CU Grow Matches Minority, Women and Locally Owned Businesses With Industry Experts
A version of this article was originally published by Columbia University Facilities and Operations.
On February 11, the CU Grow: Vendor Development Program welcomed its newest cohort with a vendor/coach matching ceremony that was also the launch of the program’s fifth year of helping minority-, women- and locally owned (MWL) enterprises grow their businesses. During the ceremony, executives of 21 firms were introduced to expert coaches that they will work with over the eleven months of the program. For the second year, due to the pandemic, the program will be offered online.
The Columbia Facilities and Operations-led initiative helps MWL firms build capacity and expand their business through opportunities with the University and other large clients. During a private breakout session, each participant met with their coach to identify their firm’s challenges, beginning the pair’s collaboration in creating a personalized three-year strategic growth plan that will inform the firm’s executive-level decision-making.
Following a structured curriculum designed by Columbia's School of Professional Studies, the experts guide the MWL executives through the program and support them in better defining their business policies and procedures by using their knowledge in business development, procurement, project management, finance, and marketing. During procurement events held throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to network with purchasers from various Columbia campuses and gain access to resources from other partners.
This past summer, the program introduced a "Marketing Expert in Residence" who was available for one-on-one virtual meetings to discuss pivoting a business during the pandemic. The Marketing Expert has now helped 14 alumni by providing strategies for social media, web marketing, and other digital initiatives. Starting this spring, two "Construction Experts in Residence" will join the team to provide high-level construction expertise in partnership with the School of Professional Studies’ Construction Administration Master’s Program.
“The program could not have assigned me a better coach than Deborah Romain,” said Shazia Anjum, president of Webnest Construction Company and a member of the fifth cohort. “I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and expand my network and I enormously enjoyed my first chat with my coach, and can tell already from the first conversation how this program will expand my thinking about my business!”
Since its inception in 2017, 62 firms have completed the program. CU Grow has also awarded over $48 million in contracts and approved 48 of the graduating firms to become Columbia vendors. Vendors who successfully complete this year's program are expected to graduate in December 2021.
The expert coaches and vendors in the fifth cohort include:
Cohort Five
- VENDOR
- Fernando Papale, BP Architects, PC
- COACH
- James Sugaste, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Betty Brano, Brano Design
- COACH
- Carola Martinez Finlay, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Ivona Pomianek, Construction by Regalis, INC.
- COACH
- Samuel Pierre, SMP Global Consultants
- VENDOR
- Kojo Idun, Costrak Consulting LLC
- COACH
- I.Javette Hines, CITI
- VENDOR
- Angel Marquez, Custom Design Innovations LLC
- COACH
- William Diaz, ESC Cabling
- VENDOR
- Michael Reed, Elite Construction Company of NY, LLC
- COACH
- Robert Dixon, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Santiago Helman, H&O Engineering, DPC
- COACH
- Michael Divitto III, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Yungbum Hahn, H2 Architects
- COACH
- Michele Wood, Michele Wood Consultant
- VENDOR
- Marlene Pacheco, Harrison Reid Safety Consultants Inc
- COACH
- Lloyd Grant, KIP Total Marketing Solutions
- VENDOR
- Esther Schwartz, Imperial Painting & Fireproofing, Inc.
- COACH
- Donald Niccoli, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Mashal Ali, Infra Tech Engineering LLC
- COACH
- Jose Morel, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Sylvia Cothia, Jetway Heating Cooling and Refrigeration
- COACH
- Diana Benjamin, New Genesis Pathfinder
- VENDOR
- Joanna Pertz, Joanna Pertz Landscape Architecture PC
- COACH
- Anna Abelson, AA Marketing Consultancy
- VENDOR
- Pauline Charles-Ajim, JPR BUILDERS 07 INC.
- COACH
- Patricia Warner, Convent 7
- VENDOR
- Arif & Niles SONI, Metropolitan Construction Corp.
- COACH
- Danielle Douglas, Inspire Enterprise
- VENDOR
- Andrea Addeo, Northeast Electrical Contractors
- COACH
- Kim Chen, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Barrett Feldman, PSF Projects Architecture D.P.C.
- COACH
- Tuesday Brooks, AJOY Management Enterprise
- VENDOR
- Shazia Anjum, Webnest Construction Company
- COACH
- Deborah Romain, Deb Romain Consulting, LLC
- VENDOR
- Stephen Wilder, Think Wilder Architecture PLLC
- COACH
- Patrick Danville, Facebook
- VENDOR
- Yolanda Castillo, Venus General Construction Inc.
- COACH
- Dennelle Clark, Columbia University
- VENDOR
- Joslin Johnson, Where to Get It Services, LLC
- COACH
- Diana Benjamin, New Genesis Pathfinder