs to Know” for both 2024 and 2025. Helen is a recipient of prestigious Joan H. Tisch Community Health Prize from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund for her distinguished accomplishments in the field of urban public health, and the Mujeres Destacadas award from El Diario NY.
Founder of Fulfilled@Work™ Academy
Founder of Fulfilled@Work™ Academy
Bernie Borges is a speaker, author, podcast host, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of
experience in marketing, leadership, and business transformation. Today, as the Founder
of Fulfilled@Work™ Academy, Bernie helps organizations build cultures where people feel
valued, supported, and fulfilled—unlocking engagement, wellness, and performance.
Bernie is the creator of the Fulfillment Centric Leadership™ Framework, a
research-backed model that equips leaders to foster belonging and purpose in their teams,
addressing rising challenges in employee turnover, burnout, and disengagement.
This work represents an evolution from Bernie’s three-decade career in digital marketing
and transformation, where he helped organizations drive growth through customer-centric
strategies. His experience leading change in the digital era informs his current mission:
empowering leaders to drive employee wellness, belonging, and productivity through a
fulfillment-led model.
Bernie holds a certificate in Leadership in the 21st Century from Wharton Online,
further grounding his approach in modern leadership principles and evidence-based best
practices.
He is also the host of The Life Fulfilled Podcast with more than 200 episodes released,
where he explores the intersection of personal growth, leadership, and fulfillment.
Earlier in his career, Bernie founded and served as CEO of Find and Convert, a B2B digital
marketing agency he led for 15 years before its merger with Vengreso. He then served as
CMO of Vengreso, a digital sales enablement company serving B2B clients. He also hosted
two of the earliest digital marketing podcasts: Modern Marketing Engine and Social
Business Engine.
He is the author of Marketing 2.0: Bridging the Gap Between Seller and Buyer Through
Social Media Marketing (2009), one of the earliest books on social media strategy. His
thought leadership has earned him recognition as both an IBM Futurist and a Dell Social
Influencer.
Bernie’s core areas of expertise include:
● Employee Fulfillment & Leadership: Championing human-centered leadership as a business imperative
● Digital Transformation & Marketing Strategy: Bringing deep experience in B2B digital transformation to leadership innovation
● Sales Enablement & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Driving performance through alignment between people, culture, and purpose
A frequent speaker at leadership and marketing events, Bernie also mentors early-stage entrepreneurs through Tampa Bay Wave, a nationally recognized startup accelerator.
CEO Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
CEO Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
As a dynamic speaker and thought leader with a personal mission and passion to
strengthen individuals and families, moving them from poverty to self-sufficiency,
Ron Abad has 30 years of executive-level leadership experience in government
and nonprofit organizations, focusing on housing and community-based
healthcare.
Ron is the Chief Executive Officer of Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
(CHI), a nonprofit housing provider with an operating budget close of $125m
with approximately 700 employees, operating homeless shelters, affordable
housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, homeownership, eviction/foreclosure prevention, financial literacy and
supportive services to thousands of families and individuals in Westchester, Long Island, Hudson Valley, and New York
City.
Prior to his role at Community Housing Innovations, Inc., Ron served as the Senior Vice President for Acacia Network
Housing, one of New York City’s largest homeless providers, serving approximately 2,250 homeless families and 2,000
single adults. Ron oversaw a broad network of homeless shelters, with a mandate to provide and support individuals and
families with transitional housing and supportive services, including primary care and Behavioral Health.
Ron also served as the Chief Operating Officer of Urban Pathways, providing street outreach, safe havens, and supportive
housing to homeless individuals. Ron had oversight over programs, supportive housing development, operations,
facilities/property management, low-income housing tax credit compliance, HR, Information Technology,
budget/contract management, and risk/crisis oversight.
From 2008 to 2015, Ron served as the Assistant Commissioner for Capacity Planning and Development for Families with
Children shelters for the New York City Department of Homeless Services. In this role, Ron was responsible for Families
with Children homeless shelter capacity, planning and development, shelter procurement, contracts management, and
budget negotiations. Before his stint working for the City of New York, Ron was the Vice President of Operations for
Housing Works.
Ron Abad holds a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University.
He has also completed Executive Education and certificate programs at the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation
for Senior Executives, the John F. Kennedy School of Government on Performance Measurement for Effective
Management of Nonprofit Organizations, and New York University’s Real Estate Institute for Real Estate Development.
Ron serves on several Board of Directors, including President of the Board of Directors for Nonprofit Westchester, the
Human Services Council, The Leviticus Fund (Treasurer), Pro Bono Partnership, the New Rochelle YMCA, and The
William George Agency (Secretary).
Most recently, in May 2025, Ron was honored with the Cornerstone Award from the Leviticus Fund for nonprofit and
government leadership in service to ending homelessness and its indignity. In August 2024, Ron was awarded the
City&State 2024 Above and Beyond. Social Services Leaders Award (recognizing the top 50 Social Services organization
leaders in New York, making a lasting impact serving vulnerable New Yorkers). CHI was noted as ‘The Face of Housing’
2024 in 914Inc. magazine. Ron has previously been awarded the 2023 Responsible 100 by City&State Magazine and the
2023 NYNMedia Nonprofit Trailblazers Award. Ron was also listed in Crain’s New York Business Notable Hispanic
Leaders 2022 and 914Inc. Magazine ‘The Face of Affordable Housing and Homeownership’ 2022.
Ron is married to Hope, an educational administrator with the New York City Board of Education. He is the proud father
of four daughters and six grandchildren. Ron enjoys sports, particularly Yankees baseball and golf, working on house
projects, reading biographies, and leadership development books.
Principal Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group, LLC
Principal Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group, LLC
Su Joun (she/her/hers) is the Principal of Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group LLC that specializes in innovative, implementation-focused, no-frills Diversity & Inclusion training and consultation. Su is also an adjunct professor at Suffolk University where she teaches Global Human Resources Management, Organizational Behavior and Career LAUNCH classes. She was the Vice President of Talent, Diversity and Inclusion at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) where she led the enterprise diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition, performance management and leadership development, and associate engagement teams. In addition to expertise in Diversity & Inclusion and talent management, she held leadership roles in IT & operations, marketing, sales and call centers at BCBSMA, Key Corp, and Virgin Money.
Su also founded and operated a publishing company. This breadth of experiences enables her to fully understand and “speak the language” of the various business areas and leaders allowing for true partnership to champion Diversity & Inclusion goals and programs.Su received her MBA from Suffolk University and her MS in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. She currently serves as the Board Vice-Chair for the Center for Collaborative Leadership at UMASS.
Her thought-leadership on Diversity & Inclusion and talent overall has been showcased in the Skillsoft video library, the Urban Update, in various articles in BBJ and Workable.com, and she has presented to various audiences such as the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, NAAAP, HubSpot, CFO Roundtable, and Commonwealth Compact.
CEO
Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
CEO
Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
As a dynamic speaker and thought leader with a personal mission and passion to
strengthen individuals and families, moving them from poverty to self-sufficiency,
Ron Abad has 30 years of executive-level leadership experience in government
and nonprofit organizations, focusing on housing and community-based
healthcare.
Ron is the Chief Executive Officer of Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
(CHI), a nonprofit housing provider with an operating budget close of $125m
with approximately 700 employees, operating homeless shelters, affordable
housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, homeownership, eviction/foreclosure prevention, financial literacy and
supportive services to thousands of families and individuals in Westchester, Long Island, Hudson Valley, and New York
City.
Prior to his role at Community Housing Innovations, Inc., Ron served as the Senior Vice President for Acacia Network
Housing, one of New York City’s largest homeless providers, serving approximately 2,250 homeless families and 2,000
single adults. Ron oversaw a broad network of homeless shelters, with a mandate to provide and support individuals and
families with transitional housing and supportive services, including primary care and Behavioral Health.
Ron also served as the Chief Operating Officer of Urban Pathways, providing street outreach, safe havens, and supportive
housing to homeless individuals. Ron had oversight over programs, supportive housing development, operations,
facilities/property management, low-income housing tax credit compliance, HR, Information Technology,
budget/contract management, and risk/crisis oversight.
From 2008 to 2015, Ron served as the Assistant Commissioner for Capacity Planning and Development for Families with
Children shelters for the New York City Department of Homeless Services. In this role, Ron was responsible for Families
with Children homeless shelter capacity, planning and development, shelter procurement, contracts management, and
budget negotiations. Before his stint working for the City of New York, Ron was the Vice President of Operations for
Housing Works.
Ron Abad holds a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University.
He has also completed Executive Education and certificate programs at the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation
for Senior Executives, the John F. Kennedy School of Government on Performance Measurement for Effective
Management of Nonprofit Organizations, and New York University’s Real Estate Institute for Real Estate Development.
Ron serves on several Board of Directors, including President of the Board of Directors for Nonprofit Westchester, the
Human Services Council, The Leviticus Fund (Treasurer), Pro Bono Partnership, the New Rochelle YMCA, and The
William George Agency (Secretary).
Most recently, in May 2025, Ron was honored with the Cornerstone Award from the Leviticus Fund for nonprofit and
government leadership in service to ending homelessness and its indignity. In August 2024, Ron was awarded the
City&State 2024 Above and Beyond. Social Services Leaders Award (recognizing the top 50 Social Services organization
leaders in New York, making a lasting impact serving vulnerable New Yorkers). CHI was noted as ‘The Face of Housing’
2024 in 914Inc. magazine. Ron has previously been awarded the 2023 Responsible 100 by City&State Magazine and the
2023 NYNMedia Nonprofit Trailblazers Award. Ron was also listed in Crain’s New York Business Notable Hispanic
Leaders 2022 and 914Inc. Magazine ‘The Face of Affordable Housing and Homeownership’ 2022.
Ron is married to Hope, an educational administrator with the New York City Board of Education. He is the proud father
of four daughters and six grandchildren. Ron enjoys sports, particularly Yankees baseball and golf, working on house
projects, reading biographies, and leadership development books.
CEO & Founder
New York Hispanic Cosmetology Beauty & Chamber of Commerce
CEO & Founder
New York Hispanic Cosmetology Beauty & Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Charito Cisneros is a nationally celebrated Latina leader, educator, producer, and advocate whose influence has transformed the beauty industry and empowered the Latino community for more than 50 years.
With five decades of experience in both the beauty industry and community outreach, Dr. Cisneros has taught for over 35 years and worked as a consultant for 15 years. She has helped countless students, teachers, and professionals obtain their licenses, open their businesses, and resolve critical issues affecting small enterprises. Over the years, she has been recognized as an outstanding leader and has been commended for her work by organizations, politicians, and committees. Known and respected throughout the community, she began her career as a cosmetology teacher and beauty consultant, always committed to helping anyone in need.
Her vision led her to found the New York Hispanic Cosmetology & Beauty Chamber of Commerce (NYHCBCC)—the first chamber of its kind in the United States. For over 20 years, the Chamber has helped more than 1,000 professionals obtain licenses and establish businesses. It has created jobs, offered job placement, and provided unlimited support for personal and professional growth. In 2010, the Chamber was named “Chamber of the Year” by the New York Hispanic State Federation. Under her leadership, she organized the First Licensing & Regulation Symposium with nearly 900 attendees and successfully advocated for the translation of New York State’s cosmetology rules and regulations into Spanish, breaking down barriers for thousands of Latinos.
In partnership with the Small Business Development Center at Lehman College, Dr. Cisneros created opportunities for beauty professionals to pursue a college-level certificate in Beauty Business, helping Latinos become career-oriented and entrepreneurial.
Her civic leadership is equally impactful. She served as a speaker for Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, giving voice to New York’s Latino community. She now serves as the Regional Director of Women in New York for LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. She also helped create the Diva Spa program for survivors of domestic violence at the Bronx Supreme Court under Borough President Adolfo Carrión.
Her work has been recognized with the American Red Cross Diversity Award, given to those serving underserved populations facing language, disability, and cultural barriers. She raised over $15,000 for tsunami relief and coordinated the shipment of more than one million dollars in medical equipment, prosthetics, and supplies to Ecuador, providing life-changing surgeries, prosthetic limbs, and psychiatric support for children.
Dr. Cisneros has been deeply engaged in community organizations. She co-founded the Immigrant Chamber of Commerce and served as its Vice President, was Director of Public Relations for the Asociación Cronista de Espectáculos (Premios ACE), and an active member of the Fundación Internacional de Inmigrantes. She also served as Director of Public Relations for the Mexican Committee and Parade, and was the first director of CUNY in the Heights. .
Her cultural and civic impact has been celebrated widely. She has received over 500 awards and proclamations, including more than 18 official recognitions from New York City, the State Senate, and the City Council. She has been honored as Grand Marshal in the Ecuadorian, Dominican, Colombian, Peruvian, Honduran, and International Immigration Parades, and received the Hermanas Mirabal Award, among many others.
Dr. Cisneros is also a respected media producer and cultural voice. She is the Producer and Director of “Abriendo Brecha Internacional,” the first Latino program on BronxNet, co-founded Abriendo Brecha International on Radio Wado 1280 AM, and has worked as a TV producer at Univision. She hosted “Inside New York con Charito” on Ecuavisa International/DirectTV, reaching global audiences, and has appeared on Telemundo, in Ecuador Edición Internacional, Hablemos Claro, and many other national and international outlets. Her shows have earned prestigious honors such as the Beta Award, the Best Creativity Award, and the World Peace Award.
Most recently, she was honored with a Doctorate in Public Relations and Ethics, recognizing her lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Respected as one of the most trusted and recognized voices for Latinos in New York, Dr. Charito Cisneros embodies strength, vision, and service. Her legacy is one of breaking barriers, opening doors, and inspiring generations to achieve success and the American Dream.
President & Co-Founder
New York Hispanic Cosmetology Beauty & Chamber of Commerce
President & Co-Founder
New York Hispanic Cosmetology Beauty & Chamber of Commerce
Rommy Pennella is a globally recognized entrepreneur, business consultant, strategist, and transformative coach whose influence has redefined how industries, institutions, and individuals approach leadership and empowerment. For over two decades, she has been at the forefront of business transformation, bridging the worlds of corporate strategy and community empowerment, and proving that beauty is not just an industry—it is a force for equity, dignity, and generational change.
Her career began in corporate America with Kraft Foods and Ogilvy & Mather, where she led high-level brand and media strategies for global leaders including IBM. With an honors degree from Fordham University and a Leadership Award for excellence and foresight, Rommy built a reputation for her ability to move seamlessly between boardrooms and grassroots communities, translating vision into measurable impact.
As Co-Founder and President of the New York Hispanic Cosmetology & Beauty Chamber of Commerce (NYHCBCC)—the first chamber of its kind in the United States—Rommy has created a historic platform for beauty professionals and minority entrepreneurs of color. Under her leadership, the Chamber has connected thousands of entrepreneurs to licensing opportunities, business education, MWBE certification, and pathways to corporate partnerships. She has built a bridge between the grassroots beauty economy and Fortune 500 boardrooms, opening doors for voices too often excluded from decision-making tables.
Her signature initiatives are a testament to her vision. The Beauty Business Program empowers women to enter the world of high-brand and corporate beauty, unlocking access to the upper tiers of the industry. Her Because I Can program is dedicated to single mothers, equipping them with the tools, resources, and confidence to build businesses that create financial independence and generational wealth. Through her Diva Spa initiative, she has mobilized beauty professionals to serve survivors of domestic violence, offering not only restoration but also dignity and renewal.
As a business consultant, Rommy is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and universities to design inclusive growth strategies that merge profitability with purpose. She partners with executives and institutions to build authentic connections with diverse markets, scale with cultural intelligence, and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into the DNA of their organizations. Known for her bold vision and tactical brilliance, she is as effective in the boardroom as she is in the classroom or community hall.
Her groundbreaking contributions have earned her some of the nation’s highest honors, including the SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year Award, the Don Quijote Small Business Award, proclamations from the City of New York, as well as senatorial and council citations. She has been featured internationally on Telemundo, Univision, and other global media outlets, solidifying her reputation as a thought leader and changemaker on the world stage.
For Rommy, however, her true legacy lies in the lives she has transformed—the single mother who became a CEO, the minority-owned brand that reached national retailers like Walmart and Target, and the countless entrepreneurs who discovered their worth, power, and potential under her guidance.
Rommy Pennella is more than a leader—she is a movement. A catalyst for transformation, she continues to inspire and empower the next generation of dreamers, doers, and disruptors with a message that is as simple as it is profound:
You are powerful. You are worthy. And you can transform your vision into the life and business you deserve.
Principal
Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group, LLC
Principal
Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group, LLC
Su Joun (she/her/hers) is the Principal of Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group LLC that specializes in innovative, implementation-focused, no-frills Diversity & Inclusion training and consultation. Su is also an adjunct professor at Suffolk University where she teaches Global Human Resources Management, Organizational Behavior and Career LAUNCH classes. She was the Vice President of Talent, Diversity and Inclusion at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) where she led the enterprise diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition, performance management and leadership development, and associate engagement teams. In addition to expertise in Diversity & Inclusion and talent management, she held leadership roles in IT & operations, marketing, sales and call centers at BCBSMA, Key Corp, and Virgin Money.
Su also founded and operated a publishing company. This breadth of experiences enables her to fully understand and “speak the language” of the various business areas and leaders allowing for true partnership to champion Diversity & Inclusion goals and programs.Su received her MBA from Suffolk University and her MS in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. She currently serves as the Board Vice-Chair for the Center for Collaborative Leadership at UMASS.
Her thought-leadership on Diversity & Inclusion and talent overall has been showcased in the Skillsoft video library, the Urban Update, in various articles in BBJ and Workable.com, and she has presented to various audiences such as the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, NAAAP, HubSpot, CFO Roundtable, and Commonwealth Compact.
Owner
Alvin & Friends Restaurant
Owner
Alvin & Friends Restaurant
My love of cooking and entertaining began at an early age. I grew up in Trinidad, influenced by the warmth and hospitality of my grandparents. After college, in between modeling jobs, I worked as a waiter in several Manhattan restaurants. It was during this time that I really fell in love with the liveliness and passion of the restaurant business.
After moving to Los Angeles, I was lucky enough to be introduced to restaurateur Brad Johnson, owner of the famed Roxbury Restaurant. Mr. Johnson invited me to be a partner in his new venture, a contemporary, southern restaurant called Georgia, along with Denzel Washington, Norm Nixon, and Debbie Allen. I also became a partner in Creek Alley, a Los Angeles Caribbean restaurant.
After moving back to New York, my family and I settled in New Rochelle. Throughout my travels, Id always dreamed of one day having my own restaurant; a place to call my own. I wanted it to feel as if I was having friends over for a visit, just as my grandparents had entertained their friends when I was a child. In thinking of a concept for cuisine, I knew I wanted to evoke not just one style of food, but a culinary style based on influences that melded harmoniously.
I loved the diversity of the New Rochelle community and knew that it was the perfect place to live my dream and open Alvin & Friends Restaurant. I am blessed to have met so many wonderful people since moving here eleven years ago, and am so grateful for the support I’ve received in this venture.
Former CEO and Board Director
GoDaddy, Inc.
Former CEO and Board Director
GoDaddy, Inc.
Coming soon
Founder and President
StepWise Associates, LLC
Founder and President
StepWise Associates, LLC
Marsha Haygood is an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and trusted career
and leadership empowerment coach. As President of StepWise Associates, she helps
individuals and organizations take intentional, practical steps toward lasting success. A
former corporate executive, Marsha brings a deep multicultural perspective to her
coaching, consulting, and presentations—guiding clients through change with clarity,
confidence, and results.
With a Bachelor of Arts from Lehman College and a Training and Development Certification
from New York University, Marsha has dedicated her career to inspiring action and
unlocking potential—one step at a time. Her StepWise approach is rooted in the belief
that big goals are achieved through a series of well-planned, achievable moves, each
building momentum toward transformation.
She partners with organizations to navigate change in ways that strengthen culture,
increase productivity, and positively impact the bottom line. For individuals feeling
stuck or unfulfilled, she offers the strategies and motivation to jumpstart their journey.
Every consulting, coaching, or career development engagement is customized to client
goals, combining self-discovery, solution exploration, and actionable plans to deliver
measurable success.
A respected thought leader, Marsha has been featured alongside Stephen Covey, Ken
Blanchard, and Jack Canfield in Speaking of Success. She is co-author of The Little Black
Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women—along with its Companion
Workbook and the forthcoming Next Little Black Book of Success. Published by Random
House/One World Press and hailed as “a mentor in your pocket,” the book was nominated
for an NAACP Literary Award and has become a go-to resource for women serious about
business, life, and leadership.
Her leadership and community contributions have earned numerous honors, including the
YMCA Black Achievement Award, The Network Journal’s Influential Black Women in
Business Award, and the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources
Trailblazer Award. She is a founding member of Black Women of Influence and has served
on the boards of YouthBridge NY, the National Association of African Americans in Human
Resources (Greater New York), and the New York Academy of the Arts.
Whether facilitating coaching programs, leading workshops, or delivering keynote
addresses nationwide, Marsha Haygood empowers audiences to take the right steps—in
the right order—toward the success they envision.
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