Keynote Speaker
Aisha DeBerry
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Aisha received her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Political Science from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She started a career in admissions at her alma mater that eventually led her to Atlanta to continue her work in professional education focusing on diversity in the areas of enrollment and retention while owning dollar stores in the greater Atlanta area. Aisha later received her Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Memorial University where she served as President and Sub-Region Director of the Black Law Student Association, as well as other leadership positions in organizations such as the Women’s Law Society, Immigration Law Society and OUTLaw, an organization to support the LGBTQIA+ community. Aisha is the co-editor for the book entitled Human Trafficking (Taylor-Page, Piatt, Jr. Carolina Academic Press) which addresses the legal psychological, and moral effects of sex and labor trafficking. She has worked in the area of Title IX and Compliance addressing issues around sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination. She is currently the Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Gas South. Aisha serves on advisory boards and diversity councils both locally and nationally. She is a podcaster for a show entitled “Dad, Daughter Dialogues,” which explores the intersectionality of life between her and her Father. Aisha also is the founder/member of ADJ Consultants and creator of aishadeberry.com, an inclusive site where she holds live sessions and masterclasses in the areas of DEI.
Career Panelists
Ana Maria Villegas
Government and Public Services Analyst at Deloitte
Jared Luke
Network Services Team Lead at Safe Systems
Luz Maria Arroyave Garcia
IT Analyst at NCR Corporation
Fortune Onwuzuruike
Security Program Manager at Microsoft
Daniel Milan, MPH
Data Analyst at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hayley Nicolich
Associate Attorney at Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.
Sami Tabbaa, Esq.
Managing Attorney at Tabbaa Law
2019 Dr. Bobby Gueh Leadership Award
DR. BOBBY GUEH IS THE NAMESAKE FOR THE LEADERSHIP AWARD
PRESENTED BY THE GEORGIA FIRST GENERATION FOUNDATION
Leri Argueta, MPA
Leri Argueta, MPA, serves as the Associate Director for Diversity Recruitment at the University of North Georgia. In his role, he develops and implements diversity recruitment plans to include activities and events related to admissions, financial aid, and persistence for under-served students/families, high school counselors, community-based organizations, and access programs. Argueta also serves as the Principal Investigator for the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) Scholarships (Becas) Program in partnership with the Consulado General de Mécxico en Atlanta, managing a $30,000 budget for the program. Before joining the University of North Georgia, Argueta was the Interim Associate Director of Programs for Beyond 12, a technology-based service nonprofit whose mission is to increase the number of historically underrepresented students who graduate from our nation’s colleges and universities. Mr. Argueta participated as a 2020-2021 Fellow in the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Policy Fellowship Program and is a Graduate of the GALEO Institute for Leadership and the North-American Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute. Argueta’s alma mater, the University of West Georgia, recognized him as the recipient of the 2020 Lillian Williams Champion of Diversity Award for his work in strengthening the fabric of his community and creating opportunities that foster cultural growth. He was also recognized as one of UWG’s Thriving Under 30, recognizing young alumni under the age of 30 that have made a significant impact in their career industry while exhibiting dedication to UWG and representing the university well. Argueta is the recipient of the 2021 Myron G. Burney Award for Inclusion and Access from the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling. Leri earned his Bachelors in International Economic Affairs and his Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia.