MPMSDC Staff
The Council is uniquely positioned to offer management and technical services relevant for a dynamic marketplace including: business consulting, matchmaking, contract opportunity sourcing, finance sourcing and access to international markets.
Stephanie Knight
President & CEO
Stephanie Knight brings many years of leadership experience, organizational development, strategy development and implementation, economic development, and regional business growth. Prior to joining the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council, she served as CEO of Colorado Inclusive Economy, (CEI) where she became a transformational leader by refining the mission, improving operational management, and aligning the board around a new bold vision. Stephanie’s deep engagement with the Denver economic ecosystem and strong communications skills position her as an effective external leader. She earned a chief role in the City’s Office of Economic Development based upon her experience with economic empowerment, and with diverse business sectors.
An effective fundraiser, grant writer and community advocate, Stephanie knows the power of relationship building and the impact thoughtful program design and service delivery can make in the lives of others. In her nonprofit roles Stephanie has been the architect of new programs and initiatives, reached multi million dollar fundraising goals and increased individual monthly donor giving.
Stephanie has received many distinguished awards over the years. Some highlights include: the Denver Business Journal Top 25 Women in Business (2024), the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Women in Business Award (2024), The Women Who Charge Workforce Development Award (2024) The North Metro Chamber Influencer nominee ( 2019), the 2013 BBB Meyers Memorial Award nominee for operational excellence and The Rookie of The Year Award- Roberts Brothers Real Estate a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate (2008).
In all of Stephanie’s professional pursuits she strives to create meaningful impact for the community, constituents, clients and customers she serves. Stephanie has been married to her best friend for over 30 years (a software professional) and they have one adult son who resides in Mobile, AL and they have a beloved rescue dog, Levi. Stephanie enjoys all that Colorado has to offer and loves hiking, biking, swimming and snowmobiling. She is an avid reader, podcast listener, journaler, and enjoys the guilty pleasure of watching reality tv.
“I am privileged to lead the Mountain Plains Supplier Development Council (MPMSDC) into a new era of strategic growth alongside an esteemed Board of Directors, remarked Stephanie Knight, I look forward to driving more access and opportunities for MBEs while expanding corporate partner relationships “
Stephanie.Knight@mpmsdc.org
(303) 623-3037 ext. 202
Kevin Taylor
Director of Operations & Business Services
With over 32 years of remarkable contributions, Mr. Kevin H. Taylor stands as a stalwart figure in the computer industry. His journey has been defined by innovation and excellence, spanning both government and commercial sectors. Kevin’s expertise in systems integration, design, and data center architecture has left an indelible mark.
His technological prowess led to the creation and promotion of cutting-edge WEB-based Internet/Intranet applications. These dynamic solutions incorporated JavaScript, COM, .NET, and cloud-based software, harnessing SQLServer, DB2OS400, and Oracle databases. The scope of his creations encompassed diverse industries, from on-line hospital and hotel management to incident tracking, CRM, and knowledge management systems.
Kevin’s career highlights include spearheading United States Department of Energy projects, crafting a client-server computing infrastructure, and co-authoring a pivotal Client Server Infrastructure manual utilized by Microsoft. Since 1998, he has led Knovada Inc. as President and CEO, driving its international expansion across ten countries. Beyond technology, Kevin’s commitment to community and religious roles, including a 16-year pastoral tenure, underscores his enduring impact and multifaceted leadership.
kevin@mpmsdc.org
303-623-3037 ext 207
Nicie Smullen
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Services Administrator
With more than eight years of experience, Nicie comes from a non-profit background in serving and working with young women and over 400+ volunteers. Nicie is excited to continue her journey in the nonprofit sector by joining the Mountain Plains MSDC and serving its corporate members, MBEs, and the diverse business community. In 2019 Nicie started a small bakery that has grown to specializing in catering for corporate, and other large scaled events. As a small business owner, Nicie is always excited to engage with members of the community and other small businesses to help them gain the leverage they deserve. Nicie is in the process of earning her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business.
Nicie@mpmsdc.org
303-623-3037 ext: 212
Antisha Gaitan
Sr. Manager, MBE Engagement & Partnerships
Antisha brings a multidisciplinary background spanning marketing strategy, brand development, corporate engagement, and small business growth to the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council. Her 20+ year career was shaped within leading marketing and advertising agencies, where she supported growth focused initiatives spanning strategy, brand visibility, audience engagement, and performance driven campaigns. Through this work, she developed a strong ability to connect strategy with measurable outcomes, helping organizations increase market awareness, strengthen engagement, and improve conversions. Based in the Kansas City area, Antisha supports Minority Business Enterprises and corporate members across Kansas and western Missouri, partnering closely with business owners, corporate stakeholders, and community partners to expand opportunity, visibility, and alignment.
Prior to joining the Council, Antisha led marketing, brand strategy, and client engagement efforts across a diverse range of industries, working with corporate teams, growth stage organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures. Her work has consistently centered on helping organizations navigate growth, clarify positioning, and align their communication with business objectives. She is known for translating complex challenges into clear, practical strategies that create momentum and drive results.
Antisha is also the founder of a marketing consultancy focused on helping organizations and small businesses transform fragmented marketing into clear, high-performing systems. As a business owner herself, she understands firsthand the realities, pressures, and opportunities entrepreneurs navigate, which informs her practical and empathetic approach to supporting MBEs and corporate partners alike.
Antisha is a current member of Authentico’s Inclusive Leadership Certificate of Mastery and Capstone Program.