HelpNCMSDC 2009 Bollywood Ball Gala
On March 20, 2009 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, CA, the Northern California Minority Supplier Development Council hosted its 31st Annual Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards Gala, Bollywood Ball. Over 360 Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), corporate members, and affiliates attended the event and joined the Council in a night of networking, dancing, and celebration that lasted well past midnight. Bollywood Ball offered attendees a plethora of entertainment and fun, from its silent auction cocktail reception to its Bollywood-themed photo shoot and finally to the after-party dancing with a live DJ.
During the gala dinner program, the Council had the pleasure of announcing its new president, Scott A. Vowels, as well as its official name change, which incorporated “minority” in its name to convey a clear message about its purpose and further emphasize its focus to the public. President Vowels also addressed guests about his vision for the Council, goals for the future, and the dynamic changes that NCMSDC had planned to increase the benefits of certification and corporate membership.
Following in the tradition of all Council galas, the awards ceremony was the highlight of the evening as the Council revealed the winners of its eight Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards, given to those companies and individuals whose excellence, vision, advocacy, and merit distinguished them as leaders in minority supplier development. The 2008 Corporation of the Year Award, presented to Kaiser Permanente, honored Kaiser’s active engagement with NCMSDC-certified MBEs and the Council, as well as the spirit of diversity reflected in its Board of Directors. The 2008 Executive of the Year Award, given to an executive who has played a leadership role at NCMSDC and in her corporation’s diversity program, was presented to Katie Luk-Chan, Director, National Supplier Diversity Procurement & Supply, at Kaiser Permanente. The 2008 Corporate Coordinator of the Year Award was presented to Vaughn Mootoo, Business Analyst/Coordinator, Supplier Diversity/Small Business Program, at Chevron for his outreach activities with MBEs and his significant contributions to NCMSDC. The 2008 Corporate Buyer of the Year Award, given to a corporate buyer who has provided outstanding assistance and outreach to MBEs in working with her corporation’s sourcing and procurement process, was awarded to Claudia E. Chan, Sourcing Director-IT Human Services, Procurement & Supply, at Kaiser Permanente.
The 2008 Supplier of the Year Awards were presented to four NCMSDC-certified MBEs in four different classes: Class 1 (annual sales less than $1M), Class II ($1-$10M), Class III ($10-50M), and Class IV (greater than $50M). All four winners demonstrated excellence in their services and products and showed growth in sales and employment while overcoming significant obstacles. The 2008 Supplier of the Year Awards were presented to S.F. Language Services, Inc. (Class I), TSAO Design Group (Class II), Sugar Bowl Bakery (Class III), and Pointandship Software, Inc. (Class IV). Kaiser Permanente and D.W. Morgan Company, Inc., also a Minority-owned Business Enterprise, awarded executive scholarships to Supplier of the Year winners Jonathan Tsao, Principal of TSAO Design Group, and Egladir Xavier, Founder/CEO of S.F. Language Services, Inc.
For the Council’s Bollywood Ball guests, the awards ceremony and event offered them the opportunity to celebrate the importance of supplier diversity in the marketplace, reconnect with old contacts, and establish new relationships. “Supplier diversity is needed now more than ever,” President Vowels commented, “and I’m grateful that so many professionals chose to join us at our gala in the spirit of partnership and inclusion.”
