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SOMOS Puerto Rico 2026 · Legislative Panel Discussion

Certified, Contracted, Still Unpaid

Fixing the Cash Flow Crisis for MWBEs & Small Businesses

  • Thursday, November 5, 2026
  • 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
  • Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Session overview

Winning a government contract should create opportunity, not a cash flow crisis. Yet MWBEs and small businesses often must cover payroll, materials, insurance, equipment, mobilization and other costs long before payment arrives.

This panel discussion brings together government, finance, business, academia and community leaders to explore practical solutions for improving payment timelines, expanding access to working capital and strengthening the ability of MWBEs to successfully perform and grow through government contracting.

The conversation will move beyond certification to examine the contracting lifecycle, from securing opportunities and financing performance to invoicing, timely payment and building sustainable businesses that create jobs, wealth and economic mobility.

“Certification creates access. Contracts create opportunity. Timely payment enables growth. Together, they can create economic mobility.”

— Dr. Teri Coaxum

Program booklet

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Legislative Sponsors

KS
Legislative Sponsor

Senator Kevin S. Parker

NYS Senator, New York State Senate

JS
Legislative Sponsor

Senator James Sanders Jr.

NYS Senator, New York State Senate

RB
Legislative Sponsor

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn

NYS Assemblymember · Majority Whip, New York State Assembly

MC
Legislative Sponsor

Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages

NYS Assemblymember, New York State Assembly

ET
Legislative Sponsor

Assemblymember Emérita Torres

NYS Assemblymember, New York State Assembly

Moderator

TC
Moderator

Dr. Teri Coaxum, MPA, MBA

CEO & Founder, Coaxum Connects LLC · Coaxum Connects Wellness Foundation · Host of The Coaxum Report

Special Guest

ZB
Special Guest

Dr. Zulema Blair

Dean, School of Business, Medgar Evers College, CUNY

Panelists

JM
Panelist

Jason Myles Clark

Executive Vice President, Division of Minority & Women’s Business Development, Empire State Development

CT
Panelist

Carrie Torres

Chief Diversity Officer, DASNY

MF
Panelist

Maria Fernanda Baquerizo

Director of Education, Qualitas of Life Foundation

ZW
Panelist

Zaneta Williams, PKE MBA

Founder & President, Eyeris Industries Ltd. · Certified MWBE

NC
Panelist

Nancy Carin

Executive Director, BOC Network / BOC Capital Corp., CDFI

KM
Panelist

Kenny Minaya

Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services

MWBE Resource Spotlight

TA
MWBE Resource Spotlight

Tyesha Allen

Chief of Staff for NYS Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, New York State Assembly

KH
MWBE Resource Spotlight

Karla Hernandez

Community Partnerships Associate, Laborers’ Local 1010 LECET, LIUNA

Accessible resources & links

  • DASNY Contractor Connect

    Stay connected with DASNY and upcoming procurement opportunities. Sign up for Contractor Connect today.

    www.dasny.org/connect

  • Laborers’ Local 1010 LECET MWBE Contractor Guide

    A newly launched resource designed to connect MWBE contractors with information and opportunities to support business growth.