2/6/2009
The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Warner Norcross & Judd, LLP has been selected its 2009 Diversity Visionary Award recipient.
The Diversity Visionary Award is given to a person or organization that demonstrates excellence and commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Past recipients include Cascade Engineering, Steelcase CEO Jim Hackett and Robert Woodrick, former president of D&W Food Centers.
"The field of nominees was extremely competitive," says Sonya Hughes, the Chamber's Vice President of Diversity Initiatives and Programs. "So much is going on throughout the business community to improve cultural competency, but the selection committee was particularly impressed with Warner's systemic diversity effort, and the ways it is measured and sustained." Warner Norcross & Judd’s efforts include minority student scholarships, career exploration and clerkships, firm-wide diversity education, using diverse vendors, and holding themselves accountable by producing a public report detailing the firm's diversity initiatives and progress.
"The involvement of our attorneys and staff in these initiatives has been critical to our progress in becoming the diverse and inclusive organization we aspire to be. It is very humbling to receive this award, especially in light of the visionary leaders who have received it in the past. We are honored to be in their company and grateful for the recognition," says Rodney Martin, Diversity Partner for Warner Norcross & Judd.
Rodney and other members of the Warner team will accept the award at the Diversity Visionary Award Celebration on March 12, 2009, 5:30 p.m. at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s Ambassador Ballroom. This event will also feature a keynote from Dr. Scott E. Page, professor of complex systems, political science and economics at The University of Michigan. Author of The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies, Page will speak about how diversity improves performance and decision making, and why collective wisdom works.
All are invited to attend the Diversity Visionary Award Celebration. Chamber member price is $60 per person, non-member price is $85, and corporate tables are available for $750. Proceeds from the event help fund the Chamber's Diversity programs, such as the Institute for Healing Racism, Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP), and more.
There are sponsorship opportunities available for your company. This is a great way to place your company name and message in front of hundreds of fellow Chamber members, while showing support for diversity efforts within the Grand Rapids Business Community. Sponsorships range from $250 to $10,000, so there is a level to fit every budget. For sponsorship information, please contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357 or .
Source: Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce