ABOUT CAMSC
The Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) facilitates the growth of Indigenous and minority owned businesses, by connecting them to procurement opportunities with companies and governments committed to a diverse and inclusive supply chain.
Founded in 2004, CAMSC is a not-for-profit organization that certifies and prepares diverse suppliers to successfully engage and respond to corporate and government buyers. At the same time, we help large organizations develop and enhance their inclusive procurement processes, and connect them to certified suppliers.
By 2031, one in three Canadians will be Indigenous or a visible minority, and their economic success is essential to a thriving Canadian economy 1 2. Minorities and Indigenous Peoples are entrepreneurial, buying and starting businesses at significantly higher rates than the Canadian average. CAMSC connects buyers and suppliers, so that organizations benefit from the innovative solutions, cost savings, improved employee retention, local job creation, brand loyalty, and increased revenues that result from a diverse and inclusive supply chain.
What We Do & How We Do It
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Introductions & Relationship BuildingCAMSC helps connect Corporate Members and diverse Certified Suppliers through a number of exclusive opportunities, creating long lasting partnerships. EventsWe host frequent networking events (in-person and virtual), including forums and roundtables, our annual Procurement Fair, and Business Achievement Awards. See our upcoming events. Tools and ServicesCAMSC offers a wide variety of tools, such as our Diversity Business Directory: a searchable database of Certified Suppliers and Corporate Member contacts. Services include one-to-one matchmaking and customized supplier lists that prequalify suppliers for upcoming opportunities. Learn more about the benefits CAMSC offers to Corporate Members and Certified Suppliers. Brand ExposureCompanies can also gain visibility and build brand awareness in their desired markets through channels such as event sponsorship, industry award recognition, newsletter success stories, and promotion on digital platforms. Contact us to promote your brand. |
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Supplier CertificationCAMSC offers national certification, giving Indigenous and minority owned suppliers access to the leading Canadian network of organizations committed to diverse and inclusive supply chains. Our Corporate Members invest in outreach and training, and revise processes, to achieve a diverse and inclusive supply chain. They request certification to be sure that their investments in supplier inclusion are reaching the intended businesses. ReciprocityThrough our affiliation agreement with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), CAMSC Certified Suppliers can also access the leading American network for supplier diversity. |
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Advisory Services for Corporate MembersCAMSC helps Corporate Members develop a business case and inclusive sourcing policies and processes, and offer support for the implementation of leading strategies to actively include diverse suppliers. Supplier Capacity BuildingThrough webinars, forums, and bootcamps, we help suppliers better understand strategic sourcing processes, position the value-add of their offering, improve their bid response, and develop a variety of business skills to enhance their success securing contracts with CAMSC Corporate Members. |
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Media & Policy EngagementCAMSC communicates the business, economic, and social benefits of supplier diversity, while engaging all levels of government to shape inclusive procurement policies. We highlight corporate leaders and their achievements to showcase the many advantages of inclusive supply chains. |
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Introductions & Relationship BuildingCAMSC helps connect Corporate Members and diverse Certified Suppliers through a number of exclusive opportunities, creating long lasting partnerships. EventsWe host frequent networking events (in-person and virtual), including forums and roundtables, our annual Procurement Fair, and Business Achievement Awards. See our upcoming events. Tools and ServicesCAMSC offers a wide variety of tools, such as our Diversity Business Directory: a searchable database of Certified Suppliers and Corporate Member contacts. Services include one-to-one matchmaking and customized supplier lists that prequalify suppliers for upcoming opportunities. Learn more about the benefits CAMSC offers to Corporate Members and Certified Suppliers. Brand ExposureCompanies can also gain visibility and build brand awareness in their desired markets through channels such as event sponsorship, industry award recognition, newsletter success stories, and promotion on digital platforms. Contact us to promote your brand. |
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Supplier CertificationCAMSC offers national certification, giving Indigenous and minority owned suppliers access to the leading Canadian network of organizations committed to diverse and inclusive supply chains. Our Corporate Members invest in outreach and training, and revise processes, to achieve a diverse and inclusive supply chain. They request certification to be sure that their investments in supplier inclusion are reaching the intended businesses. ReciprocityThrough our affiliation agreement with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), CAMSC Certified Suppliers can also access the leading American network for supplier diversity. |
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Advisory Services for Corporate MembersCAMSC helps Corporate Members develop a business case and inclusive sourcing policies and processes, and offer support for the implementation of leading strategies to actively include diverse suppliers. Supplier Capacity BuildingThrough webinars, forums, and bootcamps, we help suppliers better understand strategic sourcing processes, position the value-add of their offering, improve their bid response, and develop a variety of business skills to enhance their success securing contracts with CAMSC Corporate Members. |
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Media & Policy EngagementCAMSC communicates the business, economic, and social benefits of supplier diversity, while engaging all levels of government to shape inclusive procurement policies. We highlight corporate leaders and their achievements to showcase the many advantages of inclusive supply chains. |
The Benefits
Supply chain innovation & savings |
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More contracts awarded to
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Business growth for Certified Suppliers |
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Revenue increases for Corporate Members |
Job creation with more diverse candidates |
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Thriving local & national economies |
Vision
To be the nationally recognized, respected, and trusted business partner, leading supplier diversity in all industry segments, with proven results in wealth and job creation for Indigenous and minority suppliers.
Economic value is created through the innovation and competitiveness that diverse suppliers deliver, as connections and supply chain business opportunities increase.
Mission
To champion business relationships and the economic growth of Indigenous and minority suppliers, through their inclusion in Canadian supply chains.
Executive Committee
Board Members
Staff
Paige Devernichuk is a proud Métis woman from Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Communications and a diverse background in communications, marketing, business operations, and relationship management. Passionate about community engagement, inclusion, and creating meaningful connections, she brings a collaborative, people-first approach to her work. As CAMSC’s Corporate Member Specialist, Paige is excited to support corporate members, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to advancing supplier diversity across Canada.
Indigenous Advisory Committee
Corporate Committee
Nadine has been with CBRE Global Workplace Solutions for over 6 years and brings more than 20 years of Supply Chain Management experience in various industries, including manufacturing, telecommunication, and facility management.
Bill O’Dell is an accomplished professional with more than 20 years in education, leadership and diversity. He currently works in Supplier Diversity and Inclusion for Ford Motor Company, collaborating with diverse businesses to help them thrive.
Bill’s work in Supplier Diversity and Inclusion is a testament to his unwavering dedication to educating and supporting others, and he believes that by working together, we can create a better future for all.
In an industry where personal connections and networking are so vital, Celso is linked to leaders in various business sectors and dedicates a lot of his time and energy, growing relationships and connecting with new people.
Joined BDC in 2011 and has worked across various departments. Since joining Finance, she has built up over nine years of experience in leading procurement processes, including the launch of the bank’s Supplier Diversity Program in 2019
Supplier Committee
Praveen Kumar is the CEO of 2iSolutions Inc, an IT/SAP consulting company and CBO of Algo8.ai, an Industrial AI company with a head office in Toronto and offices in India, the Netherlands, and the USA. In addition to the above businesses, Praveen is also the founding partner of an IT Health and Business Management College in Toronto and a Paper manufacturing plant in India
Cynthia Dorrington is the President of Vale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting Inc. Established in 2004, Vale & Associates is a boutique consulting firm specializing in providing strategy and advisory services as well as customized training and development for organizations. As President, Cynthia undertakes consulting work with small to medium-sized organizations across various industry sectors from start-ups, to businesses undergoing growth, to mergers/acquisitions with an emphasis on strategic positioning of its human resources and managing change. Expertise in areas such as organizational strategy, people strategy, equity, diversity and inclusion, supplier diversity, change management, governance, performance management, as well as HR advisory services has allowed Vale & Associates the opportunity to provide consulting services to several clients locally, nationally, and internationally.
Bill Stewart founded Wilcox Door in 1992, and his dedication to innovation and excellence has propelled it to become a leading force in the industry. The strategic acquisitions, expansion across Canada and into the USA, and the proud certification as an Indigenous family business reflect the values of determination and success. This inspiring story of growth and achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and forward-thinking approach that Wilcox embodies.
Before his current role as President of Vanity Fashions Limited (Canadian company founded in 1989 and a leader in the fashion jewellery industry), Yemi worked with Scotiabank for over 13 years, where he retired as a senior client relationship manager – commercial banking. Prior to immigrating to Canada in 2001, Yemi was a Senior Executive and head of commercial banking at Sterling Bank (Nigeria) Plc.
He has over 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry including, commercial and retail banking, microfinance, accounting, treasury management, audit and assurance.
Partners
At CAMSC, we’re building a network of partners who collaborate with us to advocate, build capacity, and grow opportunities for Indigenous and minority owned businesses. Together, we are committed to creating an inclusive economy.
The SDAC (with members CAMSC and CQCC) collaborates and aligns advocacy, research, and learning efforts to advance Supplier Diversity in Canada.
The Global Supplier Diversity Alliance provides a platform for collaboration between organizations in five countries: Canada (CAMSC), Australia (Supply Nation), China (MSD China), South Africa (SASDC), and the United Kingdom (MSDUK).
The Afro Canadian Contractors Association assesses the needs and capacity of Black owned construction companies, and provides resources to facilitate their growth.
The ACCE encourages entrepreneurship and strengthens the competitiveness of Chinese Canadian businesses in the global market.
The Black Business Initiative is the principal economic development agency for Black communities and businesses in Nova Scotia.
The BBPA addresses equity and opportunity for Canada’s Black communities in business, employment, education, and economic development.
Cando builds capacity and strengthens Indigenous economies by providing programs and services to Economic Development Officers.
Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce enables the 2SLGBTQI+ business community to grow through advocacy, education, capacity building, and connections in partnership with allies.
The Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) is a national organization dedicated to accelerating Black entrepreneurship through equitable access to funding, programs, and support. Over $50M has been deployed to date to over 600 Black businesses nationwide.
Futurpreneur Canada provides financing, mentoring, and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39.
The ICCC fosters economic relations between Canada and India, and creates opportunities for Indo-Canadian owned small businesses.
Latincouver creates a socio-economic space to promote relationships and cultural exchange among Latin Americans and the Canadian mosaic.
Minority Supplier Development in China drives the development of minority owned businesses, by connecting minority suppliers with major purchasing corporations for procurement opportunities.
Minority Supplier Development United Kingdom brings together innovative and high growth minority owned businesses with global corporations committed to creating an inclusive and diverse supply chain.
The North American Association of Asian Professionals is dedicated to leadership development, career advancement, and connecting pan-Asian professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs.
The National Minority Supplier Development Council is the leading American organization linking minority owned businesses to large American corporations.
The SASDC promotes supplier diversity by encouraging and assisting its member corporations to increase business opportunities for certified Black owned businesses in South Africa.
Supply Nation partners with its member organizations to develop procurement policies that modify and redirect spend to include the traditionally underutilized Indigenous business sector in Australia.
TECHNATION is the industry-government nexus for information and communications technology in Canada.
WEConnect International is a global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers around the world.
