PG&E Supports Oakland Diverse Businesses Through Hosting Networking Event

By Tony Khing

With its new headquarters city of Oakland as a backdrop, PG&E brought together about 100 people in early September for an opportunity to build deeper relationships with local diverse suppliers-a key part of the broad network of contract partners that help PG&E deliver for its customers.

PG&E collaborated with the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, or WRMSDC, to arrange the networking luncheon. The event was the first held by PG&E's supply chain responsibility team in the company's new home location. Attendees included representatives from five Oakland chamber of commerce organizations, 12 PG&E prime suppliers and three PG&E officers.

"Our supplier diversity program has helped many diverse businesses grow to become valuable partners that help us provide energy and support our hometowns by providing jobs and services," said PG&E Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer Brooke Reilly. "Networking opportunities like the WRMSDC event help our suppliers make connections to grow their businesses."

"People just didn't attend the event, they connected. Many people stayed and networked longer than planned. They even had to be asked to leave so the cleaning crew could come in," said WRMSDC President and CEO Cecil Plummer. "When people feel hope, connection and belonging, they want to stay. These are the best indications that your event is viewed as valuable by the participants."

"PG&E recognizes the needs of the community are ongoing," added Plummer. "WRMSDC has consistently served PG&E and the community for 45 years. As a result, the minority business community has survived hard times and continues to grow."

One business that has benefited from a long partnership with PG&E is AgileOne, a woman- and minority-owned global workforce solutions provider. The company, which has worked with PG&E for more than a decade, understands the value of networking.

"These events are the best way to meet with potential suppliers in case we need new suppliers to join our program," said Helen Hong, an AgileOne senior program manager. "PG&E has always maintained a strong focus on supplier diversity and providing opportunities and mentorship to small and diverse suppliers."

The lunch meet-and-greet helped Hong and AgileOne in two ways. First, she scheduled follow-up meetings with two staffing companies. Second, Hong was introduced to representatives from PG&E's People, Shared Services and Supply Chain lines of business. Hong appreciated seeing people she's only communicated with via email and phone.

For more than 40 years, PG&E's supply chain responsibility program has supported the growth of small and diverse enterprises through providing business and training opportunities. The success is seen not only from the metrics ($4 billion spend for the first time in 2021 and 10 consecutive years of more than $2 billion spend), but also in the human touch through networking events such as the Oakland gathering.

"It was very nice to see how PG&E's supply chain responsibility department assembled this event and how they cared about getting small businesses to be exposed to opportunities with PG&E and its prime suppliers," said Rahul Kuruvilla, board chair of the WRMSDC's Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee. "Now that PG&E is in Oakland, we look to continue to build on our relationship."

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