Keeping Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives progressing toward goals is not easy, when each organization’s end goal is to create a diverse, inclusive and green supply chain on a national or global basis. It takes a determination that is maintained over many years to never lose sight of what needs to be accomplished. It also requires creative thinking, innovative strategies to engage internal customers in DEI, supplier relationship building, and a passionate belief that unbiased inclusion is not a dream. But it is a reality that must be achieved. DiversityPlus Magazine is pleased to showcase the people who are making a desired new reality come true: the women and men named as the 2023 Top 15 Chief Procurement Officers.

These Chief Procurement Officers are remarkable people. Despite a pandemic, major business environment and supply chain disruptions, internal resistance to change in procurement principles, cultural differences in global supply chains, and geopolitical issues, they forged ahead without missing a beat. In fact, the men and women striving to shakeup procurement’s status quo did not view the challenges as barriers to progress. They leveraged the challenges as opportunities for change. Procurement professionals developed new Supplier Diversity programs, built new relationships with innovative diverse suppliers, collaborated with organizational leaders to change perspectives, partnered with advocacy organizations, and embraced technology to extend their reach. The procurement officers do a lot of talking too, patiently making the business case for a strong diverse supply chain.

The Chief Procurement Officers have two more common roles besides driving inclusion. They are also helping their respective companies meet environmental sustainability goals by greening the supply chain, and they are working closely with underrepresented and underserved communities. Procurement is no longer a simple source-and-buy function. Due to the efforts of forward thinking Chief Procurement Officers, procurement has taken a seat at the executive table, where critical decisions are made that influence workforce and supplier diversity, environmental and social goals, and the level of community support delivered on a consistent basis.

The wide range of strategies, programs, and initiatives the Chief Procurement Officers developed and implemented in a tumultuous business environment is impressive and inspiring. They pursued stretch goals, like those of Jose Turkieniez, who is working to transform global procurement. They are major contributors to their organization’s efforts to become a customer of choice and to embed ESG in the supply chain. The Procurement Officers give much credit to their procurement team members, but it is their leadership skills that built innovative teams with members who have a shared purpose in the DEI space. They coach team members, make collaborative decisions with their staff, encourage employees to participate in diversity-focused Employee Resource Groups and community organizations, and empower teams to do their best work.

One of the noticeable events this year is the growing presence of Chief Procurement Officers and their team members in diverse communities to support social justice. Here are a few examples. Chandrika Karavadra at Boston Scientific says procurement is an extension of the company team as it pursues social justice goals. Susanna Webber at Merck says procurement participates in a meal distribution program, while Lloyd Switzer at Telus works with Indigenous communities, and Kevin Gordon at Grady Health supports mentoring of diverse suppliers in the local community. Nikolaus Kirner at SAP prioritizes local suppliers.

Lynn Torrel at Flex partners with local advocacy organizations to mentor community suppliers. Alisa Bornstein at Visa strives to make a social impact in communities, while James Bos at Yanfeng serves on the board of the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council to impact communities. Christy Orazi at the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group makes serving the community her number one priority, Farryn Melton at Bristol Meyers Squibb supports job creation to make a community impact, and Susan Johnson at AT&T focuses on diverse supplier communities.

Also strong are the themes of environmental sustainability. Kevin Brandenburg at Parexel is focused on greening the supply chain. In fact, all of the Chief Procurement Officers believe inclusion of diverse suppliers is essential to meeting environmental sustainability goals.

Chip Patrick at Equitable sums up the passion of these Chief Procurement Officers for making positive change when he says he is focused on creating a culture of openness and creativity and wants to shakeup the stagnant procurement process. Barbara Kubicki at Wells Fargo believes in maintaining a “Just say yes,” attitude, and “yes” is what it takes to make sustainable change. DEI is not an endless dream for the 2023 Top 15 Chief Procurement Officers. It is a reality taking shape through their efforts.