In her role as Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity & Inclusion, UNFI, Yolanda Pierson has focused on helping diverse suppliers meet, learn, and grow. With leadership support, she started a UNFI Diverse Supplier Mentorship Program and created direct lunch and learn networking sessions. These efforts provide suppliers access to education and sourcing opportunities with key decision-makers within the supply chain. Yolanda has also worked with leadership to add supplier diversity initiatives to all contracts to grow Tier II/III opportunities.
Pierson builds internal relationships to move supplier diversity outside the procurement function to other UNFI teams. She worked to create Diversity Champions on each team to increase inclusion of diverse suppliers in all RFI/RFP opportunities and has developed a Champion Program that provides mentorship and education to diverse suppliers. Pierson collaborates with each internal team to set goals and targets around inclusion. There are monthly robust reviews of spend opportunities by category to provide visibility and alignment with the supplier diversity effort. Her goal is to ensure supplier diversity remains embedded in all purchasing decisions and the strategic procurement process.