Keynote and Plenary Speakers
Jonnel Doris
Former Commissioner
NYC Department of Small Business Services
Award-winning business leader with a proven history of success in creating positive change throughout all organizational levels with a deep commitment to equity in all forms, fostering inclusive and diverse environments and producing positive outcomes. Jonnel Doris was appointed by Mayor de Blasio as the Commissioner for the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Co-Chair of the Small Business Subcommittee of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. Responsibilities included leading the nation’s largest small business and workforce City agency with a focus on equity of opportunity, that leads to economic self-sufficiency and mobility for New York City's diverse communities. SBS actively connects New Yorkers to good jobs, creates stronger businesses, and builds a thriving economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
Doris managed a budget of over $300M and over 300 employees while leading the City through the most difficult time in its history. Instituted numerous economic development programs during the pandemic, including 51 recovery programs, initiatives, and campaigns, several grant and affordable loan programs providing over $600 million to over 10,000 businesses and serving over 120,000 job seekers. Under his leadership, SBS provided over 337,000 services to small businesses, workers, and neighborhoods across the city.
Formerly, Doris served as the City's first Senior Advisor to the Mayor and Director of the Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE). Under Doris' leadership, the City more than doubled its certifications to 9,620 firms, more than tripled its utilization from 8% to 30%, and awarded more than $14.6 billion to M/WBEs. Doris also led the City's efforts to secure a $41 million investment from four city depository banks: Amalgamated, Bank of America, TD Bank, and Union Bank for low interest revolving loan funds. His engagement in business communities, City agencies and both State and City legislatures has also influenced City efforts to pass several critical state and city legislation that expands opportunities for M/WBEs.
Doris previously served as the first Chief Diversity Officer for the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR), which oversees New York State's $4.4 billion recovery allocation for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee.
At GOSR, Doris developed and implemented strategic initiatives resulting in increased utilization of state and federal M/WBEs and Section 3 businesses. He created the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights and developed GOSR's award winning Local Workforce Opportunities Program and Web Portal. These two resources continue to increase employment and business opportunities, while enabling thousands of M/WBEs, small businesses, and residents to participate in New York’s rebuilding efforts.
His professional career includes extensive experience in the energy, utility, government, and business sectors working at Public Service Enterprise Group Long Island, Long Island Power Authority, KeySpan, and in both State and City Government. He is also a former small business owner who understands firsthand the challenges small businesses face.
Doris has received numerous awards and recognition over his professional career. Some include: City & State Economic Development Power 75 (Ranked #9), City & 2021 M/WBE Power 50 (Ranked #2), City & State's Power of Diversity: Black 100, City & State 2020 Responsible 100, The Network Journal Magazine 40 Under 40 Achievement Award; the Women Builders Council Diversity Champion Award; NYSAMC Public Sector Partner Award; City and State 40 Under 40 Award; National Minority Business Council Award; and the Hispanic Chamber M/WBE Advocate Award. Doris has guest lectured at Columbia University, New York University, Medgar Evers College, City College and Adelphi University. He also served on the Bishop’s Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.
Doris holds several degrees and certificates including, a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Analysis, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology from Stony Brook University, a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University, and a Turner School of Construction Management Certificate. He currently resides in Queens with his wife Aisha Doris and two children.
Doris managed a budget of over $300M and over 300 employees while leading the City through the most difficult time in its history. Instituted numerous economic development programs during the pandemic, including 51 recovery programs, initiatives, and campaigns, several grant and affordable loan programs providing over $600 million to over 10,000 businesses and serving over 120,000 job seekers. Under his leadership, SBS provided over 337,000 services to small businesses, workers, and neighborhoods across the city.
Formerly, Doris served as the City's first Senior Advisor to the Mayor and Director of the Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE). Under Doris' leadership, the City more than doubled its certifications to 9,620 firms, more than tripled its utilization from 8% to 30%, and awarded more than $14.6 billion to M/WBEs. Doris also led the City's efforts to secure a $41 million investment from four city depository banks: Amalgamated, Bank of America, TD Bank, and Union Bank for low interest revolving loan funds. His engagement in business communities, City agencies and both State and City legislatures has also influenced City efforts to pass several critical state and city legislation that expands opportunities for M/WBEs.
Doris previously served as the first Chief Diversity Officer for the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR), which oversees New York State's $4.4 billion recovery allocation for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee.
At GOSR, Doris developed and implemented strategic initiatives resulting in increased utilization of state and federal M/WBEs and Section 3 businesses. He created the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights and developed GOSR's award winning Local Workforce Opportunities Program and Web Portal. These two resources continue to increase employment and business opportunities, while enabling thousands of M/WBEs, small businesses, and residents to participate in New York’s rebuilding efforts.
His professional career includes extensive experience in the energy, utility, government, and business sectors working at Public Service Enterprise Group Long Island, Long Island Power Authority, KeySpan, and in both State and City Government. He is also a former small business owner who understands firsthand the challenges small businesses face.
Doris has received numerous awards and recognition over his professional career. Some include: City & State Economic Development Power 75 (Ranked #9), City & 2021 M/WBE Power 50 (Ranked #2), City & State's Power of Diversity: Black 100, City & State 2020 Responsible 100, The Network Journal Magazine 40 Under 40 Achievement Award; the Women Builders Council Diversity Champion Award; NYSAMC Public Sector Partner Award; City and State 40 Under 40 Award; National Minority Business Council Award; and the Hispanic Chamber M/WBE Advocate Award. Doris has guest lectured at Columbia University, New York University, Medgar Evers College, City College and Adelphi University. He also served on the Bishop’s Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.
Doris holds several degrees and certificates including, a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Analysis, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology from Stony Brook University, a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University, and a Turner School of Construction Management Certificate. He currently resides in Queens with his wife Aisha Doris and two children.
Dr. SherRhonda Gibbs
USASBE Longenecker Fellow and Dean, Monfort College of Business
University of Northern Colorado
The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) named University of Northern Colorado’s Monfort College of Business Dean, Sher Gibbs, Ph.D., a Justin G. Longenecker Fellow. Gibbs is one of four recipients this year nationwide.
This is the highest recognition that the USASBE awards. According to their website, this distinction is granted to those who have gone above and beyond to support the development of small businesses and whose achievements in public service, teaching, research and other areas showcase their passion for entrepreneurship. Since 1986, only 100 individuals have been granted recognition as a Fellow.
“It is truly an honor and a privilege to be inducted as a Longenecker Fellow and join the ranks of entrepreneurship scholars and practitioners whom I greatly respect and admire,” said Gibbs. “Longenecker Fellows have significantly advanced the field of entrepreneurship. I am humbled that my work, advocacy and passion for entrepreneurship has been recognized in this way.”
In order to become a Longenecker Fellow, individuals need to be nominated. In Gibbs’ case, that nomination came from her former colleague Eric Liguori, Ph.D., who now works at Rowan University. The pair both previously served on the Board of USASBE working together to advance new initiatives.
Gibbs says receiving this distinction will help support her work of promoting entrepreneurial endeavors in the UNC community.
“Having this status enables me to call upon the extensive expertise and resources of Longenecker Fellows as MCB endeavors to develop a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem at UNC, in the city of Greeley and Northern Colorado,” Gibbs said. “MCB is sponsoring and hosting the Greeley-Weld County Startup initiative, which includes a UNC Innovation Talks workshop focused on new technology in farming and agriculture. This workshop is the first of many events that will transform the entrepreneurial landscape at UNC and in the community at large.”
Gibbs’ research focuses on entrepreneurship related to recognizing opportunities, social-psychological perspectives, and among black and underrepresented minorities. She earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Jackson State University. She holds an MBA from Winona State University and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Grambling State University.
“This year’s recipients represent the best qualities that entrepreneurship educators embrace,” President and CEO of USASBE Julienne Shields said. “They are curious, discerning, generous, engaging, spirited and are committed to helping both students and peers in the pursuit of deeper understanding and success. These individuals tirelessly serve the discipline, and we extend our gratitude for the work they have done and look forward to their continued contributions.”
As described on their website, USASBE is an organization of educators who are dedicated to advancing the education of entrepreneurship. Learn more about the organization and about this year’s other Longenecker Fellow award recipients.
This is the highest recognition that the USASBE awards. According to their website, this distinction is granted to those who have gone above and beyond to support the development of small businesses and whose achievements in public service, teaching, research and other areas showcase their passion for entrepreneurship. Since 1986, only 100 individuals have been granted recognition as a Fellow.
“It is truly an honor and a privilege to be inducted as a Longenecker Fellow and join the ranks of entrepreneurship scholars and practitioners whom I greatly respect and admire,” said Gibbs. “Longenecker Fellows have significantly advanced the field of entrepreneurship. I am humbled that my work, advocacy and passion for entrepreneurship has been recognized in this way.”
In order to become a Longenecker Fellow, individuals need to be nominated. In Gibbs’ case, that nomination came from her former colleague Eric Liguori, Ph.D., who now works at Rowan University. The pair both previously served on the Board of USASBE working together to advance new initiatives.
Gibbs says receiving this distinction will help support her work of promoting entrepreneurial endeavors in the UNC community.
“Having this status enables me to call upon the extensive expertise and resources of Longenecker Fellows as MCB endeavors to develop a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem at UNC, in the city of Greeley and Northern Colorado,” Gibbs said. “MCB is sponsoring and hosting the Greeley-Weld County Startup initiative, which includes a UNC Innovation Talks workshop focused on new technology in farming and agriculture. This workshop is the first of many events that will transform the entrepreneurial landscape at UNC and in the community at large.”
Gibbs’ research focuses on entrepreneurship related to recognizing opportunities, social-psychological perspectives, and among black and underrepresented minorities. She earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Jackson State University. She holds an MBA from Winona State University and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Grambling State University.
“This year’s recipients represent the best qualities that entrepreneurship educators embrace,” President and CEO of USASBE Julienne Shields said. “They are curious, discerning, generous, engaging, spirited and are committed to helping both students and peers in the pursuit of deeper understanding and success. These individuals tirelessly serve the discipline, and we extend our gratitude for the work they have done and look forward to their continued contributions.”
As described on their website, USASBE is an organization of educators who are dedicated to advancing the education of entrepreneurship. Learn more about the organization and about this year’s other Longenecker Fellow award recipients.
John Mogulescu
Dean Emeritus
CUNY School of Professional Studies
John Mogulescu is Dean Emeritus of the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS). Under his leadership, between its establishment in 2003 and his retirement in 2021, CUNY SPS became one of the University’s fastest growing institutions. During his tenure, CUNY SPS created 22 undergraduate and graduate degrees (most of them fully online), and now enrolls over 4,200 students in its degree programs and credit-bearing courses, and thousands more in its non-credit courses and programs.
Created with the purpose of meeting the educational needs of working adults, organizations, and employers, CUNY SPS is home to CUNY’s first fully online degrees as well as a number of professional certificate programs. The School’s non-credit offerings offer a portfolio of $30 million in grant-funded programs in partnership with such agencies as the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the New York City Human Resources Administration Office of Child Support Enforcement (HRA OCSE), and the Central Park Conservancy, among others.
This year, CUNY SPS was ranked 10th in the nation our of 358 institutions listed by U.S. News & World Report in its 2021 list of Best Online Degree Programs, making it the highest nationally-ranked program in New York State and New York City.
Dean Mogulescu also spent 40 years in CUNY Office of Academic Affairs, most recently as Senior University Dean. As a Central Office administrator, he developed programs in cooperation with virtually every New York City government agency and with many state agencies as well. From 2001-2018, the programs that Dean Mogulescu oversaw generated over $1.3 billion in external grants and contracts.
Dean Mogulescu is a past president of the Continuing Education Association of New York, a former member of the New York State Adult Learning Services Council, the past Chair of the Board of Visitors of the New York City Police Department, and a longtime member of the NYC Workforce Investment Board.
Created with the purpose of meeting the educational needs of working adults, organizations, and employers, CUNY SPS is home to CUNY’s first fully online degrees as well as a number of professional certificate programs. The School’s non-credit offerings offer a portfolio of $30 million in grant-funded programs in partnership with such agencies as the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the New York City Human Resources Administration Office of Child Support Enforcement (HRA OCSE), and the Central Park Conservancy, among others.
This year, CUNY SPS was ranked 10th in the nation our of 358 institutions listed by U.S. News & World Report in its 2021 list of Best Online Degree Programs, making it the highest nationally-ranked program in New York State and New York City.
Dean Mogulescu also spent 40 years in CUNY Office of Academic Affairs, most recently as Senior University Dean. As a Central Office administrator, he developed programs in cooperation with virtually every New York City government agency and with many state agencies as well. From 2001-2018, the programs that Dean Mogulescu oversaw generated over $1.3 billion in external grants and contracts.
Dean Mogulescu is a past president of the Continuing Education Association of New York, a former member of the New York State Adult Learning Services Council, the past Chair of the Board of Visitors of the New York City Police Department, and a longtime member of the NYC Workforce Investment Board.