Meet TransUnion’s Head of Supplier Diversity

At TransUnion, we embrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in all aspects of our organization, such as internal operations like recruiting, hiring and training — as well as whom we engage as suppliers and vendors. We remain committed to incorporating diversity and equity into our operations, including through a sustainable framework for supplier diversity.

With over 20 years of supply chain management experience, Deborah Mackins, Head of Supplier Diversity at TransUnion, has helped companies substantially increase their spend with diverse suppliers, manage risk in the supply chain and provide suppliers with opportunities for growth and development. We’re pleased to welcome Deborah as she shares about TransUnion’s new supplier diversity website, the importance of a diverse supplier base and goals for the future.

What is supplier diversity?

Deborah: Supplier diversity refers to a supplier base that is inclusive of underrepresented or underserved groups, such as minority, women, veterans, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. TransUnion is committed to having a diverse supplier base by maximizing procurement opportunities with businesses that are certified 51 percent or more as diverse-owned and operated.

Why is supplier diversity important to TransUnion?

Deborah: Having an inclusive culture is part of who we are at TransUnion. Supplier diversity provides new sources for materials and services with diverse-owned suppliers that share our core values. It also promotes innovation through the introduction of new products, services and solutions — and mirrors the demographics of our customers, shareholders and the communities in which we work. Not only that, but it drives competition in our supplier base.

TransUnion recently launched a new supplier diversity website. What are some highlights you can share about our program and the new website?

Deborah: TransUnion’s supplier diversity program has three objectives:

• Build sustainable relationships between key procurement decision makers at TransUnion and diverse-owned businesses that share our core values;
• Maximize procurement opportunities with these businesses; and
• Provide opportunities for suppliers’ development.

The new website offers more information on our program to suppliers, and it provides them a place to register their business with TransUnion for future consideration.

What will our supplier diversity program focus on this year?

Deborah: Our supplier diversity program is relatively new, but we are making great progress in standing up this initiative. Our key areas of focus for 2022 include the following:

• Establishing a baseline for our spend in 2021;
• Creating overall awareness and education on supplier diversity principles and TransUnion’s supplier diversity program;
• Developing inclusive sourcing processes and contract language, identifying opportunities and setting goals to increase our spend with certified diverse-owned and operated businesses;
• Creating opportunities for suppliers’ development; and
• Elevating our engagement with supplier diversity councils and chambers.

Looking to the future, what hopes do you have for supplier diversity with corporations across the country?

Deborah: Corporations should include Diversity, Equity & Inclusion of all kinds as a core value within their organizations. More specifically, I’d like to see supplier diversity supported as a business imperative that helps companies in achieving better outcomes and is included in corporate sustainability programs. Moreover, I hope we begin to view supplier diversity as a key component to driving economic mobility in the communities where we work and live.

For more information about our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion journey, visit our website.