Humana Throws the First Pitch Event to Connect Minority-Owned Businesses to Top Humana Suppliers

Rhea-AI Summary

Humana (NYSE: HUM) hosted the First Pitch, a virtual event linking diverse suppliers with top prime suppliers as part of its Supplier Diversity Mentor Protégé Program. This initiative, active since 2019, aims to enhance opportunities for minority-owned and small businesses. In 2021, Humana invested $345 million in diverse suppliers, a 9% increase from 2020. The event provided participants valuable feedback and potential business opportunities, reinforcing Humana's commitment to fostering relationships that drive innovation and growth.

Positive

• Humana invested $345 million with diverse suppliers in 2021, up 9% from the previous year.
• The First Pitch event enhances connections between diverse suppliers and key prime suppliers, fostering potential business growth.

Negative

• None.

Humana’s Supplier Diversity Mentor Protégé program connects diverse suppliers with Humana’s Prime Suppliers

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Supplier Diversity Team of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) hosted the First Pitch, a virtual forum where participants from the Humana Mentor Protégé Program had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to current top 50 prime suppliers.

The event is an extension of Humana’s Supplier Diversity Mentor Protégé Program. Launched in 2019, the program’s goal is to overcome barriers that typically inhibit or restrict the success of minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ-owned, disability-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises by encouraging relationships with various Humana departments and external partners. At Humana, we want our vendors and suppliers to help drive innovation, improve quality, sustain growth, and advance our vision of a world where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. And we strive to attract qualified, certified suppliers who reflect our customers, employees and communities we serve.

The First Pitch gives diverse suppliers from the program’s past and present an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to current Humana top prime suppliers and receive exposure to potential business opportunities and valuable feedback as they continue to grow their businesses. “Humana is proud of the development, exposure and opportunities that have come as a result of the Supplier Diversity Mentor Protégé Program which launched in 2019,” said Holli Turner, Director of Supplier Diversity. “We are equally excited to present a platform that further encourages the utilization of diverse and small businesses with Humana’s Top Prime Spend Suppliers.”

Condrad Daniels, a program participant from HJI Supply Chain Solutions said, “We at HJI Supply Chain Solutions, a proud alumni of the inaugural Humana Mentor Protégé Supplier Program, are proud to participate in the Humana First Pitch event. Humana’s decision to lean into the supplier diversity challenge of equity and opportunity is the only way breakthrough happens. I respect how Humana leans into the audience they want to capture and acknowledges the gap that exists with action, not just words.”

Humana is dedicated to promoting and supporting the growth and development of diverse businesses including minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ-owned, disability-owned, veteran-owned, and small businesses. The company proactively fosters relationships with diverse and small business enterprises because it recognizes the shared benefits of knowledge and expertise that positions Humana and these businesses partners to grow together. Partnerships are critical to drive forward our Supplier Diversity Program, which promotes an inclusive and equitable approach to procurement that ensures we invest our dollars with a balance of partnerships with historically underutilized businesses. Humana is working to increase its diverse supplier base through an inclusive and equitable approach to procurement. In 2021, Humana spent $345 million with diverse suppliers, an almost 9% increase over the previous year. To read more, please visit Humana’s 2021 Impact Report.

Click here to read more about Humana’s Supplier Diversity Program.

About Humana

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

To accomplish that, we support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220412006016/en/

Jasmine Weatherby

Humana Corporate Communications

(502) 593-4616

Email: jweatherby@humana.com

Source: Humana Inc.

FAQ

What is Humana's Supplier Diversity Mentor Protégé Program?

Humana's Supplier Diversity Mentor Protégé Program connects diverse suppliers with its top prime suppliers to enhance opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ-owned, disability-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.

How much did Humana spend on diverse suppliers in 2021?

In 2021, Humana spent $345 million with diverse suppliers, marking a 9% increase from the year before.

What is the purpose of the First Pitch event by Humana?

The First Pitch event allows diverse suppliers to pitch their business ideas to Humana's top prime suppliers, providing them with exposure and potential business opportunities.

When was the First Pitch event held?

The First Pitch event was recently hosted by Humana as part of its Supplier Diversity Mentor Protégé Program.

What kind of businesses does Humana's Supplier Diversity Program support?

Humana's Supplier Diversity Program supports minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ-owned, disability-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises.