H-E-B Supplier Diversity OPEX 2024

Thursday, October 24, 2024

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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 This year, the H-E-B Supplier Diversity Team proudly presents our 14th annual and 5th 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.

Sign up here to join our mailing list to receive updates.

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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.

Meet the H-E-B Diversity Team!

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James Harris Sr. Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity

Crystal Royal

Andrea de la Cruz

Supplier Diversity Manager

SD/D&I Specialist

Alyse Gamble SD/D&I Specialist

Christa Aldrich

Literacy Program Manager

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9:00 – 9:05 A.M. Welcome 9:05 – 9:15 A.M. Opening Remarks: Ode to Small Business: Economic Impact 9:15 – 9:45 A.M. 25 Years of Diversity at H-E-B in 2025 9:50 – 9:55 A.M. Supplier Diversity Awards 9:55 – 10:50 A.M. What’s the Tea: From the Customer to You (Customer Insights) 11:00 A.M. – 11:40 A.M. Millionaires Roundtable: The New Kids on the Block

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11:40 – 11:50 A.M. Business Insurance and Bonding 11:55 A.M. – 12:45 P.M. Advocacy: The BDO and their Role in the Economic Landscape of Small Business 12:45 – 1:00 P.M. Supplier Opportunities & Survey

Ode to Small Business: Economic Impact & 25 Years of Diversity in 2025

James Harris, Sr. Director of Supplier Diversity and Diversity & Inclusion

Winell Herron, Group Vice President (GVP) of Public Affairs, Diversity & Environmental Affairs

What’s the Tea: From the Customer to You (Customer Insights)

Erika Prosper, H-E-B Sr Director of Customer Insights

Featured Panelists Millionaires Roundtable - The New Kids on the Block

Sondra Crawford, Texas Iberico

Kaysha Mangum, Kuhdoo Soap

Leticia de Leon, Salsa de Leon

Featured Panelist Business Insurance and Bonding

Julie Davis, VP, Marketing and Sales - Barnard Donegan Insurance

Featured Panelists Advocacy: The BDO and their Role in the Economic Landscape of Small Business

Mari Zavala, Director of Partnerships Geekdom, San Antonio

Margaret Wilson-Anaglia, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Dr. Shantana L. Robinson, MFAD Creative Group, LLC.

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.

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

Check Out Our Quest for Texas Best Suppliers!

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Click me for all Quest Winners!

Click here to view 2024 winners.

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

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.

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

Helpful Resources & Links Thank you so much for attending! Stay tuned for both OPEX and Table Talks in 2025.

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.

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H-E-B Resources: - H-E-B Be the Change - H-E-B Supplier Diversity - H-E-B Quest for Texas Best - H-E-B Tournament of Champions

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Small Business Saturday Resources: Scan or Click Me!

Relevant Supplier Resources: • Go Texan • SPAWGlass • Apply for Certifications: South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA) • Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE ) • Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) • San Antonio - Geekdom [geekdom.com] • Michael Smith Business Credit Website - Maestro Entrepreneur Center - The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) - Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Skills for Small Business • Find Out If LiftFund is Right For You • Find LiftFund Events Now • Book an Appointment with LiftFund • Become A WBC Client - To diagnose the health of your business with a comprehensive analysis of your entrepreneurial journey, register HERE to access services.

Kr ist ine@ GetNuf s.com

Please see following contact information. We encourage you to submit your feedback and suggestions here. Questions? Email supplierdiversity@heb.com • • •

Small Business Handbook Texas Business Licensing & Permit Guides Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal

Featured Suppliers & Partners: • • • • • • •

Salsa de Leon Texas Iberico Kuhdoo Soap Barnard Donegan Insurance with Julie Davis Geekdom MFAD Creative Group, LLC with Dr. Shantana L. Robinson LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) San Antonio with Margaret Wilson-Anaglia

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Insurance: • BDI Insurance • Contact Julie Davis for more information on commercial insurance services at jdavis@bdiinsurance.com (830) 303-8300

Accredited Laboratories & QA Resources: • Food Safety Net Services • Merieux NutriSciences • H-E-B Manufacturing Academy of Excellence (MAE) • The Global Markets Program • FDA Requirements for Food Business • 99 Designs (Package Design) Commercial Kitchens: • Renting a Commercial Kitchen • Link to the Kitchen Door • Link to Culinary Incubator • Link to Cooks Nook in Austin • Link to Wingman Kitchens in Austin • Link to PREP Kitchens in Austin • Link to Capital Kitchens in Austin • Link to Alamo Kitchens in San Antonio • Link to The Green Cart in Austin • Link to Ghostline Kitchens in Austin