Carmen Deale is a Supplier Diversity Sr. Program Manager for Office Depot. In this role, she supports procurement and cross-functional teams to build and execute strategies that create opportunities for diverse businesses. She collaborates with the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, made up of senior leaders across the business, to discuss and implement strategies to help reach supplier diversity goals and create economic value for the business and communities served. Carmen believes that change depends on driving economic impact within local communities by providing opportunities to smaller and more strategic vendors that can grow within the corporate strategy.
In 2021, the Supplier Diversity Program expanded its focus on mentorship, strategic planning, and promotion of existing suppliers across the organization. The strategic plan established a four-year growth goal and launched a successful Tier II reporting program. Carmen engaged regional third-party diversity councils and sponsored first-time and renewal certifications to MWBE suppliers. She also leveraged media partnerships to expand awareness of Office Depot’s support for Black and Hispanic-owned businesses via Elevate Together™ powered by Round It Up America® and ESG initiatives.