ICYMI: Fifth Third Bank Hosts Seventh Annual Supplier Diversity Summit

Fifth Third Bank hosted its seventh annual Supplier Diversity Summit on August 8. With a theme of “Collaboration + Innovation = Growth,” the summit focused on helping diverse-owned businesses position themselves for growth and discover ways to expand business opportunities with larger corporations.

“Having an inclusive and diverse business ecosystem is a strategic imperative for Fifth Third to help bring more jobs and investment to our communities,” said Kala Gibson, executive vice president and chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “Our supplier network fosters innovation and it’s a privilege to collaborate to improve the well-being of our citizens while serving our customers’ needs.”

The 2023 program featured a keynote address from Cris Carter, NFL Hall of Fame member and CEO of CB Tech. Since 1990, CB Tech has helped Fortune 500 companies with managed services in facilities maintenance. As a Middletown, Ohio native, Cris attended The Ohio State University where he studied communications and was a first-team All-American and two-time All-Big Ten football player. He has been recognized for his work with disadvantaged youth, receiving the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 1999 while a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

Fifth Third is committed to a diverse supply chain for the benefit of its customers, shareholders, employees and communities. Since the inception of its Supplier Diversity program, Fifth Third’s spending with Tier 1¹ diverse suppliers has grown from $7.5 million in 2014 to $119.6 million in 2022 and surpassed the bank’s goal of representing 10% of total supplier spending with diverse companies.

Fifth Third hosts the Supplier Diversity Summit each year to connect companies with minority, women, people with disabilities, and veteran owners and to help to encourage more business relationships with Fifth Third. It also is a way for diverse business owners to gain perspectives from each other and to network with other corporate partners. More than 175 attendees representing over 130 companies across 15 states participated in the event in 2023.