DiverseAmerica Network™ helps corporations and institutions to actualize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA™)
Value Proposition
As President of DiverseAmerica Network™, Ralph B. Ibarra helps corporations and institutions to actualize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA™) in their workforce composition, vendor utilization, and engagement practices with constituents. In addition to race, ethnicity, gender identity, and age, diversity results from life experiences, family values, spiritual and cultural beliefs, regional norms and other socio-economic factors…We Are All DiverseAmerica™. Principal industries served include aerospace/advanced manufacturing, health care, law enforcement and security, information technologies, global trade, and market-focused commercialization of intellectual property, along with local, private sector contracting, state and national government public sector procurements and workforce development activities.
Life-Long Learner
The aptitudes and attributes I possess can be summed up as resulting from being a dedicated “life-long learner”, and proficient at identifying “relevant dots” for connecting them in meaningful ways. Coupled with always treating people with dignity and respect and being driven to be of service to others, these characteristics are fundamental to my capacity to exceed expectations. As such, I reference here my Qualifications, Areas of Expertise, Attributes, and Certifications that are detailed in my Resume/CV; available upon request.
Summary of Qualifications
Culturally Competent and Inclusive Demeanor | Global Trade Literacies
Bilingual and Bicultural (Spanish/Español) | Articulate Communicator
Relationship Management Practitioner | Process Improvement Disciplines
Small Business Capacity Building | Equity & Justice Advocate
Government Funding Authority | Certified Community Solar Developer
Areas of Expertise
Domestic Small Business Development | International Trade and Commerce
Veteran Business Enterprises | Minority and Women-Owned Firms
Public Policy Deliberations and Advocacy | Workforce Development
Attributes
- Domestic Small Business Development Practitioner – 45 years
- International Trade and Commerce Expert – 25 years
- Public Policy Deliberations and Advocacy – 25 years
- Minority and Women-Owned Firms Promoter – 35 years
- Advocate for Uniformed Service Members, Veterans and Military Families – 25 years
- Workforce Development Professional – 35 years
- Government Funding Authority – 15 years
NAICS: 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
NAICS: 541612 - Human Resources Consulting Services
NAICS: 541613 - Marketing Consulting Services
NAICS: 541618 - Other Management Consulting Services
NAICS: 541820 - Public Relations Agencies
NAICS: 541910 - Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
Certifications
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) – National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) [1992 – Present]
MBE – Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) [2020 – Present]
Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) – U.S. Dept. of Transportation; 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26 Washington, Oregon, California & Nevada [2020 – Present]
Certificate in Community Solar Development – Univ. of New Hampshire [2023 – Present]
What can DiverseAmerica Network™ do for You?
As a certified Minority/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/DBE) for over 30 years, my firm has excelled in helping corporations and institutions to actualize Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA™) through essential facets of their operations. For entities pursuing projects that are funded by special Congressional and State appropriations, DiverseAmerica Network™ possesses the knowledge, competencies, aptitudes, and expertise to fulfill these and other deliverables:
- Comprehensive understanding and familiarity with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Inflation Reduction Act; (IRA), and Executive Orders 12898, 13985, 14008, 14031, 14035, 14045, 14096, 14901, and other relevant Public Laws and Federal statutes.
- Maintaining an extensive grasp of local, state, and federal laws, and other regulations that impact public and private sector procurements and employment conventions that allows me to effectively counsel and guide others; e.g., Grants.gov, SAM.gov, U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Funding Opportunity Exchange, Code of Federal Regulations, Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, etc.
- Workforce development specialist proficient with the design and implementation of methods for effective worker recruitment, advancement and retention that embodies Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA™) in every facet; e.g., Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), Workforce Development Boards, WorkforceGPS Innovation and Opportunity Network (ION), DOL Employment and Training Administration, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), etc.
- Purveyor of training methods for new and incumbent workers that support upward mobility through registered apprenticeship, stackable credentials, targeted upskilling, or more specialized training programs to attract and retain skilled workers in clean energy industries; e.g., DOL Good Jobs Principles, CareerOneStop, National Skills Coalition, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*NET Online, ApprenticeshipUSA, etc.
- Community & Labor Engagement practitioner – such as local governments, Tribal governments, and community-based organizations that support or work with under-served communities, including Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) as defined for purposes of the Justice40 Initiative.
- Justice40 Initiative Accelerator cohort and alumni to actualize Sec. 223 of Executive Order14008 that certain Federal investments might be made toward a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits flow to disadvantaged communities; e.g., U.S. DOE Energy Justice Mapping Tool and General Guidance for Justice40 Implementation, Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, etc.
- Crafting of workforce and community agreements; i.e., Community Workforce Agreements, Project Labor Agreements, Community Benefits Plans, Workplace Safety & Health Plans that incorporate Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely (SMART) milestones that measure outcomes.
- Supplier diversity professional able to identify Minority Business Enterprises, Woman-Owned Businesses, Native American-owned businesses, LGBTQ+-owned business, and Veteran-Owned Businesses to solicit as vendors and sub-contractors for bids on supplies, services and equipment.
- Technical Assistance Practitioner & Instructor able to deliver meaningful and effective training and guidance to build capacity, knowledge, and competencies to entrepreneurs and business owners.