On Friday May 31st, as part of the 2019 2SLGBTQI+ Global Business Summit, the 2019 2SLGBTQI+ Excellence in Business & Leadership Awards winners were announced.
2SLGBTQI+ Supplier Diversity Program Ambassador of the Year Award – Sponsored by Kellogg Company
The 2019 2SLGBTQI+ Supplier Diversity Program Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Kiruba Sankar, Director CSR, Global Procurement at RBC Royal Bank. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an individual, group, organization or corporation in raising awareness and support of the 2SLGBTQI+ Supplier Diversity Program in Canada.
Kiruba has been a strong promoter of supplier diversity both internally within RBC as well as within RBC’s supplier base. He also actively encourages and supports other corporations in developing and implementing a supplier diversity program.
Kiruba regularly participates in CGLCC Supplier Diversity events, provides ongoing input into the growth of the CGLCC Supplier Diversity program, and supports CGLCC in its Supplier Diversity advocacy work at the federal government level.
He has also been a mentor to many 2SLGBTQI+ certified suppliers, helping to create greater procurement opportunities.
Certified 2SLGBTQI+ Business Enterprise of the Year – Sponsored by Kellogg Company
The 2019 Certified 2SLGBTQI+ Business Enterprise of the Year Award was presented to Sophia Stone, Principal, Head Client Engagement at Indie Group. This award recognizes the participation, efforts and success of a CGLCC-certified 2SLGBTQI+ Business Enterprise in maximizing their certification.
Sophia has become an active member of CGLCC over the past couple of years, participating in CGLCC programs and initiatives. While not only being a successful entrepreneur, she has become a strong advocate in promoting CGLCC, CGLCC programs and Supplier Diversity.
Sophia is passionate about creating opportunities, removing barriers and levelling the playing field when it comes to the Supply Chain. She has engrained it into the fabric of her business and utilize it as a platform to educate and incubate diverse-owned businesses because it’s the right thing to do.
2SLGBTQI+ Exporter of the Year Award – Sponsored by EDC
The first ever 2SLGBTQI+ Exporter of the Year Award was presented to Peter Hawkins, Managing Director of MELLOHAWK Logistics. This award recognizes the efforts and success of an 2SLGBTQI+ business enterprise in expanding its business globally.
For the last 17 years, MELLOHAWK Logistics has been providing creative, cost-effective supply chain solutions for a vast array of products in some 82 countries around the world.
Over the years, MELLOHAWK has received a multitude of prizes and awards. An active certified member of the CGLCC since 2017, MELLOHAWK was among the first cohort of 2SLGBTQI+-owned enterprises to take part in the first Canadian 2SLGBTQI+Q2 Business Trade Mission to the United States in 2018.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients!
