Panel Two: Success Stories

Sharon Sayles Belton is the vice president of Government Affairs and Community Relations for Thomson Reuters, Legal. She is responsible for the development and management of Thomson Reuters, Legal’s government affairs strategies and initiatives. She also provides oversight and management of the global Community Relations programs, which include charitable contributions and community volunteerism. Most recently, Sayles Belton served as director of Community Relations and Corporate Philanthropy at GMAC Financial Services. There she managed charitable contributions, community involvement and diversity programs. Previously, she served as vice president and managing director of Community Relations at GMAC ResCap. Her responsibilities included management of the public policy, global charitable contributions and community involvement programs. Sayles Belton served as mayor of Minneapolis, Minn., from 1994 to 2001. During her time in office, she achieved national recognition as an expert on public/private partnerships in the areas public safety, neighborhood revitalization and economic development. She served on the Minneapolis City Council for 10 years (1984-1994) and was council president from 1990-1994.

Craig Taylor is currently the founder and Executive Director of the Office for Business & Community Economic Development and the Business & Technology Center at the University of Minnesota. He earned a B.S. Degree in Urban Government from the University of Minnesota and a Masters Degree in Public Affairs from the Hubert Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota; he has also completed Executive Management Development programs at Harvard University and Carlson School of Management.  Mr. Taylor worked in Corporate America for 12 years as the Manager of Xcel Energy’s Small Business Development Program and prior to that as the Acting Director of the Office for Women & Minority Business Enterprise for the City of Minneapolis. He also served as the Foundation Vice President for the National Association of Minority Contractors. He has received numerous distinguished local and national awards for his work in the area of economic development and supplier diversity. He currently serves on several local and national Boards, and was recently appointed by the Obama Administration to serve on the Minnesota State Advisory Board to the United States Commission on Civil rights.

Natasha Fedorova With nearly a decade of experience of working with women entrepreneurs, Natasha Fedorova is the Program Manager with the Chicago-based Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC). WBDC issues the Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) to woman-owned companies in the Midwest. Ms. Fedorova spearheads the WBDC office in Minnesota. WBDC-Minnesota (WBDC-MN) certifies woman-owned businesses and provides extensive post-certification training and networking opportunities to Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) in Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. Ms. Fedorova was recognized as the 2011 Women in Business Champion of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and named the 2010 Strategic Alliance Partner of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She holds Master’s in Nonprofit Administration and MBA from Metropolitan State University.

Hyon T. Kim: MN Best Enterprises, Inc. was founded as a minority and woman-owned company by Hyon T. Kim. Her vision was to assemble a talented and diverse group of professionals working together toward one common goal, to be nothing but the best in all that they do. The entrepreneurial spirit and excellence that Ms. Kim promotes is felt by everyone who touches the MN Best Team, and each individual is empowered to take his or her place in leading the charge to success. With a rich background in real estate, general construction and maintenance, bio-medical devices, international distribution, and business leadership, Ms. Kim has led several companies to success. Today, MN Best is where she focuses her relentless energy and strength. Her eye for detail, international experience and inspiration in the construction industry where disparities still exist for women and persons of color, led her to be named one of Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal's "Top 25 Women to Watch" for 2008. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. and is very involved in community work through her past role as the first Asian person on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and positions as Chair of the Minnesota State Council, and a member of the National Board of Directors of YWCA USA, the Board of Directors of the Minnesota World Trade Center Corporation, the Workforce Investment Board and the National Association of Women Business Owners. Ms. Kim also serves as Chair of the Asian-African Business Development Committee at the International Leadership Institute and uses her connections to Korea and Africa to encourage international understanding and to foster stronger relationships in her local community.

Duane H. Ramseur Duane H. Ramseur is the President of the Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC). The mission of the regional MMSDC is to provide business development services to corporate members and certified minority businesses to enhance relationships and maximize business opportunities. He is responsible for overall MMSDC management, corporate and minority business recruitment, and programs. Ramseur has 25 years of leadership experience with such organizations as: AT&T, ExxonMobil and Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA).  He has 1o years of successfully advising minority businesses ranging from startup to over $160 million in annual revenue. Ramseur achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition, he completed post graduate studies at the University of St Thomas.