Podcast Series: Women in Procurement
In the "Women in Procurement" podcast series Stacy Joslin, a 20-year procurement industry veteran, joins her women colleagues to discuss their journeys through the world of procurement.
In this series, Stacy and the guests discuss creating a proper work-life balance, making sacrifices to meet life goals, growing a successful career as a young woman professional, and a variety of other topics integral to the journey of a woman in procurement. Along with navigating professional milestones, the conversations delve into resolving complex business challenges, from optimizing complex tail spend management to implementing agile sourcing strategies.
Women in Procurement taps into a strong network of women spanning a multitude of roles; each guest is a well of experience and expertise.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran yourself or a young professional looking to make the most of your entry into the field, this is an opportunity to carve your own path to success and happiness alongside your colleagues who have done the same.
Marcia Ayacaba
Marcia Ayacaba, Director of Talent Development at WNS Procurement, hones in on the power of advocacy. As a woman of color in the field of business, Marcia has persevered in the face of prejudice.
Leading her to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, her personal experience has strengthened her resolve to advocate not only for herself but for others who also need to be uplifted.
Her core question to herself and to you: "Who are you advocating for?"
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Do It Yourself - Kamila Karasiewicz
Kamila Karasiewicz has come a long way since her beginnings in Poland. Through a life of movement, change, and uncertainty, Kamila has solidified her sense of self and her willpower to "make things happen".
If you've ever had a moment of doubt in yourself, your career, or your path altogether, tune in and walk away with the inspiration to do what it takes to achieve your goals. Kamila did, and you will, too.
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Explore With Boundaries - Kerri Beatty
Kerri Beatty, Senior Group Manager of Advisory Services at WNS Procurement, joins Stacy to tell her story of exploration. Kerri is a great example of making the best of any situation and throwing yourself into what you're doing with confidence.
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Nurture Without Fear - Lynn Rideout
Lynn Rideout, Category Advisory Services Leader at WNS Procurement, joins the show.
She shares her experience as a working mother of triplets, leading her to find a unique path to balancing her work and her family while emphasizing the importance of strong mentorship throughout your career and being fearless.
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Find Your Circle - Jamie Alderman
Host Stacy Joslin is joined by Jamie Alderman as they come together in this inaugural episode of Women in Procurement.
Jamie is a category management coach and networking enthusiast that is passionate about finding the recipe for life-work balance and sharing her expertise with others.
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Cultivate Your Support System - Carrie Adank
Carrie Adank, Senior Director of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at Molocco, shares how her career has been enriched by her support system. While reflecting on her career up to this point, she also looks forward to the adventures she has ahead of her.
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How Does It Help? - Susie Freda
Susie Freda loves being a mentor. Part of that mentorship involves guiding herself when she needs to stay grounded and giving herself the grace of knowing she is the sculptor of her life.
Whether it’s a tight deadline, a supplier conflict, or just how you’re going to get through the rest of the week, we’ve all held on to stress.
Next time you find yourself with your head in your hands, think of this mantra from Susie:
"How does it help?"
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Find Safety in Mentorship - Sophia Battle
Mentors do more than guide us throughout our professional journeys; oftentimes, their presence creates a safe environment.
Discrimination and other toxic workplace characteristics are dangerous, and a good mentor can provide a haven in which you can breathe and reassess. Sophia Battle discusses the importance of mentors in workplace safety, the building of supportive colleague relationships, and more.
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Prove Them Wrong - Alison Panza
Alison Panza, US Head of Procurement at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, reunites with Stacy Joslin as they discuss Alison's bold journey.
Success looks different for everyone and, for many, requires compromise. Alison's approach is not one of sacrifice or compromise, but of doing it her own way: proving them wrong. And that has led to a life filled with opportunities, abundant family memories, and a fulfilling career.
Why choose when you can do it your way?
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Who Do You Want to Be? - Julie Brignac
Julie Brignac, Executive Vice President and Business Unit Leader at WNS Procurement, joins Stacy Joslin to discuss her path to achieving her ambitions and embodying the role she saw for herself before her career even began.
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Thank you for joining us!
For more insightful discussions, forward-looking insights on modern spend management solutions, and trending topics in Procurement, connect with us on LinkedIn.
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FAQs
1. What is the "Women in Procurement" podcast series about?
The Women in Procurement Podcast series focuses on celebrating leadership, diversity, and talent across the global supply chain. The episodes explore real-world career journeys, breaking systemic corporate barriers, driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and sharing actionable advice for building a more collaborative and equitable procurement landscape.
2. How can this podcast series help young women in procurement?
This podcast series acts as an educational roadmap for Career Growth in Procurement by detailing how to handle complex vendor negotiations, build confident personal branding, and master technical skills. Young female professionals gain access to firsthand blueprints on how to transition smoothly into senior leadership positions and lead impactful supply chain strategies.
3. Who are the guests featured in the "Women in Procurement" podcast?
The episodes bring together highly accomplished Procurement Industry Experts, including chief procurement officers (CPOs), global sourcing directors, category leads, and supply chain thought leaders from Fortune 500 enterprises. These distinguished guests share data-driven insights and personal case studies on navigating corporate landscapes successfully.
4. How does the podcast address work-life balance for women in procurement?
Achieving a sustainable Work-life Balance in Procurement is a core discussion theme across the series. Guest speakers candidly share their strategies for managing fast-paced supply chain pressures, setting firm boundaries, avoiding occupational burnout, and designing flexible frameworks that support both ambitious career metrics and personal well-being.
5. Why is mentorship important for women in procurement?
Cultivating proactive Mentorship in Procurement is essential for closing the gender leadership gap. Having strategic guides helps women confidently navigate career transitions, expand their professional networks, and overcome imposter syndrome. It builds a robust network of sponsors who champion diverse voices for visible, high-impact enterprise projects.
6. How does WNS Procurement support diversity and female leadership within the supply chain industry?
WNS Procurement actively champions diversity by designing inclusive source-to-pay (S2P) operational structures, encouraging diverse supplier spend models, and driving leadership development initiatives. Through initiatives like their dedicated podcast spotlights, they elevate the voices of female leaders and supply chain experts, inspiring a more equitable and collaborative ecosystem worldwide.