National supplier diversity leaders to discuss how certification organizations are adapting to a changing procurement landscape.
The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is proud to announce that Elaine M. Taylor, Executive Director of NVBDC, will join an esteemed panel of national supplier diversity leaders during an upcoming program hosted by the Council of Supplier Diversity Professionals (CSDP) on July 24. The CSDP is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the supplier diversity profession through education, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices.
The panel, “Beyond Certification: The Future of Supplier Inclusion—Navigating Change, Demonstrating Value, and Creating Opportunities,” will examine how certification organizations and corporate supplier inclusion programs are evolving to meet today’s changing business environment.
Taylor will be joined by an outstanding group of industry leaders:
- Elaine M. Taylor, Executive Director, National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
- Cami Turcotte, Senior Director of Supplier Inclusion, Disability:IN
- Nedra Dickson, Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability Lead, Accenture and Chair of the WBENC Board of Directors
Leading the Conversation on What’s Next
The supplier inclusion landscape is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades.
Corporations are embracing new technologies, modernizing supplier onboarding, strengthening supplier risk management, and aligning procurement strategies with evolving business priorities. These changes are redefining how organizations identify, evaluate, and develop relationships with diverse suppliers.
As the national certifying body for veteran-owned businesses, NVBDC is committed to ensuring veteran entrepreneurs understand these changes and are prepared to compete in today’s marketplace.
During the discussion, Taylor will share NVBDC’s perspective on:
- The continued value of third-party veteran-owned business certification.
- The strategic priorities driving NVBDC 3.0.
- How Mission: POSSIBLE is shaping the organization’s future.
- Preparing veteran-owned businesses for the next generation of corporate procurement.
- Why supplier readiness, education, and corporate engagement are becoming just as important as certification itself.
Beyond Certification
While certification remains a critical foundation for establishing credibility and trust, today’s corporations are looking for suppliers that can deliver measurable business value.
That means businesses must be prepared to demonstrate operational readiness, innovation, resilience, and the ability to build long-term partnerships.
The panel will explore how certification organizations can move beyond verification alone by providing education, strategic guidance, supplier development, and stronger connections between corporations and certified businesses.
Advancing Mission: POSSIBLE
Taylor’s participation reflects NVBDC’s continued commitment to Mission: POSSIBLE—the organization’s strategic vision focused on preparing veteran-owned businesses for long-term success.
Under NVBDC 3.0, the organization is expanding its role beyond certification by delivering educational programming, strengthening corporate engagement, enhancing supplier readiness, and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the supplier diversity ecosystem.
Initiatives such as the newly launched Mission Brief LinkedIn Live series are examples of this commitment, providing veteran-owned businesses with timely insights from corporate procurement leaders, supplier diversity professionals, and industry experts.
Strengthening Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Businesses
As procurement continues to evolve, collaboration among certification organizations, corporations, and supplier diversity professionals has never been more important.
By participating in national conversations like Beyond Certification, NVBDC continues to ensure that the voice of the veteran-owned business community is represented while helping corporations and veteran entrepreneurs navigate the future of supplier inclusion together.
NVBDC looks forward to Elaine Taylor joining this distinguished panel of national leaders as they explore the future of certification, supplier inclusion, and the opportunities that lie ahead for diverse and veteran-owned businesses.
