Supplier Diversity
Supplier Diversity
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At Duke Energy, we proactively seek and build relationships with diverse suppliers to create a more sustainable supply chain and to achieve our Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) goals and objectives.
At the same time, these practices help our suppliers grow, create jobs, and provide a positive local economic impact.
2020 by the Numbers
For the sixth consecutive year, Duke Energy has spent more than $1 billion annually with diverse businesses.
Supplier Development
Through the Supplier Diversity University and Supplier Exchange Forum, we seek to educate, develop and cultivate our diverse vendor relationships.
- We are engaging with our local communities through the Supplier Diversity University – a two-day educational conference focused on scaling existing diverse supplier relationships and investing in new ones. Topics from our most recent event included access to capital funding, cybersecurity and upcoming opportunities for business with Duke Energy.
- Through our Supplier Exchange Forum, we unite our suppliers and Duke Energy representatives to emphasize the value we place on including diverse suppliers on Duke Energy projects. It is also an opportunity to present Supplier Excellence awards to Duke Energy suppliers who share and embody our corporate values of safety, responsibility and inclusion.
Information on our next Supplier Diversity University and Exchange Forum will be shared in 2022. Let us know if you are interested in participating or learning more.
Interested in working with us?
Duke Energy’s supplier diversity program reflects our commitment to inclusion and developing and expanding relationships with diverse businesses owned by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, LGBT, veterans, service-disabled veterans or who are federal HUBZone certified. Our supplier diversity program creates opportunities to partner with businesses that bring valuable perspectives, new skills and quality products and services at competitive prices to the table.
Diverse Supplier Certification
The growth and development of a diverse supplier base is crucial to Duke Energy’s continued success. That is why we are asking our suppliers to obtain third-party certification from one or more Recognized Certifying Agencies (RCAs).
Supplier Diversity and Certification
- To be considered diverse, a business must be at least 51% owned by one or more individuals in the below classifications. In addition, the owners must control the management and daily operations of the business.
- Minority
- Women
- Veteran
- Service-disabled Veteran
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT)
- Disabled
- Certified Federal HUBZone Business
Certification by a third-party helps ensure the diverse status of a business. Although numerous government and other entities offer certification services, we prefer diverse businesses be certified by one or more of the following Recognized Certifying Agencies (RCAs).
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
- National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- Disability:IN
RCAs are resources that provide services and access to opportunities – please visit their websites to learn more about each and how to become certified as a diverse business.
Meet the Supplier Diversity Team
Supplier Diversity Team
Left to Right: Bernice Walker, Tonja Graham, Bryan Umstead and Andrew Grier
Carmen Holmes
Carmen Holmes, Director, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability
AACCCF Awards
AACCCF Awards event featuring (1st Left) LaTasha Barnes – Assistant Vice President, Orlando Health, Chief Financial Officer, (2nd Left) Tanisha Nunn Gary Esq. – President, African American Chamber of Central Florida, (3rd Left) Tonja Graham – Duke Energy Supplier Diversity Manager and (Right) Joyce Odongo, Community Development Officer, Florida and Alabama at Bank OZK. Duke Energy’s commitment to supplier diversity has been acknowledged recently, as we were presented with both the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida (AACCCF) Corporation of the Year, and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Raleigh Corporate Partner of the Year awards in 2020.
Supplier Diversity Manager Tonja Graham
Supplier diversity manager Tonja Graham was recently named Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) at its 46th Business Impact Awards. This award recognizes and honors an individual who is a strong advocate for minority business development, visible in the business community, a strong supporter of the FSMSDC organization and actively seeks to promote the Council’s mission of fostering and enhancing minority business development.
Supplier Engagement & Diversity Manager Bernice Walker
Supplier Engagement & Diversity Manager Bernice Walker was recognized as the Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year by the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council and the Institute for Supply Management-Central Indiana at the 2019 Central Indiana Supply Chain Awards. This award is presented to an individual that aspires to educate, promote, and cultivate diverse suppliers as demonstrated through his/her programs, activities and initiatives.
