Lisa Sandos is the supplier diversity manager at Principal Financial Group. During her tenure, Sandos’ implementation of best practices has resulted in a fivefold increase in purchases with minority and women businesses, resulting in a stronger, more effective initiative.

Sandos’ work within the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity as Vice-Chair has been a key benefit to grow her program. As co-Chair of the Benchmarking committee, Sandos has implemented processes that allow colleagues to support each other through the sharing of best practices.

A key challenge has been getting internal decision makers to consider diverse suppliers for key commodities when they are satisfied with existing suppliers. By identifying diverse businesses for potential supplier pools, Sandos opens doors to new business and helps bring visibility to emerging companies.

Sandos is grateful for support within The Principal supplier diversity advocacy group, sourcing and supplier management staff, senior leaders and board of directors. Through them, Sandos continues to further embed supplier diversity into Principal’s normal procurement process.

Quote: “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” - by Mohandas Gandhi

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