Cover SPOTLIGHT
By Diane Sears

As a child in upstate New York, William “Bill” Kapfer would save his allowance and ride his red Schwinn bike two miles to the local nursery, where he’d carefully select another new plant to nurture. He would cut clippings from the hedges around his family’s home and place them in buckets in his bedroom to create the sensation of living within a garden.

He grew up to pursue a career in banking instead of botany. But today, his desire to cultivate growth, connectedness and harmony extends through everything he does, from his work as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion to his life as a son, a husband and a volunteer. When he was appointed global head of supplier diversity for JPMorganChase in 2016, Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), pointed out that Kapfer had become the highest-ranking openly gay supplier diversity executive.

“It was more than just a career milestone,” says Kapfer, who is still a supplier diversity leader today. “This wasn’t just a professional achievement; it was a personal affirmation of the barriers I had overcome and the trails I was blazing. That moment crystallized my commitment to leverage my leadership not just to succeed in the business world, but to champion diversity, embrace authenticity and inspire others to do the same. It’s a responsibility I carry with immense pride and a constant reminder of why I strive to lead with empathy, integrity and vision.”

He has had his personal and professional struggles, but through all of it Kapfer has maintained what his friends call an unshakable optimism and penchant for finding humor in life’s twists and turns. “I’m the guy who always looks at life through a positive lens, with a ‘glass is half full’ approach, no matter the circumstances,” he says. “Whether I’m faced with a challenging situation at work or simply deciding where to have lunch, I’m known for finding the silver lining and often stitching in humor to lighten the mood. My positive outlook isn’t just about making others laugh; it’s about spreading joy, fostering resilience and reminding everyone that life is a journey best traveled with a smile.”

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Throughout his life, anytime Kapfer has faced obstacles, he has viewed them as opportunities for growth. That’s where his love of plants comes in. He says if he weren’t on his current career path, he would be nurturing plants full time.

“My connection to plants has taught me patience, attentiveness and the joy of seeing something flourish under my care,” he says. “It’s a deeply personal part of who I am, and it reflects my belief in the potential for growth and beauty in all things. It’s not just about having a green thumb; it’s about a lifelong relationship with nature that continues to inspire and sustain me.”

Kapfer, who has a PhD, always knew he wanted to go to college. He declined his father’s advice to go into the military and instead pursued scholarships to attend college. The first person in his family to earn a degree, he graduated with a master’s in leadership and a PhD in media studies, both from Northern Arizona State University. 

He has come a long way since the days when he helped stock shelves, make sandwiches and bag groceries at Larry’s Food Store, his grandfather’s business in Warwick, N.Y. “I worked side-by-side with him and people from all walks of life,” Kapfer says. “Throughout that experience, my grandfather taught me the importance of being true to yourself and having pride in what you do. I learned to embrace and honor all people, regardless of race, age, gender or sexual orientation. Even then, I noticed in myself a desire to gather people with differences together and to celebrate them. He enabled me to do that — and to accept myself in the process.”

That self-acceptance would not become fully realized, though, until early in Kapfer’s professional career, when he was managing a bank in the Bay Area of California. He had just returned from the San Francisco LGBT community’s annual Freedom Day Parade, feeling more inspired, empowered and proud than ever before. He remembers he was still wearing a new Freedom Rings necklace he had purchased on Castro Street. It consisted of six anodized aluminum rings in the colors of the rainbow, all connected by a ball chain. To him, the rings symbolized a journey toward his true, authentic self.

Late that night, after midnight, he felt a strong urge to share this newfound pride with someone he loved and trusted. “So I picked up the phone and dialed my mother’s number in Tucson, Arizona,” he says. “I wanted her to know the real me, and there was no better time than that moment. When she answered the phone, her voice still heavy with sleep, I didn’t beat around the bush.”

His mom mumbled “Hello,” and Kapfer plunged right in. “Mom, I just wanted to say that I’m gay and I moved to the Bay Area to explore who I really am.”

“Her response, to my absolute surprise, was calm and loving,” he says. She told him, “We know, honey. Call us in the morning. We love you.”

“That simple affirmation meant the world to me,” Kapfer says. “It was a testament to unconditional love and understanding, a moment I will forever cherish in my journey of self-discovery.

Starting a Career Journey

Kapfer spent more than two decades in various media and marketing roles, working with both mainstream and diverse-market segments. His career included strategic positions at American Express Publishing, Hearst and Condé Nast. He also published Genre, a gay lifestyle magazine focused on fashion, sports and lifestyle.

Kapfer took his initial step into the world of banking with a job at First Interstate Bank of California in 1987, when he was recruited to join its formal management-training program. This opportunity led to a position in bank management at a small community branch in Walnut Creek, California.

“During my time there, I immersed myself in the local culture of diverse-owned small businesses,” Kapfer says. “I learned to appreciate and understand the unique needs of inspiring entrepreneurs and found joy in discovering the best ways to serve them.” 

Supporting a Diverse Supply Chain

Today, at JPMorganChase, Kapfer is responsible for developing and implementing community engagement strategies to promote and support diversity within the company’s supply chain. “My primary role is to ensure that the organization engages and fosters relationships with organizations that support and certify a wide range of suppliers, including companies owned by ethnic minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals and other underrepresented communities,” he says. “In my role, I also work closely with various departments and stakeholders within the company, such as sourcing and procurement, to establish, support and maintain supplier diversity initiatives.”

The Global Supplier Diversity team at JPMorganChase is organized around three pillars: facilitating the growth and development of businesses in the company’s supply chain network; promoting equity and inclusion across the company’s entire portfolio of supply chain business partners; and driving economic growth in the communities in which the bank does business.  While the team’s main activity is supplier identification and engagement, team members also collaborate with diverse suppliers to enhance their capabilities, competitiveness and overall success.

An important aspect of this approach is developing strong relationships with national and global organizations that support the success of a wide spectrum of entrepreneurs. Under Kapfer’s leadership, JPMorganChase became a founding corporate member of the NGLCC and drove the firm’s effort to become a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

“I would argue that supplier diversity fosters an internal culture of inclusivity, understanding and respect for different viewpoints,” Kapfer says. “I always say supplier diversity is not merely a procurement practice but a comprehensive business strategy that promotes inclusion, innovation, market responsiveness and social responsibility. It’s a multifaceted approach that benefits not only the company but also the wider community and economy.”

There is still much work to be done in the field of supplier diversity, Kapfer says. His vision reaches far beyond the incremental changes the field anticipates over the next few years.

“I envision a transformative shift that reshapes the way businesses operate at their very core,” Kapfer says.

In the long term, his ultimate dream is a world where supplier diversity as a distinct concept is no longer needed. “This would be a world where all companies, regardless of size or location, inherently understand the importance of building an inclusive supply chain. In this ideal future, supply chain diversity would be part of the DNA of every company in the world.

He admits the path to that future is challenging, especially in light of today’s political push-back against the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). But like others in the field, he remains undeterred.

“I believe that with collective commitment, strategic action and a shared vision, we can make this dream a reality,” he says. “The journey toward a more inclusive and diverse global economy starts with each one of us, and I am both hopeful and determined to play my part in making this vision come to life.”

Fostering a Sense of Community

As the supplier diversity community engagement lead at JPMorganChase, Kapfer works with an array of nonprofits that promote DEI, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, WeConnect International and other organizations. In addition to his professional relationships, he is personally committed to giving back to the community through his support of Lambda Legal, GLSEN, The LGBT Center in New York, the Stonewall National Monument Visitors Center, SAGE and, of course, NGLCC.

His work with the LGBTQ+ community started when he was in graduate school in the 1980s during the grim height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. “I had always held down a job during college,” he says, “but my role during this period was particularly meaningful: I was driving marketing and fundraising for the Tucson AIDS Project (TAP). TAP was more than just a nonprofit organization. It was a beacon of hope, committed to advancing health, wellbeing and social justice for those living with HIV.

“The acronym ‘TAP’ became a symbol of love, support and determination,” Kapfer says. “The challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community during the HIV/AIDS crisis were immense. Discrimination was rampant, and the pain was palpable, yet there was an awe-inspiring strength, unity and dignity within the community. Working with TAP, I met so many brave men and women who were fighting not just for their own lives but for others’ lives too. Their resilience and determination were inspiring.” 

In 1994, Kapfer received a key to the city from the mayor of Tucson, a recognition that called out his work on behalf of the HIV/AIDS community and women’s and children’s issues. “Thirty years later, I reflect on that recognition with a sense of humble pride, knowing that I have stayed true to distinguishing myself as a leader for diversity, equity and inclusion for all,” he says, “especially the LGBTQ+ community.”

In the long term, he says, he wants to see a world where sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression is neither a source of discrimination nor a reason for celebration — it’s simply accepted as a part of human diversity.

“I dream of a future where the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t need to fight for basic rights or live in fear,” Kapfer says, “but rather thrives in an environment that cherishes diversity, dignity and shared humanity.” 

Planting the Seeds for Others

Embracing diversity — not just in backgrounds, but also in thoughts and ideas — is central to Kapfer’s philosophy about leadership. For him, leadership is a deeply personal commitment to guiding others on a shared journey.

“It’s about inspiring those around me to rally around a common goal, encouraging them to tap into their unique strengths and passions,” he says. “I see leadership as an intricate dance where understanding both my strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of my team, allows us to unite and overcome challenges that may seem insurmountable at first. It’s a profound belief in the collective power of individuals, recognizing that we are indeed more than the sum of our parts.

“I strive to create a work environment where everyone feels welcomed, appreciated and valued,” he says. “A place where people are not just encouraged but empowered to bring their true, authentic selves. It’s in these diverse and accepting spaces that I believe the magic of true collaboration and innovation happens. Leadership, to me, is not a title; it’s a responsibility to nurture, guide and celebrate the uniqueness in each of us.”   

On a broader level, Kapfer says he is committed to ensuring the growth of various scholarship funds he has helped establish for underprivileged students. He wants to give back the way the community gave back to him and helped him fulfill his goal of achieving a college education and then branching out into the professional world.

“This goal holds a deeply personal significance for me,” Kapfer says. “Without scholarships, I would not have had the opportunity to attend college myself. That assistance provided me with a path to education, self-discovery and ultimately a fulfilling career. I understand the transformative power that access to education can have, and I feel a profound responsibility to extend that opportunity to others.

“Our investments in education are not just financial but a legacy of empowerment and opportunity,” he says. “In these ways, I look forward to the next chapter of personal growth, relationship enrichment, community contribution and joyful exploration.”

One of the most profound lessons in Kapfer’s life, a lesson that has shaped his career and his personal philosophy, centers around a fundamental truth: Success is not something to be chased but something to be recognized within oneself.  

“In tough times, which are an inevitable part of life, I’ve learned to remind myself that I was made for the challenge at hand. How I handle these challenges has come to define me, not by the outcome, but by the grace, determination and authenticity with which I approach them.”

William “Bill” Kapfer, PhD, serves as global head of supplier diversity and community engagement for JPMorganChase.

Kapfer is a longtime champion of supplier diversity.