The 2022 Summit was a “Call to Action” event that explained the imperative of DEI for our region. The 2023 Summit continues to stress the imperative by helping attendees “move forward” by identifying the necessary tools to implement a successful DEI strategy.
Vanessa Bennett is the Executive Director of Operations & Talent Development. As the organization’s Executive Director of Operations, a position where she works closely with the management team to develop and implement organizational strategies, policies and practices.
In addition, she helps to manage the organization’s $5.2 million budget, plans logistics for many Kingsport Chamber events and serves as a primary liaison between the Kingsport Chamber leadership and key business leaders.
Paula Bulcao joined Eastman Chemical Company as its Director, Global Public and Community Affairs, working to ensure Eastman continues to be a valued and trusted neighbor of the communities around the world in which it operates.
Additionally, Bulcao serves as Executive Director of the Eastman Foundation. She brings with her a career record of success, transforming external communications models, building relationships and alliances, negotiating with stakeholders for business development, strengthening corporate image to mitigate business risk and establishing strategic advocacy and sustainable community investment approaches to advance business objectives.
Ronald Harris is vice president of corporate workforce diversity for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, which has more than 6,000 employees and serves more than 3.4 million members in the state and across the country.
In this role, Ronald is responsible for cultivating a corporate culture where diversity and inclusion are aligned with the company’s corporate strategy and values. He provides strategic leadership and counsel for diversity initiatives within the organization, including diversity awareness training, recruitment, cultural competency training and employee development, as well as community outreach.
Natalie is an experienced educator and advocate for creating inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments. She began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member, teaching middle school in the New York City public school system for five years. From there, she transitioned to coaching educators and leaders on the importance of creating community-inspired spaces.
Natalie is passionate about creating atmospheres of inclusion and belonging, where people can bring their whole selves to a given space. She has worked in non-profit and corporate settings, designing and pioneering Diversity and Inclusion programs. Natalie is currently the founding Global Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Fresh beauty, a LVMH company.
Stephanie is responsible for the development and execution of Diversity and Inclusion strategies that drive results. By leveraging diversity and inclusion principles, she focuses on cultivating inclusive environments that are measurable through a set of Diversity & Inclusion goals. She develops scorecards that track progress and holds leaders accountable. Sheleads a team of talented Diversity & Inclusion professionals responsible for creating self-directed development opportunities, launching and managing Team Member Resource Groups and Corporate Social Responsibility Councils (Diversity Councils and Inclusion Networks), designing and overseeing mentoring, coaching and sponsorship programs, enhancing company reputation through the completion of external reputation surveys, measure diversity and inclusion efforts through the use of advanced analytics and developing and delivering Diversity & Inclusion education, including a flagship offering, The Look Workshops.
Alexander Quizon is a Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion People Analytics. He collaborates with Company leaders, operators, and vendors to grow their personal and professional commitment to inclusive leadership. Experienced in Diversity & Inclusion and Learning and Development with leading travel industry companies, Alexander knows what drives innovation and change, continual improvement, and cultural awareness.
Alexander is committed to the ideals of Diversity & Inclusion and is responsible for leading efforts to collect, analyze, and use data to inform intentional DEI decision-making. He believes in a ‘people first’ approach and strives for fair and equitable solutions.
Dr. Andrea D. Willis is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, which has more than 6,000 employees and serves more than 3.5 million members in the state and across the country.
She oversees Total Health Management and Pharmacy Management and is responsible for maintaining clinical quality excellence, optimizing member care and medical management functions, oversight of clinical risk management and collaborating with the provider community
Thank you to our 2023 sponsors. Your support and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Appalachian Highlands is invaluable.