Black History Month Spotlight: Laurinda Thomas

Laurinda Thomas is a Sr. Director of Sourcing within Global Procurement at ADP. Laurinda manages spend in the Non-IT commodity space and the Supplier Diversity program with responsibility for the development, implementation, and strategy as it relates to diverse business. With over 20 years’ experience in supply chain management, Laurinda is known for assisting top performing diverse suppliers in securing business opportunities with ADP.

In her position she champions supplier diversity by educating ADP stakeholders about the benefits of utilizing qualified diverse suppliers to help drive innovation. Growth strategies also include mentorship of diverse suppliers and expansion of the second-tier supplier diversity program. Laurinda works closely with the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Disability:In—and their regional councils—to help achieve ADP’s goals around supplier diversity. She also currently sits on the Board of Directors of the New York & New Jersey Supplier Development Council.

Laurinda’s leadership has led ADP to make the DiversityInc Supplier Diversity Specialty List in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Other awards under her leadership include the National Business Inclusion Consortium Best of the Best Award, Ominkal’s Top 50 Corporations for Inclusion Award, and the Military Friendly Supplier Diversity Award. She was named to Diversity Plus Magazines 2020 Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity.

What does Black History Month mean to you? 

“Black History Month calls for a time of celebration and acknowledgment of the contributions and sacrifices and achievements of black people. It is a time to say thank you and pay homage to black individuals who have greatly impacted our nation. Black History isn’t just about all the bad times we’ve been through….it’s about integrity, leadership, and determination. It’s truly a celebration of my culture and my heritage! And I will always say it loud…I’m Black and I’m proud!”

Laurinda is located out of ADP’s Norfolk Virginia office where she is a member of the Senior Leadership Team with focus on driving associate engagement and Laurinda is also the Executive Sponsor of Cultivate Norfolk, the ADP African American Business Resource Group. Laurinda is a proud HBCU graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Learn more about ADP’s Supplier Diversity Programs.