Kimberly N. Ayers, Director, Supplier Diversity, Procurement and Contract Management for AARP, believes the success of the supplier diversity program is directly related to engaging and partnering with small and diverse suppliers. The supplier diversity program is directly linked to AARP’s core values: impact, innovation, humanity, empowerment, and honesty. Great focus is placed on relationship building with AARP employees and small and diverse suppliers, practicing targeted matchmaking for commodity areas lacking diversity spend, and offering educational webinars on diverse supplier certification.

To increase access efficiency, Kimberly implemented an intake request form on the employee intranet site that allows AARP employees to reach Supplier Diversity with sourcing requests. A diverse supplier portal and an intake form give the ability to assess the supplier’s capabilities and qualifications quickly. Kimberly improved customer service by establishing a dedicated email form with an automated response that provides guidance to suppliers about their requests. She sponsors numerous diverse initiative opportunities provided by AARP diversity partner organizations, to bring visibility to issues facing small and diverse businesses.

Favorite Quote: All of us bring light to exciting solutions never tried before for it is our hope that implores us, at our uncompromising core, to keep rising up for an earth more than worth fighting for. — Amanda Gorman, Earthrise