From left: Natily Santos, VP Responsible Sourcing, Aramark, with program participants Dr. Darryl Jenkins, Cohort Spokesperson, and Dr. Rhonda Henderson, Cohort Facilitator, University of Phoenix
A unique collaboration between Aramark, the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC), and the University of Phoenix has been providing minority- and women-owned business (M/WBE) owners in the Chicagoland/Midwest area with the skills and knowledge needed to optimize and grow their businesses.
The ChicagoMSDC PIPE Program (Progress, Insight and Performance Education) is an eight-week, advanced management training program that pairs business owners up with Aramark/Avendra Group mentors and provides information on topics including strategic planning, managing organizational goals, business ethics, supply chain, and project management.
“Aramark is committed to working with small businesses and businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, and other diverse populations,” said Natily Santos, Vice President of Responsible Sourcing at Aramark. “Supplier diversity is one key to forming strategic partnerships that increase value for our clients, foster local economic impact in our communities, and provide a variety of more authentic products and services to our customers.”
Innovation, flexibility, and support are key to strengthening these relationships. Therefore, Aramark takes a customized approach, adjusting to meet the unique needs of businesses in the geographies the company serves.
Building a PIPEline
The ChicagoMSDC PIPE Program began in 2018. Since 2020, Aramark has sponsored four classes (called “Cohorts”) through which 59 business owners graduated across nine states and 11 industries. The most recent Aramark Cohort ended in December 2023.
“Collaborations such as the PIPE Program are important to build a ‘pipeline’ to diverse businesses where connections are formed and corporations like Aramark have access to a reservoir of contract-ready suppliers who are familiar with the processes and protocols necessary for a smoother transition,” said Neda Sharp, Director of Program Development, ChicagoMDSC.
“The skills and resources shared through the PIPE Program help enable M/WBEs to improve their operations based on best practices and techniques proven within Aramark,” said Keely Costa, Business Process Director, Aramark Operational Excellence Group. Costa has shared best practices about project management as part of the program for the past three years. “Participants benefit from the lessons we have learned and discover new paths forward in a collaborative, empowering setting. I love how responsive participants are to the material, always talking about ways they can use what they learn in their companies.”
Meet the Latest Class of PIPE Graduates
The 2023 Aramark-sponsored Cohort included 10 M/WBE participants along with dozens of Aramark and Avendra volunteer mentors and speakers.
“As a small business, we don’t have all the resources of larger companies,” said Abdullah Motiwala, President of Heaven’s Honey, a co-op of bee keepers that helps chefs, store owners, and others source honey and other natural products from about 25 bee keepers across the US.
Based in the suburbs of Chicago, Heaven’s Honey has been in operation since 2015. They maintain a focus on sustainability and efforts to help local bee populations and the environment.
“The PIPE Program provided insight into how we can partner with a company like Aramark in the future,” said Motiwala. “My mentor [Kevin Hernandez, Marketing Manager, Aramark/Avendra Group] was a big part of the program for me. He helped me think about social media marketing and finding ways to open up ecommerce stores as we try to grow our business into a national brand.”
Another benefit of participating in the PIPE Program is that local businesses can interact with each other to network and explore common synergies and opportunities.
The 10 graduates of this year’s PIPE Program are as follows:
- Christell Ayers, President, A-List Limo and Transit Services
- Parminder Batra, CEO, Trak N Protect
- Genesis Bencivenga, Co-Founder and CEO, Lorenzo’s Frozen Pudding
- Nageswari Cherukonda, President, Sigmaintel
- Pennie Crockett, President, Pennie’s Tea
- Cathy Ebo, President, CAREPAKS Health Services
- Dr. Rhonda Henderson, Owner, Lucbene
- Dr. Darryl Jenkins, COO, CPS Store
- Abdullah Motiwala, President, Heaven’s Honey
- Wendy Shum, Senior VP, Sales and Marketing, JWE
- Markia Streeter, Office Manager, Equity Industrial Supply
“The experience has been truly transformative, and I am grateful for the support and guidance,” said Dr. Darryl Jenkins, COO, CPS Store, who was voted by peers as Cohort 7 Spokesperson. “First and foremost, I would like to thank … the leadership at Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council and Aramark for their commitment to fostering innovation and promoting diversity.”
Find out more about this year’s PIPE participants in this video from Chicago MSDC.
PIPE is one of four M/WBE development programs executed by the Aramark supplier diversity team. Since 2020, the programs have sponsored more than 70 M/WBEs.
“Supplier diversity is not only a key supply chain and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative for Aramark,” said Santos. “It is a business imperative that delivers success for clients, consumers, and communities alike.”
More About Aramark Supplier Diversity
Read more about Aramark’s Supplier Diversity efforts—and more—in the 2023 Be Well. Do Well. Progress Report.
