Featured Speaker(s)

Edward Reyes Weil is a seasoned veteran of supplier diversity programs having worked at Unisys for over 20 years, and now Life Technologies. Ed Weil Reyes was recruited by Life Technologies in June 2009 with the goal of developing a world class Supplier Diversity Program for the life science leader. Working at Global Headquarters in Carlsbad, California, Ed has implemented several new programs and processes laying the foundation for building a successful program.

Adoption of a supplier diversity system by Life Technologies was one of the first accomplishments at his new position. SupplierGateway, a MBE, partnering with Diversity Information Resources, the pioneer non-profit diversity organization, have developed a supplier diversity portal for internal and external use at Life. Internally, buyers can search for minority, women, veteran or service disabled veteran-owned companies, conduct matchmaking interviews at scheduled times, and even issue Requests for Proposals if desired. Externally, potential suppliers can register and have their profiles available for viewing by Life Technologies and other Fortune 500 companies. The system provides reporting capability to Ed for monitoring the company’s performance. Ed earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. Ed’s other passion is protecting the environment, sustainability and the green movement.

Bonnie Breece is the Programs Manager for the BIOCOM Purchasing Group. BIOCOM Purchasing Group uses the collective buying power of the organization’s 550+ member companies to negotiate significant savings. Bonnie has worked for BIOCOM for 4 years, developing and marketing savings programs that create a win-win for all parties involved to support the life science industry as a whole. Prior to working at BIOCOM, Bonnie worked in marketing and communications roles for the American Heart Association, Kintera and the University of Phoenix.