Panel “Responsible Minerals Sourcing in the Manufacturing Industry – Best Practices and Future Challenges“
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Panel “Responsible Minerals Sourcing in the Manufacturing Industry – Best Practices and Future Challenges“

There has been a fundamental shift in consumer attitudes and demands towards responsibly sourced products. As a result, responsible sourcing has become an integral part of the corporate sustainability agenda. More and more companies are going beyond mere regulatory compliance by establishing proactive business practices to manage the shift from legislation-driven conflict minerals compliance to purpose-driven responsible sourcing.

This panel - which is a side session at the OECD’s 2021 Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains - provides first-hand insights into responsible sourcing best practices of manufacturers and their challenges that lie ahead. The panelists are representatives of and experts on industries with complex products and multi-tiered value chains with several thousand suppliers who have been dedicated to responsible sourcing practices for several years.

Panelists:

  • Kerri Abbott, Responsible Material Sourcing Business Analyst – Ford Motor Company

  • Ron Cirihal, Director, Procurement Operations, Global Procurement – American Axle & Manufacturing

  • Scott Wilson, Product Compliance Strategist | Product Design - Parts – IHS Markit

  • Tina DeAragon, Program Manager, Global Responsible Sourcing – ITW

Panel details

Date: Thursday, April 29, 2021

Time: USA: 10-11 AM EDT // Europe: 4-5 PM CEST

Language: English

>Watch the recording here

Learn more about the 2021 OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains here.

Bios of the panelists:

Kerri Abbott

As Responsible Material Sourcing Business Analyst, Kerri leads Ford’s responsible material sourcing strategy implementation for prioritized materials throughout the supply chain. She leads Ford’s supply chain mapping project, a women’s empowerment pilot project in the DRC, and the launch of a Responsible Materials Council. Additionally, Kerri has led Ford’s cross-functional team responsible for data extraction, systems development, OECD due diligence compliance, process mapping and documentation.

Kerri chairs the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Smelter Engagement Team (SET). Kerri is actively involved in various working groups through the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) Artisanal & Small Mining Team, SET, CMRT team, Mining Engagement Team, and Due Diligence Practice Team and the Gold Team (Co-Chair). Kerri is part of the Pubic Private Alliance (PPA) Projects and Resources Work Group. She represents Ford in their partnerships with the Copper Mark & IRMA as well.

Prior to her current role, Kerri supported Ford Vehicle launches as a Program Buyer. Before joining Ford, Kerri spent 14 years in supply chain management at a variety of automotive suppliers; including Senior Production Planner (Yazaki), Senior Sales Coordinator (Henrob), Logistics Analyst (SY-Automotive) Inventory Control & Warehouse Management (DSM Elastomers).

Kerri received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies at West Virginia University and holds a Michigan Secondary Teaching Certificate from University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Ron Cirihal

Ron is the Director of Global Procurement Administration at American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (AAM). In his role, Ron leads Global Procurement’s participation in AAM’s Environmental, Social, and Governance programs. He is responsible for supplier diversity, supplier due diligence and compliance, procurement sustainability training and assessment, and conflict minerals data collection and reporting.

Ron has served in a variety of procurement leadership roles since joining AAM in 2004. Prior to AAM, Ron held several procurement roles with Ford Motor Company. Ron received his Master in Business Administration and Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Scott Wilson

Optimizing supply chains are Scott’s passion. As Consulting and Professional Services Principle at IHS Markit, Scott leads content services and subject matter experts for IHS Markit’s Supply Chain Risk products. He works daily with Fortune 500 companies on a variety of supply chain issues such as availability, environmental compliance, export controls, supplier relationships, and sustainable supply. Scott’s latest project is working with clients to construct a better view of supply chain risk—and doing so using by assessing location risk, supplier risk, and supplier ESG metrics.

Scott graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physics and Computer Science from the State University of New York—Oswego and has worked in a variety of related disciplines. These include semiconductor modeling while at General Instrument, supporting electronic test equipment at Tektronix and Advantest, and working with electronic part libraries and supply chain management tools at i2 Technologies and IHS Markit.

Scott believes combining data science, tools, and supplier relationships can make companies more profitable, people happier, and a more sustainable world.

Tina DeAragon

Tina joined the Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) Legal Team in 2012. She has served the last 8 years as global responsible sourcing lead for the ITW Enterprise. Prior to ITW, Tina served Solo Cup Company and United Airlines as a corporate governance paralegal. Outside of work Tina served on her local sustainability commission and continues local commission service today.