Page 38 - BEQ Magazine Vol2 Iss4 V2

talent needs and how to help grow and mountains respectively. She
HENRY BRIFFEL
(He, Him) is 37 and engage them. Diversity has al- enjoys traveling and finding new
ways been important to Savannah
adventures. On any given Sunday,
SMALL BUSINESS—SaaS Reseller in every role and at every company you might find her with a book at a
Expert and Supplier Diversity
she has worked for. She began her local Barnes and Noble.
Henry Briffel has a passion for Human Resources career actively
promoting and helping micro, small involved in Diversity and Inclusion COURTNEY DEDI
and medium businesses thrive. He where she started the first PRIDE (She, her) is 32
not only helped launch SaaSMax Team Member Resource Group at SMALL BUSINESS—
Corp back in 2011, but also helped Wells Fargo Bank Souix Falls, SD. Changemaker, Community Advocate
Henry Briffel them to become one of the best She also was a Diversity Action and Pet Rescuer
known and most successful SaaS Committee Leader, and LGBTQ Courtney DeDi is CEO of Di-
app marketplaces. He also helps in- Pilar lead at Target Corp. She also OGi Pet Services and Executive Di-
formation technology resellers and led diversity and inclusion at U.S. rector of DiOGi CARES, but her
app vendors to grow their business- Bank in Minneapolis where she de- story includes overcoming the chal-
es as well as growing their clients’ veloped training resources and was
businesses. He built a network of responsible for external partner re- lenges of being a homeless youth.
hundreds of information technolo- lationships. Among the many challenges faced
by homeless youth (and especially
gy resellers and business process-fo- Growing up in the Midwest, LGBTQ youth), the simple pleasure
cused Software as a Service (SaaS) there was such a lack of diversity in
apps. Additionally, Henry was vice most organizations. All the compa- and enormous benefit of owning
president of global supplier diver- nies she’s worked for have made it a and properly caring for a pet by a
troubled youth is often misunder-
Savannah Curtin sity at JPMorgan Chase & Co. An priority, but truly breaking through stood. Since the days of longing for
Photo Credit: Brooke Ross Photography award-winning supplier diversity the culture components of the or- a furry friend, Courtney has become
program, under Henry’s guidance ganizations can be a challenge. Sa-
they won the National Business vannah says it can be hard to change the proud mommy to three dogs
Inclusion Consortium’s Best of the long-standing behaviors, attitudes and a cat – Buddy, Cosima, Vincent
Best award. Henry also participates and unconscious bias. Luckily for and Suzy Q. Being inspired by life
on the Board of Directors for both Savannah there is so much work experiences and understanding the
Outwords and Tuesday’s Children. to be done and she’s delighted that needs of pet owners, in 2010 she
Every career and charitable endeav- she can have an impact on culture founded her business to sustain the
or Henry has undertaken has been in the workplace. Recently, Savan- “happiness and well-being of Atlan-
guided by a dedication to advanc- nah was named Head of Global ta’s pets while their humans are at
ing the rights and business success Growth and Talent Development work and play within the comfort of
their own home and surroundings.”
Courtney DeDi of small and medium as well as for Carlson Wagonlit Travel, and Fast forward to 2017 – DiOGi has
LGBTQ businesses. she now leads the company’s strate-
gy for learning management, digital 18 employees, and cares for more
SAVANNAH CURTIN learning experiences, and leader- than 1,600 pets in Atlanta. Court-
(She, her) 36 ship development. She is a commit- ney is a small business owner, di-
CORPORATE—HR and Talent ted executive with over 16 years of rector of a non-profit board, Small
Development Guru Human Resources experience and Business Development board chair
she advocates for innovation within for the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian
Savannah Curtin always knew a variety of disciplines including: Chamber of Commerce and a role
she would end up in a profession Leadership, Employee Relations, model for people who have faced
that blended business with truly Talent Development, Organiza- or are facing challenges. Courtney
helping people. Human Resources tional Design, Talent Acquisition, continues to inspire LGBTQ youth
was a great blend for her because and Diversity and Inclusion. to “go after their dreams no matter
it allowed her the opportunity to Outside of work Savannah is how bleak the future may seem.”
learn a business, understand their into living life outdoors— beaches Courtney’s impact is to continue

38 | December 2017 BEQ PRIDE