A Conversation with HSM's Senior Director or Corporate Procurement Technology
Leslee Ducey is a senior strategy and operations leader with more than 30 years of experience in information technology. Her expertise in vendor management and sourcing comes from leading teams in the education, accounting and entertainment sectors. Having worked for several large, global companies, Ducey understands the need to establish strong vendor partnerships from a diverse pool. Joining forces with Hilton and HSM, Ducey and her team are working towards promoting inclusion, support and visibility within the hospitality landscape.
Can you describe HSM's Supplier Diversity Program?
The program began a decade ago, and in 2019, we embarked on a further journey of transformation, innovating our communications and outreach to better tell our story. We've succeeded in cultivating relationships with 4,900+ women-, minority-, veteran- and LGBTQ-owned businesses. Our supplier spend with these types of businesses has reached over $327 million, and we've committed to doubling our sourcing from diverse suppliers by 2030.
How are you and your team specifically contributing to supplier diversity at HSM?
I have made it a priority to instill in my team a commitment to grow diversity opportunities by adding diverse partners to any new technology RFPs for Hilton. Simultaneously, we are diving into opportunities to apply supplier diversity skillset mapping within the five technology category spend types. Additionally, we are using category grouping to help Hilton get a handle on technology- leading and forward-thinking niche skillsets.
Why is Hilton's commitment to supplier diversity so important?
In 2020, Hilton was recognized as the #1 Supplier Diversity program by Diversity Inc. A company's commitment to supplier diversity, especially under the umbrella of technology vendor partnership, can be beneficial in so many ways. First, inclusion promotes innovation through the introduction of new products, services and solutions. Supplier diversity within technology vendors also provides multiple channels from which to procure goods and services, driving competition on price and service levels. And, finally, supplier diversity is advantageous to all stakeholders, not just to the companies with programs.
Leslee Ducey
Sr. Director, Corporate Procurement Technology
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