Lamont Robinson
Leader of Responsible Sourcing
Spring,USA
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in managing supplier diversity programs, overseeing $2.1B in diversity spend. Skilled in aligning strategic objectives with measurable outcomes, fostering inclusive supplier networks, and enhancing organizational growth through innovative procurement practices.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Supplier Diversity
Netflix
Los Gatos, USA
10.2024 - 03.2026
- Established and globalized Netflix’s Supplier Diversity program, launching a Global Supplier Diversity Task Force of regional champions and managing hundreds of millions in addressable diversity spend.
- Partnered cross-functionally (sourcing, risk, finance, legal, IT, Production Finance, and Procurement Ops) to set program vision and KPIs, build data-driven workflows/systems, integrate diversity into the California Film & TV Tax Incentive, and influence internal and external partners and key vendors.
- Expanded the diverse supplier pipeline through outreach, development programs, trade shows, and sponsorships, and implemented audit and supplier-success measures to ensure spend-data accuracy and ongoing supplier performance.
CEO
Robinson LaRueCo Consulting, LLC
Spring, USA
05.2012 - 10.2024
- Led long-range strategic planning and served as primary decision-maker on company strategy, policy, and day-to-day operations, directing cross-functional priorities across operations, marketing, business development, finance, and HR.
- Managed stakeholder engagement, developed and enforced company policies and procedures, and identified and executed growth opportunities including investments, partnerships, and mergers.
- Advised boards and senior leadership on supplier diversity strategy while providing leadership, management, and operational oversight to align the organization with strategic objectives.
Director, Supplier Diversity
Cencora
Conshohocken, USA
02.2021 - 10.2024
- Launched and led Cencora’s formal Supplier Diversity program and Responsible Sourcing initiative, establishing governance, external communications (updated web messaging and CEO statement), and strategic/transactional partnerships with minority-owned banks and investment firms.
- Managed $2.1B in total diversity spend and launched a Tier‑2 portal (capturing $75M in FY22), a supplier-sourcing tool with category manager training, and a pilot Marketplace highlighting diverse manufacturers.
- Orchestrated a Supplier Diversity Council of 30 cross‑functional leaders with four workstreams, engaged 20+ customers on Tier‑2 reporting and strategy, and launched the company’s first virtual summit and Economic Impact Report.
- Facilitated a $100M investment into a minority‑owned investment firm and partnered with Legal to increase diversity among outside counsel, driving measurable inclusion across procurement and supplier ecosystems.
Vice President, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability
The Nielsen Company
Chicago, USA
08.2012 - 06.2018
- Led expansion of Nielsen’s Supplier Diversity and Sustainability programs, producing the inaugural Supplier Diversity Annual Report and a comprehensive diversity strategic plan for Sourcing and D&I leadership.
- Launched the RIISE strategy to drive revenue, infrastructure, spend growth, and education; established mandatory supplier diversity goals across business units; and identified global revenue-generating opportunities leveraging diverse suppliers.
- Created and managed the Nielsen Supplier Diversity Academy, developed a Diverse Leadership Network case‑study competition, and launched the Buy Local/Grow Global approach.
- Co‑launched the Nielsen Foundation TechDiversity Accelerator and the HeroZona veterans summit, and organized summits to increase supplier diversity spend and engagement.
Senior Director, Supplier Diversity
Novation (now Vizient)
Irving, USA
02.2009 - 07.2012
- Managed supplier diversity across Novation, VHA, UHC and Provista, leading a 14-member national Supplier Diversity Advisory Group and integrating diversity marketing across all entities.
- Launched tools, mentoring and Tier‑2 programs, Novation’s first Supplier Diversity magazine (Footprints), supplier diversity awards, and inaugural Business Opportunity Fair and Distributor Roundtable to connect diverse suppliers with healthcare organizations.
- Improved procurement processes to include diverse businesses, developed supplier-engagement resources, and co‑founded the Rutgers/Novation Healthcare Executive Program to educate diverse business owners on healthcare supply chains.
- Represented Novation and the GPO industry at high‑visibility events, including U.S. Senate briefings.
Director, Business Development and Supplier Diversity
VHA, Inc.
Irving, USA
11.2007 - 02.2009
- Designed and launched VHA’s enterprise Supplier Diversity program, developing and administering policies and initiatives to expand diverse procurement across the hospital member base.
- Established, tracked and reported Tier I and Tier II utilization goals; identified new product/service opportunities via regional offices; coordinated with internal staff and members to drive sourcing strategies; managed RFPs, vendor selection and contract negotiations with diverse suppliers; conducted outreach and trade‑show engagement with minority- and women‑owned business communities; and led cross‑functional teams to achieve program objectives.
Corporate Director, Supplier Diversity
Cardinal Health
McGaw Park, USA
09.2004 - 11.2007
- Partnered with Cardinal Health sales teams to drive incremental growth via supplier diversity, developing sales/marketing tools and RFP responses to meet customer diversity requirements.
- Managed contractual diversity obligations for hospitals, IDNs and GPOs; supported diversity spend conversions, sales incentives, and customer requests for diversity reporting.
- Facilitated joint ventures and strategic alliances with small businesses, mentored suppliers using internal resources, and helped exceed federal subcontracting goals two consecutive years.
- Secured major recognition (Premier Inc. Diversity Award, HealthTrust Gold Award 2007) and promoted the program through national media placements and industry representation.
Senior Purchasing Agent and Small Business Liaison Officer
Hospira, Inc.
Lake Forest, USA
05.2004 - 09.2004
Senior Purchasing Agent
Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Park, USA
10.2000 - 04.2004
Purchasing Manager
Lake County Forest Preserves
Libertyville, USA
06.2000 - 10.2000
Buyer
Lake County Forest Preserves
Libertyville, USA
02.1998 - 06.2000
Principle Account Clerk
Lake County Forest Preserves
Libertyville, USA
06.1994 - 02.1998
Education
Master of Business Administration - General Management
Keller Graduate School of Management
Chicago, IL06-2000
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL05-1994
HS Diploma -
Lower Merion High School
Ardmore, PA06-1990
Skills
- Supplier collaboration
- Strategic planning
- Policy development
- Risk management
- Budget oversight
- Data analysis
- Business development
- Trainer
- Mentor
Quoted Published In
- Drug Topics magazine
- Hispanic Network magazine
- Affinity Inc. magazine
- The Wall Street Journal
- CFO.com
- Black Enterprise magazine
- The Dow Jones Report
- Philadelphia Inquirer
- The Main Line Times
- Minorities and Women in Business magazine
- VHA’s Alliance magazine
- Diversity Executive magazine
- Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology magazine
- Minority Business News USA magazine
- Journal of Healthcare Contracting
- DiversityPlus magazine
- Women’s Enterprise USA magazine
- Black Employment and Entrepreneur Magazine
- The Veterans Business Journal
- Diversity Inc.
- DiversityBusiness.com
Leadership And Board Positions
- Chair, Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Sports Industry Group for the NMSDC, 2013 - 2016
- Board Member, NMSDC Supplier Diversity Advocacy Committee, 2015 - 2017
- Board Member, New York/New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, 2016 - 2017
- Board Member, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, 2013 - 2015
- Board Member, Asian Business Association, 2013 - 2018
- Vice-Chair, Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance, 2010 - 2012
- Board Member, Eluna Network, 2020 - Present
- Board Member, Concordance, 2021 - 2024
- Board Member, A Better Chance at Lower Merion High School, 2023 - Present
- Co-Chair, Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Sports Industry Group for the NMSDC, 2026
Awards
- 2017, Nielsen, National Veteran Owned Business Association’s (NaVOBA) Corporate Veterans Champion
- 2013 - 2017, Nielsen, Minority Business News USA – Top 75 Leading Men in Corporate Diversity
- 2013 - 2017, Nielsen, Black EOE Journal – One of the Top Supplier Diversity Programs for African Americans
- 2013 - 2017, Nielsen, Women’s Enterprise USA magazine – WE Corporations of the Year
- 2013 - 2017, Nielsen, Minority Business News USA – Corporate 101
- 2012, Novation, DiversityBusiness.com – Div50 award
- 2011, Novation, DiversityPlus Magazine – Top 30 Champion of Diversity
References
Available upon request.
Authored
TransformNational: Journey of a Bastard (autobiography)
Related Experience
- Senior Purchasing Agent and Small Business Liaison Officer, Hospira, Inc., 05/04 - 09/04, Lake Forest, IL
- Senior Purchasing Agent, Abbott Laboratories, 10/00 - 04/04, Abbott Park, IL
- Purchasing Manager, Lake County Forest Preserves, 06/00 - 10/00, Libertyville, IL
- Buyer, Lake County Forest Preserves, 02/98 - 06/00, Libertyville, IL
- Principle Account Clerk, Lake County Forest Preserves, 06/94 - 02/98, Libertyville, IL
Timeline
Director, Supplier Diversity
Netflix
10.2024 - 03.2026
Director, Supplier Diversity
Cencora
02.2021 - 10.2024
Vice President, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability
The Nielsen Company
08.2012 - 06.2018
CEO
Robinson LaRueCo Consulting, LLC
05.2012 - 10.2024
Senior Director, Supplier Diversity
Novation (now Vizient)
02.2009 - 07.2012
Director, Business Development and Supplier Diversity
VHA, Inc.
11.2007 - 02.2009
Corporate Director, Supplier Diversity
Cardinal Health
09.2004 - 11.2007
Senior Purchasing Agent and Small Business Liaison Officer
Hospira, Inc.
05.2004 - 09.2004
Senior Purchasing Agent
Abbott Laboratories
10.2000 - 04.2004
Purchasing Manager
Lake County Forest Preserves
06.2000 - 10.2000
Buyer
Lake County Forest Preserves
02.1998 - 06.2000
Principle Account Clerk
Lake County Forest Preserves
06.1994 - 02.1998
Master of Business Administration - General Management
Keller Graduate School of Management
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Lake Forest College
HS Diploma -
Lower Merion High School