LaJuanna Russell has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in all aspects of business operations, government contracting, and consulting, with particular expertise in human resource management, human resource technology and process improvement. She is a sought-after speaker on topics such as Future of Work, Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, and Women in Government Contracting. She is a visionary who started her business in 2006 with a personal investment of just $500. Today BMA is an award-winning, multi-million-dollar business, listed on the Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies three years in a row.

Ms. Russell holds a BA in Communication Studies from Virginia Tech, an accelerated MBA with concentrations in International Business and Finance from George Washington University, and a six sigma greenbelt certification. She is chair of Small Business Majority’s Board of Directors, a member of Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, a member of The George Washington School of Business Advisory Board, a member of Professional Services Council Board of Directors, immediate past chair of Alexandria Commission on Employment, an incoming board member for The Campagna Center, the incoming DC Leadership Council Co-Chair for Vital Voices, a member of Women Impacting Public Policy’s Leadership Advisory Council, a member of Intuit’s Small Business QuickBooks Council, and an alumna of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, Vital Voices Networks Social Impact panel, “Future of Social Impact in Business”, May 12, 2022
  • Panelist, Women Owned & Managed Enterprise Network, “Become a Business Triple Threat: Secure the 3 Cs – Contracts, Contacts & Capital”, April 28, 2022
  • DEI Panelist, 13th annual GW Women in Business (GWWIB) Spring Conference, April 2, 2022
  • Expert Witness, Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, “Big Ideas for Small Businesses: Fostering American Entrepreneurship Through Starting, Sustaining and Growing Small Businesses”, March 16, 2022
  • Sponsor/Fireside Chat Moderator, Association for Talent Development’s Government Workforce, “The Future of Work: How to Achieve Greater Agency Mission Through Planning for a Future State”, May, 2021
  • Featured Profile, Profiles in Success, March 2021, Link: https://www.profilesinsuccess.com/profile/lajuanna-russell
  • Panelist, Black Entrepreneurs Day, Hosted by Daymond John, October 24, 2020
  • Moderator, Future of Work fireside chat, ATD Government Workforce, September 8, 2020
  • Invited Business Participant, Intuit Town Hall featuring Sen Rubio and Cardin, May 6, 2020
  • Invited Business Participant, Roundtable Discussion on Supplier Diversity, Congressional Committee on Small Business, hosted by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Chair, December 10, 2019
  • Guest, PBS NewsHour, Friday, January 25, 2019
  • Quoted, “Shutdowns show need for a concrete business plan.  But how?”, February 1, 2019, Washington Business Journal
  • Quoted, “That income is gone: shutdown pain lingers for unpaid contract workers”, January 31, 2019, The Guardian Newspaper, US and UK editions
  • Op-Ed, “It’s a federal government shutdown, but my local small business is hurting”, January 11, 2019, The Washington Post
  • Panelist, DISA Reverse Industry Day, December 6, 2017
  • Entrepreneur Representative, National Governor’s Association Roundtable for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, December 1, 2017
  • Panelist, ChallengeHER – Opportunities for Women in Federal Contracting, sponsored by the Department of Treasury and Women Impacting Public Policy, October 19, 2017
  • Moderator, Small Business Leadership Summit, Women’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable, September 2017
  • Professional Services Council 2018 Leadership Summit Planning Committee
  • Radio Appearance, Executive Leaders Radio, August 10, 2017
  • Congressional Testimony, United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, “Improving Small Business Input on Federal Regulations: Ideas for Congress and a New Administration”, January 19, 2017
  • Television, Profile, Women’s Business Report, WJLA-TV (Me.TV), February 2017
  • Panelist, IRS Reverse Industry Day, April 19, 2017
  • Panelist, Center for American Progress, Entrepreneurship for All, October 13, 2017
  • Moderator, Small Business Leadership Summit, Minority Business Entrepreneurship Roundtable and Women’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable, May 8–11, 2016
  • Seminar, “Can We Talk: Information Disclosure During the Acquisition Process,” Federal Acquisitions Institute (FAI), October 8, 2016
  • Congressional Speech, Government shutdown and impact on small business owners, Senate Democrats news conference, October 13, 2013. Link: https://www.c-span.org/video/?315437-1/government-shutdown-small-business-owners

Awards & Recognition

  • 2022 Inductee Inaugural George Washington University School of Business (GWSB) Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame
  • 2018 CRMSDC Top 100 MBE winner
  • 2018 Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies
  • 2018 Alexandria Chamber Best in Business – Finalist
  • 2017 Recognize DC Visionary Government Contractor
  • 2017 Stevie Bronze award for Minority Business of the Year
  • 2017 Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies
  • 2017 Future 50 Award Winner
  • 2016 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies
  • 2016 Smart CEO GovStar Finalist
  • 2015 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies
  • 2015 Smart CEO Govstar Finalist
  • 2015 Smart CEO Brava Award
  • 2015 Zeta Phi Beta Woman of the Year
  • 2015 Scholar for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
  • 2012 Smart CEO Best Run Companies List
  • 2008 Stevie Awards for Women in Business – Best Entrepreneur