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“We have to keep that cycle of money going through our small and diverse business communities because they’re the ones creating jobs.” – Vickie Irwin Vickie Irwin is the General Manager of Supplier Sustainability and Equity at Southern Company, one of the largest energy providers in the country. Southern Company owns various electric utilities, natural gas distribution utilities, fiber optics, and wireless communications across multiple states. As General Manager, Vickie is responsible for building relationships that support the growth and development of small, diverse businesses. She is also a CPA and Project Management Professional who specializes in helping diverse companies partner with corporations. Vickie joins us today to share how Southern Company promotes supplier diversity and discusses its supplier sustainability practices. She describes her role as General Manager of Supplier Sustainability and Equity. She explains how small businesses are driving half the jobs created in the US. She discusses the different cores that make up supplier sustainability and equity. Vickie also divulges the company’s ESG goals and what’s in store for Southern Company. This week on Breaking Barriers: Who Vickie is and what it means to have sustainability and equity at Southern Company The company’s ESG goals and how supplier diversity can support them Where Vickie went to learn about sustainability The importance of supplier sustainability in small and diverse businesses Why small and diverse businesses are critical for jobs creation The different areas of supplier sustainability and equity Other areas of growth the company can still expand on The most prominent creators of job growth in the industry today Examples of diverse companies that champion supplier sustainability and equity  Resources Mentioned: Milhouse Engineering & Construction Connect with Vickie Irwin: Southern Company on Linkedin Vickie Irvin on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  . 

“Supplier diversity is important in life because equity, parity, and inclusion are important to the ecosystem of human life.” – Courtney Williams Courtney Williams is a supplier diversity manager at Evergy, a company that delivers utility services to 1.8 million residential and commercial customers in Kansas and Missouri. Courtney has worked in community engagement for over 20 years and is passionate about the development of diverse businesses as a way to create local impact and foster generational wealth. As a supplier diversity manager for Evergy, Courtney is also dedicated to increasing the culture of supply chain inclusion and the development of impactful business relationships. She holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Lindenwood University. Courtney joins us today to discuss why cultivating supplier diversity in the energy sector is an engine for economic development and economic justice. She describes her professional journey in supplier diversity and how she became a part of the Evergy family. She explains Evergy’s goal and its approach to making its supply chain more diverse and inclusive. She outlines Evergy’s three pillars as an organization and how supplier diversity aligns with them. She highlights why, despite the necessity of ensuring spending on diverse firms, it’s still imperative to treat them according to their merits and the quality of the products they provide. Courtney also underscores why having an economic impact report is crucial and why it’s essential to have policies, practices, and procedures that make it easy to be inclusive in supplier diversity opportunities. This week on Breaking Barriers: Courtney’s background and role as a supplier diversity manager at Evergy How supplier diversity aligns with Evergy’s overall vision and mission Why passion plays a critical role in supplier chain diversity How diverse spend can impact companies and communities Balancing stakeholders, shareholders, and risk factors when onboarding suppliers Getting stakeholders to support inclusive procurement in supplier diversity Evergy’s programs and outreach efforts for diverse entrepreneurs Ensuring that diverse communities have access to supply chain opportunities Unconscious bias in supplier diversity management Common myths and misconceptions in supply chain diversity and about diverse suppliers Data transparency and the power of reporting on diverse spend Environmental, Social, and Governance practices at Evergy Evergy’s programs to build diverse supplier ecosystems Our plans for the ecosystem and community we’re building Connect with Courtney Williams: Evergy Evergy on LinkedIn Evergy on YouTube Evergy on Facebook Evergy on Twitter Email: Courtney.Williams@Evergy.com |Supplier.Diversity@Evergy.com This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

“Diverse suppliers should focus on what’s important to the companies they’re engaging with. They have to be able to scale, operate, and deliver, leading to better outcomes relative to services and products.” – Curtis Crowder Mishaune Sawyer is the Senior Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at JE Dunn Construction. A leader in the commercial construction industry since its founding in 1924, JE Dunn is a family-owned, employee-owned commercial building contractor headquartered in Kansas City. Mishaune has over two decades of professional experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is the former Director of Projects at ERS Enterprises, Inc., where she served for over 20 years before joining JE Dunn Construction. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Emory University and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. Kris Oswold is the Vice President of Global Supplier Diversity at UPS. Kris is a leader in global business process design and organizational transformation who has built a career at UPS designing and executing global organizational change through formal programs and personal leadership. As the Vice President of UPS’s Global Supplier Diversity program, Kris is dedicated to expanding opportunities for diverse suppliers and enabling them to collaborate with UPS. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. Curtis Crowder is a cross-functional senior executive, award-winning entrepreneur, and diversity leader. He is the Director of Global Supplier Diversity, Sustainability, and Innovation at Fiserv, a leading global technology provider for the financial services industry. Curtis served as the Chief Information Officer of Jetaire Flight Systems and the Director of Client Solutions for Metasys Technologies before joining Fiserv. He also formerly served as the founder and CEO of Syntellus Dataworks for over a decade before joining SPI as an infrastructure solutions partner in 2014. He holds a degree in Management from Georgia Institute of Technology. Mishaune, Kris, and Curtis join us today to share their insights on how they select diverse suppliers. They describe the key factors corporations evaluate when considering working with diverse suppliers. They explore how diverse suppliers can demonstrate scalability to corporations they want to work with. They also outline best practices and innovative tips for leveraging diversity and gaining access to corporate procurement opportunities. This week on Breaking Barriers: Business continuity, value proposition, and other factors corporations consider when working with diverse suppliers What scalability means in the context of supplier diversity The relationship between scale and capacity How training programs can bridge the scalability gaps among diverse contractors How diverse suppliers can differentiate themselves from other suppliers The importance of networking and relationship-building True software providers as diverse suppliers What ESG initiatives permanent recruitment firms should solve How IT Solutions providers can show they’re hungry, humble, smart, and willing to show the sweat equity The value of brainstorming sessions and discovery meetings with supplier diversity professionals Finding the best point of entry in growth relationships with the right person in corporations Creating relationships in supplier diversity and beyond Resources Mentioned: National Association of Minority Contractors National Association of Women in Construction Connect with Mishaune Sawyer: JE Dunn Construction Mishaune Sawyer on LinkedIn Connect with Kris Oswold: UPS Kris Oswold on LinkedIn Connect with Curtis Crowder: Fiserv Services Technology Fiserv on LinkedIn Fiserv on Facebook Fiserv on Twitter Curtis Crowder on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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“The psychology of consumer loyalty is impacting all of us.” – Stefanie Francis Stefanie Francis is the Founder of Hootology, a marketing research firm that fully utilizes a tech-forward approach to consumer behavior and analytics. Hootlogy is founded on her passion for quantitative analytics, anthropology, innovation, art, and the creative process. She champions supplier diversity and is an advocate for equality inside and outside the workplace. Stefanie is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU SPS Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business. She is an award-winning speaker, a member of Valley Leadership, and has been recognized as one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s ‘Forty Under 40.’ In this episode, Stefanie shares the significance of considering consumer psychology when making an intelligent business decision. She shares how Hootology got started and what the name stands for. She explains how her company stands out among other research firms, particularly regarding the kind of data analytics they apply. She discusses the percentage of supplier diversity awareness in the industry. Stefanie also describes what large companies are missing by ignoring the trending data on supplier diversity. This week on Breaking Barriers: How the idea of Hootology started. The importance of market research for large companies. Why psychology is at the root of consumer research. Why not doing your market research is like throwing expensive darts with a blindfold. What Stefanie enjoys about being a professor for university students. What the Hoot in Hootology stands for. What separates Hootology from other research firms. The qualities of a high-level research firm that clients should look for. Why awareness of supplier diversity being low isn’t as bad as it seems. What Stefanie would say to companies who won’t prioritize supplier diversity. Connect with Stefanie Francis: Hootology Phone: (480) 685-0639 This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“The more diverse the decision-making body is, the more factors you can get into the decision.” – Johnny Howze III Johnny Howze III is the Vice President of Supply Chain Management at Southern Company, an energy company that produces clean, safe, and affordable energy for its 9 million customers. Johnny’s responsibilities include overseeing operational functions and power delivery. He has over 20 years of experience in plant operations and leadership positions, including running various coal-fired power plants that served millions of customers. Johnny joins us today to discuss why he prefers the term “economic inclusion” over “supplier diversity.” He divulges Southern Company’s efforts in helping small businesses work with them, especially regarding the services they will need in the future. He explains his economic takeaways from the pandemic and why a diverse team allows for better decision-making. Johnny also dispels the myth of the costs associated with working with small businesses. This week on Breaking Barriers: What Southern Company provides Johnny’s role at Southern Company Southern Company’s Net Zero Plan by 2050 The company’s beliefs on nuclear energy generation The goods and services diverse listeners should provide in the future How they make sure they have a diverse supply base The economic disparities in America and the wealth gap unearthed by the pandemic Involving everyone in the future of energy Having a diverse team when it comes to making the right leadership decisions Why Johnny prefers the term “economic inclusion” over “supplier diversity” Dispelling the myth about diverse suppliers being more expensive Johnny’s advice to small businesses interested in working with large corporations Connect with Johnny Howze III: Southern Company Johnny Howze III on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“Understand and know your data, and don’t over-collect. If you’re worried about it—and all businesses who collect data should worry about these laws—engage a privacy professional and attorney.” – Rebecca Rakoski Rebecca Rakoski, Esq., is the co-founder and managing partner of XPAN Law Partners. A boutique domestic and international cybersecurity and data privacy law firm, XPAN Law is dedicated to global strategic thinking that reduces risk and leads businesses forward. Rebecca, an experienced litigator, is committed to counseling and defending public and private corporations and their boards during data breaches and has handled hundreds of matters in state and federal courts. She is also skilled in mitigating her clients’ litigation risks by managing the intersection of state, federal, and international regulations that impact the transfer, storage, and collection of data. She received her Juris Doctor from the Widener University School of Law. Rebecca joins us today to discuss data privacy and why it’s critically important for small businesses to understand. She discusses the right to privacy and how the United States views it differently from other parts of the world. She explores state-level data privacy laws in the United States and describes how business practice should be done in states with data privacy laws. Rebecca also explains what access control policies are and why data privacy policies and practices need to evolve and be tailored to the needs of a business. This week on Breaking Barriers: What data privacy is and why it’s important for small businesses to consider State-level privacy laws in the United States The importance of understanding the data you collect as a small business Why over-collecting and over-storing data should be avoided The first steps toward data privacy compliance The value of working with data privacy professionals and attorneys Access control policies and why data privacy policies and practices need to always evolve and change GDPR, data privacy, and personal data in the European Union Working with data privacy laws after a breach has occurred Resources Mentioned: Data Breach Investigations Report by Verizon Related Content: What Businesses Need To Know about Cybersecurity Law with Rebecca Rakoski of XPAN Law Partners Connect with Rebecca Rakoski: XPAN Law Partners XPAN Law Partners LLP on LinkedIn XPAN Law Partners LLP on Facebook XPAN Law Partners LLP on Twitter Rebecca Rakoski on LinkedIn Email: rrakoski@xpanlawpartners.com This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“Failure is an option. Failure is a great guide. It is how you learn—how you recognize you’re not doing the right things and therefore you should change to succeed.” – Paul Singer Paul Singer is the Investigations and Impact Editor at the GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting. His The Color of Public Money series at GBH News investigates the systemic exclusion of minority-owned businesses from public contracts in Massachusetts. Before joining GBH News in 2018, Paul was a politics editor and Washington correspondent for USA Today. He also previously worked as an associate editor of Investigations for Roll Call and an executive branch correspondent for the National Journal. Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Kenyon College. Paul joins us today to share a recent ground-breaking story about a construction company that filed false reports on its diverse spend to the city government while working on a $100 million public contract. He describes the background of The Color of Public Money series at GBH News and how they discovered evidence of vast racial disparities in awarding government contracts. Paul also underscores how the leadership of an enterprise can impact spending on diverse businesses and highlights the importance of transparency. “Failure is an option. Failure is a great guide. It is how you learn—how you recognize you’re not doing the right things and therefore you should change to succeed.” – Paul Singer This week on Breaking Barriers: How the state of Massachusetts falsified information on the number of contracts they awarded to minority-owned businesses George Floyd’s murder and its impact on Massachusetts’ action on false reporting on diverse expenditures How investigative reporting changed Massachusetts’ reporting practices and spending on minority-owned businesses The value of failure and the importance of transparency Gilbane/Hunt and their false diverse spend reporting issue Why false reporting on diverse spending happens How companies can validate the accuracy of information being reported to their subcontractors The aftermath of the Gilbane/Hunt false reporting issue Making truthful, accurate reporting part of an organization’s KPIs The role of investigative journalists in creating an equitable ecosystem Resources Mentioned: The Color of Public Money: Worcester Spent More Than $100 Million Building Polar Park. Minority Companies Got Peanuts The Color Of Public Money: Black Businesses’ Share Of Public Contracts Has Declined Over 20 Years Related Content: Uncovering Racial Inequalities in Public Contracting with Journalist Paul Singer Connect with Paul Singer: GBH News The Color of Public Money Paul Singer on LinkedIn Paul Singer on Twitter Email: paul_singer@wgbh.org This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“Good financial stability and wellness of the company, coupled with good people, is every business’s heartbeat. Without them, the likelihood that a company can survive is low.” – Durran Dunn Durran Dunn is an accomplished business professional currently serving as the Managing Director for Grant Thornton’s Advisory, Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Controls practice. Over his 20 years of experience leading global businesses in accounting, finance, and internal audits, Durran has worked in multiple industries, including manufacturing, consumer products, media & entertainment, and biopharmaceuticals. In addition to his work with Grant Thornton, he is a professional athlete, a popular member of the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball club, and the 2021 World Series champion. Durran joins us today to discuss presence, excellence, and risk management strategies for small businesses. He describes his passion to succeed and his background as a professional athlete and explains why athletes make excellent business professionals. He highlights the value of being fully engaged at the moment and details his ability to excel as a professional athlete and business professional. Durran also underscores the importance of representation and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and offers advice on how small businesses can improve their accounting and risk management efforts. This week on Breaking Barriers: Grant Thornton’s audit and advisory services Durran’s background and role in Grant Thorton Burnout, multi-tasking, and how Durran is able to excel both as an athlete and a business professional Representation, DE&I, and being Jamaican-American in risk management and accounting Grant Thornton’s “Bring Your Own Self” campaign and other DE&I programs Why it’s critical for organizations to enlist third party experts for risk, risk management, and ESG Social media’s impact on the importance of Environmental, Social, & Governance standards Accounting and risk management tools and strategies for small businesses Resources Mentioned: QuickBooks Connect with Durran Dunn: Grant Thornton LLP Grant Thornton LLP on LinkedIn Grant Thornton LLP on Instagram Grant Thornton LLP on Facebook Grant Thornton LLP on Twitter Durran Dunn on LinkedIn Durran Dunn on Instagram

“As supplier diversity leaders and professionals, we need to open our eyes and minds to doing something differently and finding new ways to engage stakeholders, scale with the program, and create inclusion.” – Curtis Crowder Curtis Crowder is a cross-functional senior executive and award-winning entrepreneur, and diversity leader. He is the Director of Global Supplier Diversity, Sustainability, and Innovation at Fiserv, a leading global technology provider for the financial services industry. Before joining Fiserv, Curtis was the Chief Information Officer of Jetaire Flight Systems and the Director of Client Solutions for Metasys Technologies. He also formerly served as the founder and CEO of Syntellus Dataworks for over a decade before joining SPI as an Infrastructure Solutions Partner in 2014. Curtis joins me today to discuss creating innovation in supplier diversity and sustainability. He outlines how he transitioned his career from deep technology to supplier diversity. He describes Fiserv’s services and how supplier diversity sits within its global strategic sourcing. He explains supplier sustainability at the enterprise level with Environmental, Social, and Governance metrics and how supplier sustainability can be viewed from the lens of the supply chain and vendors themselves. Curtis also highlights how supplier diversity and supplier sustainability walk hand-in-hand in Fiserv and underscores how supplier diversity professionals and leaders can lead the next steps toward creating an equitable and inclusive marketplace for buyers and suppliers. This week on Breaking Barriers: Curtis’ career history and background in deep technology Starting his company and what propelled Curtis’ passion for supplier diversity Fiserv and how it serves to move information and money around the world The role of passion and what inspires Curtis to continue working in supplier diversity The importance of a solid onboarding process for suppliers Setting expectations as supplier diversity leaders What supplier diversity looks like in Fiserv on a global scale How supplier diversity differs according to geography and culture Risk management and mitigation and assessing the risk and maturity of a supply chain How diverse suppliers can prepare with Fiserv Total disruption and what supplier diversity professionals and leaders can do to innovate The role of technology in creating modern, equitable, and inclusive marketplaces Connect with Curtis Crowder: Fiserv Services Technology Fiserv on LinkedIn Fiserv on Facebook Fiserv on Twitter Curtis Crowder on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started, please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“To really build in supplier diversity, you have to hit all levels within an organization.” – Cecelia Bolden Cecelia Bolden is an IT executive, business strategist, client relationship expert, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion advocate with over 34 years of experience in the information systems industry. She serves as the Chief Development and Diversity Officer of SDI Presence, an IT consultancy and managed services provider that leverages its strong team presence to advance its clients to a secure digital enterprise. In her role, Cecilia leads the development of new, large strategic accounts for SDI Presence. She oversees the organization’s financial stability, growth, vision, and direction while working to implement a business strategy that foregrounds DE&I efforts. She worked for Accenture and Oracle prior to joining SDI Presence and holds an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business. Cecilia joins us today to discuss cultivating an ecosystem of diverse suppliers. She describes her professional journey in consulting and her role and responsibilities as SDI Presence’s Chief Development & Diversity Officer. She reveals the deficiencies in IT that she sees as an African American woman. She outlines how SDI Presence empowers diverse suppliers and how they work with organizations like Chicago United to build a supplier diversity ecosystem in Chicago. Cecilia also highlights how it’s possible to turn business competitors into collaborators and partners and underscores how the integration of commitment, education, and corporate America can create a thriving ecosystem of diverse suppliers. “To really build in supplier diversity, you have to hit all levels within an organization.” – Cecelia Bolden This week on Breaking Barriers: Why Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion is all about intentionality and focus Cecelia’s professional journey in consulting and her career at SDI Presence How her work in designing and implementing information systems has informed her leadership in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, and supplier diversity Chicago United: its creation and mission Chicago United’s “Five Forward” program and how it builds supplier diversity The role of mentorship and apprenticeship programs in cultivating a supplier diversity ecosystem The factors that encourage an ecosystem of diverse suppliers to flourish in the Chicago area SDI Presence’s “Three Cs” ethos Collaboration over competition and growth versus fixed mindset in business Enabling diverse suppliers to grow Connect with Cecelia Bolden: SDI Presence LLC SDI Presence on LinkedIn SDI Presence on Instagram SDI Presence on Facebook SDI Presence on Twitter SDI Presence on Vimeo Cecelia Bolden on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started, please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“Working with great leadership and great organizations gives you the keys to the kingdom and to being great yourself. And the more individuals who have jobs, the more we can tackle the systemic ills in our society.” – Rondu Vincent Devin Carsdale is the Associate Director of Sustainability for Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at Bristol Myers Squibb. Devin drives short- and long-term strategy and builds partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to govern the company’s Sustainable Procurement program. Before joining Bristol Myers Squibb as a Sustainability Manager in 2020, Devin served as a Sustainability Compliance Auditor for IKEA and Performance Consultant at Gap International. He holds a Certificate of Corporate Sustainability from New York University and a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from the American University. Rondu Vincent is a global procurement and supplier diversity executive and a leader in DE&I. He serves as the Executive Director for Supplier Diversity and Sustainability at Bristol Myers Squibb, a company he has been working with for over eight years. Prior to joining Bristol Myers Squibb, Rondu served as the Manager of Supplier Diversity at Pfizer, a post he held for seven years before moving up as Pfizer’s Director of Supplier Diversity. He is also the former Strategic Sourcing Manager at Becton Dickinson. Devin and Rondu join us today to discuss how supplier diversity and sustainability can drive systemic change and impact communities economically. They describe their professional backgrounds and how they became passionate about supplier diversity work. They outline Bristol Myers Squibb’s programs and commitments around inclusion, equity, and supplier diversity. They discuss what makes a great supplier diversity professional. They explain the economic reasons to comply with supplier diversity and dissect the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. They also highlight how any company, regardless of size or scale, can play a part in ESG work and underscore why professionals need to think about where they want to be as supplier diversity practitioners. This week on Breaking Barriers: Devin’s background and journey in supplier diversity and sustainable procurement How European companies are driving sustainability and diversity Rondu’s career in the healthcare industry and how he gravitated toward supplier diversity The importance of authenticity and passion in the mission of inclusion Bristol Myers Squibb’s supplier diversity and environmental sustainability goals How strong leadership support empowers supplier diversity professionals Rallying buy-in for Environmental, Social, and Governance goals Bristol Myers Squibb’s programs and projects on supplier diversity and ESG How small and diverse businesses drove supply chain resiliency in the pharmaceutical industry amid the pandemic Quiet quitting and conscious quitting The difference between lifestyle entrepreneurs and serial entrepreneurs Connect with Devin Carsdale: Devin Carsdale on LinkedIn Connect with Rondu Vincent: Rondu Vincent on LinkedIn Rondu Vincent on Instagram Rondu Vincent on Twitter Connect with Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb on LinkedIn Bristol Myers Squibb on Instagram Bristol Myers Squibb on Facebook Bristol Myers Squibb on Twitter This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Bruce Katz is the Founder of New Localism Associates, a firm that helps cities finance, deliver, and design innovative initiatives that focus on sustainable growth and inclusion. He received the Heinz Award in Public Policy for his contributions to city planning and influences on the community’s economy and livability. He authored the book The New Localism, which provides a roadmap for change that begins in the local communities. Bruce is also the Director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University.   Bruce joins us today to describe how the pandemic adversely impacted minority-led businesses. He shares why the “New Normal” doesn’t exist despite the buzzword’s popularity. He offers his take on the future of diversity and what the workforce will look like. He discusses how every business grows through routines. Bruce also reveals why the US doesn’t have a capital problem and what needs to happen for him to say the country is making progress.   “Don’t waste the crisis—crisis begets innovation.” - Bruce Katz   This week on Breaking Barriers:   ●     Bruce Katz and his work on inclusion ●     The destructive effect the pandemic had on Black and Latino businesses ●     Why there is no “New Normal,” according to Bruce ●     Bruce’s observations on the workforce and the future of diversity ●     The difference between contract-driven and collateral-driven financing ●     Why routines are necessary for growing businesses ●     Why we don’t have a capital problem in the US ●     What would need to happen for Bruce to say we’re making progress   Connect with Bruce Katz:   ●     The New Localism ●     Drexel University ●     Book: The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism ●     Bruce Katz on LinkedIn   This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground   Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations.   For more information on getting started, please visit us @ hireground.io today!   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.   Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify   Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Rachel Muredzwa is the Director of Equity & Inclusion at Ohio State University’s College of Nursing. She is a seasoned DE&I professional, community impact leader, and higher education administrator with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in inclusive youth development programming. Before working with the College of Nursing at Ohio State University, Rachel served as the Coordinator for the Office of Student Money Management at Austin Community College. She also previously served as the Director of the Office for Student Support Services at the University of Chicago and as an Assistant Director at DePaul University. Rachel holds a Master of Social Work degree from Ohio State University and received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology from Ohio Wesleyan University.   Rachel joins us today to discuss how she’s working with Ohio State University’s College of Nursing to make an impact through education and inclusion. She discusses why active listening and non-violent communication are essential skills for being a DE&I professional and impact leader and how we can get education and insight from anyone and everywhere. She explains why there is no need for a zero-sum game for human beings and elaborates on the value of igniting the passion of young people. She also highlights how advocacy and social justice are the bread and butter of social work and outlines the different outreach programs the College of Nursing organizes within and beyond the borders of Ohio State University.   “Truly passionate, alive people will inspire others to be passionate. Plant those seeds, even if we may never see them become mighty oaks.”- Rachel Muredzwa   This week on Breaking Barriers:   ●     Rachel’s professional journey to Ohio State University, her current role as Director of DE&I, and how it functions within Ohio State University ●     Why universities are in a unique position to do social impact work ●     How Rachel’s background in social work informs the work she does in her current role as Director of DE&I ●     Meeting students where they are and why Rachel is personally invested in intersectionality ●     Rachel’s philosophy as a DE&I professional and community impact leader ●     The Summer Institute for Future Nurses and other community outreach programs at Ohio State University’s College of Nursing ●     The role of coaches and mentors in activating the next generation’s dreams   Connect with Rachel Muredzwa:   ●     Ohio State University ●     Ohio State University on LinkedIn ●     Ohio State University on Instagram ●     Ohio State University on Facebook ●     Ohio State University on Twitter ●     Rachel Muredzwa on LinkedIn     This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground   Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations.   For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today!   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.   Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify   Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“Truly passionate, alive people will inspire others to be passionate. Plant those seeds, even if we may never see them become mighty oaks.”- Rachel Muredzwa Rachel Muredzwa is the Director of Equity & Inclusion at Ohio State University’s College of Nursing. She is a seasoned DE&I professional, community impact leader, and higher education administrator with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in inclusive youth development programming. Before working with the College of Nursing at Ohio State University, Rachel served as the Coordinator for the Office of Student Money Management at Austin Community College. She also previously served as the Director of the Office for Student Support Services at the University of Chicago and as an Assistant Director at DePaul University. Rachel holds a Master of Social Work degree from Ohio State University and received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology from Ohio Wesleyan University. Rachel joins us today to discuss how she’s working with Ohio State University’s College of Nursing to make an impact through education and inclusion. She discusses why active listening and non-violent communication are essential skills for being a DE&I professional and impact leader and how we can get education and insight from anyone and everywhere. She explains why there is no need for a zero-sum game for human beings and elaborates on the value of igniting the passion of young people. She also highlights how advocacy and social justice are the bread and butter of social work. She outlines the different outreach programs the College of Nursing organizes within and beyond the borders of Ohio State University. This week on Breaking Barriers: Rachel’s professional journey to Ohio State University, her current role as Director of DE&I, and how it functions within Ohio State University Why universities are in a unique position to do social impact work How Rachel’s background in social work informs the work she does in her current role as Director of DE&I Meeting students where they are and why Rachel is personally invested in intersectionality Rachel’s philosophy as a DE&I professional and community impact leader The Summer Institute for Future Nurses and other community outreach programs at Ohio State University’s College of Nursing The role of coaches and mentors in activating the next generation’s dreams Connect with Rachel Muredzwa: Ohio State University Ohio State University on LinkedIn Ohio State University on Instagram Ohio State University on Facebook Ohio State University on Twitter Rachel Muredzwa on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started, please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

122 Notes

“I advocate for renewable energy for everyone, for it to be a basic human right, for everyone to have a job in this industry and be part of this transition.” – Robert Blakekoski Robert Blake is the founder, owner, and CEO of Solar Bear, a full-service solar installation company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Solar Bear—Gizis-o-Makwa in Ojibwe—is dedicated to accelerating Turtle Island’s transition to a renewable energy future. In addition to his work at Solar Bear, Robert is an adjunct professor at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, teaching Science, Technology, & Environmental Policy and Tribal Energy Transitions. He is also the Executive Director of the Native Sun Community Power Development, a native-led nonprofit that promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and equitable energy transition. Robert joins us today to share his journey as a renewable energy entrepreneur and Solar Bear’s social and environmental impact practices. He discusses the most impactful climate and environmental justice legislation made to date. He explains how renewable energy has become more financially accessible for entrepreneurs and consumers and describes how the renewable energy industry has grown over the years. Robert also highlights renewable energy as a human right and advises diverse entrepreneurs who want to enter—or are currently working in—the renewable energy market. This week on Breaking Barriers: Robert’s journey as a renewable energy entrepreneur and what inspired him to found Solar Bear Finding inspiration in the everyday and making a better world for the next generation The economic impact of small businesses on their local communities Why it’s important for diverse entrepreneurs to enter the renewable energy market The Inflation Reduction Act and its provisions for climate and environmental justice and tax credits for clean energy projects Solar Bear’s biggest customer base The growth of the renewable energy market Fighting mass incarceration with renewable energy Changes and innovations in solar technology Robert’s advice to diverse entrepreneurs in the renewable energy industry and making an impact in the community Resources Mentioned: From Prison to a Career in Solar Connect with Robert Blake: Solar Bear Solar Bear on LinkedIn Robert Blake on LinkedIn Email: Robert@SolarBear.Earth This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started, please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Rebecca Rakoski, Esq., is the co-founder and Managing Partner at XPAN Law Partners, a boutique domestic and international cybersecurity and data privacy law firm. XPAN Law is committed to global strategic thinking that reduces risk and leads businesses forward. Rebecca is an experienced litigator who has handled hundreds of matters in state and federal courts and has counseled and defended public and private corporations and their boards during data breaches. She received her Juris Doctor from the Widener University School of Law.   Rebecca joins us today to discuss why businesses need to proactively work toward cybersecurity regardless of their size. She describes her career history and how she realized the importance of cybersecurity and data privacy for businesses. She explains how legal structures and cybersecurity go hand-in-hand, how laws catch up to the speed of tech development, and why cybersecurity isn’t just a matter of technology. Rebecca also recommends some steps small businesses can take today to build cybersecurity and underscores the value of understanding data.   “Businesses are attacked twice: they are attacked when they get hacked, and attacked again when they get sued.” - Rebecca Rakoski   This week on Breaking Barriers:   ●     Rebecca’s background and career in the cybersecurity industry ●     The relationship between law and cybersecurity ●     The importance of knowing niche laws that are keeping up with the speed of tech development ●     What small business owners can do to protect themselves and their data ●     Why small businesses are uniquely at data risk ●     Common cybersecurity-related legal issues small businesses encounter ●     What remediation looks like for a business owner involved in a data breach ●     The common mistakes small business owners make with cybersecurity matters ●     What justice looks like in keeping companies cyber secure   Resources Mentioned:   ●     National Institute of Standards and Technology   Connect with Rebecca Rakoski:   ●     XPAN Law Partners ●     XPAN Law Partners LLP on LinkedIn ●     XPAN Law Partners LLP on Facebook ●     XPAN Law Partners LLP on Twitter ●     Rebecca Rakoski on LinkedIn ●     Email: rrakoski@xpanlawpartners.com   This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground   Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations.   For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today!   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.   Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify   Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“Businesses are attacked twice: they are attacked when they get hacked and attacked again when they get sued.” – Rebecca Rakoski Rebecca Rakoski, Esq., is the co-founder and Managing Partner at XPAN Law Partners, a boutique domestic and international cybersecurity and data privacy law firm. XPAN Law is committed to global strategic thinking that reduces risk and leads businesses forward. Rebecca is an experienced litigator who has handled hundreds of matters in state and federal courts and has counseled and defended public and private corporations and their boards during data breaches. She received her Juris Doctor from the Widener University School of Law. Rebecca joins us today to discuss why businesses need to proactively work toward cybersecurity regardless of their size. She describes her career history and how she realized the importance of cybersecurity and data privacy for businesses. She explains how legal structures and cybersecurity go hand-in-hand, how laws catch up to the speed of tech development, and why cybersecurity isn’t just a matter of technology. Rebecca also recommends some steps small businesses can take today to build cybersecurity and underscores the value of understanding data. This week on Breaking Barriers: ●     Rebecca’s background and career in the cybersecurity industry ●     The relationship between law and cybersecurity ●     The importance of knowing niche laws that are keeping up with the speed of tech development ●     What small business owners can do to protect themselves and their data ●     Why small businesses are uniquely at data risk ●     Common cybersecurity-related legal issues small businesses encounter ●     What remediation looks like for a business owner involved in a data breach ●     The common mistakes small business owners make with cybersecurity matters ●     What justice looks like in keeping companies cyber secure This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started, please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

In today’s market, financial performance is no longer the sole indicator of an organization’s success. If a company is making money but forgoes sustainability or has sweatshops, how good of a company is it? Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a critical framework for any organization to understand and track—whether a multinational corporation or a small business.   In this episode, we discuss the ESG framework, why you need to track it, and how. We explain how it helps organizations and small business owners evaluate which markets or regions to invest in. We describe the challenge of tracking ESG. We also highlight why ethical sourcing is a critical component of supplier diversity and underscore how taking small steps can substantially impact the world.   “Environmental, Social, and Governance ensure accountability and systems to manage a corporation’s impact on all things, so we can all start thinking about how we show up in the world we live in.” - Cloe Guidry-Reed   This week on Breaking Barriers:   The Environmental, Social, and Governance framework and its background  How capital markets use ESG to evaluate organizations and determine future financial performance The challenge of tracking ESG Ethical sourcing as a critical component of supplier diversity Why tracking ESG is important for investors Navigating ESG as a small business community   This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground   Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations.   For more information on getting started, please visit us @ hireground.io today!   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.   Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify   Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.