“Rodney is an innovator, pioneer and respected authority in the inclusive innovation space,†says Judge. “He is the perfect person to lead our diversity initiatives to not only build companies, but also opportunities for everyone in our community and beyond.â€
No stranger to Black Enterprise’s TechConneXt Summit and Entrepreneurs Summit audiences, Sampson also is known for creating the diversity and inclusion initiatives for Mark Burnett Productions (One Three Media), the Executive Producers of Shark Tank, A.D., Son of God, and The Voice. In this role, he trained and advised Mark Burnett and the company’s key executives on diversifying and creating a more inclusive culture, which resulted in the hiring of more minorities, an increased focus on outreach to minority entrepreneurial organizations and communities, and an increase of the number of minorities and women that pitch each season on the show. Sampson also negotiated for Lady Gaga’s former manager turned venture capitalist, Troy Carter, to appear on Shark Tank as a Guest Shark.