MBN USA

October 28, 2021

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Kaiser Permanente joined BDR in 2014

“Our Impact Spending program looks holistically at supplier diversity, economic impact, sustainability and affordability, ensuring that Kaiser Permanente’s spending decisions are environmentally sound, economically viable and socially equitable."— Ije Nwosu, executive director, impact spending

Q: When did your company begin its supplier diversity program?

A: 1982.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your supplier diversity program history?

A: Kaiser Permanente has a long history of commitment to improving community health through diversity, beginning in 1982 when we launched our first supplier diversity initiative and continuing through 2014 when we became the first health system inducted into Billion Dollar Roundtable. While we have continued to increase our spend with diverse suppliers — reaching $2.56 billion in 2020 — we recognize that our efforts alone can’t resolve existing health and equity disparities. To drive lasting transformative impact beyond our own walls requires partnership with other like-minded organizations and a shift from our internal focus on counting diverse spend in our supply chain to a global focus on driving impact beyond our walls.

Our Impact Spending program looks holistically at supplier diversity, economic impact, sustainability and affordability, ensuring that Kaiser Permanente’s spending decisions are environmentally sound, economically viable and socially equitable. The program focuses on partnerships and collaborations that drive meaningful and measurable commitments that advance concrete business strategies to create and strengthen equitable local economies. Transforming the way we do business to intentionally and effectively support inclusive local economic opportunity helps to address economic and environmental disparities, ultimately creating positive health outcomes. These efforts are instrumental to supporting Kaiser Permanente’s overall economic opportunity strategy and our vision of creating communities that are among the healthiest in the nation.

Q: Why did your company decide to become a BDR member?

A: As one of the nation’s largest integrated not-for-profit health care organizations, Kaiser Permanente has long recognized that zip codes are a better determinant of health than genetic code. We believe that targeting spend toward local communities can address economic, social and environmental disparities, ultimately creating positive health outcomes. Our Impact Spending program initiatives make a difference in the neighborhoods, towns and cities where we work, learn and live by fostering small-business creation, spurring economic growth and supporting sustainable development. To drive impact beyond the walls of Kaiser Permanente, we recognize the importance of partnering with anchor institutions across the country.

Q: Besides having a $1 billion annual spend with diverse suppliers, what does it take to be a BDR company?

A: The clear mission to drive supplier diversity through best-practice sharing, executive support and thought leadership, with the vision and goals to lead, influence and shape globally.

Q: How has your company benefited from BDR membership?

A: Becoming a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable raised the visibility of our internal program. It also gave us a platform to connect with other like-minded institutions, and it allowed us to drive economic impact for our diverse suppliers and the communities we serve.

Q: What advice would you give to corporations that would like to become BDR members?

A: The relationships and opportunities created within the Billion Dollar Roundtable provide more benefits than the sum of their parts. BDR promotes and shares best practices in supply-chain diversity excellence through the production of white papers. They also have discussions in which the members review common issues, opportunities and strategies. BDR encourages corporate entities to continue growing their supplier diversity programs by increasing commitment and spending levels each year. Become a member of BDR to access the unique view of leading industries across the country who are making positive changes toward supplier diversity excellence.

Q: What advice do you have for MBEs interested in doing business with your company?

A: All current and prospective suppliers are strongly encouraged to register in our portal — kaiserpermanente.starssmp.com — which includes providing your company’s basic business information and uploading certification documents to validate your diverse ownership. It is important to complete all requested information and include your marketing materials.

Once your information has been submitted and certifications uploaded in our database, our procurement personnel will have greater visibility to upcoming purchasing and/or contracting opportunities and may contact you for further information, request for proposals or bids as they become available. We recommend that all registered suppliers periodically review and revise their registration to ensure we have your current information and certifications.

Please Note: Registration in the supplier portal does not guarantee a business opportunity, place your company on an approved vendor list or obligate Kaiser Permanente to solicit requests for bids, quotations or proposals. Registration does, however, give Kaiser Permanente decision-makers access to your company’s information when conducting supplier searches, so that they may contact you regarding upcoming opportunities.

Kaiser Permanente is committed to supporting diversity in all areas of our organization including our membership, employment, community support and business relationships. One aspect of this effort is to provide small, minority-, women-, disabled- and veteran-owned businesses — along with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender- or LGBT+-owned businesses — equal opportunity to participate in our contracting and subcontracting activities.

To learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s supplier diversity program, visit supplier.kp.org/impactspending.