As JPMorgan Chase & Co. began celebrating 20 years of supplier diversity in 2014, it also welcomed a new vice president, William Kapfer, who is responsible for further elevating its global supplier diversity initiative. With experience in LGBT marketing and corporate relations, the opportunity to work at JPMorgan Chase provided an outlet for his considerable talents.

“I was excited to work for a firm that not only understands the value of engaging with diverse suppliers, but also committed to having a workplace that is diverse and inclusive and encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work every day,” Kapfer said. He added that his most important role with the financial services institution is advocate for supply-chain diversity, as well as a supporter of diverse suppliers aspiring to do business with JPMorgan Chase. “When I’m able to put a diverse business owner together with one of our sourcing managers who is looking for a solution that business owner can provide, it’s tremendously rewarding to me,” Kapfer explained.

“Every week I interact with a host of potential vendors,” he said. “They are often looking for guidance in the best way to navigate JPMorgan Chase and how to identify the right person within our firm to present their capabilities. I make those connections whenever possible, and I also encourage them to register as a certified diverse supplier and complete their company profile on our online portal database.”

Kapfer believes that JPMorgan Chase — and much of corporate America — has made great advances in engaging unique and diverse perspectives, whether they come from suppliers, customers or employees. “Valuing differences is one of JPMorgan Chase’s basic beliefs. Our supplier diversity initiative ensures that we are engaging talent that might not be easily identified through more traditional channels,” he said. He added that JPMorgan Chase’s award-winning program uses the same business standards and expectations that are expected from suppliers competing for the firm’s business and demonstrates a deep commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion.

“JPMorgan Chase’s efforts help to build a strong and vibrant diverse supplier network that creates mutually beneficial business relationships and increases shareholder value,” Kapfer said. “We are proud to have and execute top-down commitment with bottom-up support.”