Business Equity/Diverse Business Inclusion Committee

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

Upcoming meetings

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January 15, 2025
1:30pm-3:00pm

February 19, 2025
1:30pm-3:00pm

April 16, 2025
1:30pm-3:00pm

Committee members

Co-Chairs: Lekha Fernandes, Santosh Kuruvilla, Irene Reyes

  • Jackie Bayne, WSDOT OEO
  • Frank Boykin, MBDA
  • Stephanie Caldwell, Absher Construction
  • Lekha Fernandes, OMWBE, Chair
  • Bobby Forch, CPARB DBE Representative
  • Shelly Henderson, Mukilteo School Dist. (K-12 Schools)
  • Aleanna Kondelis, Hill International
  • Santosh Kuruvilla, Exeltech (Engineers), Co-Chair
  • Keith Michel, Forma Construction (GC)
  • Brenda Nnambi, Sound Transit
  • Matt Rasmussen, Benton County
  • 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
  • Cheryl Stewart, Inland Northwest AGC
  • Chip Tull, Hoffman Construction
  • Charles Wilson, DES
  • Olivia Yang, WA State University
  • Janice Zahn, Port of Seattle

Updated May 14, 2024

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 - 3:00 p.m.

  • December 18, 2024
  • January 15, 2025
  • February 19, 2025
  • March 19, 2025
  • April 16, 2025
  • May 21, 2025
  • June 18, 2025
  • July 16, 2025
  • August 20, 2025
  • September 17, 2025
  • October 15, 2025
  • November 19, 2025
  • December 17, 2025

2022 BE/DBI Report to the Legislature

BE/DBI Report Reference Material

Contact us

Talia Baker

CPARB Program Specialist

Monique Martinez

Staff Support