Debra Voss is the manager, development of diverse business solutions, International Paper Company. Working to create mutual value for IP and diverse suppliers, she collaborates with sourcing teams to perform benefit/effort analysis of potential diverse supplier opportunities and to ensure the diversity vision is aligned with IP's business strategies. Voss also collaborates with diverse suppliers to deliver innovation, reduce costs and risks, and improve safety. She implemented a recognition program to incentivize buyers and celebrate supplier diversity achievements. Continuing to grow and expand the tier 2 program is also a key focus.
To drive progress, Voss works with internal procurement teams to assist buyers with developing a diversity strategy as a bid objective, going beyond simple inclusion of diverse suppliers in RFPs. She also publishes spend goals and results regularly. Voss trains and educates enterprise-wide teams, including working with sales teams to coach members on leveraging supplier diversity as a competitive advantage. Voss put best practices into place that include integrating supplier diversity into all organizational processes and goals, leveraging technology to connect with qualified diverse suppliers, and assessing diverse suppliers joining the supply chain for their ability to meet organizational goals.