344: Women In Supply Chain™, Sharon Manker
Sharon Manker is an award-winning supply chain and supplier diversity strategist with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Director of Supplier Diversity at Radian. A passionate advocate for women and underrepresented voices, she serves on multiple boards and committees to drive systemic change. Manker is also an author, having contributed to Drexel University's "A Legacy to Share," with proceeds supporting the first Black student endowment, and is writing a new book on advocating for change. She emphasizes the importance of lifelong education, having a diverse group of mentors, and taking intentional action to create economic impact in diverse communities.
In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain™, I’m joined by Sharon Manker – award-winning supply chain, supplier diversity and inclusion strategist; author; board director; keynote speaker; and advocate.
Sharon is a multi-talented supply chain and procurement professional, with over 20 years industry experience. And as a renowned advocate and diversity strategist, she brings that experience – together with her unrivalled passion – to committees, and stages, around the country, using her voice to elevate all the unrepresented voices out there.
Today Sharon will be talking to us about her career so far; finding community through education; advocating for change unapologetically; and creating supplier diversity programs that actually work. Plus, she’ll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps.
SHOW SPONSOR:
Women fuel the success of some of the world’s most successful businesses, yet barriers still exist. SAP is committed to supporting and elevating a new generation of women to profoundly lead and impact global supply chains and are proud to support the Women In Supply Chain™ series and its efforts.
Supply chains need to evolve from low-cost and optimized to risk-resilient and sustainable and SAP can help.
SAP Digital Supply Chain solutions connect the entire process — design, planning, manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, and service; connecting your supply chains to the rest of your business and all your contextual data; supporting your efforts in alleviating risk in your supply chains.
SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software and for the last 50 years has been helping companies to run better. Find out more at sap.com/scm
Sharon’s childhood career ambition, and how she inherited her impressive drive and passion from her mother.
Sharon’s ongoing learning journey, the importance of education, and how it led her to supply chain.
Sharon’s role as Director of Supplier Diversity at Radian, and her plans to bring data-driven, innovative initiatives to the industry.
The current challenges within supplier diversity, and the importance of advocates in bridging the gap to bring large corporates and small diverse businesses together.
How Sharon became a contributing author to Drexel University Black Alumni Council’s unique book “A Legacy to Share,” and a sneak peek at her upcoming book.
Sharon discusses Juneteenth – what it is, why it’s so important, and what she’s doing to mark the occasion this year.
Why Sharon is so passionate about pursuing roles on boards and committees and championing women and under-represented voices.
Sharon’s experience as a woman across her 20 years in supply chain, how important other women have been to her career, and how the landscape of the industry is changing.
The difference between mentors and sponsors, and the many and varied mentors that continue to play an important role in Sharon’s career development.
Sharon’s advice for companies looking to better support women and diverse voices in the industry.
The future for Sharon.
Resources & Links Mentioned
- You can connect with Sharon over on LinkedIn, or find out more on her website.
- If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out 196: Women In Supply Chain™, Madison Mobley or 334: Blended – Education: The Last Socially Acceptable Bias.
- Check out our other podcasts HERE.
