The Compass Institute: Guiding the Future of Economic Inclusion

For over 10 years, the Compass Institute has been a trusted guide for organizations, government agencies, and businesses seeking to advance economic inclusion. What began as a small gathering of PRISM Compliance Management System users has evolved into the nationally recognized COMPASS Conference—an annual event where innovation, education, and community impact converge.

How It All Started

The COMPASS Conference first took root as conversations with the PRISM User Group. At its core, the COMPASS Institute  provided direction, just like a compass, helping users navigate PRISM more effectively while giving valuable feedback on how to improve the product. Over time, what started as a technical workshop grew into a much larger platform for knowledge-sharing, industry collaboration, and advancing supplier diversity.

Shaped by Need, Strengthened by Purpose

The turning point came in 2020 during the pandemic. Small businesses, particularly minority- and women-owned enterprises, were disproportionately impacted by the economic downturn. The need for access to education, resources, and strategies became urgent. The Compass Institute emerged as a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no small business would be set back by future disruptions. Its mission: to provide training, tools, and standards that empower diverse suppliers and drive economic growth.

The Power of the PRISM User Group

At the heart of the COMPASS Institute remains the PRISM User Group. For more than a decade, organizations have relied on PRISM to streamline compliance, reporting, and supplier engagement. Users, ranging from the City of San Diego to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are not just system operators but innovators. They share real-world practices for moving from manual to automated processes, improving efficiency, and maximizing impact. These sessions highlight how clients can take PRISM to “the next level,” leveraging its productivity centers and advanced reporting capabilities to drive real change.

Evolving to Meet Industry Trends

The COMPASS Conference has grown beyond workshops led solely by staff. Today, customers and industry leaders take center stage, presenting on how they’ve advanced policies, streamlined operations, and measured outcomes like job creation and small business utilization. Sessions now emphasize practical takeaways—what attendees should bring back to their organizations—and how to use tools like PRISM to demonstrate economic impact.

A signature feature of the conference is the Economic Development Tour. This immersive experience takes participants into local communities to see firsthand how economic inclusion transforms neighborhoods. Meeting the developers, small business leaders, and innovators shaping these changes reinforces the tangible impact of equitable economic growth.

Looking Ahead: Setting the Standards

The Compass Institute is shaping the future by defining how organizations measure economic inclusion. In 2021, the Institute introduced The Top 10 Principles of Successful Economic Inclusion Programs. Looking 5–10 years ahead, the goal is clear: elevate outcomes by setting new KPIs that more accurately reflect success in diverse supplier engagement and economic equity.

Why Baltimore?

This year, the COMPASS Conference feels like a homecoming in “Charm City.” Baltimore’s diverse communities, historic neighborhoods, and ongoing redevelopment projects make it the perfect backdrop for a conference about transformation and inclusion. New for this year, attendees will experience the conference in Fells Point, a neighborhood rich with history..

As the CEO shared, “Every time we host in Baltimore, it’s relevant to what attendees can take back. There’s always something new to discover, and that’s exactly what COMPASS is about—discovery, growth, and impact.”

The Compass Institute and the COMPASS Conference continue to guide the way forward for businesses, governments, and communities seeking to create lasting economic impact. What began as a user group conference has grown into a movement; one that equips organizations to measure, report, and expand economic inclusion for years to come.

👉 Learn more about the Compass Institute and upcoming events at compassinstitute4dei.com.

Streamlined Vendor Access and Compliance Tracking with PRISM’s New Portal for Pittsburgh Public Schools

Baltimore, Maryland – PRISM Compliance Management, a recognized leader in software innovations with more than 25 years of experience and publisher of leading supplier and economic inclusion SaaS, PRiSMCompliance.com, is pleased to announce the launch of the Pittsburgh Public School’s new M/WBE Business Development and Compliance Management portal, powered by PRiSMCompliance.com. PRISM has been integrated with the Pittsburgh Public School’s financial management system, MUNIS, creating a centralized and user-friendly portal for vendors, contract tracking, and business diversity reporting.

“Pittsburgh Public School’s made the switch to a better, more comprehensive solution for supplier diversity,” said President and CEO of PRISM Compliance Management Donna Stevenson. “Our integrated solution will empower Pittsburgh Public Schools to effectively forecast solicitation goals; better track contract and subcontractor utilization; ensure compliance for sub payments and prompt payment; and demonstrate its commitment to including a competitive and diversified business community.”

From Pittsburg Post Gazette

“Having observed Early Morning Software’s progress and growth over the years, I have long admired their commitment to excellence and innovation in the realm of business diversity and procurement management,” said Minority and Women Business Coordinator Paula B. Castleberry “When the opportunity finally arose to bring PRiSM into our agency, I had high expectations—and I am delighted to report that the experience exceeded them.”

PRISM’s innovative solutions allow Pittsburgh Public Schools to effectively manage vendor information, to share procurement opportunities through a branded portal and to monitor contract compliance and achieve diversity goals. By automating contracts, payment, and reporting into a single platform, PRISM provides Pittsburgh Public Schools with enhanced visibility and simplified oversight of its procurement processes and compliance for subcontractor utilization.

Pittsburgh Public Schools is the largest public school district in western Pennsylvania, serving over 22,000 students across more than 50 schools. Pittsburgh Public School strives to promote equity across the region and through the new implementation of PRISM it will enable more opportunities for diverse suppliers within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

PRISM Newsroom

Equity in Action: Partnering for Progress with NFBPA

Community Service Day with NFBPA

In today’s rapidly evolving world, diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer popular buzzwords; yet they formed and are the foundation upon which economic growth, innovation, and meaningful progress spawn over the last decade. As the CEO of PRISM Compliance Management, a company built on achieving more through these principles, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible organizations who are dedicated to breaking down barriers for small and diverse business; streamlining contract and labor compliance; and empowering development of workforce communities. One organization that exemplifies this mission is the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA).

For nearly 40 years, NFBPA has been at the forefront of championing African American leadership within public administration. Their work is pivotal not only in fostering the next generation of    black and brown public service leaders but also in creating spaces where those voices can thrive and influence public policy for the betterment of all people.

What makes NFBPA’s role so crucial is their commitment to ensuring that leadership within public administration reflects the communities it serves. Historically, African Americans have faced numerous obstacles in accessing key decision-making positions. NFBPA is committed to dismantling these barriers and providing a platform for individuals who are often underrepresented. Their professional development programs, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy efforts play a central role in equipping public servants with the tools, networks, and skills necessary to succeed.

As someone who has had the honor of serving in leadership roles within NFBPA, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact this organization has on public service. My continuous involvement with NFBPA has strengthened my commitment to pushing for systemic change. 

During the 2025 FORUM Conference in San Francisco, I had the honor of facilitating a workshop titled “ A Windfall is a Win for All”. This trailblazing workshop touched on the current challenges of a transitioning government and gave strategies on how organizations can use data to yield economic impact and drive growth for small businesses, including historically underutilized businesses. The overall feedback from this workshop was positive and uplifting; enabled city and county leaders to learn key factors which will strengthen their small business program; and advanced their understanding of the crucial impact of proper data management. 

At PRISM, we are proud to partner with NFBPA. Their mission of expanding access, promoting leadership, and advancing community is one that we share deeply. Together, we can build a future where opportunity is truly equal, and every voice has the power to make a difference.