The MOMENTUM continues to build within the WBENC network and for the 2023 National Conference! In this Conference feature article, meet the 4 Corporate Member National Conference Co-Chairs that are part of our Co-Chairs Committee and leading the way in making the 2023 Conference the best yet, and creating increased opportunities and development for women-owned businesses. Drumroll please for Bristol Myers Squibb, DuPont, EY, and Nissan Group of the Americas!
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. At Bristol Myers Squibb, they work every day to transform patients’ lives through science, combining the agility of a biotech with the reach and resources of an established pharmaceutical company to create a global leading biopharma company powered by talented individuals who drive scientific innovation.
BMS believes that their diverse experiences and perspectives help to bring out the best ideas, drive innovation and achieve transformative business results.
BMS is proudly represented by SVP, Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), Farryn Melton, who is a long-time leader, contributor and supporter to WBENC and on the WBENC Board of Directors Executive Committee. Farryn is the SVP, Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) for Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). Her team is responsible for aligning with the company’s business strategy to optimize value, drive efficiency and manage the company’s 3rd party spend.
Farryn shared, “BMS is proud to partner with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council on their National Conference. We strongly believe that we need a diverse supply base to achieve our mission of helping patients prevail over
serious diseases. I am pleased to be a Co-Chair and I look forward to seeing many of you in Nashville!”
At DuPont, science and engineering are the foundation, and innovation is how DuPont creates long-term value. DuPont has been innovating while continually reinventing itself to bring technology-driven solutions to our customers. Right now, DuPont is focused on helping customers advance their best ideas and delivering specialized products and solutions to transform industries and everyday life. From helping electric cars charge faster and go farther to meeting life’s essentials for clean water, DuPont is around the world, working side by side with industry leaders in safety, healthcare, electronics, mobility and construction.
DuPoint is represented by Maria Prince, an experienced industry leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) in DuPont’s Global Procurement and a member of the Chemical Industry Group with WBENC. As the Global Procurement ESG Leader, Prince oversees the company’s supplier diversity program, supplier sustainability initiatives, DEI and supply chain risk strategy for the global supply chain.
Of DuPont’s commitment to WBENC, WBEs and DE&I efforts, Maria stated “Understanding diversity and creating an inclusive culture is the foundation of our collective success.
However, we believe equity is the fuel that propels these concepts into concrete actions and opportunities. Without it, DE&I efforts are not sustainable. At DuPont we extend this concept to our supply chain by providing opportunities for diverse businesses allowing us to impact communities around the globe by fostering job creation, economic growth and innovation. Being a co-chair allows us to support women-owned business by supporting WBENC, an organization focused on providing equitable opportunities to women-owned businesses. DuPont has been a member for almost 20 years and are proud to continue to support the work of WBENC by attending the conferences and supporting their programs.”
Ernst & Young LLP exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.
An experienced transaction advisor and professional services consultant, Larry Phelan is EY’s Chief Supply Chain Officer. In this role, he connects EY people to leading services and suppliers, and inspires his team by driving operational excellence to help influence the world’s supply chain and differentiate EY in the market. Larry is a champion of diverse and inclusive teams and suppliers and has been presented with several awards for his work in this area, including the WBENC Platinum Award for his support of women-owned businesses.
EY’s supplier diversity efforts are also led by Theresa Harrison, Treasurer of the WBENC Board of Directors Executive Committee and former WBENC Board char. For EY, she serves as Global Environmental Social Governance Services Leader.
Larry shared, “As 2023 WBENC National Conference Co-Chair EY is looking to inspire women owned businesses to think big and be bold. Through our participation at the conference, we are looking to create distinctive
experiences for women owned businesses to develop strategies and innovative solutions for EY, our clients and communities around us. We look forward to connecting at the conference.”
Representing Nissan is Chandra Vasser, vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officer, Nissan Americas. Vasser drives Nissan’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, while developing partnerships and plans to share the company’s DEI commitment with employees, customers and the community. She is also President of the Nissan Foundation, which annually awards grants to nonprofit organizations in support of innovative programming that breaks down societal barriers and builds inclusive communities.
Chandra shared, “Nissan is honored to be a Co-Chair for 2023 National WBENC. This conference is an important gathering of members to exchange ideas
and have discussions about programs, resources and initiatives that will continue to support and champion women entrepreneurs. We believe that partnering with female-owned businesses provides new ideas and experiences, which is core to Nissan’s Supplier Diversity strategy. We value our collaboration and connection with other companies to be a change agent for expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs.”
We encourage you to learn more about these amazing Corporate Member Co-Chairs, their supplier diversity programs and needs, and how you could contribute. Please thank them for their dedication to women’s business enterprises – and tell them yourself at the Conference in Nashville, TN, March 20-23, 2023!
