UK’s Marilyn Clark named ‘Corporate Representative of the Year’ by TSMSDC
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 23, 2024) — Marilyn F. Clark, economic inclusion manager for the University of Kentucky, was named “Corporate Representative of the Year” by the TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC) last month. Clark was recognized for being a strong supporter in promoting supplier diversity and minority business development.
“This honor is very special to me because this award was vetted and given by the certified minority businesses of TSMSDC. Any award comes as a result of teamwork. I appreciate the leadership from Barry Swanson and the dedication of the Procurement Services team,” said Clark. “Economic Inclusion is about making sure every Kentuckian has a seat at the table and access to opportunities to build a safe and secure financial future. Business ownership is a proven way to build generational wealth. I am very passionate about the innovative work we are doing to build sustainable businesses in Kentucky.”
Clark received the award at the Impact Awards Gala, held virtually on April 25. Cheri Henderson, president and CEO of the TSMSDC, welcomed viewers to the event to celebrate the remarkable achievements of corporate members and certified minority businesses across the council’s three-state region: Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. In leveraging certified minority businesses, the council is the connecting link to profitable relationships among its stakeholders, locally, regionally and nationally.
As UK’s economic inclusion manager, Clark works across the enterprise to increase spending with diverse suppliers. She works closely with the procurement team, project managers and departments to introduce minority, women, veterans and disabled and LGBTQ-owned businesses into the UK supply chain. In addition, Clark leads the Equitable Economic Development Committee, a subcommittee of the University of Kentucky’s Economic Development Collaborative.
“Marilyn does great work in the area of economic inclusion at UK, in the Lexington community and across the entirety of the Commonwealth,” said Swanson, UK’s chief procurement officer. “Her work is important, and I am very happy to see her work not only being acknowledged here in Kentucky, but also across the larger tri-state region."
Other honors recognized at the Impact Awards included “Corporation of the Year,” awarded to Toyota and “Impact of the Year,” awarded to Herman Williams, M.D., president of HW Healthcare Solutions in Nashville.
Clark had previously won the “Impact of the Year” award in 2022.
About TSMSDC
The TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC), is one of 23 regional affiliate councils of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, with a regional office located in Louisville. The council ensures the development of mutually beneficial relationships between ethnic minority businesses and major corporations, by promoting and expanding business and procurement opportunities as they strive to be the product and service of choice.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.