UPMC’s Toni Sylva helps MWDBEs become successful
By Daniels, Diane I | |
Proquest LLC |
A phrase of choice for
"We are building them to succeed in doing business not only with UPMC, but with other corporations and business entities within the region," said Sylva.
As a way to demonstrate their commitment to the minority, women-owned and veteran-owned suppliers they work with, UPMC recently held what they consider a first-of-its-kind business collaboration that brought together UPMC MWDBE suppliers; UPMC Supply Chain Management leadership; local corporations; city, county and state officials; governmental agencies, and executive leaders from vital organizations that support minority business growth and development.
"Our role as the largest employer in
To do business with UPMC MWDBE Suppliers, for attending suppliers to share their supplier list with Corporate Pittsburgh and to show numbers and begin to report annually to the
Deeming the Collaboration for Growth event a success, Sylva says for businesses to be successful they have to be diversified. "They can't just depend on one contract. The event put our venders in front of dozens of other corporations that are potential clients for them. The three point challenge by
With businesses of all levels participating in the program's Minority Business Development Initiative, Sylva explained that other than business, her goal is to provide education, training, mentoring and networking opportunities to MWDBE members.
Initiated in 1989, the UPMC Supplier Diversity Program was designed to provide MWDBEs equal access to procurement opportunities. The program, which Sylva says she reenergized and reshaped to be successful when she came on board, ensures that certified MWDBEs are provided the maximum opportunity to participate as partners and suppliers of goods and services to UPMC. "I try to connect businesses with the appropriate people and department within the system to get the business," she said UPMC, considered a world-renowned health care provider and insurer, is the largest nongovernmental employer in
To partake in the Supplier Diversity Program businesses must be MWDBE certified, maintain 51 percent ownership and maintain daily control of their business, be located in the U.S. or its territories and the owner must be a U.S. citizen.
Formerly vice president and Supplier Diversity Manager at
Heavily involved in her field and the community, Sylva is an active member of the
For her work and commitment, she has received many awards and accolades. Recently she traveled to
In the last several years Sylva, a
"I don't do what I do for the awards," insists Sylva. "I do it because I love the work. It is meaningful to see the difference we are making in people's lives, people getting contracts and providing employment."
Mentioning that the UPMC Supplier Diversity Program works with businesses of all sizes, Sylva says their goal is to work with businesses to make them successful but that it is as important for the community to help in the process by providing support and utilizing their services. "We are all in this together."
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Copyright: | (c) 2014 New Pittsburgh Courier |
Wordcount: | 867 |
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