In the current corporate environment, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) often tends to be merely a formality, providing policies and training without addressing the fundamental systemic obstacles faced by minority communities. Despite numerous well-funded initiatives that highlight achievements, entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds still find themselves marginalized.

Diversity Matters is changing that story. Established by a former financial executive with extensive experience, the firm merges DEI consultancy with practical assistance for minority-owned enterprises. Offering services from certification and procurement training to strategic inclusion evaluations, Diversity Matters aids both public and private sector clients in moving past mere theory—creating pathways to genuine equity, lasting growth, and community transformation.

In an exclusive interview with Business Fortune, Dr. Luisa Montoya, CEO of Diversity Matters, shared how challenges faced by minority entrepreneurs led her to create the firm. It offers practical assistance, DEI consulting, and training for federal procurement to empower underrepresented businesses and drive systemic change.

Interview Highlights

What was the exact moment that turned your passion into launching Diversity Matters?

Throughout my years working in financial institutions, I had the privilege of creating programs specifically designed to support minority business owners in their efforts to close the equity wealth gap. However, I observed something deeply troubling: despite the availability of these programs, minority entrepreneurs still faced significant challenges in accessing them. Time and again, I found myself in meetings where leaders celebrated these programs as successes, while the individuals they were intended to uplift remained left behind.

One moment, in particular, crystallized this reality for me. I was reviewing a program aimed at helping minority contractors scale their businesses when a business owner, who had invested their entire life savings and countless hours into their company, approached me in tears. They expressed, “I just don’t understand what else I need to do. I work hard, I follow the rules, but it feels like the door is never fully open for me.”

That day, I thought to myself, “Some of these business owners need to be guided by the hand.” It was clear that systemic barriers remained too high, and that providing services alone was not enough. That was the moment I knew this was no longer just a job or passion. I needed to build a company that walked alongside these communities - offering not only services, but also hands-on guidance, mentorship, and strategic pathways to help them unlock their full potential and create intergenerational wealth.

How do your DEI consultancy and federal procurement training connect so powerfully under one roof?

Many people still view Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work as limited to unconscious bias training or HR policies. However, DEI is fundamentally connected to economic growth and closing the equity wealth gap. It goes beyond simply “giving minority business owners a seat at the table;” it’s about “building our own tables.”

Minority entrepreneurs are not seeking special treatment; they want equal access to the same products, services, capital, and growth opportunities that others enjoy. That’s why we have created a model that empowers them to become prime contractors instead of merely training them to remain subcontractors.

Our DEI training helps corporations and communities recognize the true value of diversity and understand how collaborating with equity at the core benefits everyone. Additionally, our federal procurement and certification programs provide minority entrepreneurs with the tools, confidence, and strategic networks necessary to seize larger opportunities, thereby transforming their businesses and communities.

By offering these two services under one roof, we accelerate systemic change, ensuring that DEI is not just theoretical but actionable and beneficial for all.

How do you customize your consulting for different types of clients while ensuring measurable, lasting outcomes?

Our goal is to help organizations create sustainable and scalable businesses. With 23 years of experience in banking and financial strategy, I understand that growth is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Each organization, whether it’s a small nonprofit or a state agency, faces unique challenges, communities, and objectives.

We start by listening carefully to our clients to fully understand their current situation and desired outcomes. Then, we develop a tailored strategic roadmap that addresses their specific needs by integrating compliance, financial health, market positioning, and social impact.

In addition to consulting, we focus on building a strong network of relationshi ps for our clients, connecting them with larger corporations, government entities, and grant opportunities that can support their long-term goals.

This approach ensures that our work is not just a fleeting moment but a catalyst for measurable results, sustained growth, and lasting equity.

How do your ‘inclusion audits’ work, and what surprising insights do companies usually discover?

The concept of DEI remains misunderstood, especially in today’s polarizing political climate. Sometimes it is framed as something negative or divisive, when in reality, it is a strategic tool for growth, innovation, and employee empowerment.

Our inclusion audits begin by diagnosing the current state of DEI within an organization -assessing policies, culture, leadership alignment, workforce data, and community impact. We then identify areas of risk and potential negative outcomes if certain issues remain unaddressed, along with mapping out opportunities for positive transformation.

Clients are often surprised to learn how issues that seemed “small” - such as lack of supplier diversity goals or minimal leadership pipeline diversity - are deeply interconnected with reduced innovation, employee disengagement, and missed revenue opportunities. Our audits open their eyes to a world of possibilities that can empower their company to grow stronger while also elevating their people’s careers and well-being.

What is the long-term impact of certifications like MBE, HUB, and WBENC, and how does Diversity Matters support clients beyond approval?

Minority business certifications, such as MBE, HUB, and WBENC, are often misunderstood as mere administrative tasks. In reality, these certifications require businesses to demonstrate their sustainability, financial stability, and strategic readiness. Business owners must provide comprehensive operational plans, financial documents, and evidence of effective leadership to qualify.

The certification process can be a significant eye-opener for business owners, revealing areas where their companies may lack the foundational structures or strategies necessary for growth. At Diversity Matters, we don’t just help them obtain approval; we work alongside them to identify these gaps, strengthen their operations, and develop a plan to leverage their certification for accessing larger contracts and partnerships. Our focus is always on achieving long-term impact and empowering our clients to build thriving and resilient businesses.

How do you balance working with government bodies and local businesses under one mission of inclusion?

Inclusion is everywhere. It extends far beyond gender, race, or ethnicity - it is about understanding intersectionality and recognizing how different aspects of identity intersect to create unique challenges and opportunities. Whether we are working with the Colorado Secretary of State, a city government, a multinational corporation, or a local entrepreneur, our mission remains the same: to help businesses and communities grow through equity and inclusion.

We achieve this balance thanks to our incredible team of professionals who bring diverse expertise from many industries and cultural backgrounds. This breadth allows us to design tailored solutions that align with each client’s environment while driving the same vision of equity, economic empowerment, and sustainable inclusion.

Are there upcoming partnerships or expansions marking a new phase for Diversity Matters?

Absolutely. As we continue to grow, so does our network. We are excited to be developing partnerships with organizations like Equality Florida, HEI, SCORE, the LGBT Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, and others. These collaborations are not just about our growth - they are about expanding the resources and opportunities available to our clients. By working alongside such impactful partners, we ensure that minority entrepreneurs have access to the comprehensive tools, mentorship, and networks they need to succeed.

Where do you envision Diversity Matters in the next five years in terms of influence, technology integration, and global reach?

Technology has always been one of my passions, and I believe it is essential for accelerating the growth of minority-owned businesses. Over the next five years, we envision Diversity Matters expanding our digital services to create more accessible programs for minority business owners across the country and beyond.

We are working towards building an interactive platform that will enable our clients to network with each other, form joint ventures, and combine their expertise to secure larger government contracts. Ultimately, we aspire to be recognized not only for our size but also for our influence in transforming the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with economic development. We aim to leverage technology to build a global network of empowered, thriving entrepreneurs who drive change within their communities and industries.

About Dr. Luisa Montoya | In Her Own Words

I moved to the United States from Colombia after my father was murdered. I arrived with only $40 in my pocket, and on my first night in this country, I slept on the street because I had nowhere to go. I was just 19 years old. That night changed my life; I realized that if I didn’t fight for myself, no one else would.

From that moment on, I worked tirelessly. I started as a waitress in a restaurant and nightclub while applying for political asylum. Eventually, I earned a scholarship in Denver to complete my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. My banking career flourished from there as I took on various roles, including Financial Advisor, Branch Manager, District Manager, Commercial Banker, and my favorite position, Head of DEI Engagement.

I am the leader I am today thanks to the diverse employees and clients I have had the honor to work with. Their stories, resilience, and trust continue to fuel my purpose: to create a world where equity is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality for all.

“We aim to leverage technology to build a global network of empowered, thriving entrepreneurs who drive change within their communities and industries.”