28 Sep September 29, 2022 – Underestimated Donald Thompson and Social Impact Businesses LeiLani Quiray
Donald Thompson – 3x Inc 5000 CEO, Forbes Next 1000, Fast Company World Changing Ideas, Business NC Power List, Founder of The Diversity Movement and Author of Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success
One of our clients had a 15% increase in sales wins when
they presented with heterogeneous teams, diverse teams.
That means when they have a diversified team that was
pitching new business, they won more business.
Donald Thompson
Donald Thompson is a thought leader on goal achievement, influencing company culture, and driving exponential growth. As an entrepreneur, Donald has led multiple companies which have attained successful exits with strong returns for shareholders and employees. As our CEO and Certified Diversity Executive, he is a champion of DEI initiatives. Through his work, Donald actively raises both awareness of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to create a more inclusive society and improve business outcomes along the way. Donald previously led the multi-award-winning digital marketing firm Walk West, which was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. throughout his tenure as CEO in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In 2021, he was named one of “Forbes’ Next 1000: Upstart Entrepreneurs Redefining the American Dream.” A true believer in those who dare to dream, Donald works as a mentor for Google’s Entrepreneurs Exchange and is an angel investor, providing support to small startups and entrepreneurs. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Raleigh Chamber and TowneBank Raleigh, the Board of Trustees for Vidant Medical Center, and the NCSU Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, as well as boards for various NC-based startups in technology, marketing, sports, and entertainment. A member of the National Speakers Association, Donald speaks frequently for businesses, organizations, and universities, sharing actionable insights and strategies across key functions of business strategy, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and DEI in the workplace. He has written for multiple publications including WRAL Techwire, Entrepreneur.com, and CNBC.com, and has published his own ebooks on decision making and diversity.
LeiLani Quiray – Founder and CEO of be the change HR
In the social impact space, there is no manual telling you how
to do this. We dedicate 2% of our top line revenue to a job
readiness program that helps sex trafficking survivors.
LeiLani Quiray
LeiLani Quiray is the Founder and CEO of be the change HR, a social enterprise that helps startups hire the right talent and create and support happy, healthy workforces. LeiLani lives by Mahatma Gandhi’s words “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. That’s what led her to start be the change HR as a social enterprise, which not only does great HR work but also contributes to the betterment of the world through their work. The company has seven-figure revenues and donates 2% of its top line income to charity. Since launching in 2017, be the change HR has supported close to 30 nonprofit organizations. LeiLani has over 20 years of HR experience spanning across many industries, such as construction, finance, real estate, and manufacturing. She regularly teaches free job readiness courses and provides free coaching to individuals who’ve been trafficked, homeless, and veterans in transition.