IWD: Women in Procurement Series - Cathy Dizon

In honour of International Women’s Day, we are continuing our interview series of celebrating ‘Women in Procurement’ around this year's theme #ChoosetoChallenge.

A challenged world is an alert world. We are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.

We can choose to challenge gender bias and inequality. We can choose to celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create a more inclusive world.

From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.

We’re proud to feature Cathy Dizon, Strategic Procurement and Contracts Manager at Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC. She is a passionate procurement strategist driven by successful and sustainable outcomes.

What female voices in procurement/tech do you admire and why?

I admire women in procurement who are courageous, passionate and comfortable in standing out. They are willing to challenge the norm and are instrumental in game-changing initiatives and strategies. I respect women who have time and empathy for others in spite of their own challenges.

How do you support supplier development and diversity?

I’m always happy to share, bounce ideas and work with suppliers to find improvements. I also partake in workshops and forums to further explore opportunities for collaboration.

What advice would you give a young woman entering the profession?

Be a good listener and observer, while being adoptive and assertive with your actions. Don’t be scared to own your mistakes and learn from them, and have faith in yourself and others. It’s really important to develop your network and strong working partnerships.

Where do you go for useful resources and professional development?

I have mentors who I go to for advice and insight but to keep me consistently informed, there are a lot of publications in procurement and logistics that I subscribe to. I also attend short and intense courses offered by various educational institutions to upskill and obtain professional qualifications in procurement.