Procurement between insurers contracting with California's diverse-owned businesses increased by 93 percent over a five-year period, from $930 million in 2012 to $1.8 billion in 2017. However, diversifying insurer governing boards to reflect a broader set of backgrounds and perspectives remained a challenge. In 2017, insurers reported nearly 80 percent of governing board seats were held by men and only 12 percent of board seats were held by persons of color.

The appointments to the task force came on the heels of the signature of Senate Bill (SB) 534 by Governor Gavin Newsom, a bill sponsored by Commissioner Lara and authored by Senator Steven Bradford, which (1) requires insurance companies to report on their supplier diversity and governing board diversity efforts; (2) expands the diverse supplier categories to include LGBT and veteran-owned businesses; and, 3) codifies the task force in law.

"California insurers should be using their enormous buying power to invest in California's minority, woman, LGBT, veteran, and disabled veteran owned businesses as well as work towards achieving a governing board that reflects the diverse population in California," said Commissioner Lara. "Since its inception, the department's diversity initiative has helped empower diverse businesses to put resources back into their local communities. Thank you to Governor Newsom and Senator Bradford for reauthorizing and expanding this valuable program to help more people and communities throughout the state."

Members of the task force include:

• Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner, vice president and co-owner of Diego & Son Printing, a second generation printing business that is service-disabled veteran-owned small business and disabled veteran business enterprise-certified. She has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing. She also serves as the executive director of the Veterans In Business Network, a nonprofit veteran business organization in California that advocates on behalf of the disabled veteran business community. Ms. Aguilera-Gardiner joined the task force as an advocate/representative for veteran and disabled veteran business enterprises with a term ending on September 6, 2021.
• Milton Dellossier, vice president of diversity and inclusion ("D & I") at Morgan Stanley. Previously, Mr. Dellossier served as board chair for the National Hispanic Corporate Council, where he led the organization's corporate board of directors, who each represent Fortune 1000 member companies. Mr. Dellossier joined the task force as an advocate/representative for governing board diversity with a term ending on September 6, 2021.
• Phyllis Marshall, the chief legislative counsel of the chief executive office for the county of Los Angeles. With a legal and public policy background, she formerly served as senior counsel of the Government Practice Division at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, and as vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs for the Personal Insurance Federation of California. She founded and served as president of the California Association of African American Advocacy Professionals and led the California Association of Black Lawyers as a past president. Ms. Marshall joined the task force as an advocate/expert for supplier diversity with a term ending on September 6, 2021.
• Mark Morales, president-emeritus of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Small Business Administration Lending Division of City National Bank, and co-owner of Charles Jacobsen, Inc., a certified LGBT business enterprise. Mr. Morales also works with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to help with minority business certifications for the LGBT community. He was reappointed to the task force as an advocate/representative for LGBT business enterprises with a term ending September 6, 2021.
• Maria Salinas, president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the first woman and Latina to lead the organization in its 130-year history. She founded Salinas Consulting, a finance and accounting consultancy firm, and serves as a member of numerous boards and commissions including Governor Newsom's Future of Work Commission, Mobility 21, the MEXLA Commission, the Loyola Marymount University Board of Regents, and ProAmérica Bank, among others. Ms. Salinas joined the task force as an advocate/representative for women business enterprises with a term ending on September 6, 2021.