| Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, it was inevitable that Natalie Robinson ’03 would later become a business owner. In 2012, Robinson was presented with an opportunity to lead the Supplier Diversity Program for CBS Corporation. After four years in that role, she was promoted to vice president, strategic sourcing and supplier diversity.
Robinson’s responsibilities are to provide access, growth and development opportunities for qualified, diverse suppliers who meet specific CBS procurement requirements. A diverse supplier is a business that is certified as being minority-owned; woman-owned; lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)-owned, veteran-owned or is a small disadvantaged business.
“There is a lot of undiscovered talent in the supplier diversity community who can provide competitive pricing and outstanding service. It is my job to become their advocate,” Robinson said.
Prior to joining CBS, Robinson began her professional career working for IBM Business Consulting Services and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Her function has always been in the space of supply management and strategic sourcing. At CBS, she was able to expand her role to sourcing opportunities specifically for diverse suppliers.
“I have so much gratitude and appreciation for the executive leadership team that continues to believe in me,” she said. “From being hired as a manager in 2011 to now being promoted to vice president, it really goes to show that CBS truly cares about your direction and professional development within the organization.”
Last year, Robinson hosted and coordinated the annual CBS supplier diversity outreach event in Los Angeles. The program included remarks from keynote speaker Earvin “Magic” Johnson to more than 20 diverse suppliers in attendance coupled with targeted matchmaker sessions. At this event, Robinson was the recipient of the 2015 CBS Supplier Diversity Internal Advocate Award. The accolade is presented to an employee considered to be a “champion” for supplier diversity and continues to support the initiative year around.
Josie J. Thomas, executive vice president, chief diversity and inclusion officer at CBS noted Robinson’s “commitment to enhancing and expanding the CBS Corporation Supplier Diversity Program is evident in the many ways she has contributed to the exceptional improvement in the bottom line results. It was indeed my honor to award her the well-deserved CBS Internal Advocate Award.”
Robinson received a Bachelor of Science in Transportation and Logistics from N.C. A&T then went on to obtain a Master of Science in Project Management from The George Washington University in 2007. She serves as an active member of the CBS Corporate Diversity Council and Scholarship sub-committee. Robinson is also a member of the Institute of Supply Management, National Minority Supplier Development Council and Women’s Presidents Education Organization, an affiliate of Women Business Enterprise National Council.
She currently resides in New York City and is a member of one of the Harlem chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
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