FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livonia, Michigan (September 30, 2021) – The Great Lakes Women’s Business Council announced the winners of the 2021 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 honors corporations that actively work to do business with certified women-owned businesses, which moves the needle towards vendor equity and community growth.” Michelle Richards, Founding Executive Director. Paula Tutman hosted the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards at the 21st Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference on September 28-29, 2021 which was sponsored by Compass Commercial, G-TECH Services, and MacArthur Corporation.
“Excellence in Supplier Diversity awards honors corporations that actively work to do business with certified women-owned businesses, which moves the needle towards vendor equity and community growth.” Michelle Richards, Founding Executive Director. Paula Tutman hosted the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards at the 21st Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference on September 28-29, 2021.
The Excellence in Supplier Diversity Award categories and winners are as follows:
Emerging Winners
Reflects that a corporation has demonstrated an increasing commitment to advancing capacity building and contracting opportunities for certified WBEs.
- Auto Club Group of Michigan
- DFM Solutions
- Flex-N-Gate
- Franklin Energy
- Henry Ford Health System (HFHS)
- LaSalle Construction
- Strategic Staffing Solutions
Advanced Winner
Reflects that a corporation has documented a solid commitment to WBE advocacy, capacity building, and contracting. Advanced category award winners are leaders among their peers.
- Dana Incorporated
Best in Class
Reflecting that a corporation has excelled in all major categories surveyed, including WBE spend and capacity building and advocacy for women-owned businesses.
- Adient
- Barton Malow
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Comerica Bank
- DTE Energy
- Ford Motor Company
- GM
- Herman Miller
- Kelly
- Stellantis
- Toyota
- Walbridge
The 21st Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference, hosted by The Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC), was a two-day virtual event on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 28 & 29. This year’s theme was Own Your Future because substantial growth comes from determined action. This event typically boasts over 550 attendees (including Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and beyond and 90+ corporate members. The agenda included keynotes from Nitin Gupta of Citizens Bank, Nancy Giordano, a strategic futurist, educational workshops, business resource clinics, and the Great Pitch Competition.
The Business Conference also featured WEMatch 1:1, where women-owned businesses were matched with corporate and WBE 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
