Charlotta Carter- Founder-CEO
Charlotta has 25+ years in software development and staffing and is the CEO of GRI Technology Solutions, Inc., a staffing and technology company headquartered in San Mateo, Ca. She has held senior technology positions with companies that include: IBM, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and SGI.
Charlotta has grown her current company 50% YOY since inception in 2011. She holds a bachelors degree in computer science and business from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Her company, GRI Technology Solutions, Inc was the first African-American company chosen in the Silicon Valley to participate and complete the Warren Buffett-Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program. She is also managing partner with Canadian technology company- PWC Technology Services, Inc.
Charlotta has been a key figure in growing diversity talent in the Silicon Valley area and in Canada. She is a Corporate member of:
She has also served as Sr. Diversity Program Manager for Microsoft - 2000-2004 at the Mountain View, Ca campus. As a key diversity advocate for IBM in the Toronto Lab (2006-2012), she was a primary driver for IBM sponsoring the first ever international NSBE conference in Toronto 2010.
She is married, mother of two(2) daughters, both technologist – Jana (Sr. SAP Executive – Toronto) and Brittany ( Sr. Biotech Engineer- San Francisco).
Charlotta has grown her current company 50% YOY since inception in 2011. She holds a bachelors degree in computer science and business from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Her company, GRI Technology Solutions, Inc was the first African-American company chosen in the Silicon Valley to participate and complete the Warren Buffett-Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program. She is also managing partner with Canadian technology company- PWC Technology Services, Inc.
Charlotta has been a key figure in growing diversity talent in the Silicon Valley area and in Canada. She is a Corporate member of:
- SIA ( Staffing Industry Analyst)
- USWCC ( U.S. Women Chamber of Commerce)
- ASA ( American Staffing Association)
- SVLG ( Silicon Valley Leadership Group)
- Board Member - BRN(Black Recruiters Network)
She has also served as Sr. Diversity Program Manager for Microsoft - 2000-2004 at the Mountain View, Ca campus. As a key diversity advocate for IBM in the Toronto Lab (2006-2012), she was a primary driver for IBM sponsoring the first ever international NSBE conference in Toronto 2010.
She is married, mother of two(2) daughters, both technologist – Jana (Sr. SAP Executive – Toronto) and Brittany ( Sr. Biotech Engineer- San Francisco).
CT Tomlin
CFO
CFO
In February 2008, CT retired from Corporate America and started his own management consulting company, Tomlin & Associates, specializing in general management, leadership development and non-profit and educational management planning and business development.
Prior to CT launching his management consulting company, Tomlin & Associates in February 2008, and during the preceding 20 years, CT has held various senior finance and general management positions in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, financial services and technology industries. From January 2004 to January 2008, CT held the positions of General Manager, Business Excellence and Senior Finance Director with Microsoft Corporation. From September 2001 to June 2002, CT held the position of Vice President & Corporate Controller with Bristol-Myers Squibb, in New York City. From March 1999 to August, 2001, CT held the positions of VP & Controller with Pharmacia’s Monsanto Ag division, and VP, Auditing Services, with Pharmacia Corporation. From January 1992 to March 1999, CT worked for the US based specialty chemical’s company, Hercules Incorporated, and from 1996 to 1999, CT was the European CFO, based in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to his association with Hercules Inc., CT served ten years in Big 8 public accounting, serving as a Senior Manager with Price Waterhouse, and Arthur Andersen & Co.
CT is a CPA, holds a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard, and a BS in Finance & Accounting from the University of Southern California.
CT also is a former board member and formally served as Chair of The Executive Leadership Council, and is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association and the National Association of Black Accountants. In his spare time, CT enjoys golf, traveling, fine dining, and community/church based outreach programs. CT is married and has two daughters from a previous marriage.
Prior to CT launching his management consulting company, Tomlin & Associates in February 2008, and during the preceding 20 years, CT has held various senior finance and general management positions in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, financial services and technology industries. From January 2004 to January 2008, CT held the positions of General Manager, Business Excellence and Senior Finance Director with Microsoft Corporation. From September 2001 to June 2002, CT held the position of Vice President & Corporate Controller with Bristol-Myers Squibb, in New York City. From March 1999 to August, 2001, CT held the positions of VP & Controller with Pharmacia’s Monsanto Ag division, and VP, Auditing Services, with Pharmacia Corporation. From January 1992 to March 1999, CT worked for the US based specialty chemical’s company, Hercules Incorporated, and from 1996 to 1999, CT was the European CFO, based in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to his association with Hercules Inc., CT served ten years in Big 8 public accounting, serving as a Senior Manager with Price Waterhouse, and Arthur Andersen & Co.
CT is a CPA, holds a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard, and a BS in Finance & Accounting from the University of Southern California.
CT also is a former board member and formally served as Chair of The Executive Leadership Council, and is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association and the National Association of Black Accountants. In his spare time, CT enjoys golf, traveling, fine dining, and community/church based outreach programs. CT is married and has two daughters from a previous marriage.
LaVonne Dorsey
Vice President
Vice President
Organizational Development MA, Clinical Psychology, LMHCA, CCM lDynamic Fortune 500 strategist with solid track record. Focusing over 20 years of experience on developing, designing, and delivering comprehensive programs and tools to increase human development coaching, on-boarding, career growth and succession planning strategies, project management, consulting, diversity and executive leadership development with organizations. Exceptionally skilled in behavioral analysis, strategic agility and influence.
- Coach Training Alliance, (2006) Certified Coach and Mentor
- Business Consultants Network, Inc. (2006) Human Element FIRO Element B Certified
- Academy for Coaching Excellence, (2006) Empowering and Mastering Life Energies Certification
- NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, Alexandra, VA (2000); Diversity Across Class, Race, Gender and Nationality, Certification
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA (1994); Organizational Training Emphasis: Adult Learning: Management of Training and Development, Nature of Organizational Structures.
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA lin Psychology, Organization Development, minor in Business Administration Portland State University, Portland, OR; General Studies
- Pacific Institute's Investment in Excellence, Seattle, WA
- Fundamental Skills of Managing People/Communicating with People, Assessing Employee Performance
Brad Taylor
VP Product Development
VP Product Development
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Brad is an experienced International Executive with 20+ years in leadership roles. He is versed in managing end-to-end product development, delivering of world-class quality solutions, collaborating across various disciplines, and driving productivity and efficiency. Brad has a proven track record of building strong diverse teams, retaining quality employees, and developing leaders.
Brad has had the opportunity and pleasure to live as an expatriate for 3 years on an international assignment in Taiwan. During this time he became acutely aware of the differences between the Asian and U.S. cultures. As an International Assignee, he bridged the cultural gaps needed to drive various teams’ success. In leadership positions over the years, he created and fostered diverse teams that became more creative, innovative and confident in their abilities. Brad has successfully led many hardware and software development, test, business compliance, finance, and business operations teams throughout his career. With a BS in Electrical Engineering (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) and MBA (Nova Southeastern University) to round off his knowledge, he is well equipped and understands various sides of business. With his engineering competencies and big picture mentality he is ready and willing to help. |
Lisa Riley
Director of Media Relations/Sr. Talent Consultant
Director of Media Relations/Sr. Talent Consultant
Vibrant San Jose, CA resident, Lisa Riley is a Senior Staffing Consultant providing technical recruiting and pipe-line sourcing strategies for Lockheed Martin Corporation, a Defense and Aerospace company that makes its home in Silicon Valley. Her 14+ year recruiting expertise is in technical and non-technical disciplines that include Systems, Mechanical, Software, Test, Satellite, Engineers, and Finance and Business Operations for Aerospace Defense, Energy and Utilities markets.
Since March 2001, Ms. Riley has expanded her core recruitment competencies to include Compensation Analysis and Negotiations, Coaching, Staffing Process, Training and Diversity & Inclusion.
With a special interest in Diversity & Inclusion, her volunteer service and community and professional affiliations include Black Recruiters Network Silicon Valley (BRN), Santa Clara County Lockheed Martin African Mentor Network (AAMIN), Lockheed Martin African American Leadership Forum (AALF) and recently appointed DVRSTY-STEM Accelerators board member, as well as the Stanford Ethno Geriatric Education Center Advisory Team (Stanford Family Medicine), Social Service Agency Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women Advisory Board and San Jose NAACP Youth Director and board member.
Lisa earned a B.A. Degree in Psychology from San Jose State University. Lisa also earned certification in Supervision and Management from University of California, Santa Cruz.
Since March 2001, Ms. Riley has expanded her core recruitment competencies to include Compensation Analysis and Negotiations, Coaching, Staffing Process, Training and Diversity & Inclusion.
With a special interest in Diversity & Inclusion, her volunteer service and community and professional affiliations include Black Recruiters Network Silicon Valley (BRN), Santa Clara County Lockheed Martin African Mentor Network (AAMIN), Lockheed Martin African American Leadership Forum (AALF) and recently appointed DVRSTY-STEM Accelerators board member, as well as the Stanford Ethno Geriatric Education Center Advisory Team (Stanford Family Medicine), Social Service Agency Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women Advisory Board and San Jose NAACP Youth Director and board member.
Lisa earned a B.A. Degree in Psychology from San Jose State University. Lisa also earned certification in Supervision and Management from University of California, Santa Cruz.
Diversity STEM Mentors
DEBRA WATKINS, M.Ed., M.S. is the founder and Executive Director of the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE), which is the sponsor/creator of STEM programs serving K-12 students of African ancestry in Silicon Valley. These award-winning STEM programs, specific to community youth in grades from elementary through high school, have become national models. A graduate of Stanford University’s Teacher Education Program, Ms. Watkins spent 35-years as a public school English teacher, counselor and project administrator. She is also the visionary founder and leader of A Black Education Network (ABEN). ABEN is designed to provide critically needed, culturally responsive pedagogies, African-centered curriculum and professional development to K-12 schools nationwide in order to responsibly serve and educate Black children. Details about the work of this unique education organization can be found at: www.aben4ace.org. Additional information about the successful student-focused programs created by Ms. Watkins can also be found by visiting CAAAE’s website at: www.caaae.org and the Greene Scholars Program (GSP) at: www.greenescholars.org.