DIANE B. LYONS, CMP, DMCP, President Diane began her career in New Orleans' hospitality industry in 1977 and shifted to Destination Management by 1985. She founded ACCENT on Arrangements in 1991, serving high-profile clients like McDonald’s and the NFL’s Super Bowl. Her company also offers ACCENT on Children’s Arrangements, providing childcare for event attendees across North America. Diane is actively involved in trade associations and boards and is a staunch advocate for women’s causes, founding the non-profit FestiGals to educate, entertain and celebrate women while giving back to women in the community. As well as creating NOLA ChristmasFest with the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. With over 40 years in the industry, Diane is a leading expert and influential business owner

Accent New Orleans, Inc., a DMC Network Company E: dlyons@accent-dmc.com | W: www.accent-dmc.com M: 504-952-0205 | W: 504-524-1227

Angela is a retired nursing professor who has served the community for decades. Her academic achievements include a Chemistry degree from Xavier and a dual doctorate from William Carey. Although retired, she works as a Sr. MSN Evaluator for Western Governors and an Adjunct Professor for UD Mercy. While working at Carey, she established the McCon Mary Mahoney Scholarship of Excellence for RN-BSN nursing students of African heritage. She helped charter the MS Gulf Coast chapters of both Jack and Jill and Xavier Angela is the AKA SLA Cluster Coordinator and TIO President.

Contact Info: Email: chemakal1@yahoo.com

Dr. Jawan Brown Alexander, a native New Orleanian, brings more than 30 years of management and leadership experience to her role as Chief Executive Officer of Maroon Inc. and Maroon Workspace - an organization set on providing leadership support, DEI professional development, and strategic sustainability support.

Jawan's experiences as an educational leader have included working in and supporting K-12 and higher ed leaders which have allowed her to serve as a teacher/instructor, school leader, leadership coach, district administrator, State Department of Louisiana official, and advisor/consultant. Jawan has helped school-based organizations understand their potential and showcase proven growth.

As a trainer and leadership coach, Jawan creates curated professional learning opportunities for educators, nonprofit leaders, community leaders, and civic leaders.

Dr. Alexander has also been a featured guest on small business educationally related podcasts and radio broadcasts. Jawan has published articles and blogs that have been featured in local and national publications. Jawan is a proud graduate of Southern University and Xavier University where she received her doctoral degree in educational leadership.

Dr. Jawan Brown-Alexander

President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Maroon, Inc., Maroon NOLA, Maroon Technologies

1206 St. Charles Ave.

New Orleans, LA 70130

Cell: 504.284.0456

themaroon.org

maroonworkspace.com

Jade Brown-Russell Principal Jade Brown-Russell has more than 25 years of experience in equity, program design, policy development, and project management. Her niche is developing solutions for systemic inequities in policies and programs across the nation. From government to corporate sectors, Jade’s work is grounded in providing systemic, sustainable, and equitable reform through equity, legal, and governmental relations consulting services. Jade serves as a consultant to several public and private agencies on strategic planning, diversity, equity and inclusion, policy development and other business solutions, including the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Parish of East Baton Rouge-City of Baton Rouge, the City of Chattanooga, City of Pittsburgh, Plaquemines Port and Harbor Terminal, New Orleans Family and Justice Center, and Baton Rouge Recreation (BREC). Jade is also the outside general counsel for the Finance Authority of New Orleans and Crescent City Community Land Trust in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Jade’s philosophy on building an equitable ecosystem includes a multi-strategy approach to include dismantling systemic racism, promoting racial equity and building the capacity of people for economic and social resilience. Through her personal entrepreneurial journey, one recurring theme became apparent: Black Americans have never had an equal ability to reap the benefits of business ownership. Jade builds solutions to foster innovation, collaborate with black-owned businesses, and embrace equity through a community of kinship, alliance and power. Jade is a graduate of Howard University and Southern University Law Center. Jade is the founder and Chairwoman of Maroon, Inc.

1206 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA | 70130 504.662.6132 jade@jdrussellconsulting.com www.jdrussellconsulting.com

Judy Nixon Swanier is the owner and operator of JNX Partners – Staffing & Training Agency. JNX Partners provides extensive resources to clients through the global network of agency offices. Our strongest difference is “our approach” to identifying the potential of under-realized talent. Engaged and purpose-driven candidates excel. We focus on the company’s opportunities and create the engagement for alignment with the candidate. This will ensure the highest level of employee retention, company performance, and employee satisfaction.

Founded in 2005, JNX Partners, LLC (Staffing and Training) is an independently owned and operated agency, woman and minority owned, associated with Management Recruiters International (MRINetwork).

Contact Information:

T: 770.868.6183 E: Judy.Swanier@jnxpartners.com

Website: www.jnxpartners.com