MBDA

Marshette Turner, Director

 marshette.turner@hccs.edu

A woman of considerable intellect and uncompromising ethics, Marshette Turner is the former Director of Corporate Services for the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC). In this role Marshette was responsible for actively engaging the Corporate Community as well as connecting them to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to increase and expand business opportunities and growth for the MBE. Marshette believes in building professional relationships and allowing them to develop organically. A prominent thought leader, Marshette is the former Director of External Affairs for the State of Illinois Comptroller’s office. Marshette is a graduate of DePaul University and a member of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges, National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC). For five consecutive years Marshette was featured as one of Chicago’s Most Influential Leaders in Who’s Who in Black Chicago.

Jessica Vasquez, Program Coordinator

jessica.vasquez@hccs.edu

Jessica Vasquez is the Program Coordinator of the Houston MBDA Business Center, operated by Houston Community College. A native of Lima, Peru, she is fluent in English and Spanish. Jessica also has taken the lead on many of the Houston MBDA Business Center’s events including the very successful Salute to Minorities in Construction, an annual luncheon that continues to be sold out. Adept at creating e-blast marketing campaigns as well as handling the Minority Business Development Agency’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, Jessica’s cheerfulness, professionalism and dedication is an asset to the Business Center and its clients. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston.

Deidra Sutton, Business Advisor

deidra.sutton@hccs.edu

Deidra Sutton, Business Advisor was most recently the Vice President—Government Division of AMSYS Innovative Solutions, a nationwide IT service provider based in Houston. Previously she had been a Senior Business Advisor with the University of Houston Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Prior to that, she was a Business Consultant with the Houston Minority Business Development Center (MBDA). A native of Louisiana, she has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Xavier University in New Orleans.

Tanya McGilbra, Business Advisor

 latanya.mcGilbra@hccs.edu

Tanya McGilbra, a native Texan who was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Go Cowboys!! She is a proud graduate of Sam Houston State University and University of Phoenix! She is married to her college sweetheart, Marlon, and is the proud mother of 2 young-adult sons, Miles and Marquis! Her most recent experience was as a Business Consultant specializing in all things Employer Services related with an in-depth focus in Workforce and Staffing Development.. She has a broad wealth of experience in retirement services and has managed large group retirement accounts in higher education, healthcare and k-12. She was recently elected to the Northwest Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Her passion and purpose is to provide exceptional consulting services. Her favorite hobbies are spending time with family, friends, thrifting, home decorating and her beloved fur baby Phoebe!