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2012 �Champions of Diversity� Announced

SOUTHPORT, CT, January 24, 2012 /-DiversityBusiness.com/ the nation�s� leading multicultural business website, today announced the honorees for its �Champions of Diversity Award� for 2012. This distinguished group of individuals are recognized for their outstanding achievements in various diversity initiatives within their companies and communities.

The �Champions of Diversity Award� represent individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to solutions in diversity issues on a regional and national level. The honorees have made a significant impact on diversity issues in employment, procurement, housing and education. These �soft� sell champions have not waved a diversity flag but have quietly made a difference in the lives of people by positively impacting their lives, and improving the economic conditions for their families and communities.

Some of the remarkable leaders joining this year�s list include Terry Lundgren, President & CEO of Macy�s, Floyd Pitts, S.V.P. & CDO of American Red Cross, Marion Gross, Vice President at McDonald's USA and Indra Nooyi, President & CEO of Pepsico Inc.

�I am extremely excited about this year�s honoree list� said Kenton Clarke, CEO of DiversityBusiness.com. �This recognition brings attention to real results provided by many different people representing all sectors of diversity and who can quantify success made by their efforts.

The �Champions of Diversity� will be honored at a special awards ceremony at DiversityBusiness.com�s 12th Annual Multicultural Business Conference, taking place April 25 � April 27, 2012 at The Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

�America should be proud of the results produced by the �Champions� and others, says Mr. Clarke. �They are most deserving of this recognition and they continue to make our country the greatest place on earth to live�.

Below is the complete list of this year's recipients.

Name	Company	Title
Bill Collins	American Airlines, Inc.	Vice President, Base Maintenance
Floyd W. Pitts	American National Red Cross	S.V.P. & Chief Diversity Officer
Brigadier General Fran L. Hendricks	Army & Air Force Exchange Service	Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Air Force
Simeon O. Terry	Austin Industries	Program Manager, Diversity Affairs
Diane G. Dempsey	BAE Systems, Inc. Intelligence & Security	Director, Socio Economic Business Programs
Donna Strickland	Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan	Supplier Diversity Manager
Victorian Martin	Chartis	Chief Diversity Officer
Maria Cannon	Cisco Systems, Inc.	Vice President - Partner Business Management
Dionisio Ortiz II	Corporate Development Solutions, Inc.	President & CEO
Deborah Rhynehardt Pickens	Eaton Corporation	Director, Supplier Diversity
Fiona Citkin, Ph.D.	Expert Ms Inc.	Managing Director, Expert MS Inc. & Author
Raul Espinosa	Fairness in Procurement Alliance (FPA)	CVO and Managing Partner, The Umbrella Initiative
Diana Starks	Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland	AVP, Diversity Officer for the Office of Minority
Susan Berkenbush	Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc.	Director, Sourcing & Vendor Management
Nereida Perez	Ingersoll Rand	Vice President Global Diversity & Inclusion
Brenda Marshall	Kelly Services, Inc.	Director, Global Diversity Solutions
Kim Martinez-Giering	KLN Logistics dba AIT Worldwide	President
Kim L. Hunter	LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS	President & CEO
Leslie Meacham Saunders	LMS Management	Principal D&I Strategist and Consultant
Nancy Deskins	Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems	Director, Supplier Diversity
Terry J. Lundgren	Macy's, Inc.	President & CEO
Marion Kelly	Mayo Clinic in Arizona	Director of Community & Business Relations
Marion Gross	McDonald's USA	Vice President
Colleen Mayer	MillerCoors	Manager, Supplier Diversity
Gerry Fernandez	Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance	President & Founder
Indra K. Nooyi	PepsiCo, Inc.	President & CEO
Sophia Angeli Nelson	SAN Enterprises LLC	Founder & President
Mel Jones	Skanska Construction	NorthWest Diversity Manager
Bert Carrington	SunTrust Bank	Manager of Supplier Diversity
Denise R.Thomas	The Kroger Company	Director, Corporate Supplier Diversity
Ruby McCleary	United Airlines	Director Supplier Diversity
Kathy Homeyer	United Parcel Service	Director of Supplier Diversity
Leslie Grossman	Women's Leadership Exchange	Co-Founder

Press Contact: | Quantise Rodgers | DiversityBusiness.com | Director of Communications | Contact Us |

About DiversityBusiness.com
Launched in 1999, DiversityBusiness is the largest association of privately owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and colleges and universities. DiversityBusiness provides research and data collection services for diversity including the "Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities", "Top 500 Diversity Owned Companies in America", and others. Its research has been recognized and published by Forbes Magazine, Business Week and thousands of other print and internet publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design.