Wednesday, October 25, 2023
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About
Diversity Team
Agenda
Speakers
Supplier Diversity Awards
Be the Change
Be a Better Employer
Be a Better Retailer
Be a Better Community Partner
Visit Supplier Diversity
Resources
Take our Survey!
About OPEX This year, the H-E-B Supplier Diversity Team proudly presents our 13th annual and 4th virtual Opportunity Exchange and Expo. The H-E-B Supplier Diversity Opportunity Exchange provides a platform to educate local, small, and diverse suppliers interested in doing business with H-E-B. From H-E-B’s Quest to Texas Best to Tournament of Champions, H-E-B Supplier Diversity focuses on community and supporting suppliers in a multitude of ways. OPEX provides a space for suppliers to learn about H-E-B and the process and requirements in becoming a vendor; while networking with current H-E-B diverse suppliers and learning from members of the H-E-B procurement and global sourcing teams. Go Back to Main Menu
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Winell Herron Group Vice President (GVP) of Public Affairs, Diversity & Environmental Affairs
Winell Herron serves as the Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental affairs for H-E-B, leading strategy and initiatives across Texas. A native of Austin, Winell has made Houston her home for more than a decade. She began her H-E-B career in store operations and has held many positions including unit director, service team leader, director of workforce diversity, vice president of customer service, and group vice president of diversity and people development before her current position. Winell actively serves the community through her roles on numerous boards and is a strong advocate of organizations that support diversity and inclusion – especially in the areas of education, equity and empowerment. Go Back
Meet the H-E-B Diversity Team! James Harris Sr. Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity Go Back to Main Menu
Elisa Cuellar
Crystal Royal
Andrea de la Cruz
Diversity & Inclusion Manager
Supplier Diversity Manager
Diversity & Inclusion Specialist
Alyse Gamble
Christa Aldrich
Tanique Evans
Content Specialist
Literacy Program Manager
Coordinator, D&I, Supplier Diversity
Agenda Click here to go back to main menu.
9:00 – 9:05 A.M. Welcome Room 9:05 – 9:20 A.M. Opening Remarks: Be the Change
9:20 – 10:20 A.M. Panel 1: Coffee with J&J 10:25 – 11:25 A.M. Panel 2: H-E-B’s New Generation 11:30 –– 11:40 P.M. Supplier Diversity Awards 11:40 A.M. –– 12:40 P.M. Panel 3: Ground Up & Beyond
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12:40 – 1:00 P.M. Supplier Opportunities and Survey
Featured Panelists: Coffee with J&J
James Harris, Sr. Director of Supplier Diversity and Diversity & Inclusion
Jody Hall, H-E-B Vice President of Global Sourcing
Erika Prosper, H-E-B Sr Director of Customer Insights Moderator
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Featured Panelists H-E-B’s New Generation
Annie Leal, I Love Chamoy
Ashley Cameron, Love & Cookies
Jess and Kristine Tran, Nufs
Stephanie Martinez, 2F Akaushi Beef
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Featured Panelists Ground Up & Beyond
Justin Gandy Facilities Procurement, H-E-B
Melodye Tomsu Vice President, DEI Joeris General Contractors
Drew Goodwin Director, Preconstruction – Retail Joeris General Contractors
Mason Finley Ryan Companies Director of Preconstruction - South Central
John Kooistra Ryan Companies Construction Management Senior Project Manager
Edy Ramirez Ryan Companies Preconstruction Estimator I
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About Supplier Diversity Awards The Supplier of the Year Award is awarded to a supplier who exemplify strong customer relations and communication skills. The business or representative of the MWVDBE should possess high a professional acumen and solid reputation in the industry. They advocate for other small businesses by providing coaching, mentoring and business opportunities. Additionally, they support and endorse H-E-B and the supplier diversity efforts. The Supplier Diversity Champion Award is given to a Supplier Diversity Champion who has done the most to support the H-E-B Supplier Diversity efforts by driving spend with Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran or Disabled business owner (MWVDBE). The Supplier Diversity Advocate Award is given to Individuals who have clearly demonstrated passion, leadership, and innovation in working with diverse suppliers.
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Be the Change H-E-B was founded on the unwavering belief that Each and Every Person Counts. Through our Be the Change initiative, H-E-B pledges to do our part to advance equity and inclusion across our great state. Be the Change builds upon our established Diversity and Inclusion framework driving us to be a better employer, retailer and community partner. To amplify diverse voices, we’re proudly sharing their stories and highlighting their products and services Click here to learn more about Be the Change..
The 3 Pillars Click below to learn about each pillar.
Be a Better Retailer
Be a Better Employer
Be a Better Community Partner Go to Next Page
Be a Better Retailer To Be a Better Retailer, H-E-B will always strive to amplify diverse voices. Through H-E-B Supplier Diversity (which supports events like Quest for Texas Best and Opportunity Exchange), an array of suppliers and community partners that best align with the H-E-B Be the Change initiative are identified and spotlighted on H-E-B shelves, as well as highlighted through H-EB’s marketing efforts within the communities and stores we serve. From Hispanic suppliers to LGTBQ+ community partners, H-E-B proudly shares their stories, their products, and services. Learn more about each featured Be the Change Supplier and Community Partners during diversity celebrations like Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and more throughout the year.
Click here to learn more about H-E-B Supplier Diversity
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Keep An Eye Out for Quest for Texas Best 2024!
Click me!
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Be a Better Employer Since 1905, H-E-B has believed that Each and Every Person Counts. We also believe in relentless dissatisfaction. At the intersection of these two dedicated commitments is a drive to constantly improve how we run our business and how we can make the lives of Texans better – from our Partners to our customers and the communities we serve. At H-E-B, we will always strive to Be a Better Employer through our proactive departments and Partners who have internally helped build our diversity and inclusion framework. From PRG events to Diversity & Inclusion incentives, there are many ways for H-E-B Partners to be involved.
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Be a Better Community Partner With the drive to constantly improve how we can make the lives of Texans better; H-E-B is committed to communities we serve. Through Be the Change, H-E-B will expand our year-round community engagement opportunities and support a wide range of diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout our communities to help drive real, lasting change. Additionally, we will continue to support organizations doing meaningful work in education, criminal justice reform, policy and legislation, and advocacy. H-E-B Partners can find community/sponsorship events and volunteer opportunities through H-E-B resources
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Helpful Resources & Links Thank you so much for attending! Stay tuned for both OPEX and Table Talks in 2024. Please see the following resources for more information on the content discussed throughout the Expo. We encourage you to submit your feedback and suggestions here. -
H-E-B Be the Change
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H-E-B Supplier Diversity
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H-E-B Quest for Texas Best
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H-E-B Tournament of Champions
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Go Texan
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Ryan Companies
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I Love Chamoy
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Love & Cookies
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Nufs
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2F Akaushi Beef
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Joeris General Contractors
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South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA)
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Liftfund
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Small Business Saturday Resources: Scan or Click Me!
Have questions? Contact the Supplier Diversity Team at supplierdiversity@heb.com
Kristine@GetNufs.com
Please see following contact information. We encourage you to submit your feedback and suggestions here.
Drew Goodwin Joeris General Contractors - Director, Preconstruction – Retail dgodwin@joeris.com Melodye Tomsu Joeris General Contractors - VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mtomsu@joeris.com
John Kooistra Ryan Companies - Construction Management Senior Project Manager John.Kooistra@ryancompanies.com Mason Finley Ryan Companies - Preconstruction Director of Preconstruction - South Central Mason.Finley@ryancompanies.com Edy Ramirez Ryan Companies - Preconstruction Estimator I Edy.Ramirez@ryancompanies.com Ashley Cameron – Love & Cookies – Ashley@cookiesilove.com Kristine and Jess Tran – Nufs - Kristine@GetNufs.com Stephanie Martinez - 2F Akaushi Beef - Stephie@2fakaushibeef.com Annie Leal – I Love Chamoy - Hello@ilovechamoy.com Go Back to Main Menu