A small business and MWBE growth specialist, advocate, executive coach, and trainer, Jean Kristensen is a woman on a mission to help others achieve their missions. Whether mentoring budding entrepreneurs, developing growth and marketing strategies for small businesses, or consulting government agencies or prime contractors on fulfilling participation goals with qualified vendors, she is uniquely skilled at supporting clients to reach their next level of success with measurable improvements and increases in revenue.

After years of working her way through the ranks and providing operational and administrative leadership in non-traditional industries for women, Jean parlayed her skills and experience into a successful entrepreneurial venture; Jean Kristensen Associates (JKA) in 2007. Through her firm, Ms. Kristensen has supported and coached thousands of businesses and individuals in core development areas including sourcing opportunities, forming strategic alliances, marketing, government contracting, and workplace wellness. Best known for her expertise in MWSBE certification and outreach, she continuously breaks barriers by assisting small, minority, and women owned firms develop and grow as well as help large companies connect with viable, quality MWSBE partners. JKA is a certified MWBE with many agencies including the Women Business Enterprise Council, NYC Small Business Services, Port Authority of NY and NJ, the NY/NJ Purchasing Council, and the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council.

Jean Kristensen is also an accomplished trainer and curriculum developer; designing and delivering technical and soft skills instruction to both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs. In fact, her signature program, MWBE Success, a toolbox series of workshops, trainings and one-on-one coaching has been procured by several not-for- profit and government agencies in the greater New York area.

Her work in the small business and MWBE community has been recognized by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Empire State Development Corporation, the Dormitory Authority and ASIS Women in Security. In 2016, Jean was named as one of the "Top Women to Watch in Real Estate" and recognized by City and State Magazine as MWBE Top 50.

Carlton is a member of American Triple I’s Investment Committee and Managing Director where he is responsible for developing relationships with investor partners and driving the firm’s business development, investor relations, and marketing efforts. Carlton brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure, alternative asset management, capital markets, and government service to the firm. Most recently, he was a Director in the Investor Development Group of Actis where he helped raise nearly $4 billion in energy and infrastructure funds targeting projects in the developing markets of Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Prior to Actis, Carlton was a Managing Director with Commonfund, helping lead the firm’s efforts with a variety of non-profit, pension, and other institutional investors on portfolio needs across real assets, private equity, emerging markets, and hedge funds. Carlton previously worked for the U.S. Department of Treasury during the financial crisis of 2007-2008 where he was responsible for engaging asset managers to assist in initiatives, including the Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) and the Public Private Investment Program (“PPIP”). Carlton began his career at Goldman Sachs and served as a Lieutenant, U.S. Navy during the first Gulf War.

Carlton received a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a degree in Finance from the Wharton School of Business.

Arkebia Matthews-Johnson is a thought leader on matters of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

An Executive for AECOM Hunt, Arkebia is responsible for leading the Diversity and Economic Inclusion efforts for several large infrastructure projects around the country. Specializing in aviation and public/private community led developments, Mrs. Matthews-Johnson is responsible for the $2.5 billion design-build opportunities on the JFK T6 redevelopment project in Jamaica Queens, New York. Arkebia successfully led the diversity and compliance program for the newly constructed (2019) $1.2 billion Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport terminal, where over $300M was awarded to local and diverse owned businesses.

During her public service tenure as the Director of Supplier Diversity for the City of New Orleans, Arkebia implemented significant reforms to its Supplier Diversity Program, including leading efforts to fund the city’s first disparity study.

Arkebia is a passionate and proven leader with a personal commitment to advancing the values of diversity, equity and economic inclusion.