ADVANCING
DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS
Dallas, TX - December 2025
Welcome to the
October 2025 Tampa, FL
Diverse Ecosystem Roundtable!
Our sixth roundtable took place in Tampa, FL, bringing together a dynamic group of industry leaders, innovators, and organizations committed to advancing supplier diversity in the Construction Industry. The discussion centered on identifying key challenges, sharing actionable strategies, and fostering collaboration to create lasting impact. Participants engaged in open dialogue, examined risks from multiple perspectives, and outlined concrete steps to drive meaningful progress in the industry.
Welcome to the
DFW Roundtable!
Jessica McMahan, Sr. Supplier Opportunity Manager of Brasfield & Gorrie, highlighted the need to get together to discuss the challenges and create plans to overcome them through trusted partnerships. Getting everyone at the table is the first step to getting a meaningful conversation started, but now it is time to get to work building a more diverse resilient supply chain.
Building a Resilient Supply Chain:
A Trusted Diverse Ecosystem
Facilitators Susan Schramm and Ana Maria Lowry explore the essential role of resilience in fostering a trusted, diverse ecosystem. Drawing insights from their book, The Maturity Stages of a Trusted, Diverse Ecosystem, they break down key strategies for reinforcing supply chains, addressing risks transparently, and cultivating strong, reliable partnerships. Their discussion highlights how intentional collaboration can drive sustainable success and help organizations navigate challenges with confidence.
The Panels
Each panel is made up of forward-thinking leaders committed to challenging traditional approaches to supplier diversity. Hear how innovative small, diverse business enterprises (DBEs) collaborate with primes (general contractors) and buyers (large corporations & government agencies) to drive faster, more meaningful outcomes.
Buyer Perspective
The panel consisted of:
- Demetria Bivens, JPS Health Network
- Susan Schramm, Go To Market Impact
Primes Panel
The panel consisted of:
- Ronnie Hernandez, Brasfield & Gorrie
- Sheldon Arnolie, HORUS Construction
DBE Panel
The panel consisted of:
- Freddie Streeter, Veteran’s Pre-Construction
- Demetria Bivens, DLB Contractors
- Veronica Muñoz, Mezquite Installations
Reflect
We asked each leader to consider where they were in the Maturity Stages of a Trusted Diverse Ecosystem. They discussed in their own roundtables what they struggled with, how they could progress and how we can create alignment within the industry.
Now, IT’S YOUR TURN! We encourage you to reflect on the key points of these videos and consider:
What is going to be your next step to create meaningful diversity outcomes? To transform, to make a change, requires action. Let us know what action you will take!
The Stages
1. Visible & Diverse
Your organization has set diversity targets and quotas, and holds regular outreach and networking events.
2. Equipped & Diverse
“Visible” PLUS our organization sponsors customized programs to help educate, prepare, and mentor diverse Candidates and Suppliers.
3. Aligned & Diverse
“Equipped” PLUS our leaders hold proactive discussions about what is needed in terms of skills and capabilities, and how to ensure success of diverse Candidates and Suppliers as they are onboarded and developed.
4. Trusted, Diverse Ecosystem
“Aligned” PLUS our organization has consistent values for both Supplier Diversity and Workforce Diversity efforts. A clear operating model, with repeatable processes, provides access to opportunities, and equips, aligns, and grows diverse Employees and Suppliers.
Our Event Sponsors
