{{Short description|American business executive}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Dia Simms | image = Dia Simms Collision Conf 03.jpg | image_size = | caption = Simms, May 2018 | birth_name = D'Angela Banks | birth_place = Monterey, California, U.S.<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /> | alma_mater = {{plainlist| * Morgan State University (B.S., 1997) * Florida Institute of Technology (M.S.) * Defense Acquisition University<ref name="The Network Journal 2010" /><ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /> }} | occupation = {{plainlist| * President of Combs Enterprises<ref name="HuffPo July 2014" /> }} | children = 1<ref name="HuffPo July 2014" /> | website = {{URL|http://diasimms.com}} }}
'''D'Angela''' "'''Dia'''" '''Simms''' is an American business executive. In 2020, Simms became the co-founder of [https://www.pronghorn.co/ Pronghorn]. She was previously the president of Combs Enterprises, a position she had held since May 15, 2017.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /> Simms was appointed to this position by Combs Enterprises founder and CEO, Sean Combs, and was the first person to assume the role of president at the company.<ref name="PR Newswire May 2017" />
As a native of Queens, New York, and now residing in Baltimore, Maryland, she is a graduate of Morgan State University, Maryland and the Florida Institute of Technology.<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /><ref name="The Network Journal 2010" />
==Early life and education== Simms was born D'Angela Banks in Monterey, California. Her family moved to Queens, New York, when she was at an early age. While living there, she attended St. Francis Preparatory School.<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /> When Simms was nine years old, her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Her mother's resilience in the face of adversity would serve as a role model as she grew older.<ref name="HuffPo July 2014" />
In 1999, Simms attained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (B.S.) from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /><ref name="The Network Journal 2010" /> She attained her Master's degree in Management from Florida Institute of Technology and is Level II-certified by the Defense Acquisition University.<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" />
==Career==
Simms began her career as a contract specialist at the U.S. Department of Defense.<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /> Following this, Simms moved into advertising and co-founded Madison Marketing Inc.<ref name="The Network Journal 2010" /> She later worked in sales for GlaxoSmithKline and at Clear Channel, where two of her accounts were Bad Boy Records and Sean John.<ref name="The Network Journal 2010" /> Simms started working for Combs as an assistant in 2005.<ref name="The Network Journal 2010" /> She has also served as chief of staff, General Manager of The Blue Flame Agency, executive vice president and president of Combs Wine & Spirits.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /> She was promoted to this role in February, 2015.<ref name="PR Newswire Feb 2015" /> As president of Combs Wines & Spirits, Simms was involved in the acquisition of DeLeón Tequila and its brand relaunch, as well as the brand growth of Cîroc vodka.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /> She was promoted to president of Combs Enterprises on May 15, 2017, and is the first person in that role.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /><ref name="PR Newswire May 2017" /> She oversaw the company's various businesses, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John, Combs Wine & Spirits (CÎROC Ultra Premium Vodka and DeLeón Tequila), AQUAhydrate, the Blue Flame advertising and marketing agency, Bad Boy Touring, Janice Combs Publishing, Revolt Films and Revolt TV, as well as ENYCE, and the Combs Foundation.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /> Combs Wine & Spirits had been created in 2013<ref name="PR Newswire Feb 2015" /> and folded into Combs Enterprises when Simms was promoted to president as she oversaw both ventures.<ref name="PR Newswire May 2017" /> Simms notes that throughout her entire career, she has been in male-dominated industries.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /> She has explained, "As a woman, it is important to feel like you can embrace your femininity — be ladylike and powerful simultaneously."<ref name="The Network Journal 2010" />
Simms left Combs Enterprises in September 2019 to enter into the cannabis industry and start her own business ventures. In October 2019, Simms spoke with Marie Claire<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ukiomogbe|first=Juliana|date=2019-10-10|title=Dia Simms Helped Build Diddy's Empire. Now She's Taking on the Cannabis Industry|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/career-advice/a29387079/dia-simms-diddy-cannabis-industry/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Marie Claire|language=en-US}}</ref> on her venture into the cannabis industry with BRN Group.
Simms is also a board member for TILT Holdings <ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-19|title='Diddy' Protégé Dia Simms Joins TILT Holdings Board|url=https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/20/08/17157190/diddy-prot-g-dia-simms-joins-tilt-holdings-board|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Benzinga|language=English}}</ref> and in 2020, she invested in the women-led Saint Liberty Whiskey.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Washington|first=Airen|title=This Black Women-Led Whiskey Brand Is Honoring The 'Entrepreneurial Spirits' Of Female Bootleggers|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestheculture/2020/08/21/this-black-women-led-whiskey-brand-is-honoring-the-entrepreneurial-spirits-of-female-bootleggers/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>
==Honors== Simms was recognized by The Network Journal in their "40 Under Forty Class of 2010”.<ref name="The Network Journal 2010" /> In 2011, she was an honoree at the United Way of New York City's "Power of Women Luncheon".<ref>{{cite web|title=Power of Women Luncheon|url=http://powerofwomenluncheon.org/2017-honorees/|website=United Way of New York City & Women’s Leadership Council|accessdate=29 June 2017|location=Past Honorees and Keynote Speakers}}</ref> Also in 2011, Simms was named a "Leader of the New School" by Essence Magazine.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sapong|first1=Emma|title=Dia Simms from Combs Enterprises to speak Saturday at women's entrepreneur event|url=http://buffalonews.com/2015/08/27/dia-simms-from-combs-enterprises-to-speak-saturday-at-womens-entrepreneur-event/|website=The Buffalo News|accessdate=29 June 2017|date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> In 2014, Simms won the Bronze Stevie "Maverick of the Year Award" at the International Business Awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=2014 Management Awards Category Stevie Award Winners|url=http://stevieawards.com/iba/management-awards-winners|website=The International Business Awards|date=November 25, 2014 |accessdate=30 June 2017}}</ref>
Simms is a member of Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, the Women's Employment Opportunity Project, Grace Reformed Church, and Daddy's House Social Programs.<ref name="The Network Journal 2010" />
==Personal life== Simms married her husband, Keith, in 2007. They have one daughter.<ref name="HuffPo July 2014" /> She lives with her family in Howard County, Maryland,<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /> and currently commutes weekly from her home to New York City to fulfill her work commitments.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Alyce|first1=Jasmine|title=Spotlight: Dia Simms, The Woman Behind the Sean 'Diddy' Combs Empire|url=https://www.fanbolt.com/53343/fanbolts-women-in-entertainment-spotlights-dia-simms/|website=FanBolt|accessdate=30 June 2017|date=January 9, 2015}}</ref>
== References == <references>
<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016"> {{cite web |last1=Williams IV |first1=John-John |title=From Morgan to the top of Sean Combs' liquor empire |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/baltimore-insider-blog/bs-lt-dia-simms-20160728-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |accessdate=June 30, 2017 |date=July 28, 2016 }} </ref>
<ref name="The Network Journal 2010"> {{cite web |title=40 under Forty Class of 2010 |url=http://www.tnj.com/2010/dia-simms |website=The Network Journal |accessdate=June 29, 2017 |date=June 23, 2010 }} </ref>
<ref name="HuffPo July 2014"> {{cite web |last1=Feldman |first1=Beth |title=Meet Dia Simms… An Advertising Executive and Mom at the Top of Her Game |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beth-feldman/meet-dia-simmsa-music-executive-and-mom_b_5550003.html |website=The Huffington Post |accessdate=June 30, 2017 |date=July 2, 2014 }} </ref>
<ref name="Variety May 2017"> {{cite web |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs Names Dia Simms President of Combs Enterprises |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/sean-diddy-combs-dia-simms-bad-boy-1202426627/ |website=Variety |accessdate=June 29, 2017 |date=May 15, 2017 }} </ref>
<ref name="PR Newswire May 2017"> {{cite web |title=Chairman And CEO Sean Combs Promotes Long-Time Associate Dia Simms To President Of Combs Enterprises |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chairman-and-ceo-sean-combs-promotes-long-time-associate-dia-simms-to-president-of-combs-enterprises-300457531.html |website=PR Newswire |accessdate=June 29, 2017 |date=May 15, 2017 }} </ref>
<ref name="PR Newswire Feb 2015"> {{cite web |title=Dia Simms Appointed President Of Combs Wine & Spirits, Spirits Business Venture Founded By Sean Combs |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dia-simms-appointed-president-of-combs-wine--spirits-spirits-business-venture-founded-by-sean-combs-300031676.html |website=PR Newswire |accessdate=June 30, 2017 |date=February 5, 2015 }} </ref>
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== External links == <!-- Per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only --> * {{Official website|http://diasimms.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simms, Dia}} Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:Businesspeople from New York (state) Category:Living people Category:Businesspeople from Monterey, California Category:Morgan State University alumni Category:Florida Institute of Technology alumni Category:Defense Acquisition University alumni Category:African-American business executives Category:American business executives Category:African-American businesswomen Category:American women business executives Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century American businesswomen Category:21st-century African-American women Category:21st-century African-American businesspeople