Business Enterprise Development - Strategic Initiatives
Strategic Initiatives is a division within Business Enterprise Development whose primary responsibility is to develop and execute initiatives that strategically engage the vendor and small business community for development.
What We Do
- Provide an educational pathway and body of knowledge that vendors, resource partners, joint agency leaders, and other pertinent people of interest can fully understand the purpose and processes of the contract compliance agency.
- Establish vendors (prime and sub) as competent and positioned to bid on or support, and comply with county government contracts.
- Development of a centralized learning platform that provides on-demand education content for vendors
- Development of a strategic engagement plan that encourages the participation of existing vendors and attracts qualified new vendors for opportunities
- Provide opportunities for vendor and small business development through community outreach and agency collaboration
Youtube Channel
Did you know that we have a Youtube channel where we post helpful videos related to contract compliance and doing business with the County? Please feel free to visit our page for more information and videos.
Upcoming Trainings
We have numerous exciting opportunities to learn more from our our office please search below for upcoming events or visit our newly created events page here.
Upcoming trainings are added quarterly. Links to register for events can be found below.
November 10, 2026 (12 PM - 1 PM) Veterans Day Fireside Chat - From Service to Enterprise: Turning Mission, Relationships and Purpose into Business
In honor of Veterans Day, the Cook County Office of the Chief Procurement Officer presents From Service to Enterprise, a fireside chat with Victor LaGroon, an accomplished leader with nearly two decades of experience advancing health equity, shaping public policy, and building cross-sector coalitions to improve outcomes for underserved communities. Hosted by Nicole Mandeville, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer. Learn how veterans turn experience, relationships, and purpose into thriving businesses, how to think about government contracts, and how to get started doing business with Cook County. Register Here
November 18, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) Getting Certified with Cook County
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session on the certification application and review process. This session will cover required documentation, key steps, and common questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a member of the team and gain confidence in submitting a complete and accurate application. Register Here