Denise Coley leads Cisco’s national and global supplier diversity initiatives. As the director, Global Supplier Diversity Business Development & Strategic Programs Office, she developed a Supplier Diversity Program that serves as a blueprint for Cisco’s international diverse suppliers and co-hosted the inaugural International Minority Business Enterprise Day at the 2013 NMSDC annual conference. Denise has managed significant global growth in the Supplier Diversity Business Development Program which now incorporates Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and the United Kingdom. She leads the supplier diversity Center of Excellence, Executive Mentor Protégé Program, Partner Operations Diversity Forum, Diverse Specialty Distribution and other programs.

There are three key best practices Denise relies on to achieve a high level of success. They are the Partner Diversity Program that drives diverse partner inclusion in business solutions; Second Tier Programs to drive diversity throughout the supply chain; and the Mentoring and Supplier Development Programs to build a robust national and international supply chain. Denise serves as a member of the board of directors of the NMSDC, WEConnect International, the Mountain Plains NMSDC and the Conference Board Supplier Diversity Leadership Council.

Favorite Quote:

“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” - Booker T. Washington

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