DiversityPlus Magazine

DiversityPlus Magazine is thrilled to unveil our annual Top 25 Diversity Change Leaders list! These outstanding leaders are making a real impact in supplier diversity, equity, and inclusion (SDEI) and ESG. From various sectors, they are shaping diverse supply chains, empowering communities, and inspiring change. Join us in celebrating their incredible contributions! 🎉 #DiversityLeaders #InclusionMatters #SDEI #DiversityPlus Ø James Linehan, VP, Financial Services,  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Ø @Charles Finneran, Director of Supply Chain Management, DTE Energy Ø Genne McDowell, CSCP, SSBB , Global Director for Supplier Diversity and Social Responsibility, Dow Ø @Lanisha Mullin (Lanisha M.), Supplier Diversity Manager, Flagstar Bank Ø @Marcella McCullogh (@Marcella M.), Senior Manager, DEI Supplier Diversity,  Nissan Motor Corporation Ø Lisa Hardin, Senior Manager of Supplier Diversity, Salesforce Ø Dr. William Kapfer (He/Him/His),  Global Head of Supplier Diversity, Community Engagement    JPMorganChase Ø John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President, and CEO The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) Ø Leonard Spencer, Head of Supplier Diversity & Inclusion, Global Procurement Organization, #Amazon Ø Alexis M Dennard, Assistant Vice President of Mass Markets Supply Chain, Supplier Inclusivity & Sustainability, #Att Ø Christina Santiago, Communication & Engagement Advisor, Supplier Diversity, #BP Ø Kendra Burris-Austin, MBA, PMP, CPSM , Sr. Director of Procurement, Centene Corporation Ø Marcia Wallace, MS, CDP, Supplier Diversity Program Manager, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia(#CHOP) Ø Jerry Knighton, Jr., Associate Vice President and EEO Officer/Executive Director of Inclusive Procurement, #ClemsonUniversity Ø Síofra Harnett , Director for Corporate Services, Marketing, and Responsibility, #google Ø India Sylvester, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Lumen Technologies Ø Kathy Vezina, CPSD, CPIM, Senior Sourcing Manager, Supplier Diversity, Milliken & Company Ø Janet M. Stovall, CDE, Global Head of DEI, #NeuroLeadershipInstitute  Ø Helen R. Foster, JD, Small Business Enterprise Coordinator, #NewCastleCounty (DE) Government  Ø Dr. Erica Patterson, DM, Director of Contracts Management & Supplier Diversity, #PhiladelphiaGasWorks  Ø Christina Morrow , Senior. Director of Supplier Relationship Management, Ricoh USA, Inc. Ø Bruno Olvera, Director of Diversity Supplier Development and a member of the North America Purchasing Leadership Team, Stellantis Ø Carlos Medina, President and CEO, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ (#SHCCNJ) Ø Susan Allen, National President and CEO, @US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) Ø Florencia Stanfield, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, #VitescoTechnologies https://lnkd.in/g6QhK7kd

#Spotlight! In honor of Small Business Saturday on November 30, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) is proud to announce over $27M invested in small businesses through its Community First® Accelerate Grants and Community Small Business Advance in 2024. With more than 700 businesses supported across Illinois and Wisconsin, FHLBank Chicago remains committed to boosting financial stability and fostering inclusivity—56% of grant recipients are diverse-owned! #FHLBankChicago #CommunitySupport #DiversityAndInclusion #SmallBusiness #CommunityFirst “We are proud to help small businesses within our communities grow and achieve success. Small businesses play an integral role in local communities, from creating jobs to fostering community development,” said Katie Naftzger, Senior Vice President, Community Investment Officer, FHLBank Chicago. “As a leader in the housing and community development space, FHLBank Chicago is committed to ensuring our members’ communities have what they need to thrive, including economic opportunities for the residents and small businesses who call them home.” “High interest rates are challenging for any small business to navigate, and we often see this with local farmers in rural, western Wisconsin who face limited access to low-cost capital,” said @William Bruegger, CEO of Alliance Bank in Mondovi, Wis. “Through the discounted lending we were able to provide through FHLBank Chicago's Community Small Business Advance, one of our customers, a local farmer, purchased 173 acres of farmland to plant row crops. Products like this allow us to use our deep ties to our communities to drive economic growth where it’s needed most.” https://lnkd.in/gFgP4CuX

#Spotlight! Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and MassChallenge have launched the 2025 Health Equity Business Accelerator! Five selected startups will receive $50K grants, 3 months of tailored programming, and mentorship to drive health equity innovation. Selected startups will kick off in February! #HealthEquity #Startups #BlueCross #MassChallenge "The Accelerator is an important part of Blue Cross' broader commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging," said Ruby Y. Kam, Blue Cross' chief financial officer. "We're thrilled to be working with MassChallenge to further strengthen the program and to support organizations developing health care solutions that will have an important impact." "We're thrilled to expand our partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to support the next generation of health equity innovators," says Will Magruder, vice president of partnerships at MassChallenge. "Through the Health Equity Business Accelerator program, we're providing startups with the tools and resources they need to develop scalable solutions that address critical health disparities. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we're working towards a healthier and more equitable future for all." https://lnkd.in/gw8w5USq

Recommended Reading! Even in an increasingly inclusive world, fear around self-identifying persists. Discover what research says is helping more people step out of the shadows and into the light. #Inclusion #SelfIdentity #DiversityMatters #ResearchInsights https://lnkd.in/gQKQt7dq

It’s never too late to highlight the impact of the HMSDC Business Expo 2024! (Houston Minority Supplier Development Council). Whether you were able to attend or not, this event showcased incredible opportunities for networking, procurement, and collaboration between diverse suppliers and industry leaders. From small businesses to major corporations, the Expo emphasized the ongoing importance of supplier diversity in today’s marketplace. Even if you missed it, there's still time to tap into HMSDC's valuable resources and continue building on the connections made. Let’s keep the momentum going to support minority-owned businesses and drive inclusion forward! #HMSDC #SupplierDiversity #InclusiveBusiness #BusinessExpo2024

#Spotlight! Odyssey International Production (Odyssey IP) is thrilled to announce the 2024 Business Networking Award Gala on November 22, 2024! 🎉 Celebrating 25 years of empowering underprivileged communities and honoring everyday heroes. They're now inviting partnerships and sponsorships to support this meaningful event. #OdysseyIP #NetworkingGala #CommunityImpact #25Years https://lnkd.in/gxWqPmVY

#Spotlight! A study by the Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council (IUBDC) shows that in 2023, purchases from diverse suppliers contributed $3.5 billion to Illinois' GDP. This spending supported 19,000 jobs and generated $1.5 billion in wages. IUBDC member utilities are making a significant economic impact through their commitment to diversity. #DiversityInBusiness #IUBDC #EconomicImpact #SupplierDiversity "IUBDC member companies are committed to advancing the success of businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans in Illinois," said Rebecca B. Losli, PE, chairperson of the IUBDC Board of Directors, and President of Illinois American Water. "The study confirms that by nurturing existing relationships and creating new partnerships with diverse companies, we are delivering a significant impact on economic growth and job creation in Illinois." https://lnkd.in/gu-5nuzC

Today, on Veterans Day, we honor and thank all the brave men and women who have served our country. Your courage, sacrifice, and dedication inspire us every day. Let’s take a moment to remember and appreciate the heroes who’ve made our freedom possible. #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #HonoringHeroes #Gratitude

#Spotlight! Skanska recently hosted its inaugural Excellence in Construction Leadership Program (ECLP) workshop, bringing together leaders from Skanska and local businesses to promote diversity and inclusion in the construction industry supply chain. ECLP, the first of its kind, fosters nationwide peer-to-peer relationships with trade partners, building on the success of our Construction Management Building Blocks Program (CMBB). #SkanskaUSA #ECLP #Diversity #ConstructionLeadership “The Excellence in Leadership Program at Skanska goes beyond developing individual skills — it’s about fostering leaders who understand the importance of building meaningful relationships with our diverse business partners and strengthening connections across our industry,” said Joycelyn Yue, National Director of Supplier Diversity, Skanska USA Building. “We had a very impactful two days, discussing how we can bolster our partnerships with local suppliers and small businesses, and in turn, strengthen the communities we operate in. By empowering our people to lead with integrity and collaboration, we ensure that every project reflects our commitment to inclusive growth and long-term impact.” https://lnkd.in/g-iKeXWF

This November, we’re proud to celebrate Native American Heritage Month—a time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American communities. Join us in recognizing the resilience, traditions, and incredible impact of Indigenous peoples on our shared heritage. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #HonoringIndigenousVoices #CelebratingCulture