Randolph F. Wiggins (Randy) is the founder of Build for America (BFA), a consultancy focused on building tech ecosystems across America (highlights include contributing to the policy development of the Biden Administration’s $10 billion Tech Hubs initiative) and a scout with BLCK VC, Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Prior to founding BFA and taking on the scout role, Randy served as the Founding Managing Director of Build in Tulsa, the national multi-sector effort to rebuild Black Wall Street around technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, business and venture capital – and build the infrastructure for diverse wealth creation in America. In the role, Randy led the development of the Build in Tulsa brand, mission, vision and operations and engineered and built out Build in Tulsa’s structure and mechanics (ex: the nation’s only 3-stage accelerator pipeline and ecosystem focused on African-American entrepreneurs including operational partners like Techstars). You can learn more about Randy’s work engineering and building a diverse technology ecosystem in outlets like Forbes as well as the City of the Future Podcast (21:54) from Sidewalk Labs, the urban planning and infrastructure subsidiary of Google.

Prior to leading Build in Tulsa, Randy served as Executive Co-Lead of Princeton Alumni Angels (Bay Area), Princeton’s Silicon Valley angel investing community, and Investment Manager on the Tech and Society team at Omidyar Network, the founder of eBay’s impact investing and venture capital fund. There, he co-led the team’s efforts to prevent, mitigate, correct the societal downsides of technology – and maximize impact through investments in and strategic partnerships with ventures positively impacting Silicon Valley and its associated companies, teams and products. Randy’s significant contributions at Omidyar Network include the Ethical Operating System (ethicalos.org) covered in Wired Magazine.

Before joining Omidyar Network, Randy spent time in Shanghai and Beijing with leadership from KKR China and consulted on the promise and impact of artificial intelligence on labor, economies, education, and society in China. Prior to his move to Silicon Valley and the technology and venture capital sectors, Randy built a career in policy – a highlight of which was his work under Lawrence S. Summers in the United States National Economic Council in the Obama White House to help rebuild the American economy following The Great Recession.

Randy holds a B.A. from Princeton University, where he majored in public policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law. Randy is a proud inaugural member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Millennium Scholarship Program – a $1.6 billion effort funded by Bill and Melinda Gates to promote academic excellence; increase diverse representation in areas like computer science and engineering; and develop a deep bench of future leaders to help build a stronger society and protect the future of the US economy.

Randolph F. Wiggins (Randy) is the founder of Build for America (BFA), a consultancy focused on building tech ecosystems across America (highlights include contributing to the policy development of the Biden Administration’s $10 billion Tech Hubs initiative) and a scout with BLCK VC, Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Prior to founding BFA and taking on the scout role, Randy served as the Founding Managing Director of Build in Tulsa, the national multi-sector effort to rebuild Black Wall Street around technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, business and venture capital – and build the infrastructure for diverse wealth creation in America. In the role, Randy led the development of the Build in Tulsa brand, mission, vision and operations and engineered and built out Build in Tulsa’s structure and mechanics (ex: the nation’s only 3-stage accelerator pipeline and ecosystem focused on African-American entrepreneurs including operational partners like Techstars). You can learn more about Randy’s work engineering and building a diverse technology ecosystem in outlets like Forbes as well as the City of the Future Podcast (21:54) from Sidewalk Labs, the urban planning and infrastructure subsidiary of Google.

Prior to leading Build in Tulsa, Randy served as Executive Co-Lead of Princeton Alumni Angels (Bay Area), Princeton’s Silicon Valley angel investing community, and Investment Manager on the Tech and Society team at Omidyar Network, the founder of eBay’s impact investing and venture capital fund. There, he co-led the team’s efforts to prevent, mitigate, correct the societal downsides of technology – and maximize impact through investments in and strategic partnerships with ventures positively impacting Silicon Valley and its associated companies, teams and products. Randy’s significant contributions at Omidyar Network include the Ethical Operating System (ethicalos.org) covered in Wired Magazine.

Before joining Omidyar Network, Randy spent time in Shanghai and Beijing with leadership from KKR China and consulted on the promise and impact of artificial intelligence on labor, economies, education, and society in China. Prior to his move to Silicon Valley and the technology and venture capital sectors, Randy built a career in policy – a highlight of which was his work under Lawrence S. Summers in the United States National Economic Council in the Obama White House to help rebuild the American economy following The Great Recession.

Randy holds a B.A. from Princeton University, where he majored in public policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law. Randy is a proud inaugural member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Millennium Scholarship Program – a $1.6 billion effort funded by Bill and Melinda Gates to promote academic excellence; increase diverse representation in areas like computer science and engineering; and develop a deep bench of future leaders to help build a stronger society and protect the future of the US economy.

Chinedu Echeruo is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Beloved Ecosystem, building AI-powered startups to co-create inclusive wealth at global scale. At the heart of this ecosystem is DICE, an innovative organizational model that leverages human intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock collective innovation and problem-solving. With a passion for using technology to create positive social change, Echeruo is dedicated to empowering economically distressed communities and fostering inclusive economic growth.

His ambitious goal is to build a $25 billion ecosystem in 10 years, starting with 10 AI-powered startups in Newark, New Jersey, and expanding to 50 startups across major Northeast cities and then nationwide. Talented, the first startup, will use Agentic AI to autonomously match youth with apprenticeships, adapt training programs in real-time, and collaborate with employers to create pathways out of poverty. The ecosystem aims to create 5,000 local jobs, with at least 35% hired from distressed communities, and generate $5 billion in community wealth through 20% resident-employee ownership.

Echeruo’s entrepreneurial journey began with a deeply personal challenge—a fear of getting lost that stemmed from his childhood in Nigeria and early days navigating New York City. This frustration led him to create HopStop, a pioneering navigation app used in over 350 cities worldwide, which was acquired by Apple in 2013. He also founded Tripology, a lead-generation service for the travel industry, later acquired by Rand McNally and subsequently owned by USA Today.

Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Echeruo was a key member of the investment team at AM Investment Partners, a $500 million hedge fund focused on convertible bond arbitrage. He began his career at J.P. Morgan Chase, working in the Mergers and Acquisitions and Leveraged Finance groups, where he was involved in various M&A, financing, and private equity transactions.

Echeruo holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated with honors from Syracuse University. Through his work and vision, he aims to build vibrant ecosystems that optimize for the collective good.

Coco is a designer and entrepreneur with a passion for the future of cities, currently leading operations and design at Itana (www.itana.africa), Africa’s first Digital Zone. A graduate from University of California, Los Angeles, she has worked in interdisciplinary fields spanning entertainment and technology, collaborating with some of the largest consumer brands in business partnerships. In her career, she had crafted web experiences at Google, built the brand and product of a home-sharing platform for the web3 community, and engaged in product marketing for an ecosystem of products combining hardware, software, and media content. After extensive travels – what she refers to as a “self-taught Masters in Modern Humanity”, she founded Socialhaus, an offline space with the goal of transforming the social landscape in the modern era by curating urban living rooms for cities. In the process, she ran over 100 analog and digital events and created thousands of meaningful connections.

Coco grew up straddling between two cultures: China and the United States. Her background and experience of adapting to both cultures at an early age enabled her to be highly empathetic and creative. Passionate about how the built world affects the way we connect, she is ready to build the next model city and reimagine the environment we live in.

Allen T. Lamb, Global Head of AFROPUNK (AP), joined the AFROPUNK brand in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and General Manager. Allen has extensive experience as an early/growth stage investor, media/sports/entertainment investment banker, and serial entrepreneur. He drives AFROPUNK’s US-based and global footprint, while nurturing AP’s cultural positioning centered in innovation, discovery, empowerment, artistry, and social change. Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University, a master’s degree in computer science from Cornell University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Channing Martin is IPG’s Global Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer. In this role, she is responsible for advancing IPG’s diversity, equity and inclusion objectives and continuing to strengthen the company’s progress to being one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies.

Reporting to the CEO, Channing leads IPG’s strategy on all diversity-related matters, including the continued diversification of IPG’s senior ranks and talent pipeline, collaboration and partnership with IPG’s full network of agency brands, CEOs and DE&I leadership community. In her role, she also supports the advancement of social impact strategies and practices in partnership with the leadership of IPG’s integrated ESG team.

Prior to joining IPG, Channing was Chief Diversity and Social Responsibility Officer of CSG, a global provider of consumer engagement and digital experience solutions. In this role, she worked across the company to promote and build effective strategies for equity, diversity and inclusion. She was also responsible for environmental, societal and governance (ESG) initiatives, recommending investments, activities and programs focused on sustainable, socially aware business practices that incorporate diverse people and perspectives, voices and ideas.

Channing previously held the positions of Diversity and Inclusion Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Diversity Lead and Strategic Planner for the US Department of State and the Diversity Recruitment and Assessment Manager for the US Office of Personnel Management.

Throughout her career, Channing has developed and executed measurable diversity initiatives that amplify employee voices, build diverse pipelines of talent, mitigate bias in hiring and performance reviews and strengthen community partnerships to reach new audiences.

Channing holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Heinz College at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Marissa Solis is a magnetic business leader with over 25 years of expertise in business consulting, CPG, Retail, and Sports marketing. Currently, Marissa leads all global brand and consumer marketing initiatives for the NFL, including all national advertising, traditional and digital media initiatives, in-stadium marketing, and new fan development.

A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.S. in International Economics and the University of Texas at Austin with an M.A. in Public Policy, she began her career in brand management at Procter & Gamble Latin America, where she led marketing for brands like Ariel, Downy, and Pampers in Central America and the Caribbean.

Marissa spent a few years as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting, leading change initiatives and communication consulting for Public Sector clients. She also spent time as a political consultant, contributing to the communication strategies of key campaigns in Texas and Mexico. In 2003, she took a role in marketing at Pepsico’s Frito Lay North America Division. During her 18-year tenure at Pepsico, Marissa led numerous brand marketing initiatives and national campaigns for globally renowned food and beverage brands like Doritos and Pepsi. She also held roles in shopper marketing and sales for key PepsiCo retail customers like Walmart, Target, and Costco.

In 2017, Marissa led the creation of a cross-functional Hispanic Business Unit – the first of its kind – winning Industry Recognition for work to engage Latinos in key brand initiatives. She went on to lead marketing for brands at Frito Lay North America, including the coveted relationship with the NFL. She won several Reggies, Sports Clios, and a Grand Prix Cannes Lion for her work on Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos brands. In 2021, Marissa was recognized by Adweek as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports for elevating the football-watching occasion with the NFL and Frito Lay partnership. In 2023, Marissa and her team won a Sports Emmy for the “She Runs It” Superbowl campaign featuring star flag football player Diana Flores.

In addition to her full-time marketing position, Marissa serves on the Board of Directors of Consolidated Communications, a leading broadband and business communications provider that serves wireless and wireline customers across rural and metro communities. She is a new member of the Board of Directors of AIMM – Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. She also serves as a board member on the North Texas Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and The Melville Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of minority children in Dallas. She has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and resides in McKinney, Texas, with her husband Juan and 18-year-old daughter Gabriela.

Marissa Solis is a magnetic business leader with over 25 years of expertise in business consulting, CPG, Retail, and Sports marketing. Currently, Marissa leads all global brand and consumer marketing initiatives for the NFL, including all national advertising, traditional and digital media initiatives, in-stadium marketing, and new fan development.

A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.S. in International Economics and the University of Texas at Austin with an M.A. in Public Policy, she began her career in brand management at Procter & Gamble Latin America, where she led marketing for brands like Ariel, Downy, and Pampers in Central America and the Caribbean.

Marissa spent a few years as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting, leading change initiatives and communication consulting for Public Sector clients. She also spent time as a political consultant, contributing to the communication strategies of key campaigns in Texas and Mexico. In 2003, she took a role in marketing at Pepsico’s Frito Lay North America Division. During her 18-year tenure at Pepsico, Marissa led numerous brand marketing initiatives and national campaigns for globally renowned food and beverage brands like Doritos and Pepsi. She also held roles in shopper marketing and sales for key PepsiCo retail customers like Walmart, Target, and Costco.

In 2017, Marissa led the creation of a cross-functional Hispanic Business Unit – the first of its kind – winning Industry Recognition for work to engage Latinos in key brand initiatives. She went on to lead marketing for brands at Frito Lay North America, including the coveted relationship with the NFL. She won several Reggies, Sports Clios, and a Grand Prix Cannes Lion for her work on Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos brands. In 2021, Marissa was recognized by Adweek as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports for elevating the football-watching occasion with the NFL and Frito Lay partnership. In 2023, Marissa and her team won a Sports Emmy for the “She Runs It” Superbowl campaign featuring star flag football player Diana Flores.

In addition to her full-time marketing position, Marissa serves on the Board of Directors of Consolidated Communications, a leading broadband and business communications provider that serves wireless and wireline customers across rural and metro communities. She is a new member of the Board of Directors of AIMM – Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. She also serves as a board member on the North Texas Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and The Melville Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of minority children in Dallas. She has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and resides in McKinney, Texas, with her husband Juan and 18-year-old daughter Gabriela.

Marissa Solis is a magnetic business leader with over 25 years of expertise in business consulting, CPG, Retail, and Sports marketing. Currently, Marissa leads all global brand and consumer marketing initiatives for the NFL, including all national advertising, traditional and digital media initiatives, in-stadium marketing, and new fan development.

A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.S. in International Economics and the University of Texas at Austin with an M.A. in Public Policy, she began her career in brand management at Procter & Gamble Latin America, where she led marketing for brands like Ariel, Downy, and Pampers in Central America and the Caribbean.

Marissa spent a few years as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting, leading change initiatives and communication consulting for Public Sector clients. She also spent time as a political consultant, contributing to the communication strategies of key campaigns in Texas and Mexico. In 2003, she took a role in marketing at Pepsico’s Frito Lay North America Division. During her 18-year tenure at Pepsico, Marissa led numerous brand marketing initiatives and national campaigns for globally renowned food and beverage brands like Doritos and Pepsi. She also held roles in shopper marketing and sales for key PepsiCo retail customers like Walmart, Target, and Costco.

In 2017, Marissa led the creation of a cross-functional Hispanic Business Unit – the first of its kind – winning Industry Recognition for work to engage Latinos in key brand initiatives. She went on to lead marketing for brands at Frito Lay North America, including the coveted relationship with the NFL. She won several Reggies, Sports Clios, and a Grand Prix Cannes Lion for her work on Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos brands. In 2021, Marissa was recognized by Adweek as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports for elevating the football-watching occasion with the NFL and Frito Lay partnership. In 2023, Marissa and her team won a Sports Emmy for the “She Runs It” Superbowl campaign featuring star flag football player Diana Flores.

In addition to her full-time marketing position, Marissa serves on the Board of Directors of Consolidated Communications, a leading broadband and business communications provider that serves wireless and wireline customers across rural and metro communities. She is a new member of the Board of Directors of AIMM – Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. She also serves as a board member on the North Texas Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and The Melville Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of minority children in Dallas. She has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and resides in McKinney, Texas, with her husband Juan and 18-year-old daughter Gabriela.