FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards Honoring Dedicated Members 2023
Livonia, Michigan (September 27, 2023) – The Great Lakes Women’s Business Council announced the winners of the 2023 Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards, which honors corporate members that have successfully integrated supplier diversity into their corporation and have meaningful results in certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) spend.
“Excellence in Supplier Diversity” awards honor top-performing organizations gathering again to support certified Women-Owned Businesses to flourish. They are leading them out of crisis and providing more options, more voices, and more ideas, which results in more opportunities for them to excel.” Michelle Richards, Founding Executive Director. Paula Tutman hosted the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards at the 23rd Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference on September 26-27, 2023, Awards Luncheon Sponsor: Stellantis and The Diez Group; Awards Sponsors Bay Corrugated Container, Kellogg’s; and Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards Sponsor: USI.
The Excellence in Supplier Diversity Award categories and winners:
2023 Emerging Winners
Emerging winners reflect that a corporation has demonstrated an increasing commitment to advancing capacity building and contracting opportunities for certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs).
- DFM Solutions
- Flex N Gate
- Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3)
2023 Advanced Winners
Advanced winners are corporations with a documented solid commitment to WBE advocacy, capacity building, and contracting. Advanced category award winners are leaders among their peers.
- Auto Club Group
- Barton Malow
- Dana
- Franklin Energy
- Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC
- Yanfeng
2023 Best-In-Class Winners
Best-In-Class winners reflect that a corporation has excelled in all categories surveyed, including WBE spending, capacity building, and advocacy for women-owned businesses.
- Adient
- Auto Club Group
- Barton Malow
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Comerica Bank
- DTE Energy
- Ford Motor Company
- General Motors
- Kelly
- MillerKnoll
- Stellantis
- Toyota
- Walbridge
The 23rd Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference, hosted by The Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC), was a two-day in-person event on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 26 & 27, this year’s theme was Scale Up for Success. This event typically boasts over 800 attendees (including Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), partners, and 90+ corporate members. The agenda included keynotes from Allison Maslan, Pinnacle Global Network; Monica DiCenso, J.P. Morgan Private Bank; and Michelle Richards, Great Lakes WBC. Also, strategic educational workshops, business resource labs, and the WEpitch Competition.
The Business Conference also featured WEmatch 1:1, where women-owned businesses matched with corporate buyers seeking to engage with diverse suppliers. The Business Conference would not be possible if not for these incredible sponsors.
The Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC) is a nonprofit champion for women and minority business owners. We provide access to capital, corporate procurement opportunities, certification for women-owned business enterprises, and small business educational support.
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Media Contact:
Shelly Hyland
Marketing & Engagement Manager
shyland@greatlakeswbc.org
586-420-5317
greatlakeswbc.org
