BACE National Executive Board
Stephani Mason PhD
Associate Professor, DePaul University School of Business
CHAIR
Katrina Caldwell PhD
Vice Provost of Diversity and Inclusion;
Chief Diversity Officer, The Johns Hopkins University
CO VICE-CHAIR
David Canada
Director of Global Supplier Diversity,
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
CO VICE-CHAIR
Pernella R. Deams PhD
Provost-Executive Vice President for Academic Excellence & Student Engagement, Talladega College
Bryan Hotchkins PhD
Associate Professor, Texas Tech University
Terrence Jackson PhD
Chief Operating Officer, JCG Consulting Group
Roberta McLeod
Executive Director, Armour J University Center, Howard University (Ret.)
Reginald J. Miller
VP, Global Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer, GE Vernova
Tanyelle L. Little
Former Global Head of Executive Recruiting, PTC
La'Shawn Allen Muhammed
Director, Training, NYC Health & Hospital Systems
Perika Sampson
Former Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity, Gilead Sciences
Roy Whitmore PhD
Principal and University Program Chair, Whitmore Consulting
Bios
Stephani A. Mason, PhD, MBA, CPA (Chair)
DePaul University School of Business
Associate Professor, Accounting
Stephani Mason is an Associate Professor of Accounting at DePaul University School of Business where she teaches intermediate and advanced level undergraduate and graduate courses in accounting and valuation. She earned her Ph.D. in accounting at Rutgers University, her MBA in finance and accounting at the University of Chicago, and her BS in accounting at North Carolina A&T State University.
With over a decade working in investment management at JP Morgan Investment Management, the JP Morgan Private Bank, and US Trust, her research interests are the impact of valuation & accounting standards, financial regulation, and corporate governance on financial reporting, capital market behavior, investing/financing decisions, and executive compensation. She has received grants from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and Institute of Management Accountants and the International Audit and Assurance Standard Board for her research in fair value accounting and the valuation process. She has served two year terms as the planning committee co-chair for the PhD Project Accounting Doctoral Association, Diversity section of the American Accounting Association, and the International Accounting section of the American Accounting Association. In addition, she presently serves on many scientific and financial committees as well as the American Accounting Association Auditing Standards Committee. Most importantly, she serves on the AICPA Complex Financial Instruments Task Force and National Accreditation Commission.
Katrina Caldwell, PhD (Co Vice-Chair)
The Johns Hopkins University
Vice Provost of Diversity & Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer
Katrina Caldwell, Ph.D has more than 26 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, and holds a Ph.D and master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College.
Dr. Caldwell joined Johns Hopkins University as the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) in July 2020. She will serve as the primary steward of the Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion, align D&I initiatives with university priorities, and coordinate and collaborate with the university’s divisions on D&I matters. Dr. Caldwell will also serve as the ex officio co-chair of the Diversity Leadership Council.
Prior to accepting the role of CDO at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Caldwell served as University of Mississippi’s first vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement in 2017. She was the assistant vice president for diversity and equity at Northern Illinois University, after serving as director of adult student affairs starting in 2004 and by 2008 was developing cultural education programs with emphasis on social justice and diversity and serving on the President’s Diversity Council responsible for advancing DePaul’s university-wide diversity strategic plan. From 1998-2004, Dr. Caldwell served as the assistant dean of minority affairs at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Caldwell was a Diversifying Faculty in Illinois fellow and her honors include the White House’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, Illinois College Personnel Association Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Social Justice,” and Who’s Who in Black Chicago. Diversity MBA magazine recognized Dr. Caldwell and awarded her as one of the Top 100 Under 50 Executive and Emerging Leaders in 2011.
David Canada (Co Vice-Chair)
Boeing
Director Of Global Supplier Diversity, Defense, Space & Security
David Canada serves as the Director of Global Supplier Diversity, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. David joined The Boeing Company in 2007 after working 3 years in the automotive industry. He has had the opportunity to be leader within with many different aspects of the Boeing business across different parts of the country.
David obtained multiple degrees including a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical engineering from Howard University, both a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as Masters in Project Management. He is very passionate about STEM education and increasing the number of minorities in technology fields. David is on the board of several nonprofit organizations and serves as an active corporate representative for several of Boeing’s External Technical Affiliations.
Pernella R. Deams, PhD
Talladega College
Provost/Executive Vice President for
Academic Excellence & Student Engagement
Dr. Pernella Rowena Deams is an academic administrator, formerly serving as Talladega's Senior VP for Student Life & Success/UNCF Transformation Officer/Full Professor and in the role of Vice President for Student Engagement and Campus Life at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. She previously served in the role of Dean of Student Leadership, Conduct, and Health at Kentucky State University. Additional administrative experience includes Department Chair/Associate Professor of Psychology at Talladega College, in Talladega, Alabama and Department Head/Associate Professor of Sociology & Psychology at Grambling State University, in Grambling, Louisiana. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge), completing dual Bachelor of Science degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. Her Master of Science degree was completed in the CACREP-Accredited Program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg). Dr. Deams earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in the APA Accredited Program in Counseling Psychology at Tennessee State University (Nashville).
Her clinical education includes internship placements at Vanderbilt University Psychological and Counseling Center, Vanderbilt Adult Psychiatry Center, and University of Memphis Center for Counseling, Learning, and Testing. As a life-long learner, she recently completed the Certifications in Post-Crisis Leadership and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace through the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business and the Women In Education Leadership Program through the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Deams is a Fellow of the Iota Cohort of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (HELF), Leadership Institute and an Academic Leadership Academy Fellow of the Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium.
Deams engages in many areas of academic service; she previously served as a Tennessee Board of Regents Academic Auditor. In addition, Deams currently serves as a SACSCOC peer evaluator and also served as a member of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on Substantive Change, representing all colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She provides executive level service as a newly appointed member of the Black Alliance for Colleges and Employers (BACE) Board and National Executive Council. With a background as a two-time Historically Black College and University graduate, Deams is drawn to serving within the HBCU Community and supporting the professional development of HBCU students. Deams considers herself to be an HBCU “Enthusiast-Advocate”; she is passionate about student mentorship and encouraging students to pursue graduate school.
Professional accolades include Kentucky State University Division of Student Engagement and Campus Life, Shining Star of the Semester (2019), Southern University Alumni Federation, Forty Under 40 Award (2019), Talladega College Student Choice Award–Favorite Professor (2019), Grambling State University Certificate of Excellence in Research Mentorship (2014), and Nashville State Community College Professional Service Award (2013). Pernella Deams was initiated in the Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and is a member of the Frankfort Alumnae Chapter. Together with her husband, Dr. Verontae L. Deams they have four children Kyra Milan-Elizabeth, Micah Isaiah-LaJon, Rhien Matthew-Reese, and Lauryn Elise-Michal.
Reginald J. Miller
GE Vernova
VP, Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer
Formerly as McDonald’s Vice President, Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Reginald J. Miller oversaw the company’s global DEI strategy with a focus on transformational change around the world. A U.S. Army Veteran, he served as a Supply Sergeant with deployments to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education - HR Development and a Master of Science in Education - Workforce Development from the University of Arkansas. He received his MBA from Webster University.
Tanyelle L. Little
PTC
Former Global Head of Executive Recruiting
Tanyelle L. Little is the former Global Head of Executive Recruiting at PTC and President and CEO of A.C.T Diversity Recruitment, LLC in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area, which provides corporations with qualified diverse entry to C-level candidates. With over 20 years’ experience within Human Resources Talent Acquisition and Business Partner Professional, she’s an MBA and a Certified graduate with a track record of driving human capital initiatives and cultural transformations across diverse industries.
Perika Sampson
Gilead Sciences
Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity
Perika Sampson is the Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity for Gilead Sciences. Based in San Francisco, she formerly served as the region’s subject matter expert in diversity and inclusion while executing a myriad of strategies across its eight states for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Her responsibilities included driving diversity and inclusion; the recruitment and retention of diverse talent; managing Morgan Stanley’s engagement in communities through sponsorships; and helping to drive business development. In addition, she leads several national initiatives for the firm. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, she founded and managed Dearborn Consulting Partners where she consulted on diversity and inclusion strategy and initiatives for Fortune 500 companies. She served as Vice President of Marketing and Strategy in the Private Client Services division of Bank One (now JP Morgan). In addition, she was lead marketing for two internet startups, she was a Senior Marketing Manager at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and has also held Institutional relationship management positions at two asset management firms.
Roy Whitmore, PhD, MBA
Whitmore Consulting
Owner/President and University Business Chair
Dr. Roy Whitmore, the owner/president of Whitmore Consulting, has 35 years of experience in ever-increasing roles of leadership and management success with fortune 500 companies and education institutions. In addition to his consulting business, he leads the College of Business and Information Technology for the University of Phoenix, Las Vegas campus. Dr. Whitmore’s experience includes district manager and regional director at Target stores. In these positions, he supported Target’s diversity and inclusion efforts. He was instrumental in leading Targets efforts in Chicago. During his tenure at Jewel-Osco, a Albertson’s company he became the Vice President of operations for the north and south regions. In his last role, he directed the successful operation of a multi-billion-dollar area. He supported all areas of the business to include marketing, sales, distribution, and diversity and inclusion efforts. Dr. Whitmore’s passion for people is evidenced by the over 300 individuals that he has mentored, and the more than 200 individuals that he has promoted at all levels during his retail career. In recent years Dr. Whitmore employed his diversity knowledge and expertise to help Ross stores build arguably the most talented team of diverse executives in the retail industry. He is very active in the community as a board member for the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas, and the Citizens Review Board. He earned his undergraduate degree from DePaul University in business; a master’s in Applied Professional Studies, a graduate certificate in Applied Leadership for Professionals. Additionally, he earned a Master’s and Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University.
BACE Leadership
Shannon Stone-Winding
President and CEO
Shannon is a military veteran spouse with over 25 years of experience as a business strategist for diverse groups in consulting, corporate and higher education communities. Stone-Winding founded a consulting firm fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education; serves as co-convenor for WonderWomen of Diversity; and a board member for Women Employed Adult Student Success & Advocacy Council. In 2019, she was appointed president and chief executive officer of Black Alliance of Colleges & Employers (BACE) and formerly served as regional chief of staff and national senior vice president of Collegiate Affairs for the National Association of African Americans in HR (NAAAHR).
Tyresa Jackson
Research Fellow
Tyresa Jackson is an alumnus of the Masters of Public Administration program (Public Policy and Administration), with a specialization in law and administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Prior to matriculating into John Jay College of Criminal Justice, she earned a Bachelor of Art in International Political Economy and Diplomacy with a minor in Mass Communications from the University of Bridgeport. While living in Bridgeport, Connecticut, she served on the Juvenile Review Board, which provided restorative justice recommendations to at-risk-youth in the Bridgeport community. Later, she moved to Chicago, where she served as a board member on Illinois Collaboration on Youth Advisory Board (ICOY). Her passions include, closing the education-to-prison pipeline, education reform, and increasing the number of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, volunteering, and participating in 5K runs.
Research:
The Exploration of Diversity and Inclusion Programs Within Institutions of Higher Education
January 2022 DOI:10.4018/978-1-7998-9628-9.ch016
Chapter in book:
The Exploration of Diversity and Inclusion Programs Within Institutions of Higher Education (pp.315-332)
Authors:
Tyresa Jackson
Teachers College, Columbia University
In recent decades, the landscape of higher education has begun to shift. Yet, throughout the higher education pipeline (Bachelor, Master, Ph.D., and Law), there are stark differences in the academic performance and graduation outcomes among diverse student populations. This chapter explores landmark historical cases that promulgated diversity and inclusion programs in higher education. This chapter also assesses the social experience of race in higher education and if diversity and inclusion programs truly help to remove barriers to access.
Seana Jackson
Vice President
Seana Jackson is a strategic leader and has been appointed Vice President, Black Alliance of Colleges (BACE). In her former role, she served as Associate Managing Partner of Shannon Stone Consulting, LLC (SSC). For BACE, she works closely with President and CEO as a strategic lead, directs, coordinates and supports all of the non-profit’s functions, programs, and services in accordance with the Board of Directors. Her years of service include over a decade of program support at DePaul University campus student and alumni events including Commencements. Seana is an alum of Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelors of Arts in Fiction Writing with Honors including as Echo Magazine editor and columnist. She was selected for a semester externship in LA where she pitched her film treatment to 21st Century Fox studio execs.