Atsutoshi Nishida

President and CEO, Toshiba, Japan

Mr. Nishida studied History of European Political Thought at the Graduate School of University of Tokyo. He then went to Iran where he started his professional career at a joint company of Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co, Ltd. (currently Toshiba Corporation) and a local Iranian company. In May 1975, he joined Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.

In 1984, Mr. Nishida was named Senior Vice President, Toshiba Europe (I.E.) GmbH and pioneered the notebook personal computer business. His work was credited for turning around Toshiba Corporation’s business miraculously from a deficit of 14.2 billion yen in the third quarter of fiscal year 2003 to a surplus of 8.4 billion yen for the corresponding period in 2004. Mr. Nishida has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Toshiba Corporation since June 2005.

Maria Contreras-Sweet

Founder and Chairwoman of the Board, Promerica Bank

Former Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Agency for the State of California

Ms. Contreras-Sweet is a woman of keen vision and remarkable organizational skills that have led her to an extraordinary level of accomplishment throughout her career. Her most recent achievement demonstrating her powerful leadership skills can be seen in her becoming the Founding Chairwoman of Promerica Bank, the first Latino-owned business bank in California in over 30 years. She previously served for five years as California's secretary of business, transportation and housing, managing a $14 billion budget and a work force of more than 42,000. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Spirit of California award from the California State Legislature.

Presenter: Howard Ross

President & Chief Learning Officer, Cook Ross, Inc.

Professor of Diversity, Bennett College for Women

An internationally recognized speaker on diversity, leadership and organizational change. Ross is the creator of the concept "Organizational Community" which calls for the integration of mission, work flow and people to increase organizational performance. Ross has successfully partnered with Fortune 500 companies, and retail, health care, media and government institutions. In addition to working in 47 of the 50 U.S. states, his company has worked in ten counties.