Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards for 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards Honoring Dedicated Corporate Members 2022

Livonia, Michigan (September 28, 2022) – The Great Lakes Women’s Business Council announced the winners of the 2022 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. After two years of virtual recognition, we were finally able to Gather Again at the 22^nd Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference. 

“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 22^nd Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference on September 27-28, 2022.

Sponsored by Stellantis, The Diez Group, Kellogg’s, Bay Corrugated Containers, USI, and Trillium.

Excellence in Supplier Diversity Award categories and 2022 winners:  

2022 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).

• American Axle & Manufacturing
• DFM Solutions
• Flex-N-Gate 

2022 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
• Consumers Energy
• Yanfeng 

2022 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
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• Comerica Bank
• Dana
• DTE
• Ford Motor Company
• General Motors
• Kelly
• MillerKnoll
• Stellantis
• Toyota
• Walbridge

The 22^nd 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 27 & 28. In celebration of being back in person, this year’s theme was Gather Again. This event typically boasts over 550 attendees (including Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), partners, and 90+ corporate members. The agenda included keynotes from Cathy Fisher of Citizens Bank, Anne Aristeo Martinelli and Michelle Aristeo Barton of Aristeo Construction, Karen Swensen, Life’s About Change, 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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