About Lisa Westgate
At the onset, allow me to share a pivotal moment from 2004. As the Director of Procurement and Vendor Management at a renowned firm, an unexpected request landed on my desk. The challenge? To allocate 10% of our annual revenue to minority and women-owned businesses, a concept unfamiliar at the time. Our response, though rushed, marked the inception of a new era in our business strategy.
Despite not securing that particular contract, the experience was invaluable. We transformed our approach, transitioning from makeshift solutions to strategic ones, and began to perceive diversity not as an obligation but as a powerful tool.
My tenure with the Commonwealth of MA amplified this realization. Here, I witnessed the profound impact of diversity programs. I was tasked with formulating strategic statewide contracts emphasizing diversity at Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels. This role provided insights into the symbiotic relationship between compliance-based and social justice programs. Irrespective of their origin, they converged on a singular path - propelling diverse suppliers into the marketplace.
Fast forward to 2016, a serendipitous meeting with the CEO of a cutting-edge data platform SaaS company altered my trajectory. Their capability to consolidate supplier diversity data for strategic sourcing resonated with my vision and provided the toolset I sought. Fast forward to 2021, I took a role with that SaaS company as a Solutions Optimization Engineer. I aided hundreds of people in refining their company's supplier diversity initiatives. This role only expanded my passion and profession perfectly aligned.
Want to discuss procurement, supplier diversity, or DEI? Email Lisa@LNWestgate.com
However, my vision extended beyond the confines of a SaaS company. I yearned to delve deeper into crafting policies, streamlining processes, and enhancing the interplay between tech stacks, procurement, DEI, and ESG-supplier diversity practices. It was this drive that catalyzed the establishment of LN Westgate, LLC.
With LN Westgate, LLC, my vision is two-fold. Firstly, to establish a firm that proudly stands as Small-, LGBTQ+-, and Woman-owned, championing businesses of all scales. Secondly, and most importantly, to mentor companies in comprehending and harnessing the power of diversity. By instilling solid policies, fostering efficient actions, and setting ambitious goals, I am committed to reshaping the business landscape.
Let's collaborate to create a future where businesses are commercially prosperous and socially impactful. Together, we can redefine the role of supplier diversity in sculpting a more inclusive and equitable world.
Supplier Diversity
Supplier diversity is a business practice that involves sourcing products and services from a variety of suppliers that represent diverse backgrounds. Supplier diversity is not just a social responsibility initiative, but a way for companies to enhance their competitiveness and improve their bottom line. Studies have shown that supplier diversity programs can increase innovation, provide cost savings, and help to build strong relationships with customers and communities.
Initiating a Supplier Diversity Program
If you are just getting started with a Supplier Diversity program we are here to help. From defining the program's goals and objectives, developing a plan of action, change management, creating a timeline, establishing metrics, identifying potential risks or to identifying challenges that may arise during the program's implementation. Allow us the opportunity to assist you with some or all of these.
Enhancing a Supplier Diversity Program
If you diversity program is stagnant or not reaching the expected goals, we can take a strategic, data-driven approach to increasing supplier diversity by helping your company set clear goals, develop targeted programs, and monitor progress to ensure success.
Raising the bar to a "Best in Class" Supplier Diversity Program
A best in class supplier diversity program sets clear and measurable goals that are aligned with the company's overall strategic objectives and are regularly monitored and reported on. A best in class supplier diversity program provides support to diverse suppliers in a variety of ways, such as offering mentorship and coaching programs, providing access to capital or other resources, and ensuring fair and timely payment terms.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We can tailor our services to meet any of your DEI needs.
Facilitation, Coaching, Workshops and Trainings
We can facilitate difficult conversations, mediate conflicts, and coach leaders and teams on how to communicate effectively and build more inclusive relationships. We offer an array of workshops and training sessions to help employees and leaders understand and appreciate differences, recognize biases and stereotypes, and learn how to create an inclusive workplace culture.
Analysis
We can conduct assessments and analyze data to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in DEI. This could involve analyzing workforce demographics, conducting employee surveys, or reviewing human resource policies and practices.
Strategy Development
We can develop DEI strategies that align with the organization's mission, vision, and values. This could involve setting goals, creating action plans, and developing metrics to measure progress.
Procurement
Procurement aims to obtain the desired products or services at the best possible price, while ensuring that the supplier is reliable, ethical, and able to deliver the required quality and quantity of goods or services. Effective procurement requires strong negotiating skills, knowledge of the market, and a clear understanding of the organization's needs and priorities.
Roadmap and development of procurement strategies
We can create a comprehensive plan to manage procurement activities effectively, achieve goals, and realize cost savings and other benefits. These can include details on cost reduction, supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, tech stack assessments along with monitoring and reporting on goal tracking.
Vendor/Supplier Relationship Management Overview
We will identify the tools and knowledge needed to optimize vendor or supplier relationships, resulting in improved performance, better communication, and reduced risks. We can perform a contract review through a compliance and performance analysis. From assisting with internal and external communications, escalation protocols, and other conflict management frameworks, to identifying opportunities for implementing changes for improvements in process and relationships.
Data analysis
A variety of data can be analyzed in order to support decision-making and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement process. The specific data that is analyzed may depend on the needs and objectives of the procurement function, as well as the type of goods or services being procured. Generally, spend analysis, supplier performance, market intelligence, contract performance, supplier risk, cycle times, costs, and other metrics related to the procurement process may be assess
Speaking Engagements
Customizable
Our experienced team can speak to various topics within procurement, category management, sourcing, tech stack, solutions optimization, supplier diversity, DEI, business organizations, mediation, mentoring, women, LGBTQ+.
Training
Individual, Teams, Groups, Departments, Entire Organizations
Our experienced team can customize training to your needs in various topics within procurement, category management, sourcing, tech stack, solutions optimization, supplier diversity, DEI, business organizations, mediation, mentoring, women, LGBTQ+.
Certification Assistance for Small and Diverse Companies
A Dedicated Partner to Small & Diverse Organizations
Maria is the Founder and Principal of M&A Supplier Diversity Consultants (M&A SDC), a well-established consultancy firm. She is a dedicated consultant with an exceptional track record spanning over two decades in the public sector. She leverages her extensive knowledge and expertise to support organizations in their certification process. A true champion of the Small, Minority, and Woman-Owned business communities. Email Maria
Our Partners
