Supplier Diversity

Think Global, Act Local: Buying from Our Community

Back in 1995 when Colleen Mayer was launching a new minority-owned business with four partners, she was surprised at some of the obstacles her company encountered. During her three years as a business owner, she realized she wanted to share her experiences to help other minority and women suppliers gain a foothold in the markets where they operate. “People have misconceptions about small businesses, for example the capacity and pricing we were able to provide. We really had to prove that we could do the job, and at a reasonable price.”

In December of 2000, Colleen saw the chance to use her experiences to help other women and minority-owned businesses when she was asked to join Coors as Manager of Supplier Diversity and Strategic Sourcing. She decided to seize the opportunity, and since then she has built the companys supplier diversity program into one that is integrated into the management performance metrics for the entire company. Shes in charge of assuring the inclusion of minority and women-owned businesses in the procurement process, connecting diverse suppliers with strategic sourcing managers for direct opportunities, connecting diverse suppliers with prime suppliers for subcontracting opportunities, and infusing the supplier diversity philosophy into Coors.

While Colleens experience within corporations and as a minority business owner gives her a unique understanding of the two perspectives, the passion she brings to her job has been passed down through generations of family history. Colleen, a third-generation Colorado native, comes from a long line of teachers. After arriving in Northern Colorado from Japan in 1917, Colleens grandmother Sunao Kinoshita taught Japanese to those born in the United States. Many of her relatives followed in Mrs. Kinoshitas footsteps, and Colleen also earned her bachelors degree in education.

“In 11 of the largest 15 US cities, non-whites are the majority. So, were not talking about some sort of handout for minority businesses, were simply buying from our community, who are also our customers,” says Greg Wade, Global Chief Supply Chain Officer. “Colleens background and connections give us a high level of credibility with diverse suppliers. They know were not just checking a box – this is how we do business.”

Colleen learned from personal experience what suppliers need to do to win and keep business. “Sometimes a relationship can get you in the door, but its cost, quality, service and delivery which keep you in,” says Colleen. “I tell my suppliers that they need to do their homework, understand our business goals and show up with a solution.” At Coors, Colleen also manages sponsorships for university programs which assist minority and women businesses in their development and success. “Im fighting for these businesses, helping them get in the door, grow and succeed.” With this energy and commitment, its no wonder that Colleen was named by Womens Enterprise USA magazine among its “100 Women Impacting Diversity” in May of 2006. Not surprisingly, she shuns such publicity: “I could never be successful in this position if it werent for the Strategic Sourcing group and all of Coors management – we all share the same commitment to supplier diversity.”

Colleen is the current President of the Coors Asian Network, and sits on the Board of the Rocky Mountain Minority Diversity Council, where she has served as past Chairman.