Sulaiman W. Rahman is the founder and CEO of DiverseForce and P4 Hub, a strategic human capital solutions firm that specializes in cultivating diverse leadership pipelines and inclusive ecosystems across all sectors. In 2017, DiverseForce partnered with the University of Pennsylvania to develop DiverseForce On Boards, an innovative leadership development program that trains mid-to-senior level professionals of color from the public and private sectors to serve more effectively on governing boards in the region. The program’s success has attracted support from major corporations and foundations.
Sulaiman has been a recognized business and civic leader for over 15 years. In 2007, he founded professional network UPPN and quickly developed it to be one of the Greater Philadelphia area's most respected professional networks with 18,000+ local subscribers and 5,000+ active, next-generation leaders. In 2015, UPPN was named the Philadelphia Business Journal's #1 networking association. UPPN is now a DiverseForce talent community.
Sulaiman currently serves on the board of directors of Lendistry, a for-profit fintech social enterprise with over $300+ million in revenue, and numerous nonprofits and foundations including Philanthropi Charitable (Chairman), The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts and Opera Philadelphia, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Community College of Philadelphia Foundation (Vice-Chairman), Mastery Schools, and the Lenfest Institute. He also serves on a number of advisory boards.
In the past, Sulaiman has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE (2010-2012) and served as a mayor-appointed board member for PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp). In 2016, during the Obama Administration, Sulaiman was awarded the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award and was appointed by the DNCC (Democratic National Convention Committee) to serve as Co-Chair of the DNC Volunteer Committee that recruited, trained, and deployed over 10,000 volunteers for the Philadelphia Convention.
Sulaiman was named to Philadelphia Business Journal's “Power 100” in 2019, representing the journal’s selection of the 100 most powerful people in the Greater Philadelphia area. He has received many additional honors and awards over the years, including: OIC’s Game Changer Award (2019); US Senator Bob Casey’s Black History Month Honoree (2019); YearUP’s Urban Empowerment Award (2018); Philadelphia Business Journal’s Minority Business Leader Award (2017); Philadelphia Tribune’s Most Influential African American Leaders (2009-2021); Philadelphia NAACP Business Leader Award (2015); BMe’s Community Leadership Award & Grant (2015); Philadelphia Business Journal’s “40 under 40” (2010); VisitPhilly 360 Creative Ambassadors (2010); Urban League of Philadelphia “Urban Young Leader” Award (2009); Leadership Philadelphia’s “101 Next Generation Connectors” (2009); Philadelphia Tribune’s “10 People under 40 to Watch” (2008).
