MassMutual Commits $150 Million to Procure From Underrepresented Diverse Businesses

cdawkins

22 Jun 2021

Comprehensive procurement strategy unveiled to help address economic inequality and drive systemic change

As part of its long-time commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and to the growth and long-term vitality of diverse businesses and communities, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has announced a $150 million commitment to utilizing underrepresented diverse businesses in its procurement operation.

“Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and other underrepresented diverse businesses across America are facing incredible challenges due to the impacts of systemic racism and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Regina Heyward, head of supplier diversity at MassMutual. “Diverse businesses are such an important part of the economic fabric of the United States, driving innovation, job creation and helping lift the hardest hit communities out of a global pandemic.”

Integrating diversity, equity and inclusion within its procurement operation helps to ensure that its full buying power is leveraged to drive change. The company’s commitment includes immediate and long-term actions, such as:

Holding suppliers accountable through a new, industry-leading framework for assessing and managing suppliers’ diversity, equity and inclusion performance with the charge to stop doing business with suppliers who perform poorly on DEI within their business operations.
Increasing supplier diversity proficiency by leveraging learning and development to increase awareness of supplier diversity best practices across MassMutual.
Driving sustainability outcomes through procurement, advancing MassMutual’s sustainability goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which will improve quality of life in communities across the U.S.

“We know that you cannot fix old problems with old ways of thinking, and our aim is to go beyond traditional approaches,” said Heyward. “We are tapping into non-traditional networks to expand our base of diverse suppliers and having tough conversations with non-diverse firms about our expectation that they invest in DEI within their own operations. We believe these commitments are a positive indicator of how we will hold ourselves, and others, accountable for engaging diverse businesses and driving positive change.”

MassMutual is a corporate member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, National Veterans Business Development Council, and National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.