LBA | 2019 Women’s Business Luncheon Honorees
Congratulations to the Latin Business Association’s (LBA) Women’s Business Luncheon Honorees.
Kenyatta Lewis Executive Director Supplier Diversity & Sustainable Procurement MGM Resorts International® | Global Procurement
Kenyatta is the Executive Director of Supplier Diversity and oversees enterprise-wide supplier diversity initiatives, sustainable procurement and Global Procurements’ training & development programs. For more than 18 years, she has successfully designed, implemented and expanded MGM Resorts’ world-class supplier diversity program to include new developments and acquired resorts. Kenyatta holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and served 8 years in the United States Army Reserves. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she leads various youth and outreach ministries within the church her husband pastors. Kenyatta is a native Las Vegan and proud mother of 2 sons and 1 granddaughter.
Gloria M. Burton, Program Manager, Supplier Diversity & Development Southern California Edison Company
Gloria Burton has over 20 years of Supply Chain Management experience. She has supported many organizational units across SCE as a Procurement Agent and Contract Manager. Currently, Gloria is a Program Manager with Supplier Diversity & Development. As such, she is committed to working with diverse firms to strengthen their capabilities in order to grow and achieve success while delivering economic value to customers and communities. Prior to joining SCE, Gloria worked at ARCO for 15 years in various capacities managing multi-million dollar contracts within procurement and supplier diversity. Gloria earned her bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University in business management. She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Redlands. Gloria is very active with her church and enjoys volunteering to support senior outreach activities at long term health care facilities. She is also very passionate in promoting youth programs. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and her granddaughter.
Samantha Varela Supplier Diversity Administrator American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Samantha Varela is the Inclusion & Diversity Administrator in the Procurement Inclusion & Diversity Department at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. She is responsible for developing and promoting inclusive partnerships that reflect the diversity of Honda’s associates, suppliers, and customers, and that ensure competitive innovative business solutions for the sustainability of the company and supply chain. After joining Honda in 2008 and serving in a variety of positions, in 2016 she joined the newly established Procurement Inclusion & Diversity Department, where she advocates for diverse suppliers and work’s in tandem with Corporate Procurement to increase equal opportunities for diverse suppliers on all Requests for Proposals (RFP). Samantha is committed to providing inclusive partnership opportunities to small, disadvantaged, LGBTQ, minority and women-owned businesses; and to building relationships with and engaging suppliers who provide a high quality of service, unique business perspectives and results.
