It’s that time of the year for award ceremonies. And State Fund is garnering its share of accolades. The latest is the 2016 Supplier Diversity Champion Award from the California Department of Insurance (CDI), which honors State Fund for building and growing a successful supplier diversity program.
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones presented the award to State Fund CEO and President Vern Steiner on December 7, at the 5th Annual Insurance Diversity Summit in Los Angeles. Enterprise Procurement Vice President Amanda Poe and Supplier Diversity Manager Edna Zapata-Fuller also attended the event to accept the award.
“Year after year, State Fund has demonstrated the organization’s dedication to increasing procurement with diverse suppliers,” said Commissioner Jones just before presenting the award. “In response to our most recent survey, State Fund reported a 16.6 percent [about $27M] spend with diverse suppliers in California . . . hosts internal supplier diversity events and is planning to roll out a tier two diversity program next year,” he added.
The award honors insurance companies for demonstrated commitment to supplier diversity through efforts such as: establishing a supplier diversity program, hiring dedicated supplier diversity staff, creating supplier diversity websites, and maintaining strategic communication efforts with diverse suppliers. Previous recipients include Allstate (2013), CSAA Insurance Exchange (2014), and Anthem Blue Cross Life & Health Insurance Company (2015).
"Being recognized by CDI and Commissioner Jones and watching Vern and Edna receive the award together was a proud moment for me,” says Amanda. “It highlights the importance of our supplier diversity initiative and the positive impact it’s brought to diverse California businesses the last four years,” she adds.
Established in 2013, State Fund’s Supplier Diversity Program ensures equal opportunities for California businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, and disabled veterans, related to our sourcing of products and services.
