Board of Directors
  DEB
RUSSELL
Corporate Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, Walgreens
Chair, US Business Leadership Network
Deb Russell is a Corporate Manager, Diversity and Inclusion for Walgreen
Co. She oversees the company’s commitment to have one third of the workforce
in its latest and all future distribution centers consist of qualified
individuals with disabilities. The first of these centers opened in January
2007. Ms. Russell has advised and monitored the efforts in order to disseminate
lessons that are learned. Walgreen Company is the nation’s largest drugstore
chain and the 7th largest retailer.
Fortune Magazine ranks Walgreens as the 45th largest company in America and
it employs over 200,000 people. Deb’s background includes working in
the field of employment of people with disabilities for more than 15 years.
These experiences include being a Special Education Teacher, job developer,
and addressing issues related to the employment of people with disabilities
within the workforce investment and Medicaid systems. She has presented
nationally on topics related to the employment of people with disabilities.
  DEBORAH DAGIT
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Merck
Vice Chair, US Business Leadership Network
Deborah Dagit joined Merck & Co. Inc. as the Chief Diversity Officer
in June 2001. She has responsibility for global equal opportunity employment
compliance, diversity, inclusion, work environment, university relations
and diversity outreach strategies. Under Ms. Dagit's leadership, organizations
such as Diversityinc, DOL New Freedom Initiative for People with Disabilities,
Working Mother, G.I. Jobs and the Human Rights Campaign have recognized Merck
for its exemplary work in diversity and inclusion. Merck has undergone more
than 50 different federal audits for compliance with U.S. Affirmative
Action/Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for federal contractors
since 1980 - each time, receiving a letter of compliance from the government.
Ms. Dagit joined Merck from Silicon Graphics, Inc. where she was a Director
of Learning Communications and Diversity since 1993.
Ms. Dagit earned a bachelor's degree with honors from Oregon State University,
and completed her master's degree work in clinical psychology at San Jose
State University. She is a past Chair of the Conference Board's Workforce
Council on Diversity and serves as the Board Co-chair of the Gay Lesbian
Straight Education Network. She is the author of, "The Promise of Diversity:
Reflections on the Not-So-Level Playing Field" and "An Employer's Guide to
Hiring and Accommodating People with Disabilities."
Among her many awards, Ms. Dagit earned the 2005 Champion of the Year from
Out and Equal; the 2004 “Employee of the Year" award from Careers &
the DisABLED magazine; the 2000 Exemplary Leader Award from Silicon Graphics;
the 1999 Advocate of the Year from the Black Employees Network; the 1997
Award of Professional Excellence from the Northern California HR Council;
and the 1996 Tribute to Women in Industry award. Ms. Dagit is married and
has three children aged 14-16.
  DEBRA
RUH
CEO & Founder, TecAccess
Chief Marketing Officer, SSB BART Group Inc.
Secretary/Treasurer, US Business Leadership Network
 Debra
is the CEO and Founder of TecAccess. TecAccess is the leading provider of
professional IT/Web accessibility and usability testing, consulting, training
and award-winning disability workforce solutions, staffing programs and marketing
programs. TecAccess was awarded the prestigious 2005 Presidential Freedom
Initiative Award. For her efforts, Debra was awarded the 2007 Outstanding
Achievement Award by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities,
Enterprising Women Magazine’s Advocacy Award, Northrop Grumman’s
2007 Community Support Award, and the prestigious Wells Fargo/NAWBO
“Trailblazer” Award.
She has been featured on CNN, NPR, and US News and World Report. In 2006
Debra embarked on a new mission to expand TecAccess services to better serve
disabled veterans through DVETs. Debra is currently partnering with leading
organizations to train disabled veterans across the country. This programs
use Assistive Technology (AT), such as screen readers and voice activated
controls, for one-of-a-kind training and employment opportunities. Our DVET
is the first of its kind program in the nation – a program that guarantees
employment to our veterans.
 
MARTHA C. ARTILES
Partner, C5 Consulting LLC
As a Partner of C5 Consulting, LLC, Martha Artiles brings a unique combination
of human resources, diversity and community experience from her 30-year career
that most recently included ManpowerGroup where she served as Chief Global
Diversity Officer responsible for the development and execution of their
global and North American strategic diversity vision. In addition, she designed
and executed Project Ability that focused on the employment of people with
disability into high demand jobs in large metropolitan areas. Her expertise
spans many areas including diversity/inclusion, disability, organizational
change, recruitment, quality management and mechanical engineering.
Prior to her work at ManpowerGroup, Artiles led diversity initiatives at
global corporations in the manufacturing, IT and service sectors. Her
accomplishments include the initiation of a minority council designed to
educate senior executives at a Fortune 300 global corporation, the creation
and development of an executive-focused mentoring program and the co-founding
of a Hispanic employee networking group.
Artiles holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from
the University of Santa Clara in California.
She serves on boards of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
(WBENC), WEConnect Canada, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM)
and the Executive Board of the Silicon Valley National Society of Hispanic
MBAs. She is also a member of the Conference Board’s Workforce Diversity
Council, the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA), the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the World Economic Forum’s Global
Gender Gap Agenda Council. Artiles is an accomplished speaker at a national
and international level, addressing diversity-related issues in human resources,
disability, Hispanic, professional and women’s groups, and is often
cited as an expert in the media.
  BETH BUTLER
Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Lowe’s Companies Inc.
Ms. Butler recently joined Lowe’s corporate office in Mooresville, NC
as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion with a focus on disability
strategies. Prior to joining Lowe’s, Ms. Butler spent over thirteen
years in the financial services industry where she worked for Wells Fargo,
Wachovia and SouthTrust Bank and held positions that included, Vice President,
Accommodations Management Consultant and Senior Litigation Specialist where
she managed charges of employment discrimination for all lines of business
with a focus on ADA claims. In July 2007, Ms. Butler received an invitation
to testify
before Congress, where she shared the impact that Vocational Rehabilitation
Services has had on her life, both personally and professionally.
Ms. Butler continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Business
Leadership Network (USBLN) first joining in 2004, Ms. Butler recently completed
her 2 year term as Board Chair. Ms. Butler also serves as Chair of the State
Rehabilitation Council for the NC Division of Blind Services. She has presented
before numerous audiences at conferences across the United States and has
been featured in magazines such as DiversityInc, HR Executive Magazine and
PINK Magazine. Ms. Butler received her BA degree from West Virginia University
in Morgantown, West Virginia and her JD from Cumberland School of Law in
Birmingham, Alabama.
As a wife, mother and an attorney who happens to have a disability, Ms. Butler
brings a unique perspective to the dialog on employment of people with
disabilities. Legally blind since birth – Ms. Butler appreciates the
unique challenges of living with a hidden disability and uses ZoomText
magnification software and other low vision devices to achieve her personal
and professional success.
  FRANCES WEST
Director, IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center
Frances West is Director of the IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center.
The Center’s mission is to enable human capability through innovation,
so all people can reach their potential, regardless of age or ability. She
is charged with the worldwide responsibility of establishing IBM market
leadership by promoting IBM advanced research technology, products, services
and solutions in the area of human ability and accessibility.
Prior to this assignment, Frances was Director, Channels, Alliances and Business
Development for the Lotus Software Group. She recruited and managed IBM Business
Partners globally that specialize in Lotus software. In addition, Frances
was Director, Financial Services Sector Solutions in the IBM Global Services
organization. She managed investment funding and executed financial services
solution plans for banking, insurance and financial markets globally.
  KEITH P. WIEDENKELLER
Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, AMC Entertainment Inc. (AMC)
Keith P. Wiedenkeller is senior vice president and chief people officer for
AMC Entertainment Inc. (AMC). In this position, Wiedenkeller is responsible
for all aspects of human resources including recruitment, diversity, training,
organizational development, compensation & benefits, recognition, community
relations, internal communication and employee relations.
Wiedenkeller started in “the business” as an usher in 1975. He
began his career with AMC as a manager in 1985, working his way up through
various operations and human resources roles before being named to his current
role in 2002.
During his tenure at AMC, Wiedenkeller has been instrumental in developing
and implementing a variety of ground-breaking initiatives. His efforts have
earned the company numerous awards, including recognition as “Best Large
Employer” from the Missouri Governor’s Council on Disability and
“Best Place to Work” from Ingram’s Magazine and the Kansas
City Business Journal.
Wiedenkeller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Missouri–Kansas City and has been certified as a Senior Professional
in Human Resources (SPHR) for over a decade. He currently serves as president
and founding member of the Business Leadership Network of Greater Kansas
City. His insights on human resources are featured regularly in his column,
“The People Factor,” in Film Journal International magazine. He
is also a top-ranked speaker, presenting on HR topics at numerous local,
state and national seminars and conferences.
Wiedenkeller resides in the Kansas City area with his wife of 28 years.
  KEVIN
FOSTER
Director Human Resources, Motorola’s Quality Master Black Belt
Kevin Foster has worked for Motorola for over 15 years and currently manages
the Global HR Quality and the Digital Six Sigma function. Prior to this,
Kevin held various leadership roles in Organization Development, Global Inclusion
and Diversity, and EEO/AA Compliance.
Kevin is also the founder and co-leader of the Motorola Business Council
for People with Disabilities and has been active on several boards and committees
including USBLN®, American Foundation for the Blind, Career opportunities
for Students with Disabilities, and the Foundation for Blind Children. Kevin
graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of
Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
  MARTHALEE
GALEOTA
Program Manager, Starbucks Accessibility & Diversity
Marthalee Galeota is a grassroots, disability community advocate who has
worked in the rehabilitation and non-profit worlds for over 20 years.
Marthalee currently serves as Program Manager for Starbuck’s Accessibility
and Disability. She is passionate about Starbucks becoming one of the most
inclusive brands in the world and energizing the company around universal
access and to that end is establishing an Accessibility Center of Excellence.
 MICHAEL TAKEMURA
Director, HP Accessibility & Aging Program Office
Michael Takemura, director of the HP Accessibility & Aging Program Office,
is responsible for developing and implementing the strategy for HP’s
accessibility efforts. This office guides corporate-wide accessibility in
product design, engineering, product development, marketing, web, services,
support and programs for persons with disabilities and age-related limitations.
Michael is a frequent speaker representing HP and the information technology
industry on global information technology accessibility issues. He is currently
serving as co-convenor of the JTC1 Special Working Group on Accessibility
- Task Group on User Requirements, and the chair for the INCITS Study Group
on Accessibility. Michael also represented the Information Technology Industry
Council (ITI) on the U.S. Access Board Telecommunications and Electronic
Information Technology Advisory Council (TEITAC). He serves on the Board
of Directors for the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), and
has previously served on the Board of Directors for the American Association
of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and the Advisory Board for California
State University at Northridge – Center on Disabilities (CSUN-COD).
He is a member of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) Accessibility
Committee, and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) Business
Advisory Council. In 2005, he was named one of Careers & disABLED
Magazine’s Employees of the Year, for his professional and advocacy
efforts on behalf of people with disabilities in the workplace.
Takemura has been in the technology industry for over 20 years, representing
HP/Compaq for more than 16 years, with strategic roles in the marketing and
sales organizations and currently in the HP Office of Strategy & Technology.
He resides in Houston Texas where he is an active member in his church, serving
on the Missions Committee and making annual visits to Mexico and Costa Rica
working with disadvantaged children. Michael attended Creighton University
with studies in Organizational Communications.
 MICHELLE MAYBAUM
Director, Employee Relations, Qualcomm Incorporated
Michelle has been involved with the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®)
since 2003, and she served as the Vice President of the Board from 2004-2007.
She is also the representative for Qualcomm as one of the lead companies
for the San Diego Chapter of the California BLN.
Michelle actively partners with the Department of Rehabilitation and other
service providers as a member of the San Diego Committee on the Employment
of People with Disabilities (SDCEPD) to further the employment of people
with disabilities.
Michelle has 20+ years of Human Resources experience and is currently employed
as a Director, Employee Relations at Qualcomm Incorporated. In that capacity,
she is responsible for disability awareness for the entire the organization,
overseeing accommodation needs, and outreach to the disabled community. Qualcomm
is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless
communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital
technology.
  ROY E.
FLORA
Group President of Microtel Inns and Suites and Baymont Inn & Suites
Roy E. Flora serves as the Group President for Microtel Inns and Suites and
Baymont Inn & Suites. Flora led Microtel Inns & Suites to dominate
all new construction brands in the economy segment with 50% of the supply,
recognition by J.D. Power & Associates as highest in overall guest
satisfaction for the economy segment for an unprecedented eight (8) consecutive
years, something no other company in any industry segment has ever achieved.
He redesigned and launched the new Microtel guest room concepts. Recipient
of 2008 HotelWorld Global Hospitality & Design Award for Best Guestroom
Design ~ Limited Service, and Lodging Hospitality 2008 Chain Leadership award.
He received American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) Fair
Franchising Seal for Microtel and Hawthorn Suites brands and is a three time
recipient of Franchisor of the Year Award. Flora’s other accomplishments
include launching the first franchisor-sponsored development mentoring initiative
in the lodging industry to assist first time and novice franchisees through
the critical pre-construction phase of development. He has championed total
product and attitude accessibility for persons with disabilities, Little
People, and seniors. He was recently recognized with the Eagle Award from
Disability Rights Advocates, 2008 Disability Matters award, and Access to
Freedom Award from the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality.
Additionally, he redefined/launched revised Hawthorn Suites prototype, new
bedding initiative and new, contemporary design concept. Also, he developed
ReciPe’s for Success©, a corporate, franchisee, hotel level employee
handbook setting forth the Company’s core values, guiding principles,
expectations for delivering the highest quality accommodations and service,
promoting diversity, employee recognition, and partnering with the local
community. He served 20+ years with Holiday Inn Worldwide. He previously
owned, Flora Hospitality Services for 9 years and is a Certified Rule 31
Mediator.
  LORI GOLDEN
Inclusiveness Consultant and Lead of AccessAbilities, Ernst & Young,
LLP
Lori Golden leads AccessAbilities, Ernst & Young’s efforts to build
an inclusive work environment for people with disabilities. AccessAbilities
is a firm-sponsored inclusiveness initiative with a network made up of several
hundred people from across the firm's organization's geographies, ranks and
functional groups. There is also a leaders network of Abilities Champions
who advocate for disabilities inclusiveness within their respective geographies
and functional groups, and networks to support the parents of children with
disabilities and to support Ernst & Young professionals who act as caregivers
for adults with disabilities.
Lori facilitates AccessAbilities' networks and drives a variety of initiatives
within the firm to enhance accessibility in Ernst & Young offices, make
internal communications, meetings, trainings and technology more accessible
and user-friendly and build a global accessibility strategy for the web and
online applications. Lori is also charged with educating Ernst & Young
people on disabilities etiquette, language and work habits, and raising awareness
of disability-related issues.
  SUSAN PALMER MAZRUI
Director, Global Public Policy, AT&T Services Inc.
Susan Palmer Mazrui began work at Pacific Bell in 1994 where she gained
experience in marketing, external and regulatory affairs. In 1998, she moved
to the wireless field where she developed strategies for addressing Hearing
Aid Compatibility and other state and federal compliance-related activities.
Ms Mazrui also assisted in the development of Section 255 and 508 product
development strategies in SBC and Cingular Wireless. From 1996-2007, she
facilitated the Wireless Access Task Force, composed of national consumer
advocates and currently works on a range of disability and consumer related
initiatives at AT&T. Over the last fifteen years, Ms. Mazrui presented
at numerous conferences including Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. and
the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators and wrote articles
in consumer publications including Critical Issues in Aging and
AccessWorld®.
Ms. Mazrui received her Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
in Education with an emphasis on computer education at San Francisco State
University, magna cum laude. Prior to work in telecommunications, Ms. Mazrui
taught graduate and undergraduate courses in computing and assistive technology
at San Francisco State University and Special Education in San Jose, California.
Ms. Mazrui served on two terms of the Federal Communications Commission’s
Consumer Advisory Committee, as well as terms on the national advisory committees
of the Telecommunications Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center and
the Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC)
and as an alternate on the Access Board’s Telecommunications Access
Advisory Committee (TAAC) and the Telecommunications and Electronic and
Information Technology Access Committee (TEITAC). She currently serves on
the Program Committee for the American Foundation for the Blind, the Business
Advisory Committee for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association and the
Board of Directors of the World Institute on Disability. Ms. Mazrui was the
2002 Summit on Leading Diversity Corporate Fellow and inducted into the Spinal
Cord Injury Hall of Fame in 2008.
  ANN ANDREOSATOS
Leader, Culture and Capability, North American Diversity & Inclusion
Practice, Procter & Gamble
Ann Andreosatos leads North American Culture and Capability work for the
Procter & Gamble’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Practice. This
includes HR leader for People with Disabilities initiatives, consultation
with P&G business units on a variety of Diversity & Inclusion demographic
tools, learning and communication methodologies, and development of Work-life
effectiveness initiatives.
Ann joined P&G in 2004 as Gillette’s Director of Workforce Diversity
& Inclusion and works a location free role in Quincy, MA. Prior to Gillette,
Ann led the development of work/life effectiveness programs at Fidelity
Investments for 16 years, including work/life programs, work climate surveys
and relocation, and employee relations. Ann is co-president the Boston-based
Human Resources Council, supports the annual Linkage Summit on Leading Diversity
as a learning team facilitator, and is a past team mentor with Women Unlimited.
 PAUL FOGLE
Chair, USBLN® Student Advisory Council (SAC)
Ex Officio Member, US Business Leadership Network Board of Directors
Paul is in the Master’s in Public Administration program at Penn State
Harrisburg. In the past, Paul has been a consultant for transition initiatives
on the local, state, and national levels. He has served on the Governing
Boards of the Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (as founding member)
and the National Youth Leadership Network.
Paul has also served on the Youth Advisory Committee to the National Council
on Disability and the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council.
He completed his baccalaureate degree in Public Policy from Penn State Harrisburg
in 2008. While on campus Paul was active in leadership organizations such
as SGA and the University Faculty Senate. He currently serves as an Assistant
Coach for the Penn State Harrisburg Men’s Basketball team. Paul currently
resides in Lebanon, PA.
  TESSAH LATSON
Program Director, NM Business Leadership Network
Ex Officio Member, US Business Leadership Network Board of Directors
Tessah has been the Program Director of the NMBLN since June 2005. Her role
within the organization includes strategic and fund development, communications
and marketing, business and community education. Much of her work is focused
on facilitation and coalition building across sectors. Prior to the NMBLN,
Tessah worked for 3 years as the NM Commission for the Blind’s Community
Relations Liaison and Employment Development Center Marketing Manager.
As a Special Projects Consultant with the National Federation of the Blind
in 2008, Tessah worked on the National Braille Literacy Campaign with NFB
state affiliates, and developed strategic partnership and fundraising initiatives
with the NFB Board of Directors and Program leadership to implement the Louis
Braille Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act. Tessah holds a Master of Arts
degree in Intercultural Relations and Community Development from Lesley
University, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of
Massachusetts-Amherst.
  JOHN WAGNER, MHA
Segment Director, Senior Markets, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Chair, USBLN® Corporate Advisory Board (CAB)
Ex Officio Member, US Business Leadership Network Board of Directors
John Wagner is Senior Segment Director for the Senior Business Unit at Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF). In this role, John is accountable
for the development and implementation of this important business segment’s
strategy and all performance management metrics for senior focused product
portfolios.
Prior to John recent transition to the Senior Business Unit, he served as
a specialist in healthcare reform / product exchanges, consumer directed
health products and product positioning, John has been with BCBSF since 1992
in progressive management roles in delivery systems/provider network management,
provider reimbursement and negotiations, strategy development, Medicare,
capability development, and product management and development. John is a
graduate of the University of North Florida, where he obtained a Master of
Health Administration and a Bachelor of Business Management. John also served
as an adjunct professor for the University with classes focused in Health
Care Administration, Marketing and Planning, and Managed Health Care/Insurance.
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