About

Suzanne Arkle
President + CEO
Suzanne Arkle is the President and CEO of ZANN, a management-consulting firm that advises clients on DEI strategies for small business growth, workforce development and participation on mega projects. Her clients include large public sector institutions, prime contractors, consultants and D/S/M/W/ACDBE business enterprises. She provides strategic advice to senior leadership about all aspects of project planning and implementation related to increasing and measuring D/S/M/W/ACDBE business growth and participation in major infrastructure projects. Through these services ZANN has directed the goals and utilization of over $3.9B for small businesses on projects valued at over $14B. More … >
Our Philosophy
We believe an organization must understand and reflect the diversity of its target market and stakeholders to sustain continued growth. In today’s global marketplace, equity and inclusion are essential to stand apart from the competition.
Meet Your Consultants

Gin Hooks
Director, Strategic Partnerships + Belonging
Gin focuses on diverse and small business outreach, needs assessments, creative problem solving, and process facilitation among industry partners and ZANN. Her approach is steeped in the ZANN philosophy that an organization must understand and reflect the diversity of its target market and stakeholders to sustain continued growth. Her work helps elevate the understanding that Equity and Inclusion considerations are essential components of continuous improvement processes and that retention is heavily impacted by the culture of Belonging within an organization.

Linda Kelly
Manager, Economic Opportunity
Linda brings over 30 years of experience in procurement, workforce development, community engagement, and compliance across both public and private sectors. She specializes in guiding small and diverse businesses through MWBE certification processes and connecting them to funding opportunities. Linda also helps shape outreach strategies through stakeholder meetings and surveys, and champions inclusive policies that expand MWBE participation in construction and infrastructure projects.

Victoria Lopez Avila
Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Victoria leads Building Small Businesses, ZANN’s innovative program for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). She brings a lifelong connection to the construction industry and professional experience to match. Raised in a family of builders, she naturally followed their footsteps and now works to support small, diverse firms navigating public contracting. She connects participants with targeted coaching, financial resources, and procurement opportunities, namely around projects like the CTA’s Red Line Extension. Her work bridges the gap between policy, community, and opportunity, ensuring underrepresented businesses are positioned to compete and thrive in the industry.

Julius Brooks
Manager, Strategy + Business Development
Julius brings over nine years of experience in Business Consulting, Public-Sector Strategy, and Program Management. His expertise includes legislative policy, economic development initiatives, diversity contracting programs, stakeholder engagement, and government compliance. His work flows into his other career, as he currently serves in the Washington National Guard as a Warrant Officer, advising commanders on strategic planning, operational execution, and organizational development.

Kimberly Mills
Senior Compliance Officer
Kim specializes in equity in contract compliance. She champions inclusive business practices and fosters diverse and small business participation and growth. Her efforts are essential to advancing economic opportunity initiatives and encouraging broader participation among our partners. Through her leadership, ZANN has become a national SME in compliance.

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