--- title: "PG Pathfinder: An inside look at our Supplier Mentorship Program" description: PG Pathfinder is a free, nine-month mentorship program for small suppliers. Learn how it works, who it's for, and what participants get out of it. image: https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Pathfinder%20(1).png --- [![PopulusGroup\_Plane\_Logo\_rgb-01](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PG%20Registered%20Logos/PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png?width=1966&height=1530&name=PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png "PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01")](https://www.populusgroup.com/en) - [Employers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/workforce-solutions) - [Careers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/job-seeker) - [Contractors](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contractor-resources) - [Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) - [About](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/about) - [Impact](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/impact) - [Work With Us](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contact) [The PG Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) Search Search this site on Google Search Google Subscribe ### Subscribe to Email Updates Select Category - [Industry (54)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/industry) - 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A room full of Fortune 500 decision makers. Your business's story. That's how PG Pathfinder ends for the small suppliers in each cohort. The nine months before it are what get them ready: monthly workshops with PG's executive team, sessions led by the enterprise buyers they want to win, and a cohort of five businesses growing side by side. It doesn't cost them a dime, and it's already paying off. One supplier from this year's group has landed a spot in a billion-dollar supplier program. Want to learn more about our PG Pathfinder? Here's how it works, who it's for, and what suppliers walk away with.   ### Where PG Pathfinder Came From Pathfinder started with a conversation. One of our largest clients shared a need around supplier development, and we saw a way to help. That conversation turned into a formal program, which launched its first cohort in the fall of 2024. It connects directly to what we believe at PG: everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed. Pathfinder is one of the ways PG answers that call and gives back to the business community. It started as a purpose-driven initiative, and it will stay that way.   ### Who It's For Each cohort includes five suppliers, nominated by our client partners. We look for businesses that: - Have annual revenue under $100 million - Are driven by a strong purpose and commitment to impact - Are led by coachable people who are ready to put new strategies to work - Want to share what they learn with others down the road Every supplier can bring two leaders to the sessions. PG sponsors the full program, so there's no cost to suppliers or to the clients who nominate them.   ### What Suppliers Get Out of It ###### 1. A curriculum built around your business Pathfinder meets once a month, and each session comes with pre-work so we can meet suppliers where their business is today. The focus is big-picture strategy, not one-size-fits-all tips, so leaders can put what they learn to work right away. Sessions include: - Identity to Impact: defining your purpose, culture, and goals - BD Growth Lab: building a sales funnel and moving prospects through it - DISC Workshop: understanding communication styles and getting the best from your team - Understanding MSP Programs: how managed services programs work and how to perform well inside them ###### 2. Time with PG's executives Pathfinder isn't run off to the side. PG's executives teach in it. President and Founder Bobby Herrera hosts an Ask Me Anything fireside chat with each cohort, and VP of Sales Mario Lambert leads a session of his own. Leaders from marketing and employee experience serve as mentors, too. ###### 3. Lessons straight from enterprise buyers In the program's second year, our partners started leading sessions themselves. Truist walked suppliers through what it takes to do business with an organization of its size and industry. AGS shared what success looks like in an MSP environment, using real examples. That's insight suppliers rarely get directly from the companies they want to work with. ###### 4. A stage in front of decision makers The program ends with a pitch competition. Each supplier gets ten minutes in front of senior leaders from PG and our participating clients to share their story, how Pathfinder has helped their business, and how they plan to pay it forward. The winner earns a ticket to a national industry conference. ###### 5. A network that lasts Suppliers finish the program with relationships across their cohort, PG's leadership team, and sponsoring clients in financial services, medical technology, and consumer goods.   ### How the Program Works 1. Client partners nominate suppliers from their supply chains. 2. Five suppliers are selected for the cohort. 3. Monthly workshops run over nine months, with pre-work before each one. 4. Suppliers join a fireside chat with Bobby Herrera. 5. The cohort wraps up with the pitch competition.   ### Results So Far Two cohorts in, Pathfinder is already making a difference: - One 2026 participant has landed a spot in another billion-dollar supplier program, and the client who nominated them credits Pathfinder as part of that success. - Our 2025 pitch winner, ATR International, joined us at NMSDC and has continued to close new deals since graduating. - Truist featured PG Pathfinder in its 2025 Supplier Development Economic Impact Report. - A global financial institution added Pathfinder to the supplier development programs it sponsors each year. This year's Pathfinder Pitch Winner is **AGM Tech Solutions. Congratulations to Founder & CEO, Mirtes Lobaito**, and Sr. Business Development Manager, **Lindsey Mirabile!** **![pathfinder winners](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pathfinder%20winners.png?width=843&height=475&name=pathfinder%20winners.png)** ### Why It Works for Everyone Suppliers gain knowledge, relationships, and access to opportunities they might not otherwise have. Our clients get to invest in supplier development and strengthen their own supply chains. And PG gets to live out its mission. When the program works the way it's meant to, we all win together. Learn more about Pathfinder by checking out the [PG Pathfinder Program page](https://learn.populusgroup.com/pathfinder-program?) on our site! We look forward to continued opportunities for collaboration and inspiration from our Pathfinders .  ## Leave a comment [![Taniesha Thomas](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Taniesha%20Thomas%20Oct%202026.png)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/taniesha-thomas) Written by [Taniesha Thomas](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/taniesha-thomas) Taniesha Thomas is passionate about helping others find and amplify their voices. As Populus Group’s Head of Inclusion, she brings more than 10 years of experience across Business Operations, Organizational Development, and Human Resources, with a focus on creating meaningful impact both inside and outside the organization. When she's not at work, you can find her creating all-natural self-care products for 22 Glow Body Naturals! ### Related posts ###### [Pay It Forward](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pay-it-forward), [Industry](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/industry), [Professional Development](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/professional-development), [Supplier Mentorship](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/supplier-mentorship), [Marketplace Inclusion](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/marketplace-inclusion) [How to Give \> Take](https://blog.populusgroup.com/how-to-give-over-take) [![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png) Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) ###### [Pay It Forward](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pay-it-forward), [Industry](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/industry), [Professional Development](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/professional-development), [Supplier Mentorship](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/supplier-mentorship), [Marketplace Inclusion](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/marketplace-inclusion) [3 Questions Every Leader Should Ask Themselves to Build Mental Strength on Their Team](https://blog.populusgroup.com/three-questions-every-leader-should-ask-themselves-to-build-mental-strength-on-their-team) [![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png) Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) **Corporate Headquarters** Populus Group, Troy Headquarters 3001 West Big Beaver Road Suite 608 Troy, MI 48084 [248-712-7900](tel:248-712-7900) [opportunities@populusgroup.com](mailto:opportunities@populusgroup.com) **Employment Verification Requests\*** [248-928-0530](tel:248-928-0530) [voe@populusgroup.com](mailto:voe@populusgroup.com) [Employer Services](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/workforce-solutions)[Begin Your Job Search](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/job-seeker) ©2023 Populus Group [Privacy Policy](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/privacy-policy)[Terms & Conditions](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/terms-conditions)[Site Map](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/sitemap) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-fb%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.facebook.com/populusgroup) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-twitter%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://twitter.com/populusgroup) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-instagram%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.instagram.com/populusgroup/) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-li%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/70117/) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-glassdoor%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Populus-Group-EI_IE259242.11,24.htm) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-youtube%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=39)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-O9v1hz-Q4OW0Ze0b9O_sg) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-gplus%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://plus.google.com/u/0/102588349136181669410) ![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-top%20png.png?h=33&la=en&w=33)