Introducing: Procurement with a Purpose—an OCP webinar series
Procurement is more than just a clerical or compliance-driven function, it is a creative (and exciting!) tool for city problem-solving. When we allow ourselves to reimagine government contracting as a mission-driven public service, we create the potential for a powerful outcome: more equitable, sustainable, resilient, and democratic societies.
Through August and September, we are hosting a series of community calls focused on transforming city contracting in the U.S. Inspired by the recent report from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Serving the Citizens—Not the Bureaucracy: A Strategic Vision for City Procurement by Sascha Haselmayer, we invite our community to dream, strategize, learn, and take action on procurement reform—from the big fixes to the quick fixes, the aspirational to the everyday. Together, we will explore how to make the case for stronger investments and resources that support government contracting, in order to deliver on the promise of procurement and shift power to those it affects the most.
In a volatile and changing world, one government function is in a position to address challenges ranging from climate change to equity to local development: procurement.
Our first webinar will be the kickoff call for the series, followed by three deep dives on some of the most compelling entry points for transforming city contracting. These participatory sessions are designed for you to gather insights from featured open contracting champions, as well as exchange ideas and inspiration with your peers in procurement, public sector reform, and civic technology and engagement. Each deep dive will also include an optional “After Hours” segment following the 1-hour session, where report author Sascha Haselmayer will stay on for an informal chat, questions, and continued conversation.
Use the links below to register for the kickoff call as well as any deep dive sessions you would like to attend. We look forward to seeing you there.
All sessions will take place via Zoom on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Kickoff call
4 August: No More Status Quo Contracting: Building a shared vision for transformative procurement
- Paula Daniels, Co-Founder, Center for Good Food Purchasing
- Christina Pope, Senior Network Director, Welcoming America
- Michael Owh, Chief Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department
Deep dives
18 August: Procurement for the People: Leveraging citizen engagement in public contracting
- Denisa Livingston, Community Health Advocate, Diné Community Advocacy Alliance
- Michelle Thong, Senior Product Manager, Nava PBC
1 September: The Supplier’s City: Improving data access and usability for meaningful vendor engagement
- David L. Wilson II, Former Chief Procurement Officer, City of Atlanta
- Nia Richardson, Assistant to the Director for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, City of Kansas City, MO
- Hana Schank, Director of Strategy, Public Interest Technology, New America
15 September: Building Your “Yes” Team: Culture and performance for outcomes-driven procurement
- Mandu Sen, Interim Deputy Director, Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, City of New York
- Bruce D. Collins, Purchasing Director, City of El Paso
- Aimee Olivas, Socioeconomic Compliance Officer, Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing Department, City of El Paso
- Beth Blauer, Associate Vice Provost for Public Sector Innovation, Johns Hopkins University
