TEAM

Woods is Founder, Managing Partner, Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman of Playbook Investors Network (PIN). PIN’s is a web-based business capital and educational platform created to foster the engagement of Minority, Women-Owned, LGBTQ communities, government, and Veterans with Institutional and private investors. A strong developer and leader of globally diverse teams, he leads the executive team with passion and pride. Under Woods’ leadership, PIN has grown its audiences across genres and platforms.

He also currently holds the position as CEO and Managing Partner of Diverse RA, a Dallas-based B2B consulting firm specializing in minority/women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) business development, diversity program management, outreach and contract compliance with a primary focus on diversity procurement & supplier diversity initiatives to help strengthen relationships between M/WBEs and corporations.

Over Woods’ 20-year career in law enforcement with the Dallas Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and his extensive time as an entrepreneur and business leader, his responsibilities have grown as he has held a variety of strategic leadership and executive positions across multiple channels.

Woods is a native of Nashville, TN where he graduated with a Bachelor of Art in Sociology from Paine College in Augusta, GA. He also attended Tucks School of Business at Dartmouth. Woods sits on several boards with athletes, entertainers, corporations, and schools. Woods resides in Dallas, TX.

Hawkins is also the Founder of the ProSyte Companies, a diversified holding entity investing in businesses and real estate in the US and Europe. Investments include: Auxigen Health, BioPharm Nutraceuticals and Carrick Therapeutics.

From 2012 until his departure in 2015, Hawkins was Vice President of new ventures and private equity investing at Eli Lilly and Company. He was responsible for the company’s venture capital, private equity and venture formation activities, managing over $1.4 billion.

In 2009, Hawkins was promoted to Chief Diversity Officer to lead the development and implementation of Lilly’s global diversity and inclusion strategy. Lilly received national recognition for its efforts and progress during Hawkins’ tenure.

Prior to his promotion, Hawkins was Director of private equity where he built strategic investment syndicates and new entities to accelerate the development of early-stage innovation. He joined Lilly in 2001 and held various roles in sales and corporate business development. In 2007, he was certified as a Six Sigma black belt.

Hawkins currently serves on the board of directors for Invesque Inc. (TSX: IVQ.U), where he chairs the audit and investment committees. He previously chaired the investment committee and served as a member of the audit as well as the compensation, nominating and governance (CNG)committees for Mainstreet Health Investments (TSX: HLP.U). He was the previous board chair for Audion Therapeutics (Netherlands) and Muroplex Therapeutics (US) as well as a board member of the Accelerator Corporation (US), Immuneworks Inc. (US) and Zymeworks Inc. (Canada). Hawkinswas also a member of the limited partner advisory committees of BioCrossroads’ Indiana Enterprise Fund (US), Epidarex Capital (UK), the Indiana Future Fund/INext Fund (US) and TVM Capital (Canada and Germany). In 2017, Hawkins earned a Board Governance Fellowship from the National Association of Corporate Directors (US).

Hawkins graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. degree in Business from the University of Tennessee in 1995. In 2000, he received a Master Business Administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Hawkins resides in Indianapolis, IN.

He also gained valuable experience working with the National Basketball Player Association (NBPA) while serving on the Executive Committee. His responsibilities included continuous communication with players and assisted in decisions regarding the policies established by the association. During his tenure with NBPA, Davis served as First Vice President and appointed President in June 2005. He has also worked as an NBA Analyst.

Currently Davis is CEO of Ai Logistics Group, a minority owned 3PL with assets through Ai Transport to move general freight across the US., Mexico and Canada,

Davis played college basketball at UTEP from 1986 to 1990, where he helped lead the Miners to the NCAA Tournament all four years. Davis won the Sears Community Service Award for his charity work in 2000 and was inducted into the African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

Davis resides in California.

Since joining DIP, Tate has led the company’s incubation and execution of critical marketing initiatives by working cross-functionally throughout the organization to create, design and implement comprehensive marketing programs, collateral and extensive marketing plans that will enable DIP’s broad portfolio to assist those who need it most.

Previously she worked for WFAA-TV, Texas Cable News, Cinemark USA, Interstate Battery Systems of America and Sir Speedy Printing & Marketing Services. Throughout her professional career that spans over 20-plus years, she is recognized as an industry authority in journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, sales and printing. She has gained knowledgeable experience from working with clients and businesses across a wide variety of industry verticals.

In 2009, she founded Wisdom of C Marketing & Consulting, Inc. in Frisco, Texas. As an industrious and resourceful entrepreneur, she established a company that offers creative and strategic marketing products and services that simplify the marketing plan process, raise visibility, generate demand and increase revenue.

Consulting, mentorship and leadership are an important priority for Tate, therefore she is an active mentor and sponsor of underrepresented groups. She also enjoys writing, singing, coaching and public speaking, but her greatest joy is being mother.

Tate holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a Minor in English from The University of North Texas, and an Associates of Arts degree from Richland College. She resides in Frisco, TX.

With more than 15 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, Kim has worked with high-profile clients specializing in business operations and management, brand and event management, strategic marketing consulting, as well as talent acquisition and talent management. She has successfully implemented project operations from discovery to end-to-end execution, working collaboratively with clients to develop strategy and execution, provide integrated marketing and event planning services.

Kim was formerly at Edelman (Global Communications) for 12 years as a Senior Operations Manager. She was also a Business Development Consultant at Diversity in Promotions (DIP).

Kim earned a B.S. in Chemistry and minor in Information Systems & Technology from Syracuse University. While attending Syracuse, she was a tutor for the Department of Athletics. She also earned her M.S. in Management with MIS track and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. She has previously worked at Kaiser Permanente while studying in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Howard University, and at the Gillette Research Institute while studying her undergraduate degree.

Kim resides in Washington, D.C..

Stettler is the owner/creative director for brandExx, Inc., celebrating 20 years of creativity in Alpharetta, Georgia. He has designed several of the elite NASCAR teams’ sites including: jeffgordon.com, fitzbradshawracing.com, joegibbsracing.com and the joegibbsracing online store.

Stettler is also an APPLE computer preferred vendor, designing internal sales force interface design. His talents include web & e-commerce solutions, interface design, package design and print for a wide variety of clients, ranging from elite professional athletes (NBA, NFL, NASCAR) to well established corporate clients and startup companies and products. Scott manages a design team working with award winning in-house photographers & image development consultants to provide messages and images that catch the attention of your audience.

With over 32 years of professional experience, Stettler provides excellent service and advice. He was classically trained in art and design at Columbus College of Art & Design, in Columbus Ohio. Stettler resides in Atlanta, GA.

As CEO of Diversity Visions, she created and maintains all facets of the business. She has a proven track record for excelling and helping others understand the importance of securing their business. Allen secures key person insurance, commonly called “key man insurance.” Her strength in knowledge and innovation has enhanced her ability to introduce a method of business insurance that would compensate businesses and protect them from any financial losses that would arise from a key man’s death or extended incapacity. In this role, Allen’s mission is to help business owners navigate through all the options, so they can make an informed decision about the business they have worked so hard to build.

Allen is also the President and Founder of Masterful Collective comprised of a Sports and Event Marketing Boutique, The Allen Insurance Agency and Masterful Financial Services. She has worked with Professional Athletes, Off the Field Players’ Wives Association, Sam’s Club, Bank of America and many other businesses where she assisted in helping raise funds for charitable organizations for over 20 years.

Allen was a devoted wife of 9 years before suddenly losing her husband whom she met while attending church in Los Angeles. As a widow, she has dedicated her new journey to helping other widows reposition themselves by inspiring them to live a life filled with joy. Because of her experience, she is dedicated to fulfilling her purpose. She became an Author and now understands how fragile life can be and vows to live it to the fullest. While helping widows, she also realized the disparity in the lack of preparation and organization of personal affairs for many of the women she served. Allen made it her mission to develop tools to help families navigate through all the changes without them sacrificing their peace of mind. One of those tools is a book entitled, “The Bitter Taste of Grief, A Widows Prayer Journal.” Additionally, along with her daughter Amaya, they co-authored “A Far Away Place,” a book geared to help children cope with death and grief. Allen joined several authors to compile stories of tragedy-to-triumph called, “Roses and Thorns” and “It’s a New Journey.”

Allen holds a B.A. degree in Graphic Arts from San Diego State University and an M.B.A. from National University. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. She is licensed in Life and Health and Property Casualty General Lines. She resides in Allen, TX.

Davis has been active in Dallas community affairs as a municipal and business leader, an educator and a humanitarian for more than 30 years. He served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Dallas. He was responsible for the overall direction, planning, and implementation of goals and objectives for multiple departments, including Police, Fire, Human Services, Environmental Health, Public Consumer Affairs, the Emergency Preparedness Office and Convention and Event Services.

Since 1992, Davis has served as lead banker for senior-managed transactions in Texas and Louisiana totaling $6 billion. His clients include both the State of Texas and Louisiana as well as the cities of Austin, Arlington, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Plano, Lubbock and the City of Baton Rouge. He has also been involved in the financings for various school districts, hospitals, and other issuers (i.e., D/FW Airport, Dallas Area Rapid Transit System and the North Texas Tollway Authority). Davis also has extensive financial experience in senior and multi-family housing, economic and urban development and governmental/private sector project development.

In addition to his understanding of the municipal and economic development programs, Davis has extensive background in community involvement and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Methodist Hospital of Dallas, North Texas Public Broadcasting (KERA), Texas Hospital Trustees, Momentum Texas, African American Museum and was a member of the countywide Parkland Hospital Blue Ribbon Committee charged with recommending the scope and financing for a new County hospital. Previously he served as a board member on Dallas Symphony Board, Dallas Children’s Theatre, Baylor College of Dentistry, Chairman of the Boy Scouts of American West View District, Eirene Ministries, Inc., and the Advisory Committee for the Dallas Arts District.

Davis graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with an M.A. in Urban Affairs with a special emphasis in Public Administration and has been recognized as one of the University’s Outstanding Alumnus. He also received a B.S. in Education from Texas Christian University, and he is a military service veteran.

Davis resides in Dallas, TX.

As a DIP Brand Ambassador, Lewis will participate in a series of marketing and fundraising initiatives including social media and brand awareness events for PIN. With this alignment, DIP will also assist Lewis with efforts to expose and gain support for her nonprofit, A New Day Foundation.

Without question, Lewis is exceptionally gifted and talented. She is an: NAACP Image Award, Trumpet Award, Grammy Award-winning singer, multiple ASCAP & BMI Award-winning songwriter, film, television & stage actor, and a Series TV creator/producer. Lewis mesmerized audiences with her powerful voice and stirring performance in the ETC 2017 production of Gershwin’s PORGY & BESS as “Serena”, and can now be seen recurring on three hit series: NBC’s THIS IS US!, TNT’s MAJOR CRIMES & the CW’s IZOMBIE. Lewis can also be “heard” giving voice to several characters such as “Patty” in APPLE & ONION, “Chief” in the new WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO, “LaBarbara” in FUTURAMA, “Mrs. Hanshaw” & “Mrs. Buttercup” in SOPHIA THE FIRST, “Granny McStuffins” in DOC MCSTUFFINS, “Bobe” in HOME, “Professor Klabbrax” in CLEOPATRA IN SPACE, as well as a variety of characters in the animated series THE SIMPSONS, CURIOUS GEORGE, TURBO & Disney/Pixar’s Academy Award winning animated feature hits INSIDE OUT! and MONSTERS UNIVERSITY. Perhaps best known for her roles on the hit TV shows A DIFFERENT WORLD (composer of shows theme song), HANGIN’ WITH MR. COOPER & ANY DAY NOW, she has received rave reviews and the BEST World Premiere of the Broadway hit “SISTER ACT: THE MUSICAL” as the “outrageous, Nun-On-The-Run”, Deloris Van Cartier. She also starred in the NYC City Center “Encore’s” Broadway presentation of THE WIZ as Addapearle. Lewis’ record label, Morning Jewel Music, released her successful solo CD Worth Waiting For; the title song is featured in the Disney movie THE POOF POINT soundtrack, in which she starred. She is currently working on the feature film: REVIVAL, written & produced by acclaimed actor Harry Lennix, starring GRAMMY sensation Mali Music.

Lewis has served the last 8.5 years on the National Advisory Board of the NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS in Atlanta, Ga., & completed her fourth term on the SAG National Board of Directors. She also finds time to teach Master Classes, mentor youth across the country, give motivational lectures and lend her support to: The Brotherhood Crusade, The United Negro College Fund; American Cancer Society; The March of Dimes; EMPOWHER; the Hall of Fame Foundation; Habitat For Humanity; The United States Conference on AIDS; The K.I.S. Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease; Artists For A New South Africa; The Los Angeles Urban League; Campfire Boys and Girls; The NBA/WNBA and other important causes.

Lewis resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Evans was exposed to tax accounting while working for Club Corporation of America in Dallas after graduating from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Less than a year later she began auditing state sales, use, income, and motor fuel taxes at the Florida Department of Revenue, where she stayed for 10 years. Her next move was into the corporate world, working for Raytheon Company in various capacities including managing the sales, use, property, and income tax compliance and audit functions; leading tax initiatives; handling tax legislation and policy matters; providing technical research and training; managing the pursuit of credits and incentives; developing strategic tax planning ideas; and overseeing tax-related system implementations.

While at Raytheon, she started a sole proprietor business (Unique Financial Services) and subsequently incorporated under the name A & G Evans Management. The business clientele included small to medium businesses and individuals. She operated the business for 10 years before deciding to focus 100% of her time on her corporate career.

She later left Raytheon for Ryan LLC, specializing in multi-state and local tax legislative and regulatory analysis, among other things. Her success there, where her duties also included executing tax policy strategies and providing advocacy services, helped in the creation of RyanWest. The impetus for striking out on her own again: “Missing the feeling of managing my own firm.”

At RyanWest, Evans brings her wealth of experience to other businesses. Many companies have small tax/accounting departments and do not have the bandwidth to execute legislative changes, pursue credits and incentives, tax overpayments, and other saving opportunities. RyanWest acts as an extension to these tax/accounting departments to add value and minimize their tax and operational cost, when appropriate. To do that, RyanWest analyzes, researches, plans, and implements strategic business and state and local tax solutions.

Evans has many professional affiliations. She is a certified member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT). She is an active member of IPT, serving as Chair of the University Relations Committee, Construction Contracting and Tax Planning Instructor at the Advanced Sales and Use Tax School, and was a former member of the Board of Governors. She is also a member of the Division of Firms and serves on their Executive Board as Secretary. She instructs and presents on state tax matters at various events. Evans has a Master’s in Business Administration, concentrating in Finance. She resides in Dallas, TX.