As a company, we value partnering with women-, BIPOC-, LGBTQIA+-, veteran-, and PWD-owned businesses—we seek relationships with global suppliers that mirror our values by ensuring diversity in our supply base. Additionally, our partnership with the Fifteen Percent Pledge, initiated in June 2022, has been transformative in our journey toward enhancing and expanding supplier diversity. From our commitment with the Pledge, we have the goal of increasing our work with Black-owned businesses and hosting two supplier diversity events a year.

We sat down with Chanel Norton Lee, senior manager of supplier diversity, to discuss her work, the Fifteen Percent Pledge, and VS&Co’s plans for the future.

Q: Tell us a bit about you—what is your role at Victoria’s Secret and what do you do for the brand?

A: “I am charged with partnering with women-, BIPOC-, LGBTQIA+-, veteran- and PWD- owned businesses to increase our diverse spend at VS&Co. We do so by working with diverse vendors and including them in business development programs, hosting annual vendor connection events, and intentionally partnering with third-party organizations to provide access to our supplier diversity program.”

Q: Why is it important to VS&Co to ensure we’re partnering with women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veteran, and PWD-owned businesses?  

A: “We seek relationships with global suppliers that mirror our values by ensuring diversity in our supply base. These mutually beneficial relationships will continue to broaden the economic vitality and prosperity of the communities we serve, creating value for our shareholders and providing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to our business.”

Q: What is the Fifteen Percent Pledge? 

A: “It’s a US-based non-profit organization that encourages retailers to pledge at least 15% of their shelf-space or partners to Black-owned businesses. In June 2022, we signed a multi-year commitment with the Fifteen Percent Pledge, with the goal of increasing our addressable spend with Black-owned businesses. 

Q: How has the Fifteen Percent Pledge impacted our diversity efforts since its start?

A: “It has accelerated our supplier diversity efforts, making them more robust and impactful. This initiative aligns with our long-term strategic goals of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all facets of our operations, thereby reinforcing our commitment to building a more inclusive economy.”

Q: What is the Supplier Diversity Council and what organizations have the brands partnered with to support supply chain diversity?

A: “The Supplier Diversity Council—an internal program made up of VS&Co leaders—provides perspective on the strategies and actions designed to develop a sustainable and organizational culture that prioritizes promoting economic growth, social equity, and sustainable business practices to underrepresented communities. The Supplier Diversity Council serves as liaisons and advocates for diverse Supplier Diversity  initiatives, commitments, and goals of the organization. The intention of the Council is to represent cross-functional accountabilities in both merchandise and non-merchandise areas of spend.

We partner with both local and national organizations such as Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC), The Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce (COAACC), The Columbus Urban League, Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV), National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), and Disability:IN.”

Q: What actions has VS&Co taken to support supply chain diversity?

A: “VS&Co partners with several organizations that focus on promoting supplier diversity, like the ones mentioned above. We encourage our diverse suppliers to obtain certification from recognized diversity certifying bodies, which helps ensure a verified diverse supplier base. We’ve also implemented an early payment offer for diverse and/or small-certified business owners, which can often be a sticking point for small businesses.

In addition, the company invests in supplier development programs to help diverse suppliers enhance their capabilities and scale their businesses.

VS&Co also hosts events to connect diverse suppliers with key decision-makers within the company. These events are designed to facilitate networking and provide educational resources to suppliers. This is all made possible in large part to leadership at VS&Co actively supports supplier diversity initiatives, with executive sponsors who champion this work.

The company is also committed to ensuring diverse suppliers have access to procurement opportunities. They actively seek to include diverse suppliers in their bidding processes and encourage them to participate in RFPs (Request for Proposals).

Because of all this work, VS&Co has been recognized for its efforts in supplier diversity through awards and acknowledgments from organizations and industry peers including be honored as the Corporate Advocate of the Year through COAACC.

By increasing spend with diverse suppliers, VS&Co contributes to the economic empowerment of diverse communities, which has a positive ripple effect on the broader economy. These actions demonstrate VS&Co’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive supply chain that not only meets business needs but also supports the growth and success of diverse suppliers.”

Q: VS&Co has hosted supplier diversity events—how do they align with company goals and what has the outcome been?

A: “The event supports our supplier diversity commitments, aimed at broadening our communities’ economic vitality, prosperity, and providing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to our business. Our first event brought together more than 120 attendees and led to tangible partnerships including a new selection of cafe vendors and a soap supply contract in VS&Co’s New York and Ohio offices.

From our second event, we had over 60 attendees including BIPOC businesses in the creative space and VS&Co associates from the creative, supplier diversity, procurement, and DEI teams.

At the event, we hosted a panel discussion with Black-owned businesses we work with including Roy Broderick  (Authentique Agency) and Tiffany Hardin (Gild Creative Group) moderated by me.

Lastly, our third event, “A Seat at the Table”, will be held in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on commodities that are looking for new partners.”