Business Owner to Certified: A Strategic Path for Small Businesses and Diverse Suppliers - Online

"From Business Owner to Certified: A Strategic Path for Small Businesses and Diverse Suppliers" is a practical roadmap designed to help entrepreneurs navigate certification, unlock supplier diversity opportunities, and grow sustainably. This session equips small and diverse businesses with tools to expand through strategic partnerships. Gregory A. Watson (Greg), our speaker for the event, is an accomplished general management and marketing executive with over 25 years of experience successfully building, growing, and transforming businesses. He currently serves as Vice President of Operations at the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (CVMSDC), where he leads Corporate Services and Operations, helping connect certified diverse suppliers with corporate partners. Greg's career spans leadership roles in top-tier organizations. He served as Vice President of Brand Content for UniWorld Group, Inc., and held senior marketing positions at McGraw Hill Education (Integrated Marketing) and Nationwide Insurance, where he was Associate Vice President in the Financial Services division. Earlier in his career, Greg held brand management and customer marketing leadership roles at Unilever and The Coca-Cola Company. Recognized for his ability to lead cross-functional and direct teams, Greg brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, operational excellence, and marketing insight. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

Speaker(s): Gregory Watson - Vice President of Operations at CVMSDC

Co-Sponsor(s): Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College Small Business Center

Fee: No Cost