Whitney founded Illustra Impact to solve social, cultural, and environmental issues by inspiring leaders and collaborating with local communities to create bold change. She brings a Global MBA and 15+ years of experience using a systems-level and human-centered approach to innovation. Results include changes to state legislation and contracting, a thriving national health equity program and social enterprise, and racial justice investment recommendations from international stakeholders.

Diana A. Buenaños Mena is an Afro Colombian passionate about female empowerment, diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship, sustainability and legal innovation based on technology. She holds a law degree from Universidad Externado de Colombia and an Erasmus Mundus Master's Degree in Law, Business and Economics from the Universities of Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium) and Aix-Marseille (France). She has more than 8 years of experience providing comprehensive legal support for innovative, sustainable and technology-based business models. As a social entrepreneur and activist for the economic empowerment of the Afro-descendant population, Diana is co-founder of the Ecosystem Black Business Management. A group of companies, organizations and initiatives controled or led by Afro-descendants, created with the objective of promoting the economic empowerment and development of the black community in the world to achieve multigenerational wealth and positions of power. Some of the companies that are part of the Black Business Management ecosystem are CALEC Abogados, Akuai Energy and Fundación Sanctuary Colombia. In addition, Diana supports the strengthening of other social initiatives at a national and international level such as the creation of the Afrodescendant Social Entrepreneurs Global Network (ADSEN), the Diaspora Festival (United States), Casa Innovation (Medellin - Colombia) and MINE Corporation (Cali - Colombia) as member of their Advisory Boards. She has received several awards throughout her professional career, such as the nomination for the Afrocolombians of the Year Award in the Private Sector, Fellow of the first cohort of the program "Leading Colombia 2050" organized by COLFUTURO and the Aspen Colombia Institute, Fellow of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Program organized by the U.S. Department of State and Fellow of the first cohort of the program "Leaders Lead-On Demand: African Descendant Social Entrepreneurship Exchange".

As the founder of Impact Strategies, Inc. my vision has been to drive systemic change through strategic advisory on policy formulation, organizational capacity and growth and impactful investments. With over 20 years of experience in government, non-profits, universities, foundations, and start-ups, we focus on transformative initiatives for social and economic inclusion, leveraging data and research, diplomacy, and a track record in community development to guide global and national clients. We work with clients to develop public private partnerships to scale social, economic and environmental impact. Our clients are a range of global and national foundations, government, non-profits, universities, and start-ups. We provide strategic advice to clients by connecting them to partners and using data and research to bring value to best position them in the marketplace. Our services include strategic planning, public affairs and policy, investment and grant making strategy, landscape and research analysis, resource mobilization. Clients: Open Society Foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Emerson Collective, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, University of California, United Nations IOM, United Way Los Angeles, Earth HQ, Hispanics in Philanthropy, City of Los Angeles, National Association of Systems Heads, Refugee Investment Network. Fund Development Expertise: Deep experience in setting up emergency economic relief funds, humanitarian aid, climate funder collaboratives and higher education pooled funds. Policy Expertise: Climate, Economic Development, Health and Social Services, Child Welfare and Foster Care, Tech and Media,Education (K-12 and Higher Education) Workforce Development, Civic Engagement and Campaigns. PhD: University of Southern California, Political Science with focus on Law and Policy MA: University of Southern California, Political Science and Policy BA: Cal Poly Pomona, International Relations and Political Science Institute for Social Research Data Certificate: University of Michigan. Boards: 22 Fund (advisor to venture capital fund), Clinton School of Public Service, Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking, Casa Innovation Foundation and Aspen Festival of Diaspora, California Dignity Health Hospital Community Board (prior), Red Cross Los Angeles (prior), Social Impact Fund (prior)