Go "Beyond the Paycheck" and discover the transformative power of upskilling!
Upskilling is THE workplace topic of 2025. Join Avery Dennison’s expert panel as they explore how continuous learning boosts your career, confidence, and personal life. Hear inspiring stories, gain practical advice, and learn how to unlock your full potential by investing in yourself.
Jennifer Hairston
Jennifer is a dedicated IT professional with several years of experience in various companies across the manufacturing industry, including 8 years at Avery Dennison. As the IT Business Partner for Sustainability and R&D, she excels at aligning technology solutions with strategic business objectives. Jennifer holds a BS in Computer Engineering and an MS in Industrial Engineering, specializing in Systems Management.
Driven by a passion for community service and DE&I, Jennifer is a founding member and Executive Co-Sponsor of the Black Employee Resource Group and serves on the North America Executive DE&I Council. She is committed to service and community engagement. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys running, spending time with family, and pursuing her passion for community service by volunteering with several organizations and being an active member of An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
Vanita Marzette
Vanita Marzette is a Senior Product Manager specializing in Wine & Spirits Labels at Avery Dennison, where she also serves as the Chair of the Black Employee Resource Group. With over two decades in marketing and brand management, Vanita is a results-oriented leader with a proven track record of launching successful B2B and B2C products. Her expertise lies in understanding customer needs and translating them into innovative solutions that drive growth and profitability.
Vanita is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As Chair of Avery Dennison's Black Employee Resource Group, she is committed to fostering a supportive environment and creating opportunities for underrepresented employees.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Cleveland State University and an MBA from Lake Erie College. A dedicated mentor and community leader, Vanita serves on several boards in the Cleveland area.
Lateefah Hafeez
Lateefah supports the R&D base team with business continuity, growth, and sustainability projects. She leverages her strong quality and customer service skills to ensure projects focus on internal and external customer needs. Lateefah has a degree in Chemical Engineering with a focus in Polymer Engineering and Environmental Studies certification from the University of Akron. As co-membership chair of the Black Employee Resource Group, Lateefah shares her passion to grow members while assisting them in leveraging networking opportunities within the resource group and beyond. Outside of work, she is the Special Needs Chair for her autistic son’s Parent Teacher Association. She is passionate about growth opportunities and education of children and adults in the neurodivergent community.
Building Black Excellence: The Impact and Growth of Black Professionals Network
Join us for a compelling fireside chat with Kenasha Paul, J.D., the visionary founder of Black Professionals Network (BPN), the fastest-growing non-profit dedicated to empowering Black professionals on their journey to success, wealth, and legacy. Kenasha will share the story behind BPN’s rapid expansion, from its origins as a local summit to a nationwide movement supporting thousands of professionals. Together with moderator Hunter Lee Canning, we’ll explore how BPN fosters social capital, drives economic mobility, and creates pathways to accredited investor status for Black professionals. Kenasha will also discuss the intersection of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and tech, highlighting her leadership in bridging opportunities for underrepresented founders.
Kenasha Paul, J.D.
Kenasha Paul, J.D. is an award-winning social entrepreneur and business professional who has dedicated her life to building thriving pathways lined with access points, opportunities, and resources for underrepresented communities.
A dynamic force in community building, her first major feat started in 2008 when Paul helped the Black Student Union at FIU go from a student club with a then operating budget of $500 to a university-wide council managing a six-figure plus budget and representing nearly 12% of black students on campus. After graduation, she was asked to found and lead the FIU Black Alumni Chapter representing over 25,000 black alumni nationwide.
This work inspired her launch of the Black Professionals Summit conference in (2014) while in law school at Nova Southeastern University, later advancing the Summit into the Black Professionals Network (BPN) in 2016, as a non-profit social learning organization serving all of South Florida’s black professional community. In 2022, the organization expanded nationwide and currently has chapters in Miami, Broward, Chicago, and Los Angeles with more markets on the way.
Black Professionals Network (BPN) is now the fastest-growing non-profit organization. Its mission is to support 1 million black professionals on their journey towards success, wealth, and legacy, to ensure 90% reach accredited investor status.
Her success in building social capital across private and public sectors caught the attention of the venture and tech community. In 2021, she was announced as part of a novel partnership between the City of Miami and Florida International University to serve as Director of the Venture Miami Opportunity Program, focusing on women-founded tech businesses. In 2024, she was recruited by Florida Memorial University to spearhead the launch of their Entrepreneurship Center which will open in 2025, as part of a public-private partnership to support Sistrunk residents and FMU students.