Request for Speaker

Donald R. Cravins, Jr.
总裁兼首席执行官

The Honorable Donald “Don” R. Cravins, Jr. is the President and CEO of NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council). 

A nationally recognized leader in public service, business development, and advocacy, Mr. Cravins was named to the inaugural ForbesBLK 50 list for his impact and accomplishments.

Previously, Mr. Cravins served as the nation’s first Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, leading the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Appointed in 2022 and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he oversaw the agency’s historic expansion and elevation into a permanent federal institution, supporting over 9.7 million minority business enterprises.

Mr. Cravins began his career in elected office, serving in both the Louisiana House of Representatives and State Senate. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he championed recovery efforts for local business owners. On Capitol Hill, he served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, helping to craft and pass the landmark Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. He later became Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.

A graduate of Louisiana State University (B.A., Political Science) and Southern University Law Center (J.D.), Mr. Cravins is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army National Guard. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and The Rocks, Inc., and a member of the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County.

His honors include induction into the Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame, recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus of LSU, and being named Advocate of the Year by the National Bar Association in 2020.

Please note, due to Mr. Cravin’s demanding schedule, NMSDC may recommend another member of the Executive Leadership Team member to speak on his behalf.

丽莎-莫里斯
Vice President of Integrated Marketing, Policy, and Strategic Engagement 

作为 NMSDC 宣传计划的领导者，莫里斯女士制定政策措施，支持 16,000 多家经认证的少数族裔商业企业 (MBE) 的经济发展。

在加入 NMSDC 之前，莫里斯女士是 LWM Enterprises（生活工作协同有限责任公司）的创始人兼总裁，该公司致力于帮助客户简化流程，使事情得以实现。长期以来，她一直是妇女和少数民族企业的倡导者，并指导和辅导个人和公司如何打破阻碍他们发展的障碍。

莫里斯女士在技术行业从业超过 35 年，拥有丰富的多元化经验、观点和思想领导力。她曾在技术初创公司、小型企业和大型企业（如 IBM）担任过各种行政领导职务，并在黑人女性很少担任副总裁的时期，通过层层晋升成为副总裁。

在她的职业生涯中，莫里斯女士获得了许多表彰她作为领导者所做工作的奖项，其中包括美国黑人和西班牙裔工程师杂志评选的 "在技术领域有所作为的女性"。杰出商界女性--纽约市项目遗产》和《杰出女性--NAFE 杂志》。她是《从迷失中找回灵魂》（Reclaiming My Soul from the Lost）一书的作者（笔名 Lisa J. Whaley），也是《非裔美国妇女心灵鸡汤》（Chicken Soup for the African American Woman's Soul）的特约作者。

莫里斯女士获得了汉普顿大学商业管理理学学士学位，并加入了阿尔法卡巴阿尔法女大学生联谊会（Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority）伽马西塔分会（Gamma Theta Chapter）。此外，她还通过 IBM 参加了哈佛大学的高管领导力研讨会和加州大学洛杉矶分校安德森管理学院的女性高管领导力课程。

莫里斯女士的座右铭是：当你对所从事的工作充满热情时，你这辈子就不用再工作了。业余时间，她喜欢骑着她的 Can-Am Spyder，感受风在背上的感觉，完全摆脱生活中的任何压力！

杰特达-埃尔南德斯
Vice President, MBE Services & Programs 

杰特达-埃尔南德斯（Jetheda Hernandez）是少数民族企业发展和供应商多元化领域一位充满激情、经验丰富的领导者。她拥有超过 15 年的创业和经济动员宣传经验，以其商业智慧、天生的领导力和无私的合作伙伴关系创建而声名远播。她目前担任 NMSDC 战略合作伙伴关系和项目高级总监，NMSDC 是美国领先的企业会员组织之一，为 16,000 多家经过认证的少数族裔企业与其庞大的企业会员网络牵线搭桥。

In her role, Jetheda manages relationships with corporations and organizations across the country, working to build strong alliances that aid in the growth, sustainability, and success of minority businesses. She also oversees the development and implementation of strategic marketing, community engagement, and revenue generation initiatives that support the mission and vision of NMSDC. Additionally, Jetheda is an inspiring and influential speaker and advocate for women of color in business, as well as an adjunct business professor at Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD. 

Jetheda holds an MBA from the University of Miami and a BBA from James Madison University, and has received multiple honors and awards for her outstanding work and leadership.