Can you tell us about your role as Director of Sustainable Procurement and Supplier Responsibility?
I work closely with both suppliers and members to thoughtfully and strategically integrate sustainability into our procurement approach— ensuring we’re supporting our members’ objectives while balancing environmental and social impact with value, quality, and supply reliability.
 
How does working with suppliers help advance sustainability across the healthcare supply chain?
Suppliers are at the heart of the supply chain, so real progress depends on working together. By setting clear expectations, drawing on suppliers’ experience across different jurisdictions, and understanding what’s feasible within current market conditions, we can identify practical solutions that drive more sustainable products, improve transparency, and enable meaningful progress over time. 

What progress have you seen in recent years when it comes to suppliers adopting more sustainable practices?
It’s been encouraging to see the progress—many suppliers are becoming more transparent, setting emissions targets, and exploring more sustainable materials and packaging. At the same time, we’re seeing increased demand from the market for more innovative, lower-impact solutions, and it’s important that we continue to signal and reinforce that expectation moving forward. There’s still a lot of work to do, but the direction is very positive.

Are there any initiatives or approaches you’re especially proud of that are helping drive environmental responsibility?
I’m really proud of the work we’re doing to make sustainability more practical and embedded within our RFPs—focusing on clear, measurable inputs that are meaningful but not overly burdensome for suppliers. We’re also expanding this approach to more intentionally incorporate supplier diversity and Indigenous considerations into our sourcing decisions, ensuring a more holistic view of sustainability.

What are some practical steps healthcare organizations can take to start integrating sustainability into procurement decisions?
A great place to start is by asking a few simple, consistent questions—such as emissions disclosure, reduction targets, and packaging practices. It’s also important to begin collecting this data now, especially as emerging federal requirements are expected, so organizations can better understand their baseline and be prepared ahead of implementation. From there, sustainability can be gradually integrated into evaluation criteria, focusing on areas where the greatest impact can be achieved.  

How does sustainable procurement ultimately impact patient care and the healthcare system overall?
At its core, sustainable procurement supports a more resilient and forward-looking healthcare system. By reducing environmental impact and strengthening supply chains, we’re helping protect both current and future patient outcomes while supporting a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system across Canada. 

What inspired your interest in sustainability and responsible sourcing? 
Through my experience in procurement, I saw the scale of influence supply chains can have. Sustainability felt like a natural extension—an opportunity to help drive positive outcomes for future generations of Canadians, while also supporting more inclusive and responsible practices, including for Indigenous communities.

What motivates you most about working in this field today? 
What motivates me most is the opportunity to create impact at scale through HealthPRO Canada’s growing membership. By bringing healthcare organizations together, we can help lower overall costs for the system while also advancing more sustainable and responsible sourcing practices—it’s a powerful combination of value and purpose. 

Closing Comment… 
As we think about moments like Earth Day, I’m often reminded that sustainability in procurement doesn’t have to be complex or come at a higher cost. Even small, consistent asks of our suppliers—like greater transparency or incremental improvements—send a clear signal that sustainability matters. Over time, that demand helps drive innovation, scale, and ultimately more cost-effective solutions across the healthcare supply chain -- which is exactly the role we aim to play at HealthPRO Canada.