LATONIA STEWART-LIMMITT
Summary
Dynamic procurement leader with extensive experience at the City of Detroit, recognized for enhancing transparency and inclusion in public contracting. Proven expertise in procurement modernization and supplier inclusion strategies, resulting in a 25% increase in local business participation. Committed to fostering collaboration and ethical governance to drive community impact and operational excellence.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Board Member & Chair – Professional Development & Training
Michigan Public Procurement Officers Association (MPPOA)
Detroit, MI
12.2023 - Current
Deputy Chief Procurement Officer (DCPO)
City of Detroit
Detroit, USA
08.2022 - Current
- Lead contracting, procurement operations, vendor management, and compliance for more than $1B in annual purchasing activity, advancing citywide priorities for transparency, accountability, fair and inclusive contracting, and operational excellence.
- Designed and led the Minority Business Summit and Small Business Outreach initiatives, providing technical assistance, policy education, and supplier-readiness guidance to Detroit-based and minority-owned firms.
- Strengthened vendor engagement and pipeline development, increasing participation in RFPs, RFQs, and supply schedules.
- Partnered with City Council, CRIO, and community networks to reduce barriers to entry and simplify participation in public contracting.
- Created and launched the Construction Speed Networking Initiative, a citywide supplier-access platform connecting minority contractors with major prime contractors to expand participation in large-scale construction and infrastructure procurements.
- Established repeatable engagement models supporting subcontracting, local hiring, and equitable distribution of procurement opportunities.
- Co-led the formal increase of the City’s informal procurement threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, reducing administrative barriers, expediting purchasing timelines, and significantly expanding access for Detroit-based and small businesses to compete for City contracts.
- Increased Detroit-based business participation from 10% in 2022 to 25% through targeted outreach, vendor education, and access-focused procurement reforms, including Small Business Outreach, Minority Business Summit programming, and supplier pipeline development.
- Modernized procurement workflows, approval ladders, RFP/RFQ templates, and contracting processes to improve efficiency and cycle times.
- Implemented procurement performance dashboards tracking spend, cycle time, supplier participation, and contract outcomes.
- Strengthened contract management systems and vendor performance reporting.
- Oversaw $826M in ARPA-funded procurement activity, ensuring full 2 CFR 200 compliance, documentation integrity, and audit readiness.
- Led coordination with Finance, Law, and OIG to maintain ethical standards and mitigate procurement risk.
- Enforced ethical standards, competitive-bidding laws, conflict-of-interest rules, and public-spending mandates.
- Directed internal controls, compliance checks, and procurement policy enforcement.
- Coordinated with workforce, economic-development, neighborhood, and civil-rights teams to align contracting strategies with community benefit and local hiring goals.
- Advanced transparency through public-facing reporting and stakeholder communication.
Associate Director, ARPA Administration & Procurement Strategies
City of Detroit
Detroit, USA
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Conducted training sessions to enhance staff skills and knowledge in key areas.
- Oversaw daily operations, including personnel management and program implementation.
- Fostered a supportive team atmosphere to promote productivity and collaboration.
- Performed evaluations and identified opportunities for staff improvement.
Supervisor IV
City of Detroit
Detroit, USA
03.2019 - 08.2021
Procurement Specialist III
City of Detroit
Detroit, USA
08.2017 - 03.2019
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Davenport University
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) -
Western Michigan University
Skills
- Procurement modernization
- Small business outreach
- Supplier inclusion strategies
- Compliance with ARPA and 2 CFR 200
- Public-sector contracting
- Data-driven reporting
- Vendor accountability
- Competitive bidding compliance
- Ethical governance
- Construction contracting
- Technical assistance frameworks
- Executive leadership
- Workforce development
- Contract operations
- Transparency and public trust
Certifications Professional Training
- National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP)
- Michigan Public Procurement Officers Association (MPPOA)
- FTA Procurement
- 2 CFR 200 Federal Compliance
Organization
City of Detroit
Personal Information
Title: Deputy Chief Procurement Officer
Community Civic Leadership
- Creator, Construction Speed Networking Initiative
- Co-designer, Minority Business Summit & Small Business Outreach Programs
- Charter Member & 2nd Vice-President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Gamma Lambda Omega Chapter
- Charter President, Top Ladies of Distinction – Southfield Chapter
- Charter Member, Kanuni Unit, National Association of Parliamentarians
- Past President, National Pan-Hellenic Council (Local Chapter)
Statewide Leadership
Michigan Public Procurement Officers Association (MPPOA), Board Member & Chair – Professional Development & Training, 12/01/23, Present, Lead statewide education in public-procurement law, ethics, competitive bidding, and federal compliance., Strengthen procurement workforce pipelines through certification and continuing education.
Affiliations
Michigan Public Procurement Officers Association (MPPOA) Board Member/Chair of Professional Development
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Gamma Lambda Omega- Detroit, 2nd Vice- President
Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Southfield Chapter-President
Kanuni Unit, National Association of Parliamentarians- Charter Member
National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC)-Detroit, Nominating Committee Member
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IAA)- Detroit Chapter-Member
Project Management Institute (PMI)-Member
Accomplishments
- Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence-2024
Timeline
Board Member & Chair – Professional Development & Training
Michigan Public Procurement Officers Association (MPPOA)
12.2023 - Current
Deputy Chief Procurement Officer (DCPO)
City of Detroit
08.2022 - Current
Associate Director, ARPA Administration & Procurement Strategies
City of Detroit
08.2021 - 08.2022
Supervisor IV
City of Detroit
03.2019 - 08.2021
Procurement Specialist III
City of Detroit
08.2017 - 03.2019
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Davenport University
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) -
Western Michigan University