Paul Ashley (he/him)

Global Business Operations, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Senior Director, Strategic Engagement & Inclusion, Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

Paul Ashley is a seasoned procurement leader with over 20 years of industry experience. Paul is currently Senior Director, Strategic Engagement and Inclusion, Strategic Sourcing & Procurement | Global Business Operations at Bristol-Myers Squibb.  In his role, Paul is responsible for strategic advising on global category strategies, technology roadmaps, as well as performance management.

Paul holds a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Northwestern University, as well as a master of science in industrial operations and engineering from the University of Michigan. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, the capital of the automobile manufactory industry, Paul Ashley decided to focus his higher education pursuits on engineering.  After grad school, Paul landed a job at IBM where he was first exposed to the field of procurement and his love of bringing diversity to companies’ supply chains from business owners of color, the LGBTQ+ community and women.

Diversity and Inclusion has been a passion of Paul throughout his career. At BMS he is on the Leadership Team of BOLD (Black Organization for Leadership Development) the People and Business Resource Group (PBRG) where he helped to develop their strategic business plan as well as leads BOLD’s Patient Advocacy Initiative. He is also active in the LGBTA People and Business Resource Group.  Paul serves as co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council for the Global Business Operations function at BMS.

When asked what Paul is boldly passionate about, he refers to his social media profile which demonstrates Paul is unapologetically black, gay and Christian. Paul is passionate about uplifting these communities by being an example of how to live the intersections of these communities freely.  “In times where I’ve had to navigate troubled waters is in the intersections of being, black, gay and Christian.”  Paul had to learn to fully embrace and love all of himself, unapologetically.  He advises others to “stop coming out, just be out and be who you are, and people will figure it out.