WHAT WE DO
Leveraging Horizons specializes in helping diverse business owners navigate the supplier diversity certification process, unlocking opportunities for corporate and government contracts. We educate business owners on certification types, eligibility requirements, and application processes to determine the best certification for long-term success. In addition, we provide eligibility analysis, application preparation, and post-certification coaching for local/municipal, state, federal, and national certifications.
Diverse Business Certifications: DBE, MBE, WBE, VBE, SDB, WOSB, LGTBE, and DOBE
certify. connect. grow.
“Business certifications come with various perks and resources that can help your company stand out among competitors and scale your business faster.”
-CO— by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
JACINTA WITHERSPOON
Founder and President,
LEVERAGING HORIZONS
Jacinta Witherspoon is the Founder and President of Leveraging Horizons Consulting, LLC dba Leveraging Horizons. She brings over 15 years of experience as a strategic and results-driven leader with extensive experience in supplier diversity, business development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Proven expertise in guiding businesses through supplier diversity certifications, fostering inclusive procurement strategies and driving organizational growth. Adept at building partnerships with corporations, government agencies and diverse business owners to enhance economic opportunities. Skilled in program development, client engagement and process optimization to maximize impact and create sustainable business success.
Prior to joining the Corporate Social Impact team as a Global Diversity & Inclusion Business Partner at Intel Corporation, Jacinta spent four (4) years as the Regional Director of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC). In her role at the WBDC, Jacinta was responsible for growing the Missouri and Southern Illinois markets, strengthening and building new strategic relationships, educating the small business ecosystem and business owners on the process and benefits of 3rd party certification, helping Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) leverage their certification; and developing capacity-building programming. As a people and resource connector, Jacinta shares the importance of learning and transferring knowledge and resources that support and bridge gaps for individuals and networks.
An alum of FOCUS St. Louis’ Leadership St. Louis (LSL) program Class 37 (2013-2014), St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative’s Fellow Class Cohort 9 (2014-2015), and FOCUS St. Louis’ Inaugural Class of Impact Fellows (2016), Jacinta is no stranger to the work needed to create a more representative workplace. She’s also lent support and experience to Grace Hill Women’s Business Center, Southern Illinois SBDC, Small Business Week of Eastern MO Planning Committee, the BALSA Foundation, and the WBDC Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Jacinta holds an M.A. in Management and Leadership from Webster University and a B.S. in Business Administration - Finance from the University of Akron.