The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) presented United Airlines with the Corporate Champion Award at its annual signature event, WBDC2: Connect & Celebrate. The award signifies the company’s historic commitment to supplier diversity and its dedication of time, talent and resources to the WBDC and the clients it serves.
“The WBDC has a longstanding relationship with United Airlines, and it’s with these strong partnerships that we are seeing significant progress in supplier diversity opportunities for our clients and for all women and minority business owners,” said Emilia DiMenco, President and CEO of the WBDC. “United Airline’s commitment to bettering the community has not only supported diversity in the workplace, but greatly impacted women entrepreneurs, and I’m honored to recognize them with this year’s Corporate Champion Award.”
United Airlines began their work with the WBDC to provide support for initiatives and missions. Accepting the award on behalf of United Airlines, Ruby McCleary, Director of Supplier Diversity, actively supports WBEs by providing business coaching and supporting initiatives that will enhance supplier diversity in the community, leaving a lasting economic impact on today’s business landscape.
“The diversity of thought and ideas is key to United’s robust supply chain, allowing United to deliver better products and services to our customers. I am honored to be in a position where I can come to work each day and contribute positively to economic impact and job creation in our communities,” said McCleary, “United Airlines is always looking for ways to support women and minority business enterprises, and it’s been a great pleasure to be a part of the WBDC’s network, supporting one another and fostering a better community.”
The award ceremony took place on September 7, 2017 at the WBDC2 Connect & Celebrate event. Each year, the WBDC honors an outstanding business that has contributed to the economic development of their community. This year’s event ncluded a day of procurement, information and relationship building opportunities, including a “Shark Tank”-style pitching workshop where business leaders register to pitch on-the-spot to corporate and government procurement leaders, as well as a keynote luncheon and various other workshops.
