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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Matthew Steward
Matthew Steward, founder and president of Steward Speakers, Inc., began developing speaker series events while a student at Indiana University’s Bloomington campus through the campus Union Board. The Union Board, a student-led campus entertainment program, planned and hosted guest lectures, plays, and theater events. Notable guest lecturers to the university community included Harry Belafonte, the late Dick Gregory and Bill Cosby. With the support of his family and help from local community leaders such as the late William Mays, founder of Mays Chemical Company and Sam Jones of the Indianapolis Urban League, Steward Speakers was introduced to the Indianapolis community in November 1986.
Mia Baird
Walking in her purpose, Mia Baird, MBA is the Founder and CEO of Eminent Advising Solutions (EAS) & Eminent Advising Realty.
The Business Consulting & HR firm helps organizations take necessary steps toward having conversations that disrupt the status quo, develop measurable action to successfully ensure everyone can work every day in an organization that is culturally conscious, actively breaking down barriers, evolves into a space that removes bias that will disproportionately affect African Americans and other minorities from upward mobility in the workplace and in the entrepreneurial space. With a zealous dedication to each client, the EAS goal is to ALWAYS provide the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, knowledge, dignity, unparalleled service, and High-Caliber results!
Pamela Bean
Pamela has served on the board for 3 years. She is a member of the Browning Investments team. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. she is actively involved in serving the Indianapolis community.
Kimberly Bostic
Kimberly Bostic serves as Steward Speakers' Board President and Philanthropy Director for the State of Indiana at the American Cancer Society.
Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Kimberly served as president of Starfish Initiative. Kimberly also led United Way of Central Indiana’s (UWCI) major gift and individual leadership giving. Kimberly has successfully served as a leader in the nonprofit sector for more than 14 years.
A life-long servant to the community, Kimberly volunteers whenever she can. She has served on many community boards including Indianapolis Weed and Seed of the Far Eastside, Lawrence Township Hunger Coalition, FEAC Far Eastside Action Coalition, Pathway Resource Center Planning Committee and she currently serves as the Board Chair on the Steward Speakers Board of Directors. Kimberly continues to advocate for equal access and quality education for all youth throughout our community.
Tracy Boyd
Tracy Boyd is an Indiana native and committed advocate for education equality. After earning her bachelor's degree in Education from Martin University, Tracy worked as a technical support analyst for a pharmaceutical research company for more than a decade and later ran for public office in the city of Lawrence. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Lawrence Utility Service Board.
My drive and focus is to serve my community and make a positive difference in the lives of my neighbors I am actively involved in a number of charitable organizations and steadily work to help our youth become productive members of society as I know there are priceless rewards in guiding youth to reach their goals.
Denola Burton
Denola M. Burton is the Founder and CEO of Enhanced DNA: Develop Nurture Achieve, LLC. She holds the Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Biology. After beginning her career as a scientist, she transitioned into Human Resources and maintains certifications as a Professional in Human Resources from both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP), and the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI-PHR). She is a Certified DISC Behavioral Coach through Innermetrix North America and is a Certified Speaker, Trainer, Coach with the John Maxwell Team.
Tamara Cypress
Tamara is a visual storyteller, strategist, and change agent who challenges the status quo. She has seventeen years of experience in five diverse industries leading corporate change innovation, employee messaging and engagement, and integrated marketing and communication campaigns. She has over ten years’ experience serving on board of directors and committees including the host committee communications chair for Super Bowl XLVI, focused on creating and pitching stories to the media. In addition to Steward Speakers, her current leadership commitments include the following:
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Downtown Indy, Inc., Downtown Recovery Taskforce & Marketing Board
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The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL), Fellow, Marketing Chair and Podcast Host
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United Way Diversity Leadership Circle, Steering Committee Communications Chair
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African American Legacy Fund of Indianapolis, Founding Member and Communications Chair
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NCAA Final Four, Marketing committee member
Lee Morris
Lee Morris is a native of Monticello, Florida and joined the military after graduating from Jefferson High School. He received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Campbell University in 2003 and the Masters degree in Information System and Resource Management from Webster University 2006.
As a Retired Veteran, Lee served on active duty as a Construction Engineer Technician and Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) for almost thirty (30) years. Mr. Morris had three tours in the Middle East - Operation Vigilant, Operation Iraq Freedom, and Operation Endure Freedom.
Brandon Moore
Brandon T. Moore is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. A Christian, Husband, Father and Coach, Brandon started Williams Brothers Pharmacy following a successful career as an Operations Manager with Moore & Lee Financial Group. His career also includes successful roles at Siemens Engineering and Amazon Inc. Brandon specializes in the Operations sector and specializes in strategic management.
Soraya Van Horn
Soraya Van Horn values connection, community, and relationships. After a successful corporate career as an IT Project Manager, Soraya created her own path to serve others through business coaching to help them capture contracts by leveraging the value of set-asides. She is a business matchmaker and very involved as an advisor on nonprofit boards.
Soraya has decades of business acumen, operating several businesses, aimed at leaving a legacy of business ownership, for her four grown children. She has vast experience helping small businesses win large government contracts, while also serving as a coach for the SBA THRIVE Emerging Leaders Program. Her hobby business is custom tours and destination escapes with a full-service group travel agency and transportation company.
Olivia West
Olivia West, a Purdue University, graduate, Class of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics- Sales and Marketing. Olivia is an In-Game Host/Emcee with Pacers Sports and Entertainment and is a Global Brand Marketing Associate with Eli Lilly and Company. Her community involvement includes serving as Vice Chair of the Indianapolis Black Professionals, as a mentor with Starfish Initiative and she is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Join me in welcoming Olivia West to the stage.
Indianapolis Black Professionals – Vice Chair - Indianapolis, IN April 2021- Present
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, 10 Year 4-H Member, Starfish Initiative Mentor, Mentors of Color Mentee
Whitley Yates
Whitley Yates is an award-winning publicist, entrepreneur, and political power player currently serving as the Director of Diversity and Engagement at the Indiana Republican Party, the first person to hold the position. Her political experience began in college at Indiana University, where she served as the president of her residence hall for four years. Following her passion for politics, she successfully managed a campaign to elect the third Black student body president in the university's history. Using this experience as a springboard, she furthered her political skills by managing her first major campaign in Los Angeles, serving as a consultant for mayoral candidate Marc Little.