Session Speakers
Mohammad F. Anwar
President & CEO, Softway and Culture+
Co-author of the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Book "Love as a Business Strategy"
Mohammad is the youngest of five children and was born and raised in Saudi Arabia by Indian parents from Bengaluru. He graduated from the University of Houston (Go, Coogs) with a BS in Computer Science and started Softway at age 20, where he still serves as president and CEO.
Mohammad lives in Sugar Land, Texas, with his amazing wife, Yulia, a Russian diver and five-time Olympic medalist, and his beautiful children, Sufia and Mohsin. In his spare time, he enjoys fitness, watching college sports, and butchering American idioms.
Frank E. Danna
Director, Softway and Culture+
Co-author of the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Book "Love as a Business Strategy"
Frank, the oldest of six children, can often be found perfecting the art of brewing, drinking, and sharing coffee with friends and family. Frank is an entrepreneur at heart, having successfully sold his first startup at age 25.
Frank is a pop culture connoisseur, world traveler, and citizen of Disneyland. In his spare time, he bakes award-winning cookies, makes silly videos, and enjoys fitness (to offset the cookies). Frank lives in Houston, Texas, with his gorgeous wife, Megan, and awesome children, Emma and Levi.
Jeffrey F. Ma
Director, Softway and Culture+
Co-author of the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Book "Love as a Business Strategy"
Jeff spent the first decade of his career working in the video game industry, from game testing to project management. He continues to bring his love for games into everything he does, from playing with his kids to training and coaching leaders.
Jeff has a burning passion for board games, magic tricks, Agile, and growth mindsets. He was born and raised in Texas, where he and his beautiful wife, Maggie, dote on their wonderful children, Cody and Penelope.
Christopher J. Pitre
Vice President, Softway and Culture+
Co-author of the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Book "Love as a Business Strategy"
Chris is a student of the world and enjoys anthropology, history, travel, and culinary experiences. His interests in global cultures naturally led him to travel around the world,
cofacilitating Culture Rise, a leadership development training program, and managing client relationships globally.
Chris is a native Houstonian who loves everything Beyoncé. He has a BA in Business Administration from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
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Dolly Brenneman
President and Founder, Soaring to Greatness
Dolly, a servant leader, executive coach, strategic leadership consultant for organization transformation in healthcare delivery systems, energy, banking, investment, education, fundraising for non- profit and faith-based organizations. A life-long learner, she brings fresh creative
approaches and unique perspectives. Through her executive coaching program, clients gain new insights, learn techniques to minimize stress, find calmness, new directions, achieve goals and strive to live the best life that they have been given. She is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum and an alumni of the Business and Civic Leadership Forum of the Center for Houston’s Future. As one of the founding members of this Empower Summit, formerly Diversity Summit, she is
grateful to team up with such a generous sponsors and team of professional volunteers tocollaborate to deliver this annual conference, leading to its 25th anniversary! Congratulations to all!
Dr. April Day
President, Women's Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)
Dr. Day oversees two SBA Resource Centers. The WBEA is a leading economic business development entity for the small business community. WBEA provided services for over 2700 business owners and procured $380,000 in grant funds to provide free programming and enhance capacity for business owners. Dr. Day, recently launched WellDays, a wellness company dedicated to reducing burnout and optimizing our best life without sacrificing health.
Dr. Day gives back to the community by volunteering within the non-profit and business community, serving as adjunct faculty, and a corporate business trainer.
Dr. Day is a Houston Business Journal Women Who Mean Business honoree and LUX Magazine Women of Impact. Dr. Day is a Certified Nonprofit Professional, Leadership Houston Alum, American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow and member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
David W. Leebron
President and CEO, Texas 2036
Texas 2036 is a nonprofit, nonpartisan state policy organization working to ensure Texas remains the best place to live and work through the state’s bicentennial in 2036 and beyond.
Prior to joining Texas 2036 in 2024, Leebron served for 18 years as president of Rice University where he is now President Emeritus and remains on the faculty as University Professor. Under Leebron’s guidance, Rice underwent a period of growth and transformation increasing its undergraduate and graduate student populations, enhancing the campus with over $1.8 billion in new construction and ongoing capital improvements, extending its research endeavors and international presence, deepening its relationship with its home city of Houston, and earning greater visibility locally, nationally and internationally.
Prior to taking the helm at Rice, Leebron was dean of Columbia Law School. Originally from Philadelphia, he is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, where he was elected president of the Law Review in his second year. After graduating in 1979, he served as a law clerk for Judge Shirley Hufstedler on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He began teaching at the UCLA School of Law in 1980 and at the NYU School of Law in 1983. In 1989, Leebron joined the Columbia Law School faculty. David lives in Houston with his wife Ping Sun who is active with several nonprofit organizations in Houston and serves as counsel to the law firm of Yetter & Coleman LLP. Leebron and Sun have two adult children.
Eduardo R. Nunez
Co-Founder and Co-President
Blue Wave
Eduardo Nunez has 42 years of corporate experience and 6 years as a business owner. He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Engineering from the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology and studied International Management at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Eduardo’s professional journey began at IBM Argentina, in engineering and marketing roles. In 1988, Eduardo joined Exxon in Argentina, where he served as IT and Procurement Manager. He also served as Director of Procurement for Exxon in Europe and Japan. After the Exxon Mobil
merger, Eduardo was appointed General Manager of Global Procurement. He retired in 2018 and received a Life Achievement Award. Eduardo is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum and the Center for Houston’s Future. He served as chairman of HMSDC and President of the ArgenƟna-Texas Chamber of Commerce. Eduardo founded Blue Wave in 2019, a company dedicated to developing small businesses. governments, and non-profit organizations across the USA, Mexico, South America and Africa
Christine Schwyn Harrison, Ph.D.
As a racially conditioned whited woman, Christie is a seasoned anti-racism and equity researcher, consultant, and executive coach. She is also an advisor, and facilitator at the Center for the Healing of Racism (CFHR) in Houston, TX.
While dedicated in her research to youth and adult development, through the CFHR, Christie supports whited individuals, educators, and executive leadership teams in their journeys to understand systemic and individual forms of racism; its impact on their lives, communities, business success, and educational outcomes. She is also a Fellow at the Institute for Social Justice at Fielding Graduate University and an advisor for anti-racism leadership programs. Developing stamina and courage among whited folks for individual and systemic corrective action against racism is where Christie’s passion lies.
Jim H. Lee
Founder and Coach
B-SPOKE
Jim Lee is dedicated to transforming leadership through inclusivity, empowerment, and influence. With over 25 years experience in Fortune 500 companies he demonstrated that great results come from teams led with empathy and humility, not just authority. For the past 10 years, through his platform at B-SPOKE, Jim guides clients in tech, nonprofits, and small businesses to break barriers by amplifying diverse voices. His work inspires everyone to “Be Heard, Be Seen, and Be Known.”
Outside of work, Jim volunteers with nonprofits, travels with his wife, Jane, and spends quality time with their daughter, Charlotte, building his own community.
Austin Davis Ruiz (he/him/his)
President, Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus is the oldest, non-partisan, LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the South. Austin is one of the youngest presidents in the organization's history, and the first Latino male to serve as president. Outside of his advocacy work, he serves as Community Engagement Manager for Harris County Precinct 4, managing the precinct's team of community engagement coordinators to community build, meet constituent needs, and execute the vision of Commissioner Lesley Briones.
A native Houstonian, Austin graduated from Duke in 2017 with a double major in Theater Studies and Public Policy Studies. He's previously worked at Young Audiences of Houston and, most recently, the Montrose Center.
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Pranika Uppal Sinha
Managing Director, Organizational Development & Culture
Greystone
Pranika Uppal Sinha oversees organizational development and culture at Greystone. In this role, she is responsible for initiatives relating to culture and community, including education, resources, and programming, across the entire firm to ensure Greystone’s efforts evolve and move forward to build belonging and support our tagline 'where people matter.' Greystone's Culture and Community committee and overall program is award-winning and recognized nationally. As a part of organizational development, Pranika oversees performance management, training, and leadership programs - creating impactful content for employees and leaders at all levels to develop and grow. Prior to Greystone, Pranika worked at Oxy, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, and 21st Century Consulting in various talent, development, HR, training, and inclusion-focused areas and roles. Pranika earned a Bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University and an MBA at Rice University. She is based in Houston, TX.
Arianne Dowdell
Vice President, Chief Culture & Engagement Officer
Houston Methodist
Arianne Dowdell is the Vice President, Chief Culture & Engagement Officer for Houston Methodist. She is responsible for leading the hospital’s culture and vision for unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation through system-wide strategy, programming and
implementation with key internal and external partners.
Arianne joined the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation in July of 2019 and was appointed to her current role in September 2020. Prior to joining Houston Methodist, Arianne worked in higher education where she was the Senior Director of Operations and Partnerships at Syracuse University. She also held leadership positions at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, Virginia and The Rockefeller University, in New York. She also served as the Communications Director and then President of the National Association of Black Automotive Suppliers. With a passion for journalism, Arianne began her career in television where she worked at Court TV and Madison Square Garden Network. A former attorney, Arianne previously practiced as a labor and employment lawyer in Detroit, Michigan. She holds a JD from Wayne State University, an MA from Syracuse University and a BA from Hampton University. For her work and leadership, Arianne has been recognized with several awards from Modern Healthcare and Becker’s Healthcare, just to name a few.
Carlecia Wright
Chief Business Officer
Port of Houston
Carlecia Wright is a strategic leader with extensive experience in fostering inclusive workplace cultures and advancing business growth. In May 2024, she joined Port of Houston as Chief Business Officer, where she leads organizational development, human capital initiatives, and business development programs. Carlecia is committed to embedding inclusive practices across the port’s operations and strategic initiatives.
Prior to joining Port Houston, Wright served as Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Culture and Engagement Officer at Lone Star College, where she strengthened community engagement and workplace culture. She also led the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity, where she helped award over $4 billion in contracts supporting small and disadvantaged businesses.
Wright chairs the Harris County Opportunity Fund and serves on several boards. Her accolades include recognition by the Houston Business Journal, the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, and Walker’s Legacy. She holds degrees from Columbia College Chicago and New York University, along with various leadership certifications.
Paula M. Mendoza
President & Chief Executive Officer
Possible Missions, Inc, Pos Mis, Inc. & Possible Properties, LLC
Native Houstonian whose parents were born in Mexico; Paula Mendoza is an entrepreneur from the Northside and a graduate of Lone Star North College. Recognized not only for the quality of her work, but for the passion she brings to every endeavor. Owning and managing three businesses; Possible Missions, a procurement firm, Pos Mis Inc, a project management firm, and Possible Properties, LLC a real estate company. Under her leadership, Possible Missions, Inc. (PM), a company she established in 2001, has experienced exponential growth. Beginning with $100 in the
bank to creating a multi-million-dollar business.
Over the years she has offered her time and talent as a speaker, event organizer and
community leader to countless organizations and has spent a considerable amount of
time with organizations that focus on youth and education.
Denise Malloy
Immediate Past, Senior Vice President and Chief Belonging Officer
Walmart Inc.
Denise Malloy joined Walmart Inc. in 2023 as the first-ever Chief Belonging Officer, an evolution
of the Chief Diversity Officer role. As Chief Belonging Officer, Denise leads Walmart’s global
diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy to create a workplace of belonging, where associates feel
valued and supported to reach their full potential every day.
Denise is a senior corporate executive skilled at developing new markets, developing people,
and generating unparalleled revenue and market growth globally. Her success as a global sales
and people leader afforded her the opportunity to work alongside CEO’s and corporate board
members. Personally tapped to develop and sustain corporate culture and sustainability
programs is what landed Denise in the DEI space. Prior to joining Walmart, Denise served as
Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at Johnson Controls, where she spearheaded the
company’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy across 150 countries. Denise particularly
focused on incorporating DEI practices into ways of working across every level of the company,
in both business and philanthropy. This work led to Johnson Controls' addition to the Forbes
2021 Best Companies for Diversity & Inclusion list.
Denise served in several senior leadership roles at Johnson Controls, including vice president of
commercial real estate services, where she excelled in sales, customer experience and growth
strategies. She also held senior management and business development positions at Enron
Energy Services, J.P. Morgan, and Xerox.