Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to announce Marcia Wallace as its first Supplier Diversity Program Manager

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to announce Marcia Wallace as its first Supplier Diversity Program Manager. In this role, which she assumed in fall 2021, she leads CHOP’s Supply Chain team and works closely with CHOP’s Healthier Together Initiative, which seeks to address the social determinants of health in the neighborhoods around the hospital.

“CHOP, in addition to being the region’s leading children’s hospital, is also one of the region’s leading employers and purchasers,” said Alonzo South, Senior Director of Community Engagement at CHOP. “As CHOP grows its presence in West Philadelphia (and beyond), we are committed to increasing opportunity for local diverse businesses. Marcia Wallace is a key part of that strategy.

“As Suppler Diversity Program Manager, she will help our Supply Chain team further the hospital’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by working with the hospital’s Diversity Council, the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Economy League, and the University City District to identify diverse suppliers and educate the CHOP community about CHOP’s initiatives in this area,” South added.

Wallace will closely partner with various departments within CHOP, including Supply Chain, the Office of Community Relations, clinical and support service departments, and other leaders, and work closely with external organizations and vendors. The goal is to increase CHOP purchasing from local, diverse businesses and simplify the process for conducting business with CHOP, while also bolstering the existing Supplier Diversity program and helping businesses achieve financial prosperity, thereby growing the local economy.

“Creating the important role of Supplier Diversity Program Manager strengthens our ability to identify diverse businesses, including those that are minority-, woman-, and LGBTQ+-owned, while also educating the CHOP community about our initiatives in this area,” said Joni Rittler, vice president of Supply Chain Management at CHOP. “Marcia Wallace brings broad expertise that will further enhance CHOP’s steadfast commitment to supplier diversity and inclusion, while supporting our employees and local community.” 

A graduate of the University of Connecticut and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Wallace most recently completed the Certificate Program in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She began her career in higher education before transitioning to corporate America, working in aerospace, healthcare, and commercial industry within supply chain and operations as a strategic sourcing manager.

In the later part of her career, Wallace has focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement by chairing the Momentum Employee Resource Group at the Otis Service Center and serving as a Momentum Employee Resource Group board member who led community engagement across North America at Otis Elevator. Wallace is the recipient of numerous awards, including the “Clutch Award” for community engagement from the Momentum Employee Resource Group.

In her spare time, Wallace is an avid traveler and Bikram yoga enthusiast. She serves as a missions member at her church and has gone on medical mission trips to both Haiti and Bangladesh.