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Q&A with UPS's Kathryn Homeyer
March 06, 2008
Incentive gets up close and personal with UPS's Kathryn Homeyer on diversity.
By Jennifer Juergens
Q. How long have you had a diversity program in place?
Kathryn Homeyer: As part of UPS's commitment to diversity, the company formally launched the UPS Supplier Diversity Program in 1992. The program, which grew to become national in scope in 1998, provides opportunities to small, minority- and women-owned businesses and offers current and potential suppliers information on company purchasing needs and requirements.
UPS supplier diversity goals are established and tracked at the highest level of the organization. A Diversity Steering Council, co-chaired by the CEO and the senior vice president of human resources, meets twice a year to review the results of supplier diversity goals and accomplishments. James Mallard, vice president of procurement services, presents the results to the Diversity Steering Council. Supplier diversity, therefore, has the full support from the top down.
Q. How large is UPS, and how diverse is the workforce?
KH: At UPS, our workforce is multicultural, multidimensional and reflective of the broad attributes of our global communities. Throughout our 100 years, we've continued to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect and cooperation. Each year since 1999, UPS has been ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 Best Companies for Minorities.
Q. Has the focus changed over the time you've had a diversity program in place? Women in the workplace, for example?
KH: UPS is working to impact the retention and development of women in management. In 2006, UPS developed a Women's Leadership Development (WLD) program to address the changes and challenges in the workplace. The program is comprised of three components: UPS Connections, Community Connections and Business Connections. The WLD aligns with our core UPS values. WLD also parallels our strategic focus of creating a diverse customer and supplier base through our marketing and supplier diversity programs. We are also engaged in addressing cross-generational issues, since this is the first time in history when four generations of workers have been in the workplace at the same time.
Q. What is the philosophy behind the program?
KH: At UPS, we all share a strong belief and passion in providing a climate in which women and minority owner-entrepreneurs can thrive. By being involved in the communities in which UPS delivers and touches every day, we all strive for these businesses to flourish in today's increasingly diverse global and competitive business environment.
In its most basic definition, supplier diversity means providing equal access and opportunity to small, minority- and women-owned business. However, in today's market, it also means that we mentor, educate, provide access to capital, partner and elevate small, minority- and women-owned businesses, as their success translates into ours. They are all potential customers.
Q. What are some of the programs and initiatives?
KH: Our Supplier Diversity Program gives us access to companies that provide services and helps to make us a successful company. At the different conferences, like Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPACC), and National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), to name a few, providing networking opportunities to learn, build mutually beneficial relationships and [gain] exposure, UPS has been able to develop business relationships with other top corporations and minority- and women-owned businesses.
Q. How do you get the word out about your Supplier Diversity Program?
KH: We get the message out via our participation in the many organizations that support small, minority- and women-owned business development.
UPS is an active participant in local and national minority and women business organizations. The company is active in 36 of the 39 National Minority Supplier Development Council affiliates and 11 of the 14 chapters of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.
Q. What achievements give you particular pride and sense of accomplishment?
KH: I feel blessed to have a career which I have a strong passion for and really enjoy. I feel supported in my job from a company that has supported diversity throughout its 100-year history.
It's also very gratifying to be part of a team that helped UPS get named among "America's Top Corporations for Women Business Enterprises" (WBEs) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council for the eighth consecutive year in a row, in March 2007. Then in October 2007, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) named UPS "Corporation of the Year."
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