CVS Health, Roger Williams U. team up on training program

Targets health care supply procurement for business owners

PROVIDENCE — As part of its commitment to developing diverse business leaders, CVS Health has partnered with the Center for Workforce & Professional Development at Roger Williams University's School of Continuing Studies to launch the third annual Executive Learning Series for Diverse Suppliers, a customized professional development program designed for small and diverse business owners.

Applications will be accepted for the training program through May 22 and will help diverse vendors gain critical management skills that allow them to expand their partnerships with CVS Health and drive their companies’ success in areas such as marketing, finance and human resources.

The Executive Learning Series is a cornerstone program in CVS Health’s ongoing focus on supplier diversity, a commitment recently recognized by Billion Dollar Roundtable for reaching its goal of spending over $1 bil- lion with diverse suppliers.

The new training series grew out of the successful pilot program, the CEO Master Series, which helped a group of diverse business owners gain skills and knowledge with customized courses on purchasing and contracts, team building, sustainability training, performance management and social media marketing.

Created by the Center for Workforce & Professional Development at RWU's School of Continuing Studies and CVS Health, the CEO Master Series enhanced participating firms’ résumés and better positioned them to win contracts with large companies.

Fifteen partners will be selected for the Executive Learning Series for Diverse Suppliers program and will focus on building skills in areas such as finance and budget, leadership, management, technology, human resources and communications through a blend of inclass and online learning.

The series, says a joint release from the company and the university, delivers:

• An intensive curriculum designed to expand capacity, skill level and growth poten- tial in critical areas.

• Practical experience, including an opportunity to respond to a sample Request for Proposal.

• Support for introductions and relationship building with CVS Health procurement professionals.

• The opportunity to join peers in a mutually supportive and lasting network.

The Center for Workforce and Professional Development at Roger Williams University's School of Continuing Studies and CVS Health developed the curriculum with help from several national diversity chambers and councils, including the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and Regional Partner Organizations, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, National Minority Supplier Development Council and it Regional Affiliates, U.S. Business Leadership Network (DSDP), U.S. Hispanic and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the program and to apply, visit https://scs.rwu.edu/partnerships/partners/cvshealth/executive-learningseries/diverse-suppliers-application/1.