Past Events

2024 13th Anniversary Luncheon

On December 11th, 2024, the CCBA hosted the 13th Anniversary Luncheon. This luncheon featured a conversation with Robert D. Kaplan, bestselling author on foreign affairs and travel. Kaplan was a member of the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board and the U. S. Navy's Executive Panel and twice named by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the world's "Top 100 Global Thinkers." Kaplan and Harry LaRosiliere (CCBA Board Member and Former Mayor of Plano) discussed the shifting global landscape, Kaplan’s leadership as foreign correspondent/strategic advisor, and managing global interconnectedness.

We also hosted a local panel on the intersection of international sports in Collin County. This exciting panel was led by moderator Scott Sonju (TrailRunner International), in conversation with Arun Agarwal (Chairman of the National Cricket League), Andrew Dockrill (Dallas Sports Commission), and Brad Alberts (Dallas Stars). They led an engaging discussion on Collin County and their insights on positioning our community as the ideal sports destination.

2024 State of the Business

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted the 2024 State of the Business on May 21st, 2024. This year’s luncheon welcomed an opening panel to discuss economic growth and the power of collaboration; this panel included Moderator Leanne Libby at Community Impact, Former Mayer of Plano Harry LaRosiliere, John Hardaway at Triten Real Estate Partners, Michael Kowski at McKnney EDC, and Kim Butler at Hall Group.

Following this exciting panel discussion, we hosted Keynote speaker Aaron Demerson, President & CEO of Texas EDC to join a fireside chat with Nic Garcia, Regions editor at The Texas Tribune. These two engaged in a conversation surrounding economic development.

12th Annual Anniversary Luncheon

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted the 12th Annual Anniversary Luncheon on December 6th, 2023. This year’s Luncheon welcomed an opening panel to talk about Lessons in City Governing; this panel discussion included Moderator Rebecca Silvestri at Local Profile, Frisco City Councilwoman Laura Rummel, Allen City Councilman Tommy Baril, Mckinney City Councilman Michael Jones, and Plano City Councilman Rick Horne.

Following our opening panel, we hosted a keynote discussion with Fareed Zakaria, Bestselling Author and Host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN, and Niall Ferguson, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution.

Fall Roundtable: Workforce Development

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted the in-person Roundtable on August 29th, 2023. This year’s Roundtable welcomed an opening panel to address Higher Education and its impact on our workforce.

This panel discussion included:

  • Moderator Tania Curry, Director at Dallas Thrives

  • Dr. Bill King, Executive Vice President at Collin College

  • Dr. Wesley Randall, Professor of supply chain management at the University of North Texas

  • Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Dean of Naveen Jindal School of Management (JSOM) at the University of Texas at Dallas

Watch our panel disscussion in its entirety here

2023 State of the Business

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted the in-person luncheon on May 15th, 2023. This year’s luncheon featured Glenn Hegar, State of Texas Comptroller discussing the 88th legislative session. With an unprecedented nearly $33 billion surplus, this year's legislature session has a unique opportunity to invest in our state's future. In addition, we welcomed an opening panel to address critical key issues being discussed in Austin such as infrastructure and education.

This panel discussion included:

  • Moderator Chris Wallace, President & CEO of North Texas Commission

  • Dr. Neil Matkin, District President, Collin College, CCBA Board Member

  • Jenna Covington, P.E., Executive Director, General Manager, Municipal Water District

  • Duncan Webb, Collin County Commissioner

Watch our panel disscussion in its entirety here

Roundtable: Building A Diverse Talent Pipeline

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted the 2023 in-person roundtable on February 21st, 2023 and discussed building a robust diverse talent pipeline in Collin County. We launched the CCBA Mentorship Program in an effort to elevate equity and inclusion. This innovative resource will serve as a bridge between future ready talent and corporate partners.

We heard from business and educational partners leading impactful DEI work within their organizations and gain best practices. This panel discussion included:

  • Rob Spencer - President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Insurance

  • Daretta Henry - HR Director, Pepsi Co

  • Kelsel Thompson - Manager for External Affairs/Plano Site Coordinator, Paul Quinn College

  • Michael Lawson - Global Engagement, Boeing

  • Rosario Saud - Head of Talent Management, Ericsson

Watch the Roundtable in its entirety here

11th Anniversary Luncheon

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted its 11th Anniversary Luncheon on December 1st, 2022 featuring Robert Steven Kaplan, Former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

The event included a panel conversation discussing plans for economic development, infrastructure, education and other key areas in Collin County featuring:

  • David Bristol - Mayor of Prosper

  • Brianna Chacon - Mayor of Princeton

  • Matthew Porter - Mayor of Wylie

  • Sean Terry - Mayor of Celina

Read a recap of the event here

State of the Business: Exploring Diversity in Collin County

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted its State of the Business event on May 20th, 2022, featuring Maria Contreras Sweet, Former Head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Corporate Governance Expert.

The event included a panel conversation - Exploring Diversity In Collin County through the lens of Talent, Technology and Community featuring:

  • Hattie Hill - CEO of T.D. Jakes Foundation

  • Barbara Baffer - Vice President, Government & Industry Relations, Ericsson, CCBA Board Member

  • Marissa Horne - Vice President - Financial Services Technology & Data at Capital One

  • Moderator Mandy Price - Co-Founder and CEO at Kanarys, Inc.

Read a recap of the event here

10th Anniversary Luncheon

The Collin County Business Alliance hosted its 10th Anniversary Luncheon on December 3rd 2021, featuring Indra Nooyi, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of PepsiCo.

The Opening Panel - Ten Years of Collin County: a Look Back and Moving Forward, hosted the following Speakers

MODERATED BY - Katrice Hardy, Editor, Dallas Morning News

Read more about the 10 year celebration luncheon here

Supplier Diversity || A Tool to Recovery in the Post Pandemic World

June 10, 2021

Collin County Business Alliance showcased hosted a virtual event focused specifically on diversity in small businesses. This two part event aimed to highlight the importance of supplier diversity for corporates and small businesses to ensure their recovery and success in the post pandemic world.

The event was covered by Local Profile. Click here to see the full coverage.

Collin County Equity Summit || Building an Equitable and Inclusive Collin County

May 20, 2021

Click Here To Watch Recorded Event

Leaders including Sarah Cotton Nelson of Communities Foundation of Texas, Alfreda Norman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and Harry LaRosiliere, Mayor of Plano, discussed the current state of equity in Collin County.

The inspiring Keynote Address, "Together We Can" from Richie Butler, Sr. Pastor St. Luke Community Methodist Church.Together We Can provides tools to educate, enable and empower a lifestyle of mindfulness and action against racism.

Business leaders from across Collin County—Bianca Chow, Ericsson; Michael Dardick, Granite Properties; and Anthony Kyles, Pepsi Co.; discussed the topic of building a business blueprint towards an equitable Collin County.

Learn more about CFT’s Collin County Economic Opportunity Assessment, and visit Collin County Business Alliance for more information on CCBA’s commitment to social justice.

CCBA Virtual Discussion || Inclusive Collin County: Fostering Diversity in Public Service

March 4, 2021

This event is hosted by the Collin County Business Alliance in partnership with Local Profile. The discussion aims to serve as inspiration to add more diversity to the leadership landscape of Collin County. Building a strong and diverse candidate pipeline that represents the Collin County community will help keep our county vibrant.

The Collin County Business Alliance's Collin County Votes (CCV) initiative has actively led voter engagement efforts focused on education and awareness of Collin County citizens before they head to the polls.

Featured Speakers:
Adrienne Trimble - VP & Chief Diversity Officer, Sysco

Judge Angela Tucker - 199th District Collin County

Mandy Price - CEO, Kanarys, DEI in Workplaces

Vernetta Walker - CEO, Vernetta Walker Consulting