Supplier diversity: Program information

Suppliers included in Aetna’s supplier diversity program are companies that have been certified by third-party organizations acceptable to Aetna.

Suppliers include:

• African American-owned businesses
  
• Hispanic American-owned businesses
  
• Native American-owned businesses
  
• Asian Indian American- and Asian Pacific American-owned businesses
  
• Non-Minority Women-owned businesses
  
• GLBT-owned businesses (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender)
  

What is certification?
Certification is a way for suppliers to validate the ownership of their company. Several local and national agencies administer an in-depth review of all aspects of the business to ensure that it is owned, operated, and managed by minorities, women or GLBT individuals.

Why is certification important?
To give a supplier diversity program credibility, it is important for a corporation to require certification. It is impossible for a company, on its own, to ensure the ownership of all their suppliers. Certification provides an external resource.

For certification, the following organizations are recommended:

National Minority Supplier Development Council 
Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council 
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Administration 

Local, state or federal governments and agencies also provide certification. These include:

California- Los Angeles
California Department of Transportation
Chicago
Columbus
Connecticut
Florida- Broward County
Florida- Hillsborough County
Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority- MARTA
Maryland
New York State
Pennsylvania
State of Texas
Texas- Southern
Texas- Austin 

For more information, see our Supplier FAQ.