Michael Byron

Michael Byron is the Program Director of the Supplier Diversity Leadership Council at The Conference Board. He currently serves as Senior Director of Supplier Inclusion for Walmart, Inc. He is responsible for leading the company’s national supplier inclusion initiatives, which are designed to enhance its purchasing activities and long-term relationships with women and diverse owned businesses. He and his team had responsibility for leading the company’s critical initiative to source $20 billion with women-owned businesses over a five-year period, which culminated in 2016 where they exceeded the goal by $1 billion. 

Michael’s team managed Walmart’s 2019 direct and indirect spend of $15 billion with approximately 2,800 Diverse Owned businesses. Under Michael’s leadership, Walmart has been recognized for providing the best opportunities to woman-owned and multicultural businesses.

Prior to joining Walmart in 2012, Byron served as Vice President of Supplier Diversity at SUPERVALU, Inc., a U.S. wholesale, and retail grocer with annual sales of $44 billion and 180,000 employees. While at SUPERVALU, Michael increased the number of diverse suppliers by 5 to 10 percent annually and added $425 million in supply chain spending with diverse owned businesses.

In addition, Michael worked at Albertsons, a US grocer, as the Corporate Merchandising and Operations Director, directly impacting the bottom line through strong business aptitude and visionary leadership. Michael and his team increased market revenue significantly by launching innovative merchandising strategies within the retail industry.  As a result, in 2002 Michael was voted by Supermarket News Magazine as one of Top 50 bakery operators in the US.

Michael is consistently recognized as a passionate collaborator, speaker, and panelist for his business acumen as a former retail and operation’s leader. He has received numerous personal and professional awards for his work in business and advancing supply chain inclusion.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Executive Retail Management and Leadership Certifications from Cornell University and University of Phoenix.

Recognition:

2020 - WE USA Magazine – Best of the Decade – Supplier Diversity

2019 – Hispanic Assoc on Corporate Responsibility Index – Procurement 5 Stars

2019-   WE USA Magazine – Best of the Decade – Supplier Diversity

2019 - America’s Top Corporation for Women’s Business Enterprise – Platinum Distinction

2019 - Omnikal Top 50 Multicultural Business Opportunities

2019 – Diversity Plus – Top 30 Champions of Diversity

2018 - Omnikal Top 50 Multicultural Business Opportunities

2018 - America’s Top Corporation for Women’s Business Enterprise – Platinum Distinction

2018 - Hispanic Assoc on Corporate Responsibility Index – Procurement 5 Stars

2018 - National Minority Supplier Development Council – Top Tier II Program

2018 - Circle of Honor/Supplier Diversity Professional (SDP

2018 - WE USA - Women’s Enterprise USA’s Top 100 Leaders in Supplier Diversity

2017 - Women's Enterprise magazine's Top 100 Corporations for Women's Businesses

2017 - America’s Top Corporation for Women’s Business Enterprise

2017 - MBN USA Supplier Diversity Champions

Affiliation:

NMSDC -Chair, Programming Committee May 2020 - present

Board Director – Women’s Business Enterprise Network Council -2015-present

Board Director – Open Avenues – 2015- present

Board Director – National Minority Supplier Development Council – Jan 2019-present

Member – NMSDC – Supplier Diversity Advisory Council – 2015-present

Member – The Conference Board of Supplier Diversity Council – 2009- present

Food Marketing Institute – Supplier Diversity Council -2008-present

Former Board Director – Network of Executive Women & Inclusion Council

Former Board Director – Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council