2019 Top 30 Champions of Diversity Pursue a Vision of Inclusion Through Supplier Diversity

Joy Wong Develops Best-in-Class New York Life Insurance Supplier Diversity Program


Joy Wong, corporate vice president at New York Life Insurance Co., is responsible for the company’s supplier diversity program. She has the consistent support of the CEO, board of directors, and executive management, and with that support formed the Supplier Diversity Advisory Council to engage executives from various business areas. Wong works with procurement partners, collaborates with supplier diversity champions, and introduces new diverse suppliers through internal and external outreach initiatives.

As a committed and involved advocate for supplier diversity, Wong strives to ensure that every event the company hosts and participates in is carefully planned to benefit New York Life participants. She has strengthened the focus on mentoring and developing diverse suppliers and supports employee resource groups. Wong uses NMSDC best practices as guidelines for measuring and growing the New York Life supplier diversity program. Consistent program success is due to practices like constant self-assessment, offering formal and informal mentorship programs, developing innovative partnerships with non-traditional areas like legal and investment, and working with tier 1 suppliers to expand the tier 2 program.


  • Favorite Quote: “All of us are mentors. You're mentors right here and now. And one of the things I've always done throughout my life, I have always found that person, that group of people that I was going to reach my hand out and help bring them along with me.” — Michelle Obama