Emerging Issues Forum: Supplier Diversity

Description

Emerging Issues is presented by... 

The Emerging Issues Forum series provides a forum for speakers to address important issues relating to businesses and the community. We bring in experts to present on important topics that are designed to help the audience learn, grow and succeed. Topics vary each month. This month's topic is supplier diversity. 

A diverse supplier is a business that is owned and operated by an individual or a group that is part of an underserved or underrepresented group; including small businesses, as well as minority-owned, women-owned, veteran owned, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses. 

Did you know diverse suppliers have unique opportunities to work with organizations like Arizona State University, Salt River Project & JPMorgan Chase? 

Attendees can expect to hear from speakers who operate supplier diversity programs within their organizations or support diverse suppliers through their work. Learn about how qualified businesses can become a certified diverse supplier, best practices for inclusive procurement and how your business can generate economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities. 

Panelists:

Cionte Prater - Vice President, Commercial Banking, JPMorgan Chase 

Cionté Prater is a Commercial Banker with JP Morgan Chase. He partners closely with business leaders to execute on their strategic priorities by providing consultation and customized solutions. He specializes in helping emerging middle market companies put programs, policies, processes, & systems in place that are built to scale with growth. In addition to his role as a banking relationship manager, Cionté serves as the Vice President of Diverse Businesses for Chase Commercial Banking in Arizona. In this capacity, he is responsible for developing, enhancing, and executing on the strategy behind how Chase supports and partners with Diverse, Women, & Veteran owned businesses. The mission is to drive impact through education, growth, & engagement. Cionté has been with JPMC for 8 years and in the financial services industry since 2010. 

Michelle Thieken - Manager of Strategic Solutions and Services, SRP 

Michelle Thieken is the manager of Strategic Solutions and Support Services of SRP where she oversees SRP’s Supplier Diversity team. Prior to joining SRP’s Supply Chain organization in 2016, she worked in SRP’s Customer Services organization and her management efforts included leading an IT testing team, co-managing the Customer Contact Center, and managing the Customer Accounting department. Michelle also serves as the Treasurer of the SRP Proud Employee Resource Group. Her passion for leadership stems from her desire to be an agent of change, promoting inclusion, diversity, and unity.

Danielle Van Vleet - Manager of Sustainability and Diversity Procurement, Arizona State University 

Danielle Van Vleet is the Manager of Sustainability and Diversity Procurement at Arizona State University. In this role, she leads the Supplier Diversity and Sustainable Purchasing Programs with a focus on expanding goals and capabilities through reporting, training, engagement, and celebrating the successes of the programs.Danielle worked with internal ASU departments and external stakeholders on purchasing decisions, goals and tools involving sustainability, small business engagement, and supplier diversity.