Millennium Magazine_8th Ed

295 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine SOCIAL SERVICES AND NONPROFIT SUPPLIER AND WORKFORCE DIVERSITY PROGRAM MANAGER Illinois American Water Saint Louis, MO OWNER Immense Imagery The Dalles, OR RHONDA CARTER ADAMS R honda Carter Adams has been involved in her community, spreading messages of inclusivity and minority advocacy from a young age. Realizing her potential, her employer at Caterpillar, Inc., offered her the job of supplier and diversity manager, in which she excelled from 1996 to 2011. Leading all efforts of diversity initiatives, Ms. Adams is driven by her desire to eradicate systemic injustices in her local community, as well as society. Supported by an MBA in global management from the University of Phoenix, Ms. Adams currently serves as a supplier and workforce diversity programmanager with Illinois American Water. Contributing to the greater St. Louis community, she is a charity volunteer and board member of the United Way, Women’s Group on Race Relations, the Center of Creative Arts and the NAACP. Ms. Adams is described by her colleagues as passionate and energetic, noting that she desires to be a catalyst for change. Recognized by Who’s Who Diversity in Color, she has been named a Diverse Business Leader and Champion of Diversity, as well as listed among the Top 10 Leaders in the Region by Small Business Magazine. R obbie Denning is an inspirational figure in the entrepreneurial and artistic communities. Inspired by the idea that a company could have a charitable impact while also turning a profit, she founded a small information technology company, titled Simply Instruct, and then went on to found and serve as the owner of Immense Imagery. Formerly excelling as a media director for Cotyso Studios, she draws upon a BA in music from the University of Northampton in England. Ms. Denning’s love of audio, music and film has driven her to be a well-respected businesswoman and masterful creator of arts and media. Her scope of work blends high-level media production knowledge with lofty public service ideals and entrepreneurial grit. Having learned as a transgender businesswoman the importance of being one’s most authentic self, she strives to create an environment of inclusivity, diversity and equity inside her businesses and the communities in which they reside. Ms. Denning’s grassroots approach to capitalism has resulted in a legacy of positive social and economic impact. She received the 2019 Economic Development Award from the National Association Develop- ment Organization and an award from the Everybody Rides Campaign. ROBBIE DENNING