Meeting/Event Information

Supplier Diversity is taking a proactive business program which encourages the use of diverse spending initiatives. During this session participates will learn what is the business case of Supplier Diversity, what it takes to start a Supplier Diversity Program and what is the connection between Supplier Diversity and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Lastly this session will explore how companies can facilitate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion though a company.

Participants will:

• walk away with an understanding of the business case of Supplier Diversity.
• understand what it takes to start a Supplier Diversity Program.
• walk away understanding the connection between Supplier Diversity and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
   

This session has been approved for 1.25 hours of SHRM and HRCI Certification Credit.

About Our Speaker
Byron Witherspoon is the Director, Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Sustainability at Ameren responsible for establishing and implementing the strategic vision for Ameren’s Supplier Diversity process and to set forth a standard for sustainable and environmentally preferable purchasing that demonstrate Ameren's commitment to environmental, social and economic impacts within the Supply Chain.

Witherspoon has 20+ years’ experience developing and executing Supplier Diversity strategies specifically designed to provide meaningful contract opportunities for diverse suppliers for both the public and private sectors.

As a St. Louis native, Witherspoon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy Administration from the University of Missouri St. Louis. Witherspoon is an accredited Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute.

Witherspoon was recognized in MBNUSA magazine as one of the Top 75 Leading Men in Corporate Supplier Diversity. Witherspoon received the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis Business Advocate of the Year and is also a past recipient of the Diversity Excellence and Advocacy Diversity Champion Award by the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC).

Currently, Witherspoon is the chairperson of the Edison Electrical Institute's (EEI) Supplier Diversity Taskforce and actively involved in the Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council (IUBDC).

Fees
SHRM St. Louis Chapter Member - Included in Dues
Non-Chapter Members - $25