GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today that it has been named to Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s (WBENC) 19th annual list of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs). This is the only national award honoring corporations for world-class supplier diversity programs that reduce barriers and drive growth for women-owned businesses.
“Sodexo is honored to be recognized by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council as One of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises for the second time,” said Rohini Anand, PhD, SVP, Corporate Responsibility & Global Chief Diversity Officer, Sodexo. “We are proud and committed to supporting diverse businesses.”
Currently, Sodexo partners with nearly 2,400 vendors that are led by minorities, women, service-disabled veterans, LGBTQ or people with disabilities across the U.S. As part of Sodexo’s Better Tomorrow Plan the organization has a global commitment to support both diverse and local businesses; the goal is for 25 percent of Sodexo’s global spend to be with small businesses in local communities, with a focus on women and other under-represented groups as defined by country, by 2025. Companies interested in partnering with Sodexo must be 51 percent diverse-owned, controlled and managed and certified by National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Women’s Business Enterprises National Council (WBENC), National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN), city or county certification, or state certification or Small Business Administration (SBA).
“We are proud to honor WBENC’s Top Corporations for WBEs, including Sodexo, for choosing to break down barriers, enable growth and increase opportunities for women-owned businesses,” said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC. “WBENC-Certified WBEs in turn fuel innovation and empower communities through economic growth and job creation.”
Sodexo is consistently recognized for the organization’s commitment and work in the diversity and inclusion space. In January, Sodexo was recognized on Bloomberg’s 2019 Gender Equality Index and FORTUNE’S 2019 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. In 2018, Sodexo was ranked in the top 10 of DiversityInc magazine’s ‘Top 50 Companies for Diversity’ list for the 9th consecutive year and inducted into DiversityInc’s Top 50 Hall of Fame. Additional accolades include being recognized on three of FORTUNE Magazine lists in 2017, including World’s Most Admired Companies, Change the World and the FORTUNE 500.
The selection of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) is conducted annually by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The list of Top Corporations is designed to recognize WBENC National Corporate and Government Members who choose to integrate policies and programs across their organization to enable growth and innovation and reduce barriers for women-owned businesses.
About WBENC
WBENC is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled and operated by women in the United States. WBENC partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) to provide its world-class standard of certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country. WBENC is also the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Throughout the year, WBENC provides business development opportunities for member corporations, government agencies and more than 15,000 certified women-owned businesses at events and other forums.
About Sodexo North America
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 72 countries. Sodexo is a leading provider of integrated food, facilities management and other services that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate, education, healthcare, senior living, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. The company employs 160,000 people at 13,000 sites in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $19 billion in goods and services from small to large businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., in 2018, Sodexo contributed over 159,500 in volunteer hours, and since 1996, the Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed nearly $34.5 million to help feed children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo, visit SodexoUSA.com, SodexoInsights.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
