Business Equity/Diverse Business Inclusion Committee

Established February 14, 2019; Disbanded June 9, 2022; Re-established April 13, 2023

Upcoming meetings

-

March 18, 2026
1:30pm-3:00pm

April 15, 2026
1:30pm-3:00pm

May 20, 2026
1:30pm-3:00pm

Committee members

Co-Chairs: Olivia Yang, Santosh Kuruvilla, Irene Reyes

  • Robert Blain, Benton County
  • Vacant, formally held by MBDA
  • Lekha Fernandes, OMWBE
  • Bobby Forch, CPARB DBE Representative
  • Diane Gard, WSDOT OEO
  • Shelly Henderson, Mukilteo School Dist. (K-12 Schools)
  • Aleanna Kondelis, Hill International
  • Santosh Kuruvilla, Exeltech (Engineers), Co-Chair
  • Marissa Woodard-Nave, Forma Construction (GC)
  • Brenda Nnambi, Sound Transit
  • Irene Reyes, Excel Supply Company, Co-Chair
  • Cathy Robinson, University of WA (was City Rep)
  • John Salinas II, Specialty Contractors
  • Young Sang Song, Song Consulting
  • Chip Tull, Hoffman Construction
  • Jerry Vanderwood, AGC
  • Olivia Yang, WA State University
  • Heather Munden, Port of Seattle
  • Bob Armstead, Minority Business Representative
  • Frank Lemos, Minority Business Representative
  • Vacant, DES
  • Vacant, general contractor

Updated Dec. 23, 2025

Purpose:

Focus efforts around the following:

  • Utilize strategies from the BE/DBI report to inform potential legislative changes.
  • Create consistency in contract language to reduce barriers in policy and eventually statute.
  • Evaluate and advocate to bring forth opportunities for firms to successfully compete and build capacity.
  • Identify metrics for measuring accountability.

Committee resources:

Upcoming meetings

Meetings to occur the third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 - 3 p.m.

  • Feb. 18, 2026
  • March 18, 2026
  • April 15, 2026
  • May 20, 2026
  • June 17, 2026

Prompt Pay partner survey

The CPARB BE/DBI Committee, through OMWBE, has developed two Prompt Pay partner surveys to collect feedback and lived experiences. Feedback is needed from public entities, primes, subcontractors, support organizations, and advocates. Each survey takes 5-10 minutes and provides space to add additional feedback and testimony you find critical to these important topics.

Please take the surveys and forward the links to others. The more responses and testimony we receive, the better.

Both surveys close at 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.

Thank you for your help and dedication to improving prompt payment in Washington state.

BE/DBI reports to the legislature

2024

2022

BE/DBI report reference material

Contact us

Talia Baker

CPARB Program Specialist

Monique Martinez

Staff Support