MBN USA

October 23, 2022

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Fernando Hernandez - 2022 Global Supply Chain Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Hall of Fame

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

A: I have been truly fortunate in my career. I brought AT&T [Inc.] and Microsoft [Corp.] into the [Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc.]. I am excited to do the same for [The] Coca-Cola [Co]. I was a pioneer in multicultural marketing, creating a $2 billion program for AT&T.

Q: When and why did you become a supplier diversity and minority business development champion? 

A: I became a supplier-diversity champion after leading multicultural markets for AT&T for 10 years. I had proven I could make billions of dollars each year for AT&T in the diverse markets. I also became aware that no one was very eager to give back or use the same business tools and insights; hence, I decided to become a champion to address the imbalance.

Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges and opportunities for minority business enterprises? 

A: The biggest challenge I see on the horizon is strong [artificial intelligence] coming into impact all areas of business and MBEs not being prepared for it. Also, access to capital in a recession environment is concerning. The opportunity is to gain insight into road maps for key emerging technologies — such as AI — and to secure capital to be able to participate in the growth.

Q: What must MBEs do to participate in emerging technologies like  AI [artificial intelligence], IoT [Internet of Things], metaverse and the globalization of supply-chain delivery?  

A: MBEs must find mentors, companies, organizations and nonprofits willing to share their technology road maps for the next three to five years and explain the specific opportunities available. For example, if Apple [Inc.] had shared the road map for the iPhone with MBEs at the same time it did with the developer community, many MBEs would have been early to the app game and not late.

Q: What is your vision for supply-chain diversity over the next five to 10 years? 

A: In 10 years, procurement and supply chain will be mostly ruled by AI-enabled expert systems. MBEs need to understand the tech road maps to leverage the opportunity and own part of the future.

Q: What would you like your legacy to be as a champion of supplier diversity? 

A: To be remembered as a person that loved God and tried his best to help All people that asked. 

To learn more about the Coca-Cola Co., visit Coca-cola.com.