Under Ernestine Watson’s leadership as assistant vice president of supplier diversity and vendor development at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), the school spent $7.18 million with minority and $3.12 million with women-owned suppliers in 2008. It won the Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award from the United States Small Business Administration this year and received the "Celebrate Our Partners" Award from the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization.

UMDNJ’s greatest supplier diversity challenge is to keep information flowing and supplier diversity in the minds of end users. It strives to remind them to focus on the long-term growth of suppler diversity, ultimately resulting in ongoing business relationships. UMDNJ’s annual procurement event held for 15 years is its major vehicle to attract suppliers and expose them to UMDNJ’s process. To Watson, there can be no meaningful outcomes until inclusiveness and parity are part of the equation.

Favorite Quote

“My mission and dedication to the small business community is clear, in my estimation there can be no meaningful outcomes until inclusiveness and parity are part of the equation.”

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