Karin Cozzi is the Senior Supply Chain Manager, Supplier Diversity, at DTE Energy. She manages a Supplier Diversity strategy with five elements. First, including diverse suppliers in the sourcing and contracting cycle. Second, developing capabilities of diverse suppliers through the Supplier Mentorship program. Third, hosting bi-monthly meetings with buyers to discuss supplier diversity opportunities; and fourth providing resources to buyers via online SharePoint site. The fifth element is using metrics to track accomplishments and collaborate with key stakeholders, promoting continued program growth.
Under Karin’s leadership, the Supplier Diversity Program continues to gain momentum. She is building strong relationships between DTE and the supplier base and worked alongside her team to facilitate the response to DTE’s urgent request for PPE during the pandemic. Karin works with other Detroit-based companies and DTE’s Human Resources team to create workforce development and employment opportunities for youth and adults. Previous career fairs created thousands of employment opportunities. Her work also includes a standardized customer service representative training program used across multiple industries, creating employment opportunities for local residents.