Site Search & Select - Articles & News #LeBow College of BusinessSite Search & Select - Articles & News #LeBow College of Businesshttps://www.sitesearchselect.com/blogs/tag/lebow-college-of-businessTue, 24 Feb 2026 13:52:38 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Merck Creates a Revolutionary, Innovative Program for Select Diverse Suppliers  ]]>https://www.sitesearchselect.com/blogs/post/merck-creates-a-revolutionary-and-innovative-program-for-a-select-group-of-diverse-suppliers.Merck designed a program with Drexel University, a prestigious private university, and Diversity Alliance for Science, a national association advocating supplier diversity and inclusion in the life sciences field. Site Search & Select was the only hospitality firm selected to participate.]]>

Site Search & Select Was the Only Hospitality and Meetings Firm Accepted.

In today’s world we know the importance of creating environments that are supportive of diversity and inclusion. This post highlights the professionalism, vision and diversity and inclusion captured by a rising Site Search & Select.  The company recently captured the attention and a unique educational investment opportunity from one of the largest and most progressive Fortune 100 biopharma companies, Merck. 

The pharmaceutical global leader designed a program working in conjunction with one of the most prestigious private universities and a trail blazing national association advocating supplier diversity and inclusion in the life sciences field.  Site Search & Select was selected to participate.  Upon completion of this program our client partners and prospective clients can expect to exponentially reap the benefits and rewards as they partner with S3 to find the perfect global venue for their upcoming meetings, conferences, and events.


Site Search & Select Was the Only Hospitality and Meetings Firm Accepted.

In today’s world we know the importance of creating environments that are supportive of diversity and inclusion. This post highlights the professionalism, vision and diversity and inclusion captured by a rising Site Search & Select.  The company recently captured the attention and a unique educational investment opportunity from one of the largest and most progressive Fortune 100 biopharma companies, Merck. 

The pharmaceutical global leader designed a program working in conjunction with one of the most prestigious private universities and a trail blazing national association advocating supplier diversity and inclusion in the life sciences field.  Site Search & Select was selected to participate.  Upon completion of this program our client partners and prospective clients can expect to exponentially reap the benefits and rewards as they partner with S3 to find the perfect global venue for their upcoming meetings, conferences, and events.

The Merck Drexel Advanced Leadership Program for Diverse Suppliers

Site Search & Select (S3) is pleased to announce that Michael Hudson, CEO, recently completed the inaugural cohort of a groundbreaking program imagined, created and sponsored by Merck and implemented through Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business - The Merck Drexel Advanced Leadership Program for Diverse Suppliers. 

It is one of the first dedicated programs created by a Fortune 100 biopharma corporation in conjunction with a business school from a major university.  Merck and Drexel’s intention was to provide access for development of women owned and minority owned enterprises to ensure that they are equipped with the know-how to successfully compete, navigate and provide their unique goods and services successfully to Fortune 500 multinational corporations.  Merck, as well as other companies, are often opting for more diverse suppliers in order to get a more realistic worldly view and to ensure their products and services stand out.  However, they noticed a need for these diverse suppliers to get more training to put them on a level playing field with other suppliers.  The program consisted of Leadership, Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain Management customized exclusively for the success of these distinct suppliers. 

Of the 19 CEO’s servicing the bio life sciences sector chosen for the inaugural cohort, S3 was the only hospitality and event planning service provider and LGBTQ+ certified business enterprise that was ultimately selected to participate by Merck and its partner — Diversity Alliance for Science, the leading organization in the life science and healthcare industries promoting the economic growth of small diverse businesses.


The program has given me the tools to compete with many larger established competitors, but in a more agile environment

Michael Hudson, CEO Site Search & Select

“

The Merck Drexel ALP for Diverse Suppliers provided me with a deep dive review and immersion into diverse leadership, finance, marketing and supply chain management.  The program has given me the tools that uniquely position Site Search & Select to compete with many larger established competitors but in a more agile environment.  For our clients, these learner outcomes have been instantly applied to my business.  Our clients can have confidence that Site Search & Select is innovative, creative, professional and has an in-depth understanding of how to manage their global event projects, no matter how big or small, better than any other small business enterprise.”

The program has given me the tools to compete with many larger established competitors, but in a more agile environment

Michael Hudson, CEO Site Search & Select

“


The Merck Drexel ALP for Diverse Suppliers provided me with a deep dive review and immersion into diverse leadership, finance, marketing and supply chain management.  The program has given me the tools that uniquely position Site Search & Select to compete with many larger established competitors but in a more agile environment.  For our clients, these learner outcomes have been instantly applied to my business.  Our clients can have confidence that Site Search & Select is innovative, creative, professional and has an in-depth understanding of how to manage their global event projects, no matter how big or small, better than any other small business enterprise.”

How does diversity innovation work between a forward-thinking multinational corporation and a leader in higher education?

A master class by Merck and Drexel University provides the answer.​

How does diversity innovation work between a forward-thinking multinational corporation and a leader in higher education?
​
​A master class by Merck and Drexel University provides the answer.​


The inception of the program was the brainchild and a labor of love of Raul Suarez-Rodriguez, Director, Global Economic Inclusion & Supplier Diversity from Merck.  He had the inspiration, vision and drive to take on the monumental task of developing this cutting-edge program.  This high-level custom training course was developed out of the need to try to move the pendulum of business between non diverse and diverse suppliers.  Doing the right thing by maintaining a robust diverse supplier pool helps corporate (and all) partners distinguish their goods and services from their competitors which will positively affect their bottom lines. 

It was identified that there was a gap in revenues between these two categories of suppliers due to limited development and education within the diverse supplier world. This was especially true in the life sciences field.  By offering assistance to diverse suppliers with managing the RFP process Suarez- Rodriguez saw obstacles that could be an opportunity to improve upon.
The inception of the program was the brainchild and a labor of love of Raul Suarez-Rodriguez, Director, Global Economic Inclusion & Supplier Diversity from Merck.  He had the inspiration, vision and drive to take on the monumental task of developing this cutting-edge program.  This high-level custom training course was developed out of the need to try to move the pendulum of business between non diverse and diverse suppliers.  Doing the right thing by maintaining a robust diverse supplier pool helps corporate (and all) partners distinguish their goods and services from their competitors which will positively affect their bottom lines. 

It was identified that there was a gap in revenues between these two categories of suppliers due to limited development and education within the diverse supplier world. This was especially true in the life sciences field.  By offering assistance to diverse suppliers with managing the RFP process Suarez- Rodriguez saw obstacles that could be an opportunity to improve upon.
Raul Suarez-Rodriguez, Director, Global Economic Inclusion & Supplier Diversity at Merck

“

 

When reviewing results and feedback from procurement responses from non-diverse and diverse suppliers, Merck has identified limits with diverse suppliers’ RFP responses and how they manage themselves through these procurement processes.  Research shows this is due to the lack of business development and education within the diverse supplier community.  Therefore, this presented a unique opportunity for Merck to do something very special for the diverse supplier community.  Merck not only cares about diversity, equity and inclusion but is passionate about supplier diversity and providing as many resources as possible to make diverse suppliers better.  If diverse suppliers are better this makes them more apt to be able to do business with Merck and other Fortune 500 companies.”   

Raul Suarez-Rodriguez, Director, Global Economic Inclusion & Supplier Diversity, Merck

“

When reviewing results and feedback from procurement responses from non-diverse and diverse suppliers, Merck has identified limits with diverse suppliers’ RFP responses and how they manage themselves through these procurement processes.  Research shows this is due to the lack of business development and education within the diverse supplier community.  Therefore, this presented a unique opportunity for Merck to do something very special for the diverse supplier community.  Merck not only cares about diversity, equity and inclusion but is passionate about supplier diversity and providing as many resources as possible to make diverse suppliers better.  If diverse suppliers are better this makes them more apt to be able to do business with Merck and other Fortune 500 companies.”   

After a thorough RFI process was completed, Merck chose Drexel University LeBow College of Business and the Drexel University Solutions Institute as the architects of this program.  As an esteemed leader in higher education, Drexel is always at the crossroads of disruptive technology and its impact on business.  With 50% of their partners in the health sciences space, and Merck being a long-time partner with Drexel, the partnership to develop this unique program made perfect sense. 

Anna Koulas, Vice President of the Drexel Solutions Institute

“

The Drexel Solutions Institute collaborates with our corporate partners to create impactful solutions customized specifically for their unique needs. With the launch of this new opportunity with Merck – a longstanding and key corporate partner of Drexel University – we were thrilled to be able to work together to create training solutions that would assist Merck in further developing their suppliers.” 

After a thorough RFI process was completed, Merck chose Drexel University LeBow College of Business and the Drexel University Solutions Institute as the architects of this program.  As an esteemed leader in higher education, Drexel is always at the crossroads of disruptive technology and its impact on business.  With 50% of their partners in the health sciences space, and Merck being a long-time partner with Drexel, the partnership to develop this unique program made perfect sense. 

Anna Koulas, Vice President of the Drexel Solutions Institute

“

The Drexel Solutions Institute collaborates with our corporate partners to create impactful solutions customized specifically for their unique needs. With the launch of this new opportunity with Merck – a longstanding and key corporate partner of Drexel University – we were thrilled to be able to work together to create training solutions that would assist Merck in further developing their suppliers.” 

Which organization has the stellar reputation of being able to provide an amazing pool of talented diverse suppliers for this inaugural cohort? 

When it was time to provide talented suppliers for the program, Merck identified Diversity Alliance for Science for its partner. 



Which organization has the stellar reputation of being able to provide an amazing pool of talented diverse suppliers for this inaugural cohort? 
​
​When it was time to provide talented suppliers for the program, Merck identified Diversity Alliance for Science for its partner.


Kathy April Rush stepped up to collaborate with Merck to provide a vast array of talent from the Diversity Alliance for Science (DA4S) diverse supplier membership. As an Enterprise Lead of Supplier Diversity herself for another Fortune 100 multinational pharmaceutical company, she understands the critical need to invest in diverse talent. Kathy April Rush saw the need for this program. 

“

We need to support and develop diverse suppliers now so they can continue to help differentiate our businesses tomorrow.  If you can’t buy it ready-made, how do you build it?” 

Kathy April-Rush - President, Diversity Alliance for Science

“

We need to support and develop diverse suppliers now so they can continue to help differentiate our businesses tomorrow.  If you can’t buy it ready-made, how do you build it?” 

Using the power of higher education, diversity and inclusion and innovation, Site Search & Select can make a creative difference when it comes to your events!

Book A Free Consultation

Using the power of higher education, diversity and inclusion and innovation, Site Search & Select can make a creative difference when it comes to your events!

Book A Free Consultation

Participating Suppliers

Of course, there is appreciation from the supplier side as well. The suppliers that were involved in this program take away knowledge that can only help when competing with larger non diverse suppliers. The other positive impact this program had on suppliers was to meet and network with other people within the cohort. Raul’s advice to the graduates is “Research, Reapply, Reinvigorate and Revamp.  Utilize the powerful network within the cohort and develop communities of support and collaboration. This will increase your revenue and further develop your capabilities for therapeutic opportunities with biopharma organizations.” 


Participating Suppliers

Of course, there is appreciation from the supplier side as well. The suppliers that were involved in this program take away knowledge that can only help when competing with larger non diverse suppliers. The other positive impact this program had on suppliers was to meet and network with other people within the cohort. Raul’s advice to the graduates is “Research, Reapply, Reinvigorate and Revamp.  Utilize the powerful network within the cohort and develop communities of support and collaboration. This will increase your revenue and further develop your capabilities for therapeutic opportunities with biopharma organizations.” 

CEOs participating in the inaugural cohort of the Merck Drexel Advance Leadership Development for Diverse Suppliers:

CEOs participating in the inaugural cohort of the Merck Drexel Advance Leadership Development for Diverse Suppliers:

Alita Anderson

Principal, Eubio


Laura Bothe

Vice President

Bothe Associates Inc.

Sherlanda Brooks
President & CEO,
Diversity Sourcing Solutions LLC


William Francy
President Client Services
AdMed, Inc.

Michael Hudson
CEO, Site Search & Select


Justin Kane
Director of Strategic Capture &
Business Development
Magellan Transport Logistics
Eddilisa Martin
Co-Founder & CEO,
2M Clinical Inc

Chris Monica
President & Vice Chairman,
Magno International


Pamela Nelson, RN, Ph.D
President and CEO,
Bracane Company

Kelly Nguyen
Founder and CEO 
DrKumo 
(formerly IDLogiq Inc.)
Cal Quinn
CEO, Bancroft Capital, LLC


Wendy Miles Robbins
Executive Vice President
& Owner
Miles Printing Corporation
Uma Sharma
Chief Scientific Officer, MMS



Marilyn Stoval Fitzgerald
President, TransChemical, Inc


Artura Taylor
President and CEO
Taylor Distribution Group, LLC 
Jeanette Towles
President and Owner,
Synterex

Gail Trauco
CEO, The PharmaKon LLC


Robin Whitsell
President
Whitsell Innovations, Inc.


Bob Williams
President and CEO
SlateBelt Safety


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