The World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba on the PGA TOUR not only showcased some of the world’s top golf talent, but Jim Kavanaugh, CEO of sponsor WWT, and his team also had the unique opportunity to promote and educate the importance of “a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that fosters a sense of belonging.”
World Wide Technology (WWT) is in its second year as title sponsor of the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, and the organization has dedicated a tremendous amount of their resources this week to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives that they will share to its hundreds of attending partners, clients, staff and guests.
As one of the largest minority-owned companies in the United States, its mission of enforcing diversity, equity and inclusion is rooted in the company’s makeup.
“As a global organization, it is critical for WWT to look at the world through a different view,” Kavanaugh said.
“As we continue to focus on the landscape of our global business, it is extremely important to understand the different cultures and experiences of all of our employees at WWT. Building DEI into the DNA of our company and our core values supports these efforts, but it requires vigilance.
“WWT is an organization that’s growing quickly. As a result, we must be very intentional about ensuring that DEI is embraced at every level of the organization and that we have buy-in from both leadership and employees. A true DEI strategy will aim to ensure that everyone is given equitable access to opportunity.”
WWT serves as title sponsor of the Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Player Development Program.
Established in 2010, the APGA Tour is a non-profit organization with the mission to prepare African Americans and other minority golfers to compete and win at the highest level of professional golf, both on tour and in the golf industry.
As part of WWT’s support, the top five eligible players from the final APGA Tour standings were brought to Mexico for the Monday Qualifier, including Trey Valentine, Kamaiu Johnson, Andrew Walker, Ryan Alford, and Marcus Byrd.
These five players are also playing in Tuesday’s Pro-Am. In addition, former PGA TOUR pro Brad Adamonis earned an exemption into Mayakoba by winning last month’s APGA Tour’s inaugural Ascension Classic at Glen Echo Country Club in St. Louis.
Kamaiu Johnson became the first player to win the World Wide Technology Player Development Program bonus pool reward with his victory in the Mastercard APGA Tour Championship at TPC San Antonio in August.
He has earned a full exemption on to the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica.
Following Tuesday’s Pro-Am, the participants and PGA TOUR pros will be treated to a short panel discussion with two of the APGA Players, Kamaiu Jonson and Andrew Walker, as well as APGA CEO Ken Bentley.
The Q&A is hosted by Bob Ferrell, Executive Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Public Sector Strategy at World Wide Technology. Ferrell is a retired Army Lt. General, who joined WWT in 2017 after 38 years of service, culminated by his position at the Pentagon as Chief Information Officer for the Army.
We were proud to host Jeffrey Holzschuh of Morgan Stanley, Michael Descheneaux of Silicon Valley Bank, and Joseph Impicciche of Ascension on topics of business and culture and opportunities that the changing landscape in each respective industry brings for 2023 and beyond,” Kavanaugh said.
“We were honored to have a panel hosted by Michael C. Bush of Great Place to Work on workplace transformation and inclusion, as well as a fireside chat with Jay Monahan of the PGA TOUR on the topics of growth, innovation, and the great game of golf. Thank you all for your friendship and collaboration and for adding incredible value to our event.
“Much of our DEI journey has been led in large part by our workforce and their desire for a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that fosters a sense of belonging,” Kavanaugh emphasized.”
On the golf course, the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba featured a marquee field that includes two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland of Norway; reigning Masters Tournament winner and PGA TOUR Player of the Year Scottie Scheffler; two-time major champion Collin Morikawa; last week’s PGA TOUR winner Seamus Power of Ireland; and a significant contingent of top players throughout Latin America.
Off the course, WWT executives were in the community for such events as “Career Discovery Day” for 10th and 11th graders at local K’iin Beh School, participating in a “Career Readiness Workshop” for at least 20 local university students, and they took PGA TOUR players to K’iin Beh School, so the children can meet some of golf’s rising stars.
