Press Release – November 2, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada (SDAC) Presented the 3rd Annual Connect, Collaborate, Succeed event in Toronto

SDAC co-founding organizations (CAMSC, CGLCC, WBE), corporations, diverse suppliers share their commitments to supply chain diversity and emerging opportunities in the 3rd Annual Connect, Collaborate, Succeed event. (l-r: Cassandra Dorrington, Mary Anderson, Carlos Cabrero, Elizabeth Auceda, Catherine Grosz, Tanya Walker, Darrell Schuurman)

TORONTO, November 2, 2017 – Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada presented the 3rd Annual Connect, Collaborate, Succeed event in Toronto.

Corporations including BMO, Sodexo and TELUS lead a panel discussion and other corporations with the City of Toronto took part in sourcing roundtables to share their commitments to supply chain diversity and emerging opportunities.

“We are pleased that SDAC is committed to cultivating, building and growing business relationships between certified diverse suppliers, corporations, and public organizations.” said Catherine Grosz, Supplier Diversity Manager at BMO Financial Group.

“Diversity gives us a strategic advantage. It is important to us to have diversity in our workforce, as well as in our supply chain.” said Elizabeth Auceda, Supplier Diversity Manager, Sodexo.

Tanya Walker, President of Walker Law, and a certified supplier, also shared her experience on the panel, “More Canadian corporations are having better understanding what supplier diversity is.

Some levels of government are encouraging supplier diversity and should continue to do so.”

SDAC was founded in 2016 by three organizations: Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC – representing Aboriginal and visible minority-owned businesses), Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC – representing LGBT-owned businesses), and Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada – representing women-owned businesses).

“In the last 12 months, SDAC has been active with government policymakers. We are working to inform government on the importance of supplier diversity and inclusive procurement.” said Mary Anderson, President of WBE Canada.

“In December, SDAC hosted a successful reception in Ottawa on Parliament Hill with Members of Parliament, Senators and senior officials from various federal government departments. We were proud to have corporations offering comments about how they are implementing supplier diversity.” emphasized Darrell Schuurman, co-founder of the CGLCC.

“There was tremendous feedback from elected representatives and senior government officials. SDAC will continue to advise leaders on key priorities, concerns and best practices regarding supplier diversity and inclusive procurement.” added Cassandra Dorrington, President and CEO, CAMSC.

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SDAC co-founding organizations are committed to advancing supplier diversity in Canadian markets and continue to collaboratively work together to building successful partnerships for partner corporations and Canadian suppliers. To learn more, visit www.supplierdiversityalliance.ca.

About SDAC

The three founding organizations of the SDAC include: Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC – representing LGBT-owned businesses), Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC – representing Aboriginal and visible minority-owned businesses), and Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada – representing women-owned businesses). They are all incorporated not-for-profit Canadian organizations with a national scope. It is anticipated that other categories of diverse suppliers may be represented in the future. SDAC encourages participation from organizations focused on driving economic opportunities for diverse-owned businesses through supplier diversity activities. Visit www.supplierdiversityalliance.ca.

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For more information:

CAMSC: Cassandra Dorrington, President & CEO, T: 416-941-0004 x224, E: cdorrington@camsc.ca

CGLCC: Darrell Schuurman, Co-Founder, T: 416-761-5151 x22, E: darrell@cglcc.ca

WBE Canada: Mary Anderson, President, T: 289 837.1821, E: manderson@wbecanada.org