Donald N. Mayes Jr. is a renowned diversity and inclusion practitioner with over 35 years of experience. He specializes in assisting small disadvantaged businesses in gaining access to public procurement. Mayes began his career as an advocate for small disadvantaged businesses while serving for 19 years at the Chicago Transit Authority. Upon completing his service, he received a call to restore the DBE & ACDBE programs for the Massachusetts Port Authority. He currently serves as DBE Liaison Officer for Pace Suburban Bus in Illinois. Mayes is an expert on federal regulations governing DBE programs under the FTA, FAA, and FHWA. His professional experience extends beyond compliance administration, and he is a founding member of the Compassionate Resource Center and Springfield Prayer Summit. Donald pursued a Master's of Art in religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, a Bachelor's of Applied Science in Public Administration from Roosevelt University, and an Executive Certified Master Compliance Administrator in Contract Compliance from Morgan State University.