DIR's 2017 22nd Annual Best Practices in Supplier Diversity Strategies and Initiatives Seminar

Register Now and Save - DIR's 22nd Annual Best Practices in Supplier Diversity Strategies and Initiatives Seminar, August 8-10, 2017 in Washington, DC

WHO ATTENDS: Supplier Diversity Professionals, Purchasing Manager & Buyers, VP’s of Materials and Purchasing, Procurement Managers, SBLOs, Graduates of DIR's Building Strategic Phases Seminar


2017 TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Leveraging Second Tier Partnerships: Corporations and Diverse Businesses and between Diverse Businesses and Diverse Businesses. The Value and Impact of a Second Tier Program and the Procurement Process.
• Team of One: Goal Setting, Measuring, Tracking and Reporting Spend, Gaining Internal Influence, integrating Supplier diversity into the Supply Chain.
• Economic Impact and Development: The Future of Supplier Diversity
• Government Reporting, Contracts, and Legislative updates.
• Global Supplier Diversity Initiatives and Strategies
• Cyber Security: The risks associated with doing business in today’s technological world and how to protect your corporation, your customers, your suppliers and yourself.
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Click here to Register!

DIR's "Best Practices in Supplier Diversity Strategies and Initiatives"

We put together a quick video recapping DIR's 2014 and 2015 "Best Practices..." seminars so you could get a sneak peek at the terrific networking, professional learning and dynamic contributions both the speakers and the attendees offer. Take a look!

"Embracing Change, Impacting Innovation" - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

DIR's 2014 "Best Practices" seminar - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

Why register as a diverse supplier? TLC Springwater's story helps answer that question . . .

"Why should I register?" is a question we are asked every day here at DIR. The bottom line is that it makes good economic sense and it will, eventually, save you time as you're out prospecting for new clients. When you register with DIR as a diverse-owned business, your information becomes part of a database that is accessed and searched daily by thousands of buyers at major corporations. Take a look at this short video about how registration helped TLC Springwater in Cleveland, OH grow their business.

Keep in mind that the portal of information DIR manages is only one of a few that major corporations around the world use for sourcing, searching and managing information that they'll eventually need for reporting either inside or outside their organization. The information that you provide is crucial to their future contracting opportunities and that's just one of the reasons they rely on DIR for information validation and verification. In a nutshell, suppliers provide the information, DIR makes sure it stays current and valid.

DIR's client list continues to change, of course, and there are other supplier portals 'out there' that are used as well so don't be surprised if your business grows to the point of being asked to create profiles in numerous databases. Take your time, keep an 'excel' file or other cheat sheet with the often-requested information, and be sure to use a contact email that is not unique to just one person in case there are personnel changes.

Supplier registration at DIR or at one of DIR's clients is free, relatively easy (although time consuming), and comes with additional benefits such as:

• certification expiration alerts by e-mail
• the ability to update your profile once for multiple corporations
• seeing posted opportunities from a variety of corporations
• space to upload marketing information
• 24-7 secure access

When you're ready, you can register here. Thank you!

DIR helps corporate supplier diversity programs thrive.

DIR delivers tool for supplier diversity initiative success. Whether a corporation's need is launching a new supplier diversity initiative or further developing an existing program, DIR has the proven expertise to help SBLOs, supplier diversity and procurement professionals plan, implement and manage a successful supplier diversity program.

This video story is about a corporate supplier diversity professional who began to use DIR's managed services including data management, certification validation and sourcing lists. It helps illustrate how DIR can function as an extension of an-house staff (or lack thereof!). As always, DIR staff is available to answer questions anytime ... please reach out to see how DIR can help you drive supplier diversity success!

2016 Resources from DIR

Looking for help navigating the supplier diversity industry? DIR's resources can help!

The Business of Supplier Diversity: A Handbook of Essential Contacts and Information for Navigating the Industry ($135.00) combines who-to-call with where-to-look and provides a road map to the supplier diversity industry. Diverse-owned suppliers and supplier diversity professionals use the helpful listings for reference, marketing and planning purposes. It offers a detailed contact list of over 900 supplier diversity and procurement contacts at major corporations, government agencies, large non-profit organizations, and educational institutions and supplier diversity industry information regarding certification, legislation and additional resources essential to small- and diverse-owned businesses. This book is available in a hot-linked PDF download, too. The industry contacts only can be purchased as DIR's "Purchasing People in Major Corporations Online". 

The 2016 National Minority and Women-Owned Business Directory ($175.00) is the go-to guide for finding certified MBE/WBEs in the USA. This unique resource, published annually, lists over 7,500 nationally certified Minority and Women-Owned Businesses. Data is organized by Category and State; helpful keyword index included. Identifies: Company Name, Address, Contact, Capabilities, Website, Email, Ownership Type, Certifications, Revenues, Number of Employees, and more.

Visit us online to see excerpts and learn more. Together, we can "Drive Supplier Diversity Success". 

Why Detroit for DIR's 20th "Best Practices" seminar anniversary?

DIR’s “Embracing Change, Impacting Innovation” luncheon, a celebration of its 20th anniversary "Best Practices in Supplier Diversity Strategies & Initiatives" seminar, is being held in Detroit, MI on Wednesday, August 19th, 2015 in downtown Detroit. DIR chose Detroit for numerous reasons, some noted below. 

• Along with a rich history of hosting industry champions, Detroit has become a city that has championed entrepreneurial renewal along with small- and diverse-owned business growth.
• The MMSDC (Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council), headquartered in Detroit, is facilitating a $100 million fund dispersal to minority-owned businesses. That is a significant investment. DIR is pleased to welcome the MMSDC as its regional partner for the event, helping reach the regional Detroit audience.
• Detroit's location provides easy-access for DIR's audience of major corporate professionals including those from Kelly Services, MetLife, Cintas, TimeWarner, Johnson Controls, Saatchi & Saatchi, World Wide Technology, Inc., LG&E and KU, GDS&M, AON, United Rentals, Inc., ImpaxLabs, Novation, BI and more.

DIR invited former U.S. Attorney General, The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr. to be the keynote speaker of this celebratory luncheon. Along with being a senior legal advisor to Barack Obama during Obama’s presidential campaign, he is a staunch civil rights proponent. His civil service record includes defending the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was reauthorized in 2006. He supports comprehensive immigration reform, and in 2011, he announced that the Department of Justice would no longer defend cases involving the Defense of Marriage Act in court. In 2014, Holder unveiled a new policy banning profiling on the basis of religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity by federal law enforcement agencies. Mr. Holder is the first African-American to hold the office of U. S. Attorney General.

There are numerous reasons (some of which apply to attending the luncheon, too) why attending DIR professional development seminars is a good investment of time and money:

• casual networking, a history lesson from hearing how other businesses have thrived (or suffered and rebuilt themselves)
• access to materials that help with follow-up once you return to the office
• multiple perspectives on how peers make their business cases to the "C" suite, and more.

But by far, what we read the most in the evaluation comments is "inspiring, refreshing, supportive". That works!

Individual luncheon tickets are available as are numerous sponsorship levels including "Engage and Educate" that provides tickets for local students. DIR is also hosting a VIP reception which includes networking and conversations with industry leaders and Mr. Holder. 

DIR has been driving supplier diversity success via publications, education and data management for over 45 years. That longevity speaks to the integrity of the data it manages, the quality of seminars it presents and the value of its publications. Join DIR for this anniversary event and be an additional driver of supplier diversity success!

Diversity 411: Why Be a Certified Diverse-Owned Business?

As with most businesses, diverse-owned businesses want a seat at the procurement table. Everyone appreciates the opportunity to bid on future business! That can be tough invitation to get, however, regardless of your business size or history due to a business climate ripe with entrepreneurs, newly formed partnerships and historically branded and trusted companies. In your toolbox full of helpers including a strong financial history, testimonials from successful partnerships, and talented, proactive staff, it’s a good idea to also have verified and approved certification.

Certifications from a national recognized organization including the SBA (Small Business Administration), NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council), WBENC (Women’s Business Entrepreneurial National Council) and others are widely recognized and respected at the local, national and global business levels. A valid certification is becomes an important marketing tool for expanding your company’s visibility among top procurement decision makers because it verifies who you are when it comes to reporting and outreach.

Corporations, be they compliance-, customer-, or consumer-driven, know that reaching out to certified diverse-owned businesses provides economic advantages and grows a more responsive and nimble supplier base. Maybe your company can fill a supplier chain niche, or maybe it’s on the cutting edge of creating new efficiencies in reaching target markets. Certifications save corporate procurement teams valuable research time in trying to find you. Outreach happens more effectively and expeditiously. Reporting is done with more integrity.

Certification from credible, national organizations offers an opportunity for you to begin to build connections not only with corporations, but also with like-minded suppliers you may eventually need to form an alliance with. Certifying agencies provide a community—a network of professionals growing their own businesses and sharing resources along the way.

Along with certification, involvement with your regional council is key. Being vested in your business is a given, but what about  building community with other professional outreach organizations where major corporations also “play”. Be on Boards, volunteer for committees, sponsor community and national events.

Be successful by being involved and by providing corporations with a clear understanding of who you are and what you do. Certification helps pave that path.

For more Diversity 411 posts, check out DIR's “The Business of Supplier Diversity” book which is published annually. 

Helpful article about Supplier Diversity by Martin Desmarais, published in the "Bay State Banner" from Boston, MA

Supplier Diversity – How to Market your business to public entity

A new DIR publication responds to Supplier Diversity market needs.

DIR is pleased to announce a new "handbook," The Business of Supplier Diversity, designed to help diverse-owned businesses and supplier diversity professionals navigate the supplier diversity industry.

Each year at DIR’s Minneapolis, MN headquarters, we talk to hundreds of diverse-owned suppliers and supplier diversity professionals. This book shares what we’ve learned from frequently asked questions, offers some shortcuts and tips, and establishes one guarantee: the road to a corporate contract agreement is long and winding!

Know your history:  There is a Legislation section in the very beginning of this book. Especially if you’re new to Supplier Diversity, it is helpful to understand how this industry was shaped in order to understand how best to pursue opportunities in it.

Ask about the why’s and when’s:  Typically, corporations are involved with Supplier Diversity because of compliance (government contracts), customer requirements (2nd tier spend) and/or consumer outreach (people tend to support corporations who support their communities). Asking about a corporation’s motivation to increase their supplier diversity spend is helpful. By understanding a corporation’s motivation and business cycle, suppliers can pace their own research and outreach efforts.

Resources are plentiful:  The tools in this book include a section on the U.S. SBA (Small Business Administration) programs and the acceptable definitions of diverse-owned businesses. The Federal/State/Local Government entities are listed in the following section as general resource listings.

Reach out to the right advocates; connect with peers:  The Supplier Diversity Contacts section (also known on DIR's product list as "Purchasing People in Major Corporations: An Online Database") contains up-to-date information on over 900 corporate contacts who are, typically, liaisons to procurement departments. (Please note that listings were current as we went to press in December 2014.) They are front-line advocates and storied experts in Supplier Diversity.

More help as you need it:  Also included are sections with Industry Resources, Certifying Organizations, both of which are exhaustive lists of other places where the language of supplier diversity is spoken.

You talked. We listened. Order this new resource today for your own use, for department reference, for consulting connections ... it will become a trusted map as you wind through the supplier diversity path to the procurement table! 

DIR's annual "National Minority and Women-Owned Directory" is hot off the press!

DIR is pleased to announce that the 46th edition of its annual "National Minority and Women-Owned Business Directory" ($169.00, 700 pages, ISBN 1-885786-63-8) is hot off the press. (Smart Set's presses, actually, a small business here in the NE Minneapolis Arts District.) This go-to guide lists certified MBE/WBEs in th USA.

DIR has been publishing this book since we were founded in 1968. Originally called "Black Business Directory," this directory is a unique guide that helps diverse-owned suppliers walk the talk and support their peers, while it also connects supplier diversity professionals with the certified suppliers they're looking for to supplement their supplier diversity initiative.

Over 7500 businesses profiles are listed, organized by category and state. A helpful keyword index is also included.

Order today at www.DiversityInfoResources.com > Products/Seminars.

Congratulations to DIR client, Chrysler Group, that was named NMSDC "Company of the Year"

Chrysler Group, a longstanding DIR client, was named NMSDC's  "Company of the Year". Why? How about these stats for starters:

• Chrysler Group's supplier diversity goals require that 16.5 percent of the Company's Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier procurement be sourced to certified minority suppliers.
• Chrysler Group itself spent $2.1 billion with approximately 200 minority suppliers in 2013.
• More than $52 billion has been purchased from minority-owned suppliers since 1983.

Congratulations on being recognized for a world-class, and inspirational supplier diversity initiative. Thank you for your ongoing work to "drive supplier diversity success"!

Stats and information on why SMEs add a greater return on buying operations ... even on a global scale.

Thanks to Procurement Leaders blog for this insightful article on SMEs (Small Minority Enterprises):

"[SMEs] open up opportunities in terms of access to innovations, which can help boost market share while, importantly for procurement, they have also been proven to deliver a greater return on purchasing activities.

Research by The Hackett Group found that those companies who have an established supplier diversity programme in place tend to generate a 133% greater return on their buying operations than those that don’t."

Jesse Jackson—Why Diversity in Silicon Valley Matters

Supplier diversity, along with diversity in the talent pool, needs to improve in Silicon Valley. Jackson brings great stats and insights to the discussion table here.

DIR client, Chrysler Group, has a Matchmaker Program Celebrating 15 Years Creating Value for Minority Businesses and Communities

Wondering what a corporate matchmaking event is all about? Check out what DIR's client, Chrysler Group, does. Must be working great as they're celebrating their 15th year of holding these sessions!

"The matchmaker provides minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses access to Chrysler Group's Tier 1 suppliers and to decision makers in the Company's procurement organization. The program has generated more than $2.1 billion in new business opportunities for exhibitors since 2000."

Chrysler Group's Matchmaker Program Celebrates 15th Year Creating Value for Minority Businesses and Communities

An impressive panel of Supplier Diversity experts brought together by the FCC.

DIR took the time to listen to this impressive panel of Supplier Diversity experts and recommends that you do, too. The FCC‘s Office of Communications Business Opportunities (“OCBO”) hosted a Supplier Diversity Conference and Workshop focusing on private sector business opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses on July 30, 2014.

"Representatives from private industry, specifically telecommunications and technology firms (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Comcast, and Microsoft) discussed their organizations’ contracting procedures and provided insight on how small businesses should navigate the procurement process generally."

From approx. 18 to 26 minutes [18-26M; all times mentioned are approximate!], each executive recaps the process to join in the consideration for future business.

At about 38M, AT&T and Verizon spend considerable time talking about specific future opps.

The importance of Second Tier opportunity and reporting is mentioned at 57M; comments on the rather impermeable advertising industry start at 61M; "Do's and Don'ts" are at 76M including the importance of supplier branding at 80M.

Highlights include candid, but pointed, words of advice to small and diverse-owned businesses including:

• Be Strategic: research and be aware of future opportunities and directions a corporation is headed; make sure you're in alignment
• Tailor your value proposition to each corporation; supplier diversity teams can help you navigate through this process (at about 24 min.)

Here's the link. It's a fantastic 90 minutes of free! expertise on breaking in to major corporations. Please recommend and pass along. Thank you.

FCC hosted Supplier Diversity Panel

As DIR celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2013, we connected with founders, early supporters, past and current corporate clients and the diverse-owned businesses we've helped along the way. This video recaps how our mission to be advocates for supplier diversity has helped stay our path while driving supplier diversity success. Thanks to DIR's Board of Directors for their continued leadership, experience and guidance! For more information on DIR's history and its current client list, visit www.DiversityInfoResources.com

DIR's Board Member, Lesa Rivers-Supplier Diversity Director for Staples, Named a Top Woman in Power Impacting Diversity

Lesa Rivers, Staples
Supplier Diversity Director

2014 Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity by DiversityPlus Magazine:

• Gladys Lopez, Manager, Supply Chain Inclusion Initiative, American Express
• Monette Knapik, Director of Strategic Procurement, CVS Caremark
• Marcella McCullough, Manager, Supplier Diversity, Ford Motor Company
• Gloria Pualani, Corporate Director, Global Supplier Diversity Programs/Government Relations, Northrop Grumman
• Shari Francis, HUB Merchandising Manager, Office Depot
• Christina Morrow, Sr. Manager, Purchasing & Supplier Diversity, Ricoh Americas Corporation
• Sonia Mercado, M/W/DBE Liaison, Schiavone Construction Co. LLC
• Joyce Christanio, Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity, Sprint
• Jamie Crump, Director of Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Diversity, United Rentals
• Kathy Homeyer, Director, Supplier Diversity, UPS
• Bonnie Wong, Founder and President, Asian Women in Business
• Teresa Whalen LeFevre, Vice President and Manager of Supplier Diversity, Comerica Bank
• Michelle L. Taylor, Diversity Procurement Director, Cummins
• Jacqueline Taylor, Diversity Supplier Development Director, Dakkota Integrated Systems, LLC.
• Sherrie Duncan, Manager, Supplier Diversity, Duke Energy
• Deborah R. Pickens, Director of Supplier Diversity, Eaton
• Heidi C. Morgan, Vice President Business Needs – Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Brands, Foodbuy, LLC.
• Stacey Key, President and CEO, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC)
• Debra Voss, Manager of Supplier Diversity, International Paper
• Valerie Coyazo, Supplier Diversity Manager, Kansas City Power & Light
• Natalie Cortes, U.S. Supplier Diversity Program Manager, Pearson
• Dawn Mitchell, Executive Director of Supplier Diversity, Saatchi & Saatchi
• Lesa Rivers, Director, Supplier Diversity, Staples
• Melissa Persia Oliver, Founder, Odyssey IP
• Dr. Tendai Ndoro, CEO/Founder, Strategy Leadership Institute in Private & Public Affairs, SLIPPA (Strategy Leadership Institute in Private & Public Affairs)

From its press release: DiversityPlus Magazine is pleased to announce the 2014 Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity award winners. The women are honored in the May/June issue of DiversityPlus Magazine as the most dedicated and innovative leaders in the diversity space. The honorees have worked tirelessly to continue the progress that has been made to date in developing diverse work forces and supply chains. To achieve their goals, they developed a host of new approaches to integrate diversity and inclusion throughout entire organizations. The Women in Power strive to promote supportive business cultures and bring to the forefront the diverse talent and suppliers who can play a vital role in improving corporate competitiveness.

One of the things that stands out about the 2014 Women in Power Impacting Diversity is that they have taken the effort to integrate diversity in their organizations to a new level. In the past, they focused on designing the infrastructures needed like supply chain databases and launching Tier 2 programs. The last year saw a remarkable level of activity that involved more internal and external outreach beyond CEOs and top leadership and beyond databases. This reflects a maturity in diversity programs and is proof that many of the programs are ready for expansion.

The Women in Power reached out to the organizational members in positions that can most dramatically impact the development of a culture supportive of corporate and supply chain diversity. They regularly met one-on-one with brand managers and department supervisors to educate them on the connection between diversity and competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability. They introduced suppliers to department supervisors or plant managers and brought together suppliers who could form joint solutions. The honorees developed summits and networking events and arranged for time for face-to-face meetings between corporate decision-makers and suppliers. Small businesses owned by women and minorities were given customized assistance so they could better compete and succeed. Experienced suppliers were connected with diverse suppliers. The Women in Power also assisted small businesses that may or may not end up doing business with their respective organizations. Underlying their efforts is a belief that helping any MWBE helps all MWBEs by advancing diversity.

A broad range of industries is represented, and the women leaders customized their approaches. Examples include the development of a diverse business products catalogue and a program to promote diverse retail pharmacies. The industries represented include energy, construction, heavy equipment and engines, office supplies, parcel delivery services, financial, manufacturing, technology, pharmacies, and many more. The nonprofits are represented also, including the Georgian Minority Supplier Development Council and Asian Women in Business.

All the Women in Power donate time to community organizations, councils and Chambers of Commerce. The proof of the success of the 2014 Women in Power is that their programs have evolved from basic starts to ones guiding decision-making. Each year, diversity principles become more embedded in corporations and society, and it is largely due to the efforts of people like these women. It is with great honor that DiversityPlus Magazine introduces the Top 25 2014 Women in Power Impacting Diversity.

The May/June issue of DiversityPlus Magazine will be distributed at the Women´s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 2014 National Conference & Business Fair to be held in Philadelphia, PA on June 23-25, 2014. The Women in Power Impacting Diversity awardees will also be featured in the eMagazine version of DiversityPlus, distributed to more than 121,000 readers located in the United States, Europe, and 7 other countries. The 25 winners will be featured on the DiversityPlus website for one year to ensure all readers have an opportunity to learn what the women in leadership positions accomplished in the diversity space. They share their experiences to encourage people in other organizations to assume the mantle of change.

DiversityPlus Magazine issued a call for nominations to its subscribers. The nominations were reviewed by DiversityPlus Magazine researchers and editors to determine the nominees exhibiting uncompromising effort to create opportunities for diverse businesses and talent. The winnowing process was difficult because all the nominees gave tirelessly of themselves in their organizations and communities to integrate diversity at all levels. The final Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity are those who designed innovative approaches and have experienced exceptional success. They are standard bearers who developed best practices that are being implemented in corporations around the world.

DiversityPlus magazine is one of the nation´s leading diversity publications. The rapidly growing subscriber base targets minority suppliers and corporate purchasing and supplier diversity executives at firms worldwide. For more information about the 2014 Women in Power Impacting Diversity or DiversityPlus magazine, visit www.diversity.com. 

Too early to end the early bird special!

Last week after Memorial Day it was a short week for a lot of business people. It was too early to end the "Early Bird" savings for DIR's "Best Practices in Supplier Diversity Strategies and Initiatives" Seminar per many colleagues who called for an extension.

We're pleased to extend the special rate for an additional work week! The Early Bird Special, reflecting a $50 savings, will now end on June 6, 2014.

Take advantage of this timing and register today. For details, please visit DIR's Web site, or click here to see the brochure. Hope to meet you in St. Louis!

Community Level Networking for Diverse Suppliers

We think it's always a good thing to hear from your peers. This article in the Houston Chronicle includes some first person observations from exhibitors at the Women's Business Enterprise Alliance Business Expo at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This closing statement rings true: "The main thing is to try to keep your name in lights."

Keeping your name 'in lights' also means being sure you are registered in a major corporation's supplier database. For a list of corporation who use DIR's online data management tool, click here. Meanwhile, good luck with your community networking!

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Small-business-owners-seek-clients-big-companies-5514730.php

DIR congratulates Novant Health, a client and a supporting Board of Director's member ...

for being recognized nationally for its diversity programs!

From a recent press release, DIR learned that Novant Health has been named one of the 2014 Top 10 Hospitals and Health Systems in the nation by DiversityInc., the country’s leading source for advancing and recognizing excellence in diversity management. Novant Health debuts at No. 3, joining some of the country’s most prestigious healthcare systems including Cleveland Clinic (5th) and Mayo Clinic (8th). (To note: Cleveland Clinic also utilizes SupplierGATEWAY's data management portal. SupplierGATEWAY is DIR's tech partner.)

The ranking uses exhaustive research to look at:

• Talent pipeline: workforce breakdown, recruitment, diameter of existing talent, structures
• Equitable talent development: employee resource groups, mentoring, philanthropy, movement, fairness
• CEO/leadership commitment: accountability for results, personal communications, visibility
• Supplier diversity*: amount spent with companies owned by people from underrepresented groups, accountability, support

“At Novant Health, there is a strong focus on health equity and ensuring that patients, families, communities, employees and stakeholders are respected and heard,” said Deborah P. Ashton, PhD, vice president and chief diversity officer. “Diversity is owned from the executive team through each employee to ensure that our patients’ healthcare experience is remarkable.”

About Novant Health: Novant Health is a four-state integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to our communities. Novant Health is one of the top 25 integrated health systems in the United States and was named a top 50 “Best Places for Diverse & Women Managers to Work” by Diversity MBA Magazine. For more information, please visit www.NovantHealth.org

About DiversityInc: DiversityInc’s mission is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity. The 2014 Top 50 Companies for Diversity results are featured on www.diversityinc.com

*Mr. Kevin J. Price, MBA, MHA is Novant Health's Director, Supplier Diversity & Performance. He is also a DIR Board Member. About Mr. Price: Price joined Novant Health in 2006. He is responsible for diversifying the procurement spend base by developing and implementing Novant Health’s Supplier Diversity and Development initiative. Working with various lines of business, Price identifies certified and qualified diverse suppliers, ensuring that they are given an opportunity to compete for Novant Health’s business. As a result of his efforts, Novant Health has increased its diverse supplier spend by 340% utilizing almost 400 diverse suppliers. His latest initiative is the refinement of the Tier II program and encouraging more majority/minority joint ventures. In addition, he monitors and reports the performance of all suppliers within the Supply Chain.