A resilient and competitive economy depends on businesses that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. At the Greater Houston Partnership, we view inclusive sourcing as a driver of both opportunity and shareholder value. Through the Talent & Economic Mobility strategic imperative, the Partnership convenes leaders to explore how inclusive business practices, like inclusive sourcing, can expand opportunity, strengthen supply chains, and help companies deliver on customer expectations.
Conversations Driving Inclusive Sourcing in Houston
In 2025, the Partnership brought together procurement leaders, business executives, and industry experts to share strategies for embedding inclusive sourcing into long-term business planning. These dialogues underscored that inclusive sourcing isn’t a “check-the-box” initiative, it’s a strategic advantage.
At one roundtable, Ralph G. Moore, President and Founder of RGMA, and Reginald Layton, Chief Technology Officer of RGMA Digital Suite, emphasized Opportunity Assessment as a transformative tool for identifying where diverse suppliers can create value across the supply chain. Drawing from RGMA’s work with member companies and more than 10,000 trained professionals nationwide, they reinforced that inclusive sourcing goes above and beyond meeting goals, it also drives shareholder value.
Participants exchanged actionable strategies to expand spend with diverse-owned firms, such as:
- Adjusting RFP language to broaden opportunities.
- Leveraging Tier 2 and spot buys.
- Building internal awareness and accountability across departments.
They also highlighted four essential actions for supplier diversity success: educating decision-makers, measuring certified spend, articulating supplier capabilities, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
Another conversation featured insights from Phillip Griffith, Vice President at United Airlines, who shared how agility, empathy, and operational discipline shape resilient leadership and supply chain excellence. Griffith’s career, from entrepreneurship to overseeing airport operations, underscored that customer experience and compliance are non-negotiable. He encouraged leaders to:
- Use AI strategically to improve predictive capabilities while maintaining context and training.
- Benchmark against peers to drive continuous improvement.
- Engage with small and diverse businesses through clear communication and meaningful partnerships.
His perspective reinforced that inclusive sourcing is all about building stronger, more adaptive organizations that thrive in today’s complex business environment.
Why This Matters
These conversations highlight why the Partnership is committed to inclusive sourcing as a cornerstone of talent and economic mobility. When businesses intentionally expand opportunities for diverse suppliers, they strengthen supply chains, foster innovation, and contribute to a more dynamic Houston economy.
How to Get Involved
Through One Houston Together and our Inclusive Sourcing Roundtable, the Partnership equips employers with tools, best practices, and cross-industry connections that advance supplier diversity and economic opportunity. To join us in this work, contact [email protected].