Angela Dingle

President & CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy

As President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Angela Dingle leads a national nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs, strengthening their impact on our nation’s public policy, creating economic opportunities, and forging alliances with other business organizations. Serving as the voice for the over 14 million women owned companies in the U.S., WIPP works with lawmakers to impact and influence policy that provides economic equity, procurement inclusion and access to the global marketplace.

Prior to serving in this role, Angela founded Ex Nihilo Management, an award winning technology and management consultancy that provides invaluable guidance to businesses seeking to enter or expand in the government marketplace. Her commitment to client success earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and strategic partner.

Angela is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, sharing her insights and expertise at conferences and events focused on women in business and government contracting. She is also a published author, with articles and publications that provide valuable leadership guidance.
Angela holds a MS in Management Information Systems from Bowie State University, a BS in Computer Science from DeVry University, is Certified in the Governance of Enterprise Information Technology (CGEIT), a Certified Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner, and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC). Angela is a member of ISACA and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Erika Gibson

AVP & Dir, Responsible Sourcing and Supplier Diversity, Liberty Mutual Insurance

As a highly skilled and driven leader with almost 20 years of experience across multiple industries, I am eager to bring my expertise to the CWE program. Most recently, I have been leading Liberty Mutual Insurance’s Supplier Diversity team, where I have successfully tripled diverse owned spend in just one year, resulting in Liberty Mutual being named a Best of the Best corporation for inclusion by the National Business Inclusion Consortium in 2023. My efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the company’s supply chain has also resulted in the recognition as part of the Power50 Women of Influence 2024 Cohort.

Prior to my work at Liberty, I served as the Director of Global Supplier Diversity, Sustainability, and Marketing Procurement at Hilton. During my time there, I increased Women and Minority Business Enterprise supplier inclusion and spend by 36% within eight months, resulting in Hilton Supply Management being named #1 on Diversity Inc’s “Top Companies for Supplier Diversity” for the first time in HSM’s 40+ year history. I also recruited over 200 team members to form the Supplier Diversity Champion Program, developed, and executed the inaugural Supplier Diversity Summit, and supported the implementation of a requisitioning intake tool for Hilton to better manage over $3B in annual corporate spend.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated the ability to form strong partnerships and gain consensus among multiple stakeholders across complex organizations. I am a highly skilled public speaker, strategic planner, and adept at data-driven decision-making, contract negotiation, and forming strategic partnerships. My goal is to promote, develop, and implement strategies to ensure that non-discrimination, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in an organization’s initiatives, programs, and business practices.

Stacey Luster

General Counsel, Worcester State University

Stacey Luster is 3rd generation Worcesterite, who secured her place in Worcester’s history by becoming the only African-American woman to be elected to the Worcester City Council.

Stacey is a proud graduate of the Worcester Public Schools, who went on to graduate from St. John’s University in New York, Boston University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Stacey has given back to the community in many volunteer capacities, including responding to community needs by becoming the Co-Founder of Black Families Together and the Black Excellence Academy. Stacey has also served on the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the Worcester Business Development Corporation, YWCA of Central Massachusetts, the Worcester Art Museum, Fallon Community Health Plan, Greater Worcester Community Foundation and Board of Trustees Chairperson for Quinsigamond Community College. Presently, Stacey is serving as a Board Member of Ascentria Care Alliance and the President of the Board of Trustees for Mechanics Hall.

Stacey is a consummate public servant, who has dedicated her professional life to public education, through leadership positions at the executive level of the Worcester Public School, Quinsigamond Community College and currently in her role as General Counsel/Assistant to the President at Worcester State University.

Petula Payne

VP, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability, State Street

Petula Payne’s career spans both the private and public sectors, with concentration in the areas of Legal and Compliance, Equity Investments and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Currently, she is the VP of Global Supplier Diversity and Sustainability at State Street, where she manages the internal development and promotion of State Street’s supplier diversity initiatives, while spearheading the implementation of a sustainability strategy within Procurement.

Petula’s commitment to social responsibility extends beyond the workplace. She is passionate about human rights and actively engages in the UN Global Compact's Business & Human Rights Accelerator program and peer learning group. Through these initiatives, she collaborates with industry leaders to advance human rights policy commitments and implement effective due diligence processes.

Sustainability also drives Petula’s entrepreneurial pursuits, as she cofounded Flourish Oils, a natural hair and skin nourishment company that produces products made with natural ingredients to complement a holistic, healthy, and well-balanced lifestyle.

Dedicated to making a difference, Petula volunteers with Empowerment Square, mentoring survivors of human trafficking, and has contributed to Baker McKenzie’s Justice in Action project, evaluating legal structures pertaining to the environmental rights of children. Her leadership history includes previously serving on the Boards of UN Women Metro-NY and the Zonta Club of New York and collaborating with non-profits to develop impactful programming.

Outside of work, Petula enjoys cycling, reading, live music, and traveling to explore diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines.

Ann Ramakumaran

CEO, iTech Solutions

Anjali Ann Ramakumaran is the CEO of iTech Solutions (An Ampcus Group Company). Ann founded Ampcus Inc. in 2004 and serves as the CEO of the Ampcus group. Ann is a technology savvy entrepreneur with more than 20 plus years of design, development and delivery of innovative and leading-edge Technology Solutions and Human Capital Management across the globe. Under her leadership, she has cultivated Ampcus group into a fast-growing Consulting and Professional Services organization. For eleven consecutive years she has been recognized as a top Asian American owned business by USPAACC and for over twelve consecutive years honored as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned and Women Led Business in the CONUS by the Women Presidents Organization. Under Ann’s leadership, Ampcus has made the Inc., 500/5000 list and has been recognized as a Top Diversity Business. Ann was also awarded Women in Technology Entrepreneur of the Year by WIT and most recently was inducted into the Women's Business Enterprise Hall of Fame. Ann has also received the Chairman’s Award for Inspirational Leadership from CRMSDC and the President’s Award from WPEO, the Global Growth Award from Astra Women’s Business Alliance, Supplier of the Year Award from GMSDC, Top Asian American Business Award from USPAACC-SE and USPAACC-SW, CRMSDC Supplier of the Year, NMSDC Supplier of the Year and NMSDC MBE of the Year. In 2019, Ampcus became part of the NMSDC’S elite Corporate Plus Program.

Ann serves on the WBENC national Board of Directors, CRMSDC Board of Directors, WBEC DMV/ NY Board, CWE Board and the USPAACC Scholarship Committee. She has been a speaker at numerous National and Local Procurement and Diversity Conferences. In addition, Ann has mentored several women and minority start up’s in an effort to help them grow their business. Ann holds her Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Business and Commercial Management from India and has completed Executive Management from the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond Virginia and an Advance Management from the Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University Illinois.

Ahfeeyah C. Salomon

Supplier Diversity Corporate Relations Manager, Center for Women & Enterprise

Ahfeeyah C. Salomon (f/k/a Ahfeeyah C. Thomas) is an award-winning Brand Designer + Creative Director, Chief Brand Culture Strategist and Communications Expert, Founder of Brandaholics Society and Women Creating Wealth and CEO of Build Brand Design—a premier marketing firm and brand design agency.

With a culturally rich upbringing that spans the dynamic streets of Boston to the historical charm of the UK, and roots that reach back to the warm Caribbean seas, Ahfeeyah brings a Euro-Carribbean flair to her work that is the perfect balance of sophistication, boldness, and creativity. She has revolutionized brand identities for numerous corporations, masterminding campaigns that significantly enhance consumer engagement and drive sales.

Her mantra, "Turning Creatives into CEOs & Businesses into Brands," encapsulates her impactful work. Ahfeeyah, a Brand Culture Cultivator and influential thought leader, excels in nurturing brand communities and strategically guiding brands to resonate, connect, and flourish in the competitive marketing landscape.

As an Afro-European woman her expertise in branding, combined with her unique perspective on marketing and communications, has enabled her to shatter barriers and defy industry stereotypes. Emerging as a visionary, committed to disrupting the status quo, she champions diversity and inclusion in marketing and design, using her influence to educate others on the importance of representation, fostering an inclusive brand environment, and promoting cultural awareness.

She stands as a luminary, having guided over 100 designers and creatives toward the pinnacle of the industry and coached thousands of women on wealth and entrepreneurship. Her mentorship is a testament to her commitment to cultivating the next generation of creative CEOs and a world where women no longer ask for a seat at the table but create even bigger ones with more room to invite more women—evident in her thriving communities "Brandaholics Society," and "Women Creating Wealth" where thousands are empowered to forge their passions into profitable business models.

In every stroke of strategy and splash of creative insight, Ahfeeyah's life as a globetrotter, a woman of Caribbean heritage, a wife, and a mother of two boys converge. Her world—rich in experience and wrapped in love—is a canvas for her expertise. An advocate for women empowerment, she weaves strands of her personal adventures into her approach, hosting business dinners, and summits and nurturing a space where women entrepreneurs and creatives flourish.

Her mission is clear, her impact profound, and her legacy—a dance between creativity, connection, and commerce that continues to inspire and transform. This is Ahfeeyah C. Salomon—the bedrock for the businesses and the beacon for the brands.

With honor, she brings her expertise and experience to advancing the mission of CWE, as the Supplier Diversity Corporate Relations Manager, with a commitment to closing the wealth gap for women entrepreneurs one connection at a time.

Susu is the Founder and CEO of Tomo360, a Lowell-based marketing agency focusing on digital marketing. Their clientele includes businesses, nonprofits, higher ed, and government agencies. She and her team have developed many websites and created marketing strategies to meet their clients’ needs.

Susu's unique combination of marketing, business, and technical experience provides a well-rounded advantage for her clients. See her career profile on LinkedIn. Before starting Tomo360 in 2012, Susu worked for various companies, from high-tech industries, healthcare, biotech, and higher education to startup companies. She was an adjunct professor at the University of Lowell, a speaker, and an instructor for the Center of Women Enterprise.

In 2010, Susu co-founded Women Accelerators; a nonprofit organization based in Cambridge and Lowell that helps early-stage women develop their careers with educational, mentoring, and leadership training programs.

She was a founding member and Director of the Board of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She is also a Board Member of OutBIO, the biotech industry’s largest LGBTQ professionals group. She is a Board Member of Girls Inc., Lowell, and a Trustee of the Lowell Cemetery.

Susu was born in Hong Kong and attended High School in Macau. She holds a Master of Science in Management from Lesley University and was certified by Northeastern University in digital marketing and website design from Georgetown University.