Circle of Learning & Networking 

Beyond Certification

Thursday, July 25th 

8:00 - 10:30AM 

You’ve worked hard and now you are certified.  But how do you acquire business from corporate suppliers and their vendors?

Hear from Diversity Supply Managers on what it takes to secure business with them and most importantly, their Tier I and Tier II suppliers. 

A panel of 10 professionals will be divided into two discussion groups;
5 from the automotive industry and 5 from other industries.

Tickets

Members: Complimentary
Non-Members: $10.00

A light breakfast is included.

Location

Lear Corporation
21557 Telegraph Road
Southfield, MI 48033

Agenda

8:00 - 8:30AM - Registration & Breakfast
8:30 - 10:00AM - 2 Panel Discussion
10:00 - 10:30AM - Question & Answer Session 

Moderator

Barbara Whittaker
President of BW Limited LLC
CEO of Diversity Connections
NAWBO Member 

Barbara L. Whittaker is a procurement and supply chain expert with extensive experience in the Automotive industry, both OEM and supplier base sectors. She has worked for the General Motors Company and Delphi Automotive in leadership positions of increasing responsibility over many years. During this time she was responsible for leading and managing diverse global teams through some major organizational shifts, demonstrating unique transformational skills and abilities. Since founding BW Limited LLC in 2010, she has utilized her extensive knowledge and skills to help drive procurement excellence and assist companies with strategic planning for future growth opportunities. In 2012 she created Diversity Connections, a joint venture with BBK LLC, focused at improving diversity programs and growing minority and women owned companies.

Over the span of her career Mrs. Whittaker has been recognized by numerous organizations and publications such as “Woman of the Year “ African Americans on Wheels, three GM Chairman’s Honors awards, 2009 Woman of Excellence from the Michigan Chronicle, 2011 Automotive Industry “Living Legend Award: from Real Time Media and in 2012 the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ariba.

Mrs. Whittaker has a Bachelors degree from General Motors Institute ( Kettering University), a Masters degree from Wayne State University, and has completed the Advance Management program at INSEAD in France, the Executive Development program at University of Michigan and Six Sigma Green Belt training. 

"Beyond Certification" is just the beginning to our 

two-part procurement activities this year!

Monthly luncheons will be held throughout the year to provide you with
valuable information from Diversity Managers spanning numerous industries in Michigan.  

More details about these luncheons will be available
at July's Circle of Learning and on our website under the Meetings tab.

Circle of Learning Sponsor