2019 Quarter 2 Newsletter

Mark Your Calendars!

Welcome to the Team

The Council is delighted to welcome our newest team member: Director of Communications, Lizzette Santos. This dynamic, driven, well-read, and exuberant leader leverages public relations and marketing communications to promote The Council’s mission, programs, and achievements to key stakeholders and the communities we serve. Lizzette’s career has spanned many global companies, including Tata Consultancy Services and Dentsu Holdings. She has also worked with nonprofit organizations, such as the National Foundation for Entrepreneurship, and the Environmental Defense Fund. Most recently, she worked as a project manager for Pfizer.

Lizzette always seeks to improve processes and maximize efficiency when accomplishing strategic business objectives. She believes that we are only as effective and powerful as those with whom we surround ourselves. She excels at building relationships and developing meaningful business partnerships. A proven team player, Lizzette constantly encouraging others to stretch beyond their comfort zones and reach the highest possible expectations. When not working, Lizzette enjoys spending time with her dogs, family, and friends, reading, and taking long walks through the many trails along New York City’s Hudson River.

Corporate Spotlight: Guggenheim Partners Kate Kleyman

Kate Kleyman, vice president in the Office of Global Talent and Diversity and Inclusion, was responsible for the design and launch of Guggenheim Partners’ inaugural Vendor Diversity Program. Since 2014, Kate has led the firm’s supplier diversity efforts, establishing several innovative initiatives in the financial services industry. This includes the annual Financial Services Symposium on Supplier Diversity and Guggenheim’s Law Firm Initiative on Vendor Diversity designed to influence the legal sector to implement vendor diversity initiatives and programs. She also successfully assisted The Council with access to one of Guggenheim’s outside counsel for pro bono services.

Kate recently developed an internal Vendor Diversity Advisory Council under the leadership of Guggenheim’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Procurement Officer, and the Head of the Office of Global Talent and Diversity and Inclusion. She has implemented programming focused on mentoring and capacity building for diverse-owned businesses. Since the launch of the Vendor Diversity Program, Guggenheim’s spend with MBEs has increased year over year. The program’s success has yielded critical internal and external partnerships, and alignment with the Guggenheim diversity and inclusion strategy. Please see additional information regarding Guggenheim’s Supplier Diversity Program here.

MBE SPOTLIGHT: Impact Consulting Enterprises Cheryl McCants

A whole lot of gumption and a huge dream prompted Cheryl McCants to start Impact Consulting Enterprises 30 years ago in the living room of her New York City apartment. Today, the minority-woman owned, Council-certified, full-service marketing, public relations, media buying and website design and development firm has two offices in New Jersey, and a presence in San Francisco, California, and Washington, D.C. Impact promotes businesses and brands by telling award-winning stories that inspire smiles, trust, and confidence.

Next to her strategic work, long hours, and determination, Cheryl attributes her MBE certification for many business opportunities over the years. “The Council provided us with access to growth development programs and technical assistance opportunities that have directly impacted our bottom line,” says Cheryl. “Between the business opportunity exchanges, the leadership week events and the other networking programs, I have maintained and developed invaluable relationships with other MBEs, corporate members and agency representatives.”

Impact’s clients represent the healthcare, pharmaceutical, educational and technology industries, as well as local, state, and federal government agencies.

Council Feedback Survey

Are you looking for more innovative services from us? Does your company provide an innovative service to the diverse supplier community that The Council and our network should know about? Please take a minute to complete this quick survey. Your feedback will be used to improve experiences for everyone.

Innovation Survey

Mission Accomplished

Recognizing Corporate and Supplier Excellence!

Have you been awarded a contract as a result of our network? Please take five (5) minutes to help us demonstrate our value through the Mission Accomplished Program. Your story, like the TCGi and EY story below, may be featured in a future Council newsletter.

Mission Accomplished