Derek Holmes, administrative director, Contractor Diversity, Harris Health is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing Harris Health’s Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program. Using quantitative and qualitative data, he focuses on inclusion and outreach efforts, creates and administers programs and initiatives to increase economic opportunities for M/WBEs.
Prior to this role, Holmes served as the assistant director of Vendor Diversity for the Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity. In this role, he created the M/WBE program for Harris County. He also held multiple contract compliance roles at the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity, where he notably helped author the 2021 OBO Policies and Procedures and created on-demand training videos for City departments and contractors.
Holmes received his Bachelor of Science in Public Management from Florida A&M University and his MBA from Texas Southern University. He has also earned multiple certifications at the Wharton School of Business and Morgan State University. He enjoys mentoring, volunteering in the community, and he has served on several boards and nonprofit committees.
Tamala Austin, business equity outreach manager
Tamala Austin is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, proactive approach and keen ability to translate complex concepts into straightforward ideas effectively. It is her passion to share her journey of entrepreneurship, encourage a culture of learning, while inspiring others to achieve while fostering a culture of innovation. To bridge the gap between theory and practice and to stay current in the industry, she coaches teams and individuals, especially women who have a desire to start a business or have an existing business. Her message is simple—with the right tools, success is achievable.
Her expertise includes entrepreneurship, finance, recruiting, certification and several director or advisor roles leading programs designed to train, mentor and lead women to academic and entrepreneurial success. Governor Greg Abbott recently recognized Austin as an entrepreneur, consultant, empowerment specialist, revolutionary thinker and transformational leader who has inspired change and become a symbol of hope and success.
She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas Southern University and her master’s in business administration from Texas Women’s University. In her role as business equity outreach manager, she will oversee community outreach and trainings, develop programs and partnerships and work one-on-one with firms under the Minority -and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program.
Consuela Floyd, M/WBE contractor diversity manager
Consuela Floyd is a diversity, equity, inclusion practitioner that brings over 10 years of experience, and working knowledge of compliance and women-owned, minority-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) programs. In her current role, she is responsible for oversight of the diversity contractor compliance team, which will ensure M/WBE participation and commitment to Harris Health System.
Prior to Harris Health, Floyd served in similar capacities within both the City of Houston, and Harris County’s M/WBE programs. She currently serves as M/WBE manager for Harris Health’s contractor diversity division. In this capacity, she is responsible for developing and executing corporate supplier diversity strategies that will increase opportunities for M/WBE firms in the competitive contracting and procurement process, create strategies to increase diverse spend and set contract goals for prime vendors doing business with Harris Health.
Beyond work and credentials, Floyd is an avid traveler, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Vivian Santiago, business equity analyst Vivian Santiago is a data professional who has substantial work experience working in data analysis for decision-making and best practices. She’s passionate about the growing power of data and the multiple ways it can be used to achieve resolutions. She completed a Masters in Information Technology: Data Analytics. Through her education and work experience, she contributes and collaborates with Harris Health’s Contract Diversity with the analysis required to provide inclusive and impactful connections between Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Harris Health opportunities.
Santiago’s work experience includes the creation and analysis of data in education. Her experience includes data visualization, database design and decision-making and modeling. She focused on analyzing best educational practices for minority groups.
Outside of work, Santiago created a volleyball group for women in her community, which continues to grow and meet for fellowship, fun and exercise.