Seven companies that are based in or have a major presence in New Jersey have been named among America’s Top 75 Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a Washington, D.C.-based certifier of women-owned businesses.
The award honors corporations for their commitment to the inclusion of women-owned businesses in their supply chain.
“WBENC applauds the 2019 honorees for successfully implementing world-class diversity and inclusion programs that enable growth and innovation, while breaking down barriers for women entrepreneurs,” the company said in a news release.
The New Jersey companies on the list include:
- American Water Works, Camden;
- Avis Budget Group Inc., Parsippany-Troy Hills;
- Bayer U.S., major presence in Whippany;
- EY, major presence in New Jersey;
- Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick;
- JPMorgan Chase & Co., major presence in New Jersey;
- Merck, Kenilworth.
“American Water is proud to be recognized by the WBENC for our commitment and engagement with women owned businesses,” Lawrence Wooten, senior manager, national supplier diversity, American Water, said. “Inclusion and diversity are an integral part of who we are as a company. We encourage, honor and celebrate diversity in our workforce and among our suppliers.”
The 2019 top corporations collectively spent more than $51.9 billion with WBENC-certified WBE suppliers in 2018, WBENC said. All 75 companies selected require supplier diversity language in their procurement requests and mentor WBE’s to help drive results and develop women-owned businesses as valued suppliers.
“We are proud to honor WBENC’s Top Corporations for WBEs, including American Water, for choosing to break down barriers, enable growth and increase opportunities for women-owned businesses,” Pamela Prince-Eason, CEO and president of WBENC, said. “WBENC-certified WBEs in turn fuel innovation and empower communities through economic growth and job creation.”
Each company will be honored at the WBENC Summit & Salute, which will take place March 16-18 in Nashville, Tennessee.
