Courtney Steward is the Senior Economic Inclusion Program Manager at DTE Energy, a position she passionately leverages to strengthen supplier engagement. She integrated supplier engagement directly into DTE’s Quality Management Systems and translated complex small-business and subcontracting requirements into practical, user-centered tools. Courtney aligned supplier engagement with Learning & Development and introduced a continuous improvement mindset by applying QMS principles to supplier engagement. Her efforts have significantly improved supplier relationships.
There have been challenges, such as leading a cultural shift within the procurement environment while introducing more formalized QMS-driven processes. Courtney treated the process as an opportunity for leadership and change management. She believes that sustainable supplier engagement requires technical rigor and cultural alignment built on trust, communication, and mutual understanding. Courtney met colleagues where they were, incorporating feedback and reinforcing the “why” behind change, not just the “what.” She has been successful in shifting how supplier engagement is perceived and practiced, with colleagues viewing standardized processes as enablers of equity, accountability, and strategic partnership rather than administrative constraints.