Supply Chain Resilience through Diversification and Innovation

Supply chain resilience helps businesses survive and thrive in the face of disruptions and changing market conditions. Much like a financial portfolio, supplier diversification plays an important role towards building that resilience, while delivering on innovative solutions to further improve an organization's productivity and reduce risk.  

Learn about a common strategic approach to diversifying your supply chain by-way of contracting with minority-owned businesses who can provide a unique response to the goods and services demands in your organization, meeting your needs while bringing up local economies and communities. Become familiar with a practical approach for ensuring diverse suppliers have an equal shot at bids while delivering and/or exceeding end user expectations. Learn more about the non-profits which help to develop and certify diverse suppliers in order to find credible sources efficiently and effectively.

Presenters:

Kathy Cheng, President, Redwood Classics Apparel

Kathy Cheng is the President of WS & Co., one of Canada’s leading full-service apparel manufacturers, and the Founder of Redwood Classics Apparel, its in-stock apparel line which provides branded merchandise and retail distributors with garments handcrafted in North America. She also lends her time and expertise to several not-for-profit organizations and spearheads charitable causes in her community in collaboration with partners across various industries.

In 2024, Redwood Classics was featured in the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) Economic Impact Report, celebrating 20 years of growth and illustrating the economic value of supplier diversity in Canada and beyond. This recognition underscores Kathy’s commitment to local manufacturing, responsible production, and inclusive supply chains, aligning Redwood Classics with sustainable and socially conscious standards.

In 2023, Cheng received two prestigious honours: the Women’s Empowerment Award for Innovation and the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) Business Advocate of the Year Award for her tireless work promoting a diverse, equitable, and innovative supply chain.

In 2022, Kathy was honoured with the inaugural Ascend Canada Woman of Distinction Award, recognizing her work in helping advance the careers of other Pan-Asian women through leadership, sponsorship, and making a significant contribution to the community. In the same year, she was also awarded the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) Technology Innovation Award for developing sustainable manufacturing processes to enable economic inclusion.

2021 saw Kathy receive three prestigious honours: She was named to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) Power 50 List as one of only a handful of women; she made the Bay Street Bull Magazine inaugural Women of the Year List, alongside luminaries such as Olympian Penny Oleksiak; and she received the George Brown College Sustainable Production Post-Grad Honorary Credential acknowledging her commitment to eco-friendly practices in the fashion industry.

Kathy’s other achievements include being named to Inc. Magazine’s 100 Female Founders List for 2020, receiving the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) Special Recognition Award for her philanthropy and inclusive local procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving the WBE Canada President’s Award for her commitment to Supplier 1 Diversity, and receiving the LGBTQ+ Ambassador of the Year Award from Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in recognition of her continued championing of diverse voices in her community. Kathy was also selected to appear on the front page of the 2020 Annual Financial Report for the Royal Bank of Canada - Canada’s largest bank - to represent all small businesses across the country, focusing on diversity and inclusion in a very challenging year.

Previous honours have been presented to Kathy by the Advertising Specialty Institute® (2016 Counselor Supplier Woman of Distinction Award) for her positive influence in the promotional products industry. In 2014, Kathy was one of only three Canadians inducted into The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ program and in 2013, she was named by the Women’s Executive Network as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.

Kathy's unwavering dedication to diversity and inclusion led her to serve as the Diversity & Inclusion Officer for YPO Canada Region, following five years on the Executive Board of Directors for CAMSC. She remains committed to actively promoting Supplier Diversity, dedicating her time, voice, and talents to make it a tangible reality. Kathy's involvement in the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) DEI Task Force underscores her commitment to educating others within the $26 billion branded merchandise industry about the importance of diversity and amplifying marginalized voices. Currently, she contributes as a "Chef" for PromoKitchen, a non-profit organization focused on fostering education and mentorship within the industry.

Cassandra Dorrington, CEO and President, Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)

As the CEO and President of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council, Cassandra Dorrington has championed CAMSC’s commitment to facilitating the growth of Indigenous and minority owned businesses both within Canada and internationally. For over a decade, she has led the charge on bolstering the Canadian supply chain through the inclusion of Indigenous and racialized suppliers, contributing to significant growth in the Canadian and global markets, as well as having a meaningful impact on CAMSC’s corporate and government members.

Known for her business and community involvement, Cassandra has been named one of Atlantic Business Magazine’s 25 Most Powerful Women (2021). She sits on the Supplier Advisory Council for Public Services Procurement Canada, the 50-30 Challenge Advisory Board, the Federation of African Canadian Economics, and the NSP Board.

Lisa Morris, Vice President, Integrated Marketing, Policy, and Strategic Engagement National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

Lisa Morris leads strategic marketing, advocacy, and engagement at NMSDC, supporting the growth and economic impact of over 16,000 certified minority business enterprises nationwide. With more than 35 years of experience in the technology industry—including as a Vice President at IBM—Lisa brings deep leadership expertise and a passion for driving systemic change.

A former entrepreneur and lifelong advocate for women- and minority-owned businesses, Lisa is known for her ability to connect strategy, storytelling, and policy to advance equity. She’s an award-winning leader, published author, and proud graduate of Hampton University, with executive training from Harvard and UCLA.

In her free time, Lisa enjoys riding her Can-Am Spyder and living by her mantra: “When you are passionate about the work you do, you never have to work another day in your life.”

Nadine Shah, Global Sr. Procurement Manager, CBRE

Nadine has been with CBRE Global Workplace Solutions for approximately seven years and currently holds the position of Global Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for the SNAP account. Her expertise spans over 20 years in Supply Chain Management across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, telecommunications, and facility management.

Academically, Nadine holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management from Ryerson University. She has been a dedicated member of Supply Chain Canada for many years, earning her Certified Supply Chain Management Professional designation in 2001.

Within CBRE, Nadine actively participates in the Supplier Development Program, where she plays a key role in developing and mentoring suppliers.

Her professional achievements have been recognized through prestigious awards, including CAMSC’s Procurement Business Advocate of the Year Award in both 2021 and 2023. Nadine is also an engaged member of the Indigenous Network EBRG, where she leads the outreach program.

Beyond her professional commitments, Nadine is actively involved in numerous professional committees and contributes her time as a volunteer within her community.

Oliver Turman, Director, Global Supplier Engagement, CBRE

Oliver joined CBRE on May 8th, 2023, with more than 30 years of Supply Chain experience.  He’s currently the Director of Supplier Engagement and based in Dallas, TX.  He reports to CBRE’s Group Procurement SVP, Adam Boal. 

Oliver spent 9 years in the Air Force as a Procurement Program Manager.  Procurement programs he ran included enemy threat radar simulators, retired fighter aerial drone program, air dropped bombs programs and more.  Oliver last assignment before separating from the Air Forcce was an Air Force Procurement Instructor. Oliver spent 24 years with AT&T all within the Supply Chain organization.  Positions included Sourcing Manager over Switching Systems and as a Sourcing Director over the following teams:  Outside Plant Material and Services, IT Software, Supplier Diversity and International Procurement Operations.  Oliver retired from AT&T in Dec 2022. Oliver joined CBRE in May of 2023 as Global Supplier Diversity Manager supporting CBRE Property Management organization.