Legacy of Leadership: Celebrating Black Excellence in GRC

Featured Speakers

Dipo Akin-Deko

Head of Legal at BowerGroupAsia, Inc.

Kathy Kuria

Principal at Kuria Consulting, LLC

Marcus Beasley

Director, Ethics & Compliance U.S. Oncology of AbbVie

I. David Daniels, PhD, CSD, VPS

Founder/CEO of ID2 Solutions, LLC

Dipo serves as the Head of Legal for BGA. With 20 years of legal and business experience, Dipo manages BGA’s risk, legal operations, contracting and global compliance teams.

Prior to joining BGA, Dipo served as counsel and legal consultant for several non-profit and government contractors in the Washington, D.C. metro area with a focus on commercial law, employment law, risk and contracting.

Dipo regularly presents on legal and compliance issues facing transnational organizations in high-risk markets, running a global legal operations team and geopolitical impact on the legal supply chain. He has served as guest or panelist with TRACE International, The Association of Corporate Counsel, the National Association of Black Compliance & Risk Management Professionals, and the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics.

Dipo is a member of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law Alumni Board and has served two terms as the Chairman. Additionally, he has been recognized by the Association of Nepalis in the America for his support and representation.

Dipo holds a juris doctorate degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University and a Master of Law in litigation and alternative dispute resolution from the George Washington University Law School.

Kathy Kuria is the Principal of Kuria Consulting, LLC, focused on providing compliance services to registered investment advisers and broker-dealers. As a seasoned compliance professional with over 20 years of industry experience, Kathy has worked in registered investment adviser operations and compliance, broker dealer compliance, insurance, and banking. Prior to establishing Kuria Consulting, she served as Chief Compliance Officer of boutique RIAs. Kathy also spent eleven years with BBVA, overseeing the compliance program for the bank affiliated RIA.

Kathy earned a BBA in Finance from Texas Southern University and an MBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas. She is an Investment Advisor Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP). Kathy is an inaugural member of the Investment Advisor Association (IAA) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, contributing to the publication which serves as a guide to establishing a DEI program at individual firms.

Dr. I. David Daniels is an occupational health and safety professional, former public safety executive, thought leader, and Founder/CEO of ID2 Solutions, LLC, a safety-focused solutions company specializing in helping organizations plan and execute safety management systems, including focusing on psychosocial hazard mitigation strategies. He hosts the Psych Health and Safety USA podcast and is preparing to release one of the first books focused on psychosocial hazards in 2025.

Dr. Daniels' extensive education and certifications and his years of experience make him a trusted expert in the field. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Services Administration, a master’s degree in human resources management, and a Ph.D. in Occupational Health and Safety. His certifications as a Safety Director, Violence Prevention Specialist, Emergency Management Specialist, Job Hazard Analysis Specialist, Safety and Health Specialist, and in Mental Health First Aid further attest to his expertise. He has also honed his skills at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University and Cornell University.

Dr. Daniels is not just a professional but a leader in the field. He is the founding chair of the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals, Safety and Security Workgroup, and the Vice Chair of the Society for Total Worker Health Advisory Panel. His two terms further demonstrate his leadership as a member of the National Safety Council (NSC) Board of Directors and his role as the founding chair of the NSC’s Government and Public-Sector Division. In 2021, he became only the third African American in history to receive the NSC’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Safety Award.

Dr. Daniels is a life member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and served over 30 years in fire/rescue, emergency medical, and emergency management organizations in three states, including four appointments as a Fire Chief. He was the founding chair of the IAFC Safety, Health, and Survival Section and the first safety representative on the IAFC Board of Directors. His career-long focus on safety was one of the factors that led to him becoming the first living African American to be inducted into the National Fire Heritage Center’s Hall of Legacies, Legends, and Leaders.

Event Details

A Black History Month Tribute to Leaders Driving Change & Innovation

From corporate governance to financial regulations, Black professionals have been at the forefront of shaping risk management and compliance. Despite systemic challenges, they continue to break barriers, influence policy, and redefine the future of the industry.

This Black History Month event will spotlight trailblazing Black professionals in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) who have made significant contributions to their fields. Through engaging discussions and storytelling, we will:

✅ Honor the impact of Black leaders in compliance and risk management

✅ Explore the evolving role of GRC professionals in today's business landscape

✅ Discuss strategies for increasing Black representation and leadership in GRC

✅ Share lessons on resilience, innovation, and navigating regulatory landscapes

Who Should Attend?

Risk Management, Compliance, and Legal Professionals
Governance and Regulatory Experts
Financial Services and ESG Practitioners
Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
DEI and HR Professionals

Why This Matters:

Black professionals continue to play a pivotal role in shaping ethical and responsible business practices, yet their contributions are often overlooked. This event is about celebrating achievements, inspiring future leaders, and creating a more inclusive future in the industry.