Dunn/Thomas: ADP's Commitment to Diverse Workforce

Welcome to Disability Matters with your host Joyce Bender. All comments, views, and opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host, guest, and callers. Now the host of Disability Matters, here's Joyce Bender.

Hello everyone, how are you? And welcome to the show, everyone. North America, South America, Central America, all around the world. It is so great to have you on. I have to have a special shout out to my friends from Morocco who sent me the most beautiful email, and Hong Kong, and India, not to mention Richard Roberts in Brazil, Gungyung Cho, right here in South Korea. Not right here, right there in South Korea. And hey, Brandon Lambert at the State Department. Love all of you. I want to tell you why I'm mentioning them. They send me around the world when a country requests an expert on the employment of people with disabilities. Always ask me. So if it weren't for them, I would not be going to Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Panama, and next year, Brazil. My hat's off to them for being disability rights champions. And a special shout out to Yoshiko Dart, Yoshiko, lead on. And I know you're saying that right back to me. Yoshiko, you know I love you. And of course, we'll never forget Justin. Now, Hi-Mark, wow, what a great company. They have been the lead sponsor of this show for years. I mean, I cannot thank them enough for everything that they have done. They're just such a great company. Karen Hanlon, my hat's off to you for everything you're doing. And speaking of great people, I've got two of them on the show today. I love them, both of them. They are awesome and they are all about disability rights and equity and inclusion. And they are my mentor and I am their tour mentor. No, I'm their mentee. They're my mentor. And I am welcoming to the show Lorenda Thomas, the Senior Director of Sourcing within Global Recruitment, and Olivia Dunn, the Procurement Manager, Global Procurement and Supplier Diversity. Lorenda and Olivia, welcome to the show.

Thank you, Joyce Bender. Thank you for having us.

And hey, I can't forget, let me just mention a few other countries since you both work global. Austria, Finland, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China. I haven't forgotten any of you. I know you're listeners and now you get to hear two champions that work in the global area. So Lorinda, here's what people always ask me. They'll say, wow, That person was so great, especially people around the world. I wish I knew more about them. So since that happened, since that happened, I ask everyone to share their story so our listeners can know more about them. Like, you know, where you grew up, your family, where you go to school, all of those things. So would you mind sharing with our listeners Absolutely.

And Joyce, thank you again for inviting Olivia and myself today. Such a pleasure to be here. So just a little bit about myself and my background. I grew up on a small, or in a small coastal town in North Carolina. So past Wilmington, kind of in between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. So I was there. My parents still live there. My siblings still live in the state of North Carolina as well. When I chose to go to college, I did decide decide to stay in state. I went to HBCU, historically Black college university. So I attended the North Carolina A&T State University where I got a bachelor's degree in English. And I met a guy, of course, and he was from New Jersey. So he graduated a semester before me. After I graduated, I decided to move to New Jersey as well and actually was there for 20-plus years. That relationship didn't work out, but I always say everything happens for a reason because I actually started my first job out of college. I call it my real grown person job, and I met my husband there the first day. And we were actually in the same training class, and we were friends probably 5 years before we actually started dating and got married. And so next year, we will actually be celebrating our 20th year wedding anniversary. We have 2 children. I have a 10-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. So next year my son will be going into middle school and my daughter will be going to high school. So it is bittersweet as I do not want them to leave the house, but I do want them to leave the house. But we are definitely preparing for that. I still have close ties with North Carolina. We lived in New Jersey for 20 years and 5 years ago we actually moved to the Norfolk, Virginia area. And I moved here as I relocated we commuted with ADP to our office that was open here. So it got me a little closer to my parents, also got, got the grandkids a little closer, so they appreciate that. And to be honest, I miss Southern living, right? It's a little cold up north. The cost of living is definitely more expensive. So this has been a welcoming change and the family has really adjusted to it as well. So that's kind of my story in a nutshell. I will tell you, I'm usually very busy with work, but when I have a spare chance or moment, I try to walk. I like to travel with friends and family. And I also just like to sit on the couch and watch SVU, as you know, Joyce.

So that's what I was going to say. It better be Law Order: Special Victims Unit. It better be. We are in the club, the three of us.

Yes, I do.

Exactly. I do know it. Which brings me to our other SVU partner, and that would be Olivia Dunne. Hey, and I want to say before Olivia introduces herself, you know what, if I had had— I never thought about— if I had had from Voice America that sound that comes on before the show, I would have played. Too bad I didn't think about that. I met Olivia when she was at Merck. And why I'm bringing that up is she was so kind to me and so, you know, wanting to make this happen. So I already had an idea what she was like. Now, of course, she's at ADP. But Olivia, how about sharing your story with our listeners?

Sure. Thank you, Joyce.

And thank you again for having us. We're so excited to be part of your talk show and we're so excited to be your mentors again this year as well. And I did giggle when you said tour mentor. You are definitely not torment, or tormentor. I thought that was funny. But, yeah, so a little bit of my background. I am from northern New Jersey. I grew up here. My mom is actually from Germany, and my dad is American. So, I spent a lot of time kind of going back and forth as I grew up, and I have two younger brothers. So, I did go to college in New Jersey. I went to Ramapo College of New Jersey actually for pre-law, and then I just decided, okay, maybe I don't want to be a lawyer. A lot more schooling and probably a lot more student debt. So, I ended up going to Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland for my master's. And I went for international peace studies, which is kind of like international politics and just studying kind of war and peace. And I got to live in Ireland for a year. And then, I went to work for the European Commission in Belgium after that. And I really thought I was going to solve world peace for a time. And I came back to the US and I kind of found supplier diversity through my first job after college working for one of WBENC's regional partner organizations in New York City. So, I got the pleasure of, you know, meeting so many women-owned businesses and learning about their companies and certifying them so that they could, you know, do business with corporations. Through their supplier diversity programs, and I really fell in love. And that's, you know, what brought me to Merck, where you and I first met, where I really got to learn, you know, a global program and, you know, just how supplier diversity really impacts positively different communities, connecting me with all different organizations, including Disability:IN. And then I was really lucky to join Lorinda's team almost a year ago. It'll be almost a year on May 8th, so that, you know, we could continue the great work that she's been doing at ADP. ADP around supplier diversity and striving to really make it a global program within the next year.

Well, I am delighted to know both of you. And I— wow, am I ever lucky to have them as my mentors. They're great people and what a great company. So, Lorenda, talking about this great company, tell our listeners about ADP. Like, what services do you provide? How large is the corporation? What's the culture like? How about if you tell us a little bit about ADP?

Yes, absolutely, Joyce. So ADP stands for Automatic Data Processing, not to be confused with ADT, which is your security company, right? But just so people know, I have been working for ADP for 13 years now, and my mother still tells people that I work for ADT, so I don't hold that against her, but we are two totally different companies. So ADP is a comprehensive global provider of cloud-based human capital management, so HCM solutions. And so when you think about that, you think about HR, payroll, talent, time, tax, and benefit administrations. So if you work for a company and you go to your HR department, we probably provide a lot of the products and services that they provide to you. We do pay 1 in 6 Americans, and I always like to tell people— Wow. —at one point in your life, you have received a paycheck or you've received a pay stub probably from ADP because we do pay so many Americans. We do house a lot of data. We have all of the data and detail and stats that really sometimes come out from the government and other agencies as it aligns with employment, unemployment, what those rates look like. So we are truly a data company. We were recently named to Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, right? We were number 17 on the list. And ADP is actually celebrating our 75th year anniversary this year, right? So we have been in business for 75 years. So we're, we're very well known. I will say probably over the past 5+ years, we've really started advertising who we are. And that's because there's so many competitors in our space now. We are a great company. We do it best. We want to make sure that now younger generations also are aware of us and our products and our services. You know, I— you asked about the culture, and I like to tell people the culture is really what keeps me here, Joyce, right? No one wants to go to a job that they dread day in and day out, right? So the people come keep you at your company as well as the culture. So when I come in here, I am happy to meet and greet all of my colleagues in this department that I work in, right? I'm also happy at all of the things that ADP is doing as a corporation around diversity and inclusion initiatives. We've come a long way, and like many companies, companies, we still have a long way to go. But the fact that we have so many special programs in place that really represent inclusivity when it comes to our minority associates, our disability associates, our, our women associates is really a breath of fresh air because with that, we also provide opportunities to help those associates get to the next level through our business resource groups, right? We're not only going to try to ensure that there's training and development there, but we also want there to be networking so you can talk and work with colleagues that are like you, as well as look to be allies to other members of ADP who may be different than you, because we all learn from each other. So it's truly kept me here for 13 years. I appreciate everything that we're doing. Um, last year Maria Black, who is our current president and CEO, came on board. Um, she's been with ADP over 25 years, but she is one of those women now who is in that small, small list of women who run top corporations as a CEO. So we're very happy to have that, and she's great. I've seen her twice this year, and, you know, I was surprised she actually remembered me. So that tells you something, right? She knows her associates. She knows who she works with, and it's great to just be able to feel like you can walk up to her and start a conversation. So, you know, that's a little bit about ADP and what we do, but Joyce Bender: You know, a lot of people think to work with a company like ours, if you are a small business or diverse business, that you have to have many, many, many associates, and that's not the case. It takes one. We have a small business service organization, and it is specifically catered around businesses that have 1 to 49 associates. So we want to ensure that if you are a disability-owned company, if you're any diverse-owned company, that you have access to products and services that can help you when it comes to your HR services and needs. And then that allows you to focus on really what is the core— growing your business, spending time learning what you need to do day in, day out, and not worrying about something that a provider like ADP can help support you with.

Sounds great. Wow, that sounds so great about the company. Right now though, we're going to go to break. If you just joined us, You joined a great show because we are talking to Lorenda Thomas, Senior Director of Sourcing within Global Recruitment, and Olivia Dunn, Procurement Manager, Global Procurement Supplier Diversity. This is Joyce Bender. We'll be right back. Don't go away. Streaming live, the leader in internet talk radio, VoiceAmerica.com.

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You're listening to Disability Matters. If you have a question or comment, call in toll-free at 1-866-4-VOICE-AMERICA. 1-866-472-5788. That's 1-866-472-5788. Now please welcome back the host of Disability Matters.

Here's Joyce Bender. Hi everyone, welcome back to the show. And if you just joined us, we are speaking to Lorenda Thomas, Senior Director of Sourcing within Global Recruitment, and Olivia Dunn, Procurement Manager, and— Supplier diversity and great friend of mine. So I wanted to get back to you, Lorenda. Could you tell us about your role at ADP?

Yes, absolutely, Joyce. So I sit within our global procurement organization where we have responsibilities for purchasing products and services for our global 60,000 associates. We have roughly 32,000 associates in the US, and then the rest are sprinkled throughout the world in different countries where we also have areas of operations that include, you know, sites and locations. With that, the organization is responsible for purchases mainly in my space on the US side, but we do work with our colleagues that are international as well. And so what I— do, and I wear several hats within the organization, is I really have responsibilities for sourcing of certain commodities that are somewhat in the non-IT space and more operational that deal with the employees' needs, right? If an employee needs a pen, they may need to be able to find who our office supply provider is. If they need certain types of furnishings in real estate facilities, I have a team member that works on that particular space. Piece of it or in that space. I also have someone on my team that works and manages RFPs or requests for proposal. So let's say a business unit, let's say marketing for instance, needs to find a new supplier or vendor that does certain types of advertisements. They could come to that team member and get detailed information about 3 or 4 companies and from there we'd send a bid out to that company or those companies. I also manage things like marketing and office supplies like I mentioned I mentioned before, as well as our print production. And print production is big because that is the team that's responsible for procuring the actual paper and envelopes that our checks are printed on. Yes, we still have a large amount of customers that still like those paper checks versus getting electronic download to their bank. So, we still have emphasis on that. The part of my job that I hold near and dear to my heart is really supplier diversity. 60, and that pertains to finding opportunities for diverse businesses to sell their products and services to ADP. We want to ensure that a certain amount of spend is done with diverse businesses, and with that, we focus on women-owned businesses, we focus on disability-owned businesses, we focus on minority, we focus on LGBTQ, we focus on veterans, and we also focus on small businesses. So, For me, working with my other teams, it gives me a firsthand account to really insert the initiative for these opportunities because they know I manage this program and it really provides them the information and data they need to come to me if they're also doing some type of sourcing requirement engagement. So we spend a lot of time traveling, meeting with different diverse suppliers. Trying to find opportunities. We do a lot of matchmaking. We attend a lot of conferences and different events at the regional, local, and national level. And what we want to do is find opportunities for those businesses based off of our, our purchasing needs. Now, I do have a supply chain background and I have been doing it for probably 25+ years now. So I use that to my advantage. A lot of times when I meet a lot of suppliers, I know what they sell and I know who to go to as far as the business that may potentially need that because I've worked I've worked with them in another capacity in the past. So I use that to leverage those relationships to give them that opportunity to get in front of those businesses. And hopefully, or ultimately, what we want to do is find a way to get that business an opportunity to sell their products and services. We want them to get a contract. We want to ensure that there's longevity, right? They come to us and they sell us products and services. It's not a one and done. We want to continue to work with that business for as long as we can. And not only with one business area unit, we want to find other opportunities for you within the, in the company, right? We, we really focus on trying to ensure that outside of our external needs and how we bring in these suppliers, that we work internally as well to also promote the message of what supplier diversity is, what we do. Now, Olivia and I, we're a small 2-person team. Many times when I present, I will have people reach out to me, whether they email me or they ping me. They'll say, "Oh, I didn't know you did that. I didn't know we had that type of program at ADP." It's important that we find as many ways and avenues as possible to present what supply diversity is, why it is important, and why we want to give these opportunities to diverse businesses. That really aligns with the question that you received, right? Why would I choose Why would I choose a diverse business over my current supplier? We talk about how nimble, how great the support is, how there could be cost savings, which is always on everyone's mind, and also just about the thought and the caring of what a diverse smaller business may bring to the table versus working with a larger corporation and company. So these are all very important things to me. I am truly an advocate, or advocate for supplier diversity. I truly want to see and find those opportunities for diverse businesses. So this definitely is something that I've enjoyed doing the past 6 years and will continue to do as I want to ensure that we increase our opportunities and our spend in this space year over year and continue to really promote opportunities for these types of businesses.

And my listeners, you know, I'm a woman living with epilepsy. For the deaf and hard of hearing. Next year's the 30th anniversary of my company, but let me tell you, to have a company like ADP reach out to a disability-owned business enterprise is so incredibly helpful. So thank you, ADP. One other thing I have to mention. First DOBI. So there you go. You're working with the first DOBI out of 600 DOBIs. I'm with— so first DOBI, I'm with ADP. I could make that into a little button here for you. But with that, it's time for our commercial break to go to the news. And we have Perri Jude Radesic with us. On this very important voting day. So, Perry Jude, what do you have for us today?

Well, Joyce Bender, you said it. Today, Pennsylvanians head to the polls. It's primary election day here in Pennsylvania. We are the only state having a primary election today. Nearly half of the states have already held their primaries. There are 30 more states and territories scheduled to hold their primaries after us. So between now and the July and August presidential conventions, what an important year to be out and voting today. Here's a couple problems we normally see, questions that we get asked. Wanted to review them with your listeners, Joyce Bender, so that people understand their rights and responsibilities. The Dropbox. If you still have your mail-in ballot, or you come home tonight and you get it in the mail, don't mail it. Please do not mail your mail-in ballot today. Your ballot is supposed to arrive at the county elections office by the end of the day. It's not going to get there if you put it in the mailbox. You're either going to have to run it down to the county elections office today go to your designated drop box if your county has one, or take the whole package to your polling place and vote in person. That's really important. Now, if you're a person with a disability and you can't make it to the county elections office or drop box, you can designate an agent to take that ballot for you to those locations. We have a link to our form on our website. It's really important that you send that ballot off with a designated agent and that form. Um, get in line, vote in person. Uh, that's the other way. And so here's a question we hear all the time, is if I'm in line by 8 o'clock, can I still vote? The answer is yes. The polls close at 8 o'clock, but if you are in line at 8 o'clock You will still have the opportunity to vote. If you want to know where your polling place is, maybe you moved, changed your address, or just want a reminder of where your voting place is, go to votespa.org. We also have that link on our website, and you'll be able to enter in your address, find your polling place. Uh, hey, if you find yourself— yeah, Joyce.

No, no, go ahead, go ahead.

Yeah, um, and then there are other issues related to like, what if I'm in the hospital today? I didn't think I was going to be there. There are— there is an opportunity for an emergency absentee ballot. Again, at our website we have all the information to how to make that happen for yourself. Uh, and if you think you are experiencing discrimination, intimidation, and harassment in any way We have partnered with Election Protection. You call 866-OUR-VOTE and your issue will be resolved as quickly as possible. So Joyce Bender, advocacy matters. Get out and vote today, Pennsylvania. If you face challenges at the polls, go to Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE. We've got Election Protection hotlines in English, Spanish, Asian languages, Arabic, Also, we've got a phone number for ASL, and, and, and the National Federation for the Blind has a number too you could call for support. So Joyce, it's primary election day in Pennsylvania. Go to disabilityrightspa.org, scroll down the middle of the home page for all of the information by clicking on today's Advocacy Matters segment.

Joyce Bender: And don't go away, Perry. Um, you know, I am the vice chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities, and we are all about power, powering disability. And here in Pennsylvania, Bender Consulting Services is the organizer for Rev Up. REV UP, which we never had. I don't know how that happened here, but REV UP is Register, Education, Vote. Use your power. Make that disability vote count. So if you're a person with a disability, everyone should go vote, but I just want to say to people with disabilities, if you want to see change, vote. You know, if you don't vote, I'm going to say, well then, can't help you. Got to vote. And the words of Valerie Jarrett, everybody has to vote if they want to see change. Everybody has to vote. Get out and vote. Now, Perry Jude, I have a question for you. I called Perry because my husband called me, you know, he's always thinking disability because being married to me, which that's all he hears about morning, noon, and night. But he went to vote, and he's normally, when he votes, he's always had the screen, you know, where you can touch the screen as to who you want to vote for, but they did not have that. They no longer do that. They have a paper ballot, although Perry informed me that there's all voting places are supposed to have at least one accessible voting booth. My question though, how the heck— what are people going to do if they go to vote and they have cerebral palsy with hand movements, you know, extensive hand movements, or, or other disabilities now that they have to write on this ballot.

What about that? Yeah, that was, uh, that was difficult to read this morning, but that is the law, right? They only need one accessible machine. So that polling place that your husband was at should have had available an accessible machine that someone could go and use, uh, with a disability. That, um, uh, because you're right, Joyce, Yes, you, you're absolutely right. Uh, people cannot always navigate a paper ballot. So it is incredibly important that that polling place have an accessible machine for people with disabilities to vote on. If not, they're violating the law, plain and simple.

Plain and simple. So you're meaning no matter what, they could go and say, I want that accessible voting machine. That's right, machine. And if not, if that's not made available to them, they should pick up the phone here in Pennsylvania and call Disability Rights PA. What's your phone number?

Yeah, Joyce, well, I would actually send people to 866-R-VOTE, Election Protection. There are so many volunteer lawyers standing by today to help Pennsylvanians exercise their right to vote. Um, or yes, you can call Disability Rights Pennsylvania. Our phone number is 800-693-7443. That number is 800-693-7443.

But as you said, probably if you want to get right to it really fast, it's probably that first number you gave. What is that again?

Yeah, 866-OUR-VOTE.

O-U-R-V-O-T-E. Okay, you heard it, everyone. Come on, rev up, get out there and vote. And Perry, thank you so much for calling in every week. Thanks, Joyce Bender. You are a great anchor, Perry. Thank you. Bye-bye. We do that, we do this every week, Olivia, and Lorenda, and we are the only place that does this weekly news on disability issues, national disability, national and state, the only place. Because, you know, if you're watching CNN or any channel, you're not going to see, oh, here's what's happening in the disability committee. So that's, that's why we do this, so people can hear what's going on all the time. And as you all know, voting is so important, isn't it?

Absolutely. Yeah, definitely now more, more than ever. That's right.

So Olivia, I am so thrilled to be your tormentor at ADP. Never. I am, I am the mentee. ADP is my mentor. This is a program. Oh, it's such a great program. Such a great program, the disability, and my hat's off to you, Jill Houghton. This is such a great program. And Kathleen Castore, you are so awesome. Why I say that, if you're Adobe, if you're listening and you're a disability-owned business enterprise, this is the only place you can go where immediately You have access to all these high-powered executives in procurement or human resources. I mean, think about that. You know how hard that is to find the person, let alone get through to them? I call this the mentoring gift. The Dobies get this gift. So I think it's so awesome. Olivia. What— what do you do at Disability— and what I mean at ADP, what do you do?

Yes, so my role is strictly supplier diversity. I do report into Lorinda as she manages the entire program as well as the sourcing team that she mentioned, but my sole focus is really Supplier Diversity, managing the program, and also working to expand it. So, I've been in the supplier diversity space for almost 6 years. So, as you mentioned, Joyce, previously I did supplier diversity at Merck, and I joined ADP almost a year ago. So, I am a Supplier Diversity Manager within Global Procurement, and I'm really working to ensure that we are including small and diverse businesses in our overall supply chain and really, you know, introducing them to our stakeholders as well as building those relationships internally with our stakeholders and also externally with potential suppliers, right, to make sure that we have that door open to make introductions and really include small and diverse businesses in our supply chain. And kind of the day-to-day really looks like, again, that engagement stakeholder, you know, constant engagement with them, ensuring that we're included, right, in our their overall strategy to make sure we're including diverse suppliers. Another big piece of it is the overall education of supplier diversity. And I would say that's internal and external, right? We advocate for diverse suppliers internally to ensure that they're, you know, included. But we're also sharing and kind of educating more broadly externally through different, you know, certification webinars or presentations that we may put on when we're invited to different conferences. So, I think that that's really important too, because I think a lot of people, you know, may be aware of supplier diversity or may not be aware of it at all, but when you can educate them and give them tools, right, to really advocate and support diverse suppliers, they're more willing to do it, right? And then I also manage our Tier 2 program, so really ensuring that our prime suppliers are really holding that same commitment to utilizing diverse businesses. So, they do report that to us on a quarterly basis, and we, of course, report that to our clients who request it as well. And kind of forward thinking, we are looking to expand our supplier diversity program globally, as we are a global company. But right now, we have been focusing on North America. So, we're looking to expand within the next year globally. So really excited about that as well.

Oh, that is awesome. And Lorinda, if it weren't for you, really, I would not be your mentee because you came up to me at the meeting and said, hey, we want to be part of this. And I said, okay, let's go talk to Kathleen. Who's the mentee? Me. I'm the mentee. If it weren't for you, this would not have happened. But Olivia, what benefit do you see? I talked about for the mentee, but what about for the mentor? The Adobe Mentor Program, what do you— what advantages do you see?

Yeah, so I mean, I think overall Disability:IN is such an important organization, right? So I feel like as a supplier diversity professional, but also really as a person, attending the conference totally gave me a new perspective on things beyond just how to do business, right, with DOPEE. So when the opportunity came to actually participate in a mentorship program and be the mentor, I thought it was just a great way to really align our values with Disability:IN's and also really seeing it kind of mutually beneficial, right? I mean, again, I tell everybody, Joyce Bender, that you're the first DOPEE, so I knew that we would also be learning a lot from you. So it really goes both ways. And I think also the fact that I'm, you know, newer to, or I was newer to ADP, right, when we started this mentorship, that it also gave me the great opportunity to kind of go back to the organization and learn who are the right stakeholders, you know, to introduce you to, Joyce Bender. So I think it goes both ways in terms of, you know, I learned how to navigate a new organization that I was joining. I also learned from you since you've been in business for so long and you're so tapped into the Disability:IN Network. So I really see it as kind of a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship. And, you know, I'm just excited to continue to learn from you and from the Disability:IN Network, truly. Yeah, me too.

Me too. I mean, I just love this program so much. And Lorenda, how about you? What benefits do you see for ADP, we'll say, for any mentor?

What do you see? So Joyce, I echo everything that Olivia said. You know, for me, I know we will learn so much from you and it will help us in the long term as we grow and expand our program and definitely try to find more opportunities for disability-owned companies, right? I remember when I came into managing supplier diversity, and like most companies, you have budgets. I knew I wanted to be a part and join Disability:IN. At the time, I didn't have budget for it. And through probably 2 more years of advocating, working with our DE&I organization, working with our Thrive Disability Business Resource Group that was spun up, we were able to partner and get agreement from DE&I to help support and pay for that partnership. And what that partnership led to was opportunities to meet disability-owned businesses like yourself, to learn and grow from you. I remember my first time going to the Disability:IN conference and feeling somewhat uncomfortable because you don't know what you don't know. But out of it, I've also learned that if you question or you have questions about something, you ask, right? Am I doing something a certain way? Am I not? Am I addressing someone properly? So it's just that knowledge and information that we've received and will continue to receive from you as well as other disability-owned businesses that will truly help us when we want to continue to work and grow and find more businesses that can provide products and services to us, right? So for us, being your, your mentor, it really aligns also with how and what information you could provide us guidance when it comes to how we hire disability associates. How do we increase opportunities? How do we find more candidates, right? That's, that's one piece of it. And the other piece of it is what are other things that you do as well as other disability-owned companies that really help us think about not only how we work internally, but also the products and services that we sell, right? Are they accessible? Are they meeting our clients' needs who may have disabilities? So it's just that, that insight and that knowledge, I think, that goes both ways. For, for you, I hope that from working with Olivia and myself and other members of ADP, you learn more about our business so you can provide some of that insight So these are all very important things. And again, you are a wealth of knowledge, you know a wealth of people. I just, you know, am in awe when I hear you speak or when we have our conversations because I know we're going to get something out of every call that we have with you and your team.

The feeling is mutual. And while we're talking about all of this, Lorenda, you're so— you and Livia both— so pleasant, so friendly, so welcoming. So that comes from somewhere. We'll start with you, Lorenda. Who is your role model?

So, you know, when you think about role models, I would have to say that I really feel my, my mother is my role model, right? She worked very hard to support my sisters and myself when we were growing up. I also had a very strong grandmother that was also there when my mother was absent because she was working so hard, right? We made do with what we had. We never felt like we did not have enough. But I think what she instilled in myself and my sisters that was really important is, you know, from being from a small town, that it was okay to stay there. But there was also a larger world out there to venture out into. And with that, I I took that leap of faith. Granted, I stayed in school in the state of North Carolina, but I was still 4 hours away from home. And I remember when my mom left me, she dropped me off at college, and it was time for her to go. I remember running in the bathroom and crying because I didn't know if I was going to be able to stay here and not have the support of a family there. And I remember her calling me when she got back home, and I I told her, and she's like, "You're going to be fine. You're going to do well. You're going to graduate. You're going to get a degree. You're going to move on and do great things. You're going to start your family, and you'll have your own life." And so I just think about the sacrifices that she made. I think about the messages. I think about how hard she worked. And I just knew I had to, I had to succeed, and I had to do, to be great for her. And, you know, I feel she's proud of me now. Now. And she tells me all the time. And so, for me, that was the role model I needed, someone to tell me, you may be scared, you may have fears, but push through them because you will be successful at the end of that. And that you know, or I knew, that she would always still be there to support me, and she was only a phone call away if I needed it. Wow.

What great inspiration. Great advice. I love that. Story. How about you, Olivia? Thank you.

I think, you know, when I saw— when I think of this question, right, and I was like, wow, I guess I have never really thought of this before. But I really think that my Oma, which is my mother's mom. Oma is German for grandma. I really think that she has been my role model in my life. And, you know, she has really been through so much being born in Germany prior to World War II, being affected by World War II as a child, and really living as a refugee for most of her teenage years. And just, you know, hearing her life story and realizing how, you know, how much she has seen the world change, but also how much she has survived, you know, it has really taught me kind of perseverance. And anything that I think I cannot do, right, I can call my Oma and She definitely has a much worse story to tell me and to tell me that I will definitely get through it and constantly reminds me how lucky and blessed I am and how anything I set my mind to, I can really achieve. So, she's definitely set the standard high for my mom and then for me. So, she's definitely been the role model in my life.

Oh, that is awesome. So another hard question for you, Lorenda. What is your proudest accomplishment in your career?

So, so I would say accomplishments, make that plural, Joyce. I think sometimes as women we underestimate our, our capability. Sometime I remember, um, you know, coming to ADP and being challenged with leaving a company that I was very familiar with as I was there for 13 years, held multiple positions, and coming to a new company and wondering where that would lead me, right? What opportunities would there be for me? And as I've had several opportunities for promotions, you know, I've always said, one more promotion, when I get to this point, I'll be good, I'll be happy. And then I think to myself, why stop there? I know I have the capabilities that I can do so much more. So, you know, being in my role now as a senior director, I'm like, what's stopping me from being a VP? Absolutely nothing except myself, right? So when I think about where I've come from and thinking about when you graduate college and you get out from your undergrad, where you expect to go and what you want to do, you never really know what that path is going to be. You know, it's like that question, you know, what are you going to major in when you get to college? Well, coming out of high school, 9 times out of 10, you have no idea what you want to do for the rest of your life, right? And so I think that start out and we change what we think we want to do and then go into other areas in business. So I would just have to say I'm really proud of being able to be able to shift and pivot and do different things and excel at those things and not being fearful to go on to see where what else may be out there for me. I feel fear holds us back a lot of times. Sometimes we get comfortable, but for me, I've taught myself that I'm not going to hold myself back. I'm to be proud accomplishments, every promotion I've received, as well as all of the work that I've done, right? I really love the accolades that come out of working with supplier diversity and working with diverse businesses because it really shows shows how you're able to make a difference in, in, in perspective, right? How do I change the life of a small business, a diverse business, where giving them a contract or that opportunity to get a contract makes a difference not only in their lives, their businesses, their employees, even their communities, right? What that true impact is, is just, you know, that's like an award within itself.. And every time that happens that I can say, I found an opportunity for you, Mr. Small Businessman or Mr. Disability or Mrs. Disability-owned Business, it makes me just feel happy inside and know that I'm doing something to support something that's so near and dear to someone. Establishing a business, being an entrepreneur is no easy lift. It takes guts to get up every morning and work super hard and support yourself. And almost be doing it 24/7. So for me, the accomplishments that come out of that are what really make me proud as I look at my day-to-day.

How— oh, that is— yeah, I can see why. How about you, Olivia? How about you?

I think for me it's actually just finding supplier diversity. I think when I was in college, I was in my undergrad and doing my master's program, and I knew like what I cared about, but I didn't know how I could make a job out of it, right? And I found myself in more like public policy settings, and, you know, I just, I cared about it, but it was not quite for me. And I think that when I came back to the U.S. from living in Europe, and I found an organization like WPEO, which was a Webank regional partner organization at the time, and it really opened kind of this whole world of supplier diversity that I didn't even know existed. So, it kind of fell into my lap in that sense where, you know, I didn't go to school necessarily for supply chain or procurement or anything like that. But, you know, being introduced to supplier diversity from the, you know, advocacy organization side has been really amazing, right? So, I got to see both sides of it from the WBE side and then, you know, going to the corporate side and really finding you know, my place where I feel like I'm making a difference and it's something that I truly care about and it's something that I never even knew was out there. So, you know, definitely echoing a lot of what Lorinda said in terms of knowing that you're helping small and diverse businesses, advocating for them, and it's really just been an awesome journey for me and I'm excited to see where it takes me.

Well, it better take both of you right up to EVP. We need more women. I was very impressed with what you said. About your CEO. We need more women in leadership roles. Uh, so Lorenda, what message do you have for our listeners today?

So I, I think when you think about messaging as it relates to my day-to-day and what I do here at ADP in support of disability-owned businesses and all diverse businesses is think about where you spend your dollars. Joyce Bender: I often talk about this. I sometimes feel I preach this internally as well. You don't always have to give all of your money to big box stores or large corporations. There are opportunities for you to spend within your own local neighborhoods, right? Think about your dry cleaners. Think about where you get your hair and nails done. Think about where you get your printing done if you have any type of small business or you are a part of any type of charitable organization and you need flyers or marketing things or whatever it may be, there are so many businesses right there in your local communities that you can help support and help keep the community going and thriving. It's important that we support the entrepreneurial spirit of Americans, I feel. Especially since the pandemic because there was such a large shift where many people decided that maybe they did want to take that leap of faith and go into business for themselves. You know, I think about it all the time. Like I said, when I'm out shopping and, you know, can I go to Target or Walmart or is there somewhere else I can get these same products from and help support someone in my community, right? You think about the dollars that you're keeping in your your community. So, you know, that is my messaging as it relates to really just being able to spend and give back to your community. I think the other messaging I would have is, you know, when you think about disability and the fact that it does matter, and I truly appreciate the advocacy that was spoken about earlier with voting and ensuring that there's accessibility, that's also something that's really, really huge that we need to consider what are we doing to ensure that there is accessibility for all, right? That we all, whether we have disabilities or not, have the same opportunities. We can view and see and listen to the same things in whatever shape, fashion, or form that is. The products and services we are, we are buying, how those companies advertise it, right? These are, these are all important. So, the only way way, like you said, to make those changes, Joyce, is to voice your opinions and be heard so that it truly is one for all and all, and all is one as far as I'm concerned.

Oh, I hope you're all listening. And by the way, you can share this show by going to Spotify, Voice America, almost every social venue, and you guys better put it out there. ADP so everyone can hear. Lorenda Thomas, Senior Director of Sourcing within Global Recruitment, and Olivia Dunn, Procurement Manager, Global Procurement Supplier Diversity. We end every show with a quote, and today the quote is, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, "People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel," said the great Maya Angelou. This is Joyce Bender, America's Voice, where disability matters, at voiceamerica.com. Talk to you All next week. And in the words of Mary Brooker, when you go out today, remember, choose joy.

Voice America would like to thank you for tuning in. Please join us next Tuesday at 11 AM Pacific time and 2 PM Eastern time for another installment of Disability Matters right here on the Voice America Variety Channel. We are the leader in live internet talk radio. VoiceAmerica.com.