Marilyn Clark Awarded Impact of the Year Award
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 15, 2022) — The University of Kentucky’s Supplier Diversity Manager Marilyn Clark has been awarded the Impact of the Year Award by the TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC).
The Impact of the Year Award is given for distinction in extraordinary contributions and exclusive influence, recognizing the outstanding performance and achievements of the members and affiliates of the TriState Minority Supplier Development Council during the past year.
Each year, the Impact Award is presented in five categories: Corporation of the Year (for distinction in minority business opportunities); Corporate Representative of the Year (for distinction in personal leadership and support of minority businesses); Minority Suppliers of the Year in four categories (for distinction as a viable business and supporter of TSMSDC) and Impact of the Year (for distinction in extraordinary contributions and exclusive influence).
Upon receiving the award, Clark stated, “No one achieves anything noteworthy alone. My thanks to Barry Swanson, UK’s chief procurement officer, and the purchasing staff at UK. Their efforts make this award possible. I am passionate about the work we do to build the capacity of diverse businesses and connect them with opportunities here at UK. This is how we positively impact the local communities we serve. I feel fortunate to do such rewarding work.”
Additionally Clark wants to thank Cheri Henderson, president and CEO of TSMSDC, and her team who she said, “helped me grow professionally and personally through participating in programs like the Centers of Excellence (COE) — a two-year minority business development program that was recognized nationally; the Raising the Bar webinar series; the Marketplace Conference and match making events, the golf tournaments and so many other events designed to uplift minority businesses.”
“Marilyn works tirelessly in collaboration with internal UK staff, our external partners and with the diverse business enterprise community to provide education and connect diverse individuals and companies with opportunities to do business. Her work is important and it is impactful — not just for UK but for the community at large. This award is well deserved recognition of her efforts,” said Barry Swanson, UK’s chief procurement officer.
“Marilyn Clark was chosen this year to receive the coveted award as she goes about the business of helping to make a difference when the opportunity presents itself,” said Cheri Henderson, president and CEO of TSMSDC. “She stands out among other supplier diversity professionals as a strong advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion, while promoting the value of the benefits of council affiliation by encouraging MBE development, expansion and success.”
About TSMSDC
The TriState Minority Supplier Development Council is one of 23 regional affiliate councils of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, with a regional office located in Louisville, Kentucky. 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.