NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange

Denise R. Thomas
Director, Corporate Supplier Diversity
The Kroger Company


As Director of Corporate Supplier Diversity, Denise is responsible for managing all aspects of Kroger’s supplier diversity program. Denise began her career with The Kroger Co. as a part-time cashier while achieving her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan. She has numerous years of experience with the Company in positions ranging from gift service coordinator, co-manager, division drug/gm sales promoter, category manager and store director. During her tenure in this role, The Kroger Co. has received many accolades for its success in the supplier diversity arena. Since 2007, Kroger has been a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR), a prestigious forum of 20 U.S. corporations that have achieved $1 Billion or more in annual spending with M/WBEs. In 2010 - 2013 consecutively, the Company was inducted into the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Million Dollar Club and was selected as one of America’s Top Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities by Diversity Business.com. In 2010, Denise was recognized as one of the Top Women in the Grocery Industry by Progressive Grocer. In 2012, she received a Champion of Diversity Award from DiversityBusiness.com, a Top 30 Champions of Diversity selection from Diversity Plus, Ambassador of Supplier Diversity recognition from MBN USA and was recognized by Women’s Enterprise USA, as one of the 2013 Top 50 Women in Supplier Diversity. Most recently, in November, 2013, Denise was selected as Supplier Diversity “Advocate of the Year” by the South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (now the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC).

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