2021 Top 25 Diversity Change Leaders Continue Progress in Difficult Times

Deborah Mackins Coaches Diverse Suppliers to Success at The Hartford


Deborah Mackins is the AVP, Head of Supplier Diversity for The Hartford. Throughout her career, diverse suppliers have landed corporate contracts and grown flourishing businesses. In one example, Deborah identifies the key elements of the supplier’s success as offering solutions to customer challenges, participating in mentoring and development, providing annual updates on the business, and building key relationships with customers. Her primary goal right now is to strengthen and build upon The Hartford’s Supplier Diversity Program.

Deborah is a member of The Hartford’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Subcommittee, and provides support to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer regarding his participation as a member of the Corporate Call to Action. The initiative confronts long-standing economic disparities based on race in the United States and pursues long-term measurable efforts to address issues of racial justice and advance economic prosperity for all.

Deborah relies on a variety of practices to drive change in Supplier Diversity. She works to understand the company culture, subcultures and build sustainable relationships with key procurement decision-makers. She develops value propositions, identifies opportunities, connects diverse suppliers to her corporate partners, and acknowledges the company’s champions of supplier diversity.


  • Favorite Quote: “All I ever wanted really, and continue to want out of life, is to give 100 percent... Also, to never take myself or people for granted and always be thankful and grateful to the people who helped me.” - Jackie Joyner-Kersee