Congratulations to our 2022 Award Recipients
Supplier of the Year – eTeam
eTeam’s business model and practices center around delivering scalability, quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, compliance and diversity, using smart techniques to maximize diverse candidates and equality of applicants. Most importantly, they help their partners demonstrate success in diversity, equity, and inclusion by helping to deliver diverse candidates through focused diversity cloud initiatives.
“eTeam is honored and grateful for the recognition and partnership of CAMSC. Since we joined in 2013, we have been introduced to many great people and company partnerships in supporting their contingent worker needs.” — Ann Thakur, Global Director, Strategic Relations, eTeam
Small Business of the Year – iFathom
iFathom is an established staffing company who partner with clients to assist them in navigating and adapting to Canada and USA’s rapidly changing labour markets. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of who they are, as they know that having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas to solve ever-increasing complex problems we face in our rapidly changing world.
“iFathom is honoured to accept the award for Small Business of the Year from CAMSC. At iFathom, we strive to achieve an industry where everyone is equally represented, and all voices are heard. We believe in creating a legacy of impact, where we can leave the world a better place than when we found it. As our company continues to grow, it is our promise to continue the conversation of why Indigenous and visible minority groups are underrepresented in our society, and how we can proactively change the narrative.“ — The iFathom Team
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year – Grüvi
Grüvi is a Canadian-run, family-owned line of alcohol-free beverages started by brother-sister duo Anika & Niki Sawni. Grüvi is the only brand on the market with a collection that includes NA craft beer, alcohol-free wine, and zero-proof RTD’s. Niki and Anika launched Grüvi in 2019 by knocking on doors packing boxes out of their home. 3 years later they have sold several million cans, are available in over 3000+ locations across Canada and the U.S and have received some amazing recognition.
“We are grateful for the CAMSC community who’s helped break down barriers for minority owned businesses like Grüvi and are honored to receive this recognition as emerging entrepreneur of the year.“ — The Grüvi Team
Collaboration Award – Cando
The Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando) is pleased to collaborate with many national and regional organizations for the purpose of creating enhanced opportunity for Indigenous suppliers and communities. Cando’s work with CAMSC included developing a Pilot Program to provide Cando-member Indigenous suppliers with an opportunity to explore opportunities for procurement with corporate Canada through CAMSC’s extensive networks.
“Cando is delighted to be recognized for its collaboration efforts with CAMSC’s Collaboration Award. This recognition does not mean that Cando’s work is finished, rather it serves as positive confirmation that while Cando still has work to do the organization is on the right path.“ — The Cando Team
Social Good Award – City of Toronto
“The City of Toronto is incredibly honoured to receive the Social Good award from CAMSC. This award is a significant achievement for the City’s Social Procurement Program. The City would not have received this award if not for the dedication of City staff who have worked tirelessly to support diverse suppliers. The City thanks all the nominees for their efforts to make social impact in the community. The City would also like to thank CAMSC and its members. The City is committed to building on the success of the Social Procurement Program and looking for ways to create even more social impact. Together, we have and will continue to create opportunities for diverse suppliers. Let’s continue to remain focused on social impact!” — The City of Toronto
Technology Innovation Award – Redwood Classics
Redwood Classics has been on a decade-long journey toward a more sustainable and diverse business model. Their guiding principle is “People, Planet, and Profit”, and it was through the supplier diversity community that they have been able to refine these principles into something tangible.
“The Redwood Classics Apparel team is honoured to have been recognized by CAMSC this year for using sustainable all-over-print (S.A.O.P.™) technology in apparel decoration. When we brought this technology to Canada for the first time, we had no idea how it would be received. What we found was that it enabled us to foster economic inclusion, thanks to the lower minimums required and our ability to print on more fabrics than before. It has also shown us that there really is an appetite for sustainable production processes in our industry. It is through supplier diversity that SMEs like ours who are working to innovate and make positive environmental changes are able to survive and thrive. By having dedicated corporate partners who don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk, we are able to drive change in our industry when it needs the most shaking up.” — The Redwood Classics Apparel Team
Corporation of the Year – BMO
“BMO is honoured to be named CAMSC’s Corporation of the Year. BMO has a long-established supplier diversity program with a recent focus on driving meaningful diverse spend growth and increased efforts in Canada. In a short time, we have seen success through growth initiatives that include expanding our supplier diversity council to include senior leadership from 9 BMO businesses, increasing enterprise-wide accountability through establishing line of business level goals, dedicated line of business working committee cadence to identify growth opportunities, launching BMO’s first diverse business development program — BMO Elevate — and expanding our data & analytics and Canadian advisory capabilities.” —The BMO Team
Procurement Business Advocate of the Year – Ford Motor Company
“For over 110 years, Canada and the Canadian supply base have been a part of Ford Motor Company’s storied legacy. Today, it remains an integral part of our future. The importance of the work that CAMSC does to support Minority and Aboriginal businesses, communities, and families throughout Canada cannot be overstated. Ford is delighted to partner with CAMSC to drive prosperity in these communities. In 2021, Ford spent over $400 million with CAMSC-certified suppliers. Additionally, we have announced that our manufacturing plant in Oakville, Ontario, will help us to lead the electric revolution by producing several battery electric vehicles (BEV) that are critical to our BEV strategy. Ford and CAMSC will continue to grow our relationship to ensure that Canadian Minority and Aboriginal suppliers are a fundamental part of Ford’s EV future.
We thank CAMSC for this prestigious recognition, and we look forward to our continued partnership in the future.” — Brian Lloyd, Program Manager, Supplier Diversity & Inclusion, Ford Motor Company
Special Thanks To Our Judges:
Clifford Bailey, Techsoft Systems Inc.
Fred McKinney, BJM Solutions Inc.
Karen Williams,
Katherine Pollock, Fasken
Laura Berry, Supply Nation
Marcia Seymor,
Ray Wanuch, CANDO
Wendy Cukier, Diversity Institute
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