Dennis
Kennedy

Founder and Chairman

Texas Diversity Council

Dennis Kennedy has an unwavering passion for people and works to ensure that all individuals receive equal opportunities in the workplace regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, physical or mental handicaps, physique, gender identity, or sexual orientation. In 2004, Mr. Kennedy walked away from his job to start the Texas Diversity Council because he felt a very strong need to create an organization that would champion Diversity & Inclusion across the state. He has also launched several statewide conferences focused on diversity, leadership and women. Currently there are conferences taking place in 32 States. Visit the National Diversity Conference or the National Women's Conference for more information. Furthermore, Mr. Kennedy launched two additional national organizations in 2011 including the National Women's Council which focuses on advocacy for women and the Council for Corporate Responsibility, which seeks to educate organizations on the best practices in social responsibility. In addition, he is the creator of the DiversityFIRST™ Newsletter, a proud product of DiversityFIRST™ Publishing which is distributed in the following 13 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Tri-State (NY, NJ & CT). Prior to his entrepreneurship, Mr. Kennedy spent several years as a college professor in the business schools at University of Houston Downtown, Texas Southern University, and University of Texas at San Antonio, teaching Business Statistics, Economics, HR Management, Compensation Management, and Diversity Management. He also spent 5 years working in a corporate environment in the field of Human Resources. A graduate from the University of Houston Main Campus (UofH), Mr. Kennedy earned undergraduate degrees in economics, business management, political science and physical education; he also earned a MBA from University of Houston Main Campus as well. In addition, he was also a scholarship athlete for football. Mr. Kennedy is currently working on his book titled, CreatingYourSignificance™, which is a unique self-marketing strategy that allows individuals to create a successful personal brand. The book is slated for publishing on April 20, 2020.

Ángeles M.
Valenciano

CEO

Texas Diversity Council

Angeles Valenciano serves as chief executive officer of the Texas Diversity Council. Previously, she was the chief executive officer of the National Diversity Council (NDC), becoming the first female CEO of this major nonprofit. In this role, she continued to advance the NDC’s mission of fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She also focused on strengthening partnerships with businesses, academia and the community at large. Ms. Valenciano is a seasoned strategist with more than 20 years of experience in human resources, primarily focused on diversity, organizational change, and development. She was previously president of the Healthcare Diversity Council and executive vice president of the NDC. In the latter role, she oversaw the growth of several national markets, including California, Colorado and Arizona. In addition, she also served as vice president of business development for the Texas Diversity Council (TXDC), one of the NDC state councils. Ms. Valenciano was the TXDC’s first executive director with responsibility over operations and policy implementation as adopted by the Board of Directors. She directed the agendas of the regional diversity council’s advisory boards in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. Under her leadership, the annual Women in Leadership Symposium was created and is now a national and global event held in more than twelve states and several countries including England, Mexico, Canada and most recently United Arab Emirates. Formerly, Ms. Valenciano was the director of diversity and inclusion for 84 Lumber Company. She provided leadership and direction for the infrastructure, design, formulation, implementation and execution of the organization’s overall diversity strategy, which included external communications, public relations, and community engagement. She was also responsible for ensuring the efficacy of these business practices, processes, and procedures. Ms. Valenciano’s role was carried out in the company’s business expansion into Mexico and Canada. As an assistant vice president and officer at JPMorgan, she served in the capacity of leadership development consultant in Credit Card Services and Organizational Development, and consultant to Customer Services’ clients. Ms. Valenciano also managed the strategic direction and execution of organizational-wide development processes as well as diversity programs and initiatives. She served as subject matter expert on global diversity, overseeing the company’s initiatives in various countries. Active in charitable and civic affairs, Ms. Valenciano is a graduate of the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de San Luis Potosí located in the City of San Luis Potosí in Mexico with a degree in business and computer information systems. She holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certificate from University of Villanova. She has completed various leadership and professional development programs across the country and abroad. Ms. Valenciano is fluent in English and Spanish. She serves on the board of the Science, Engineering and Technology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. She is a strong advocate and chairs several committees for people with disabilities in the workplace. She is a proud ally to the LGBT community and is active with several chambers of commerce across the country. Ms. Valenciano lives in San Antonio, TX, with her sons.

Jason
deGroot

Chief Financial Officer

Texas Diversity Council

Jason deGroot currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Diversity Council (TXDC). Previously he served as the Chief Financial Officer for the National Diversity Council and was with the organization since 2007. As Chief Financial Officer, he was responsible to the CEO and Board for all financial matters. He established the overall financial and administrative objectives, policies, programs, and practices which insure the organization’s sound financial structure. He also controlled the cash flow in the organization and maintains the integrity of funds by both overseeing the accounting group and the annual external audit. Jason assisted the founder and CEO with the formation of the NDC and he ensured that the organization received and maintained its 501c3 Nonprofit Status. In addition to his finance and administrative responsibilities, Jason also was responsible for business development and has been instrumental in membership growth of both the Texas market and other state councils throughout the country. When he first joined the organization back in 2007, Jason played an active role in developing the Florida Diversity Council. In addition, Jason has helped lead fundraising efforts for the NDC by securing sponsorships for the various programs and events of the organization. Prior to the National Diversity Council, Jason worked as an accountant and financial analyst in the Tax Reporting and Analysis Center for Exxon Mobil Corporation. In this role, he was responsible for minimizing the tax liability for the organization in the upstream, downstream, and chemical sectors of the business. He was also responsible for compliance with both federal and state governments. Jason also led multiple teams within the group that focused on improving the internal processes and efficiency of the organization. Prior to ExxonMobil, Jason was employed with Warren Electric Group. As a Supervisor for the Corporate Process and Systems Group, Jason worked to improve operational efficiency and gained widespread exposure to various departmental projects including: accounting, MIS, sales, purchasing, inventory control, and human resources. His experience in these areas assisted him with being responsible for improving synergy between all departments. He was also chosen to oversee several inventory projects in Trinidad, gaining valuable international business experience. Jason graduated at the top of his class from the University of Houston with a degree in Finance. During this time, he received numerous academic and athletic awards. He also participated on the football team as a wide receiver and managed to maintain a perfect 4.0 grade point average at the Bauer College of Business. He is also active in several community and alumni associations, some of which he holds leadership roles. Jason currently resides in Houston, Texas with his wife Brandi and their three children Dayne, Dawson, and Delaney.

Jennifer
Mahone Rightler

Chief People Officer

Texas Diversity Council

Jen Mahone-Rightler, a renowned leader in human resources and organizational transformation, serves as the Chief People Officer at the Texas Diversity Council. With over 20 years of rich experience, Jen has a proven track record of transforming organizations by championing human-centered leadership and fostering vibrant workplace cultures that prioritize people and wellbeing. Known for her expertise in connecting business strategy with innovative HR talent initiatives, Jen excels at brokering content partnerships and developing creative solutions to marketing and business challenges. Her strategic approach ensures that the People & Culture functions evolve in tandem with the organization's rapid growth, seamlessly integrating strategic planning with hands-on execution. Her leadership is characterized by a unique blend of purpose and passion, driving a culture that not only meets but exceeds organizational goals. In her role at the Texas Diversity Council, Jen is tasked with aligning and partnering across the business to enhance the People & Culture functions. She is responsible for creating and executing a robust People & Culture vision and strategy that supports Texas Diversity Council’s ambitious expansion within the next 3-5 years. She will implement cutting-edge people practices tailored to the organization’s distinctive culture, building a high-performing team that embodies Texas Diversity Council’s core values. As a trusted advisor, she fosters a collaborative environment and strategic direction, enabling People & Culture Directors to excel and contribute to the organization’s broader objectives. Jen's approach is holistic, managing budgets, developing metrics to showcase the team’s impact, and driving continuous improvement. She champions the organization’s mission, serving as an ambassador for its values and fostering employee engagement by connecting their work to the larger purpose of transformative change. A strategic partner to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, Jen helps determine business goals, growth plans, and operational philosophies, while developing the organization’s people and culture. She is a skilled coach, working with senior leadership and high-potential leaders to enhance their performance and achieve the organization’s larger goals. Jen also effectively manages employee relations, and talent management systems, framing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Before her current role, Jen was instrumental at Epsilon, a global marketing leader, where she brought her expertise in talent integration, executive talent acquisition, and leadership development. At Boeing South Carolina, she developed a comprehensive People & Culture strategy for a vast workforce, significantly impacting the company’s culture and operations. Jen's dedication extends beyond her professional roles. She was a visiting facilitator with the University of South Carolina and Cornell University’s e-Cornell Certificate Program and is the Founder/CEO & Principal Partner at Elements2Inclusion. Her leadership in organizational consulting has influenced the City of Charleston Police and Fire Departments. Her commitment to community and professional service is evident in her board positions, including President of the Illinois Diversity Council, the Racial Justice Institute, the Texas Diversity Council and her current roles with the Mary Lou and Arthur Mahone Endowment Fund as an advisor, Women in Leadership Advisory Board Member at Houston Christian University. A founding member of Hacking HR’s Experts Council, Jen was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 African American Business Leaders. Jen Mahone-Rightler's dynamic leadership, strategic vision, and deep commitment to fostering inclusive, high-performing organizational cultures make her a transformative force in the field of human resources. Her ability to connect business strategy with HR talent initiatives and her innovative approach to solving business challenges position her as a pivotal leader driving organizational success and growth.

Mae
Marshall

Director of Programs, Events and Membership

Texas Diversity Council

In December 2007, Mae was offered the opportunity to join the Texas Diversity Council (TXDC), a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates diversity and inclusion, as a Program and Event Coordinator. From 2009 to 2015, she served as the Program and Event Manager for the TXDC. In 2016, Mae was promoted to the position of Director of Programs, Events & Membership. She continues to be responsible for providing assistance and support relative to the planning, scheduling, facilitation, and implementation of meetings as well as quarterly and annual programs and events of the Council, and she is the primary staff point of contact for the Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio markets along with providing support for the Texas Board of Directors. Mae retired from SBC/Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after having been employed with the same company for more than 31 years. She began her career as an Operator in Corpus Christi, Texas – her hometown. During the remainder of her career, she held numerous positions as a supervisor and manager in the business units of Network Administration and Network Services in Corpus Christi, Houston and Dallas. Prior to her retirement, Mae’s position was one of an Account Manager-Select Accounts in Industry Markets. She has been an active community volunteer for more than three decades. Her service and involvement have included nonprofit, community-service organizations, such as the AT&T Pioneers Community NETwork, African American Telecommunications Professionals of AT&T (The NETwork) the Urban League Guild of Greater Dallas & North Central Texas United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Big Brothers/Big Sisters and The Bridge Homeless Assistance Shelter. She remains an active member of several organizations, where she participates in both leadership and support roles. She is a graduate of Del Mar College (now Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) having achieved an Associate of Arts degree in Nursing. Mae completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Arlington in Business Administration, where her major was Business Management with a minor in Marketing. On a family note, Mae is the very proud mother of one daughter, Krishna, fondly known as “Angel”, and the “Nana” of a granddaughter, Maya, and two grandsons, John and Maurice II. Her hobbies include reading and traveling. Her passion is reaching out to help others.

Gregory
Vincent

Senior Counselor

Diversity First Consortium

Dr. Gregory J. Vincent (J.D. Ohio State, Ed.D Pennsylvania)is a national expert on civil rights, social justice, and campus culture. For over three decades, he served as an award-winning professor of law and education, attorney, consultant, executive officer, and CEO. He is a founding partner of Vincent Strategies, a global consulting firm focused on inclusive excellence, strategic planning, compliance, community engagement, and philanthropy. Since 2021, Vincent Strategies has successfully assisted several clients to meet and exceed their strategic goals, including public and private educational institutions, research and policy institutes, membership organizations, public and private law firms, corporations, and nonprofits. In 2021, he founded Gregory Vincent Law LLC, an Ohio education, civil rights, and employment law firm. He has presented over 500 continuing legal education seminars, keynote addresses, and panel discussions on civil rights, employment, and education law issues in 35 states and 15 countries. Vincent has served as a book editor and lead author on several publications. He managed several annual budgets up to $100 million and has raised over $40 million in external funding. Vincent recently served for nearly three years as a professor of educational policy and law and the inaugural Executive Director of the Education and Civil Rights Initiative at the University of Kentucky. During his tenure, he hosted two national conferences and several webinars on civil rights and education law taught K-12 and higher education law classes and led a team that completed a comprehensive equity audit for a Kentucky public school district. For 12 years, Vincent served as Vice President, W.K. Kellogg Professor, and Professor of Law at the University of Texas-Austin. His portfolio was comprised of a 50-million-dollar budget and 40 units, including the first Texas university-sponsored public charter school system, the statewide University Interscholastic League, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, the Office of Institutional Equity that investigated Title IX and employment discrimination complaints, five outreach centers across the state and a community engagement center in East Austin. As director of the Thematic Faculty Hire Initiative, he partnered with colleges, schools, and departments to hire over 60 faculty members in underrepresented academic areas. The Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence helped improve first-generation and underrepresented students’ four-year graduation rates to 93%. Vincent led the effort for the University to achieve the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement and the Diversity Champion Award from Insight Magazine. He taught K-12 and higher education law courses and was recognized as Professor of Year by the Thurgood Marshall Legal Society. Vincent served as university spokesperson and helped develop the legal strategy for the United Supreme Court case Fisher v. University of Texas. He chaired the task force that recommended the removal of the confederate statues from the Main Mall and the name of a Ku Klux Klan leader from a residence hall. Vincent helped lead the effort to fully support undocumented students and vigorously fight antisemitism and other forms of hate on campus and in the community. For 11 years, Vincent held increasingly more responsible roles at three public flagship universities. He served as executive officer, vice provost, and law professor at Louisiana State University and the University of Oregon, teaching education and employment law classes.  At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, conducting all high-profile investigations and helped overhaul the labor and employment law curriculum as a law lecturer. Vincent also led a ten-month study of HR and diversity issues as part of the university’s accreditation project and established the Leadership Institute, which is still in existence today. Before entering academia, Vincent joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as an assistant attorney general. In that position, he successfully argued precedent-setting civil rights cases before the Supreme Court of Ohio that set the standard for proving a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) in Ohio and established the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Commission. These cases included Little Forest Medical Center v. The Civil Rights Commission and State, ex Rel Natalina v. Civil Rights Commission. He secured over a million dollars in settlements and judgments for complainants and won all appeals cases in Ohio courts. He was promoted to Cleveland Regional Director and then Legal & Regional Affairs Director for the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, where he and his team successfully investigated over 5000 civil rights investigations and helped Ohio state law become substantially equivalent with federal law. Later, as vice president and lead counsel of Bank One, he successfully represented the Bank before several agencies, including the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), Ohio State Employment Relations Board, Ohio Unemployment Compensation Review Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Office Fair Contract and Compliance (OFCCP). Vincent was unanimously elected as the 48th Grand Sire Archon (CEO and Chairman 2018-2020) of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Inc., founded in 1904 as the first African American Greek letter organization and now is comprised of 144 member boules across the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was chair of the fraternity’s commission on racial justice. He has chaired several boards, including the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, St. James’ Episcopal Church Vestry, Communities in Schools of Central Texas, and the Austin Area Urban League. He also served as president of two liberal arts colleges, including his Alma Mater, where he was elected to the Board of Trustees. He currently serves as senior counsel to the Texas Diversity Council (2018- present). Vincent attended New York City public schools, graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, and was recognized as a notable Alumnus. He competed as a student-athlete, earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics, and was presented the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award at Hobart and William Smith Colleges graduation. Vincent was also awarded a 2023 alumnus citation and recognized as a notable alumnus. Vincent received his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he was recognized as a notable alumnus. He received the 2012 Service Award and the 2022 Inclusive Excellence Award and, since 2008, has served on the National Advisory Council. He also received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was named the 2016 Educator of the Year.  Vincent has received over 100 awards for his professional and community service, and the Mayors and Cities of Austin, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Toledo, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; and Detroit, Michigan, awarded him proclamations.  In 2023, Vincent was inducted into the HBCU Pre-Law Hall of Fame for his sustained commitment to increasing access to law school for underrepresented students. In 2019, he was named a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. Vincent is licensed to practice law in Ohio and West Virginia and is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the West Virginia Bar Association. For ten years, he served as a certified civil rights mediator.

Chanel
Aboua

Event Programmer

Texas Diversity Council

Chanel Aboua is a dedicated Event Programmer at the Texas Diversity Council (TXDC), where she brings a wealth of experience and expertise in marketing, sales, and event coordination. With a Bachelor of Science in International Business, Trade, and Commerce from Metropolitan State University, Chanel's educational background underscores her deep understanding of global markets and diverse cultures, which she channels into fostering inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of her work. Chanel's commitment to academic excellence is evident through her achievements on the Dean's List and President's List, a testament to her high GPA and outstanding academic performance. These accolades reflect her strong work ethic, determination, and dedication to achieving excellence in all endeavors. Before joining the Texas Diversity Council, Chanel served as a Marketing & Sales Specialist at Axxiom Manufacturing, where she played a pivotal role in generating substantial profits through the sales of new products and implementing successful marketing strategies resulting in increased website traffic and sales. Her proficiency in conceptualizing and executing events, including webinars, conferences, and industry trade shows, makes her an invaluable asset to the Texas Diversity Council's event programming team. In her previous role as a Staffing Recruiter at Format Cyber, Chanel spearheaded process enhancements and leveraged data analysis to secure top-tier talent, showcasing her ability to thrive in dynamic and fast-paced environments. Additionally, as a Marketing Consultant at The Digital Gathering, she developed effective email campaign strategies and provided impactful advice leading to increased click-through rates for Google Ads. Chanel is also bilingual in French and English, enabling her to effectively communicate and connect with diverse audiences. Her passion for diversity, coupled with her proven track record of success in marketing, sales, and event coordination, positions her as a valuable contributor to the Texas Diversity Council's mission of fostering inclusivity and promoting diversity in workplaces and communities across Texas.