# Dia Simms

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{{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](/source/Monterey%2C_California), U.S.<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /> 
| alma_mater  = {{plainlist|
* [Morgan State University](/source/Morgan_State_University) (B.S., 1997)
* [Florida Institute of Technology](/source/Florida_Institute_of_Technology) (M.S.)
* [Defense Acquisition University](/source/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](/source/President_(corporate_title)) of [Combs Enterprises](/source/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](/source/Chief_Executive_Officer), [Sean Combs](/source/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](/source/Queens%2C_New_York), and now residing in [Baltimore, Maryland](/source/Baltimore%2C_Maryland), she is a graduate of [Morgan State University](/source/Morgan_State_University), [Maryland](/source/Maryland) and the [Florida Institute of Technology](/source/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](/source/Monterey%2C_California). Her family moved to [Queens, New York](/source/Queens%2C_New_York), when she was at an early age. While living there, she attended [St. Francis Preparatory School](/source/St._Francis_Preparatory_School).<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" /> When Simms was nine years old, her mother was diagnosed with [multiple sclerosis](/source/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](/source/Bachelor's_degree) in [Psychology](/source/Psychology) (B.S.) from [Morgan State University](/source/Morgan_State_University) in [Baltimore, Maryland](/source/Baltimore%2C_Maryland).<ref name="Variety May 2017" /><ref name="The Network Journal 2010" /> She attained her [Master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in [Management](/source/Management) from [Florida Institute of Technology](/source/Florida_Institute_of_Technology) and is Level II-certified by the [Defense Acquisition University](/source/Defense_Acquisition_University).<ref name="BaltimoreSun July 2016" />

==Career==

Simms began her career as a contract specialist at the [U.S. Department of Defense](/source/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](/source/GlaxoSmithKline) and at [Clear Channel](/source/Clear_Channel_Communications), where two of her accounts were [Bad Boy Records](/source/Bad_Boy_Records) and [Sean John](/source/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](/source/DeLe%C3%B3n_Tequila) and its brand relaunch, as well as the brand growth of [Cîroc](/source/C%C3%AEroc) vodka.<ref name="Variety May 2017" /> She was promoted to president of  [Combs Enterprises](/source/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](/source/Bad_Boy_Entertainment), [Sean John](/source/Sean_John), Combs Wine & Spirits ([CÎROC Ultra Premium Vodka](/source/Ciroc) and [DeLeón Tequila](/source/DeLe%C3%B3n_Tequila)), AQUAhydrate, the Blue Flame advertising and marketing agency, Bad Boy Touring, Janice Combs Publishing, Revolt Films and [Revolt TV](/source/Revolt_(TV_network)), 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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Grace_Reformed_Church_(New_York_City)), 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](/source/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>

</references>

== External links ==
<!-- Per [WP:ELMINOFFICIAL](/source/WP%3AELMINOFFICIAL), 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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dia Simms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dia_Simms) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dia_Simms?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.