​

​

Executive Leader | Economic Development Strategist | Supplier Diversity Advocate

​

Marshette Turner Ray is a nationally respected executive leader with more than two decades of experience advancing minority business development, supplier diversity, and inclusive economic growth across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She is recognized for her ability to design and lead high-impact business development initiatives that expand access to capital, contracting opportunities, and institutional markets for small and minority-owned businesses.

​

Throughout her career, Marshette has held senior leadership roles overseeing large-scale, publicly funded programs focused on business growth, contractor readiness, and economic inclusion. She previously served as Executive Director of the Houston Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), where she provided strategic leadership for programs aligned with federal and municipal contracting priorities. In that role, she led initiatives that increased minority-owned business participation in capital investment and government contracting, strengthened public-private partnerships, and exceeded performance benchmarks through data-driven program delivery.

​

Marshette’s leadership experience also includes senior roles with the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition (where she served as National Program Director), and government relations and policy leadership roles within the State of Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Across these positions, she has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, strengthened fiscal oversight, and guided organizations through complex compliance, reporting, and performance requirements.

​

A strategic thinker and relationship builder, Marshette has worked extensively with municipalities, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, corporations, and community organizations to build sustainable ecosystems that support business growth and workforce participation. Her work has helped hundreds of businesses improve operational readiness, secure funding, and compete successfully for institutional opportunities.

​

As a leader with The B.R.I.D.G.E., Marshette brings deep expertise in program governance, stakeholder engagement, and economic development strategy. She is committed to creating equitable pathways for businesses to grow, scale, and succeed—believing that strong businesses are essential to building strong communities.