Honor Society® member
Lenora Sevillian
Director of Procurement at Nova Southeastern University Responsible for leading all centralized procurement efforts to enable university stakeholders (business units, departments, colleges, and programs) to efficiently and effectively collaborate and streamline resources across the organization. Establish and implement procurement short-term and long-term goals, objectives, and strategic plans for optimal operational efficiencies. Monitors and evaluates key performance metrics driving change management to enhance best practices, streamline processes, enhance project delivery, minimizing risk exposure, while maximizing cost savings. Collaborate with stakeholders (business units and functional partners) to guide project development and management. Creation of talent management processes to enhance professional development of procurement staff. Develop and implement training modules targeting critical / strategic thinking to enhance team development. Establish and implement SDG policies for sustainable procurement across various commodities. Drive added value by leveraging GPO’s and cooperative contracts across the university for effective and efficient procurement of products, services, and equipment were aligned with the needs of the various business units. Maximize the value of our supplier business partners to meet the university objectives and goals. Create an effective supplier management approach to drive innovation and growth, as well as on-boarding new suppliers, with diversity, inclusion, open competition, quality controls, and continuous improvement. Influence performance management through supplier analysis and strategy, supplier identification, sourcing execution, contract negotiation, planning, and continuous improvement monitoring.
- Law and Policy
- Class of 2025
- Boca Raton, FL
Member since November 2022
About
Lenora Sevillian is the Director of Procurement at NSU Florida. Lenora has over thirty years of experience in public and private sector procurement and product development for a variety of products and services. Lenora holds several industry professional certifications, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business / Law from American College in London, England. Most recently, Lenora was accepted to the Law and Policy Doctoral Program at Northeastern University for 2022.
Lenora is a visionary procurement executive with extensive experience in building and leading procurement organizations. Her focus is on building teams through collaborative efforts with key internal stakeholders. A proven track record of high performance, achieving goals, stretch targets, and transforming the procurement functions from a tactical, transactional position, to a dynamic strategic and transformative contributor.
Lenora is passionate about talent development; teaching, succession planning, cross-functional development, training, building business partnerships, and serving in a volunteer capacity on professional committees, community non-profits, contributing to think tanks, and most recently as a newly appointed At Large Director on the National Association of Education Procurement Board of Directors.
Most importantly, Lenora has a life-long passion and thrust for learning and mentoring others. She believes every day is an opportunity for all professionals to expand their knowledge base, enhance their skillset, and learn something new. Lenora is known for her high professional procurement standards which are embedded in respect, inclusion, integrity, and fiduciary responsibility.
Education
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Northeastern University
Law and Policy
2022 – 2025
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American College (London, England)
Business Administration
1997
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Florida International University
Bachelors of Science (BS) /Apparel Management/ Retail Merchandising
1982 – 1987
Honors and awards
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Rising Star Award
Supporting the mission, goals, and metrics of the university on the path to preeminence. This recognizes professional work, volunteer efforts, and support of the programs at the university.
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Cum Laude
Graduated with honors from American College, MBA program.
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2022 Ethics Academy Scholarship Recipient
The ECI Ethics Academy, was created to support a sustainable and vibrant profession interested in the E&C field.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
My intent is to continue on the current professional path as a procurement professional. Earning my doctorate degree in law and policy will further enhance my skillset in the area of policy enhancements and development of policy initiatives to close the loopholes which allow fraud and corruption inside of public sector procurement operations.
- Graduate school interests
I am currently in graduate school at Northeastern University studying for my doctorate degree in Law and Policy with an anticipated graduation date of August 2025.
- Outside the classroom
Volunteering, Debating, Reading, Traveling, Hiking, and Mentoring.
Experience
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Director of Procurement
Nova Southeastern University Responsible for leading all centralized procurement efforts to enable university stakeholders (business units, departments, colleges, and programs) to efficiently and effectively collaborate and streamline resources across the organization. Establish and implement procurement short-term and long-term goals, objectives, and strategic plans for optimal operational efficiencies. Monitors and evaluates key performance metrics driving change management to enhance best practices, streamline processes, enhance project delivery, minimizing risk exposure, while maximizing cost savings. Collaborate with stakeholders (business units and functional partners) to guide project development and management. Creation of talent management processes to enhance professional development of procurement staff. Develop and implement training modules targeting critical / strategic thinking to enhance team development. Establish and implement SDG policies for sustainable procurement across various commodities. Drive added value by leveraging GPO’s and cooperative contracts across the university for effective and efficient procurement of products, services, and equipment were aligned with the needs of the various business units. Maximize the value of our supplier business partners to meet the university objectives and goals. Create an effective supplier management approach to drive innovation and growth, as well as on-boarding new suppliers, with diversity, inclusion, open competition, quality controls, and continuous improvement. Influence performance management through supplier analysis and strategy, supplier identification, sourcing execution, contract negotiation, planning, and continuous improvement monitoring.
Jun 2021 – Present
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Director of Procurement
Palm Beach State College Directed the procurement of materials and service operations for the college with a strategic focus on cost savings and containment of spend. Develops and executes strategic sourcing initiatives, establish targets of cost savings, and determine financial impacts of these initiatives. Established best practices for contract compliance, vendor performance and verification processes for stakeholders. Technical development and guidance for solicitation specifications for various departments and administration. Developed training program for stakeholders and Departmental Employees for procurement practices. Established project management and strategic sourcing practices to streamline procurement management workflows. Established, and implemented short and long-range organizational goals, objectives, strategic plans, and policies for procurement.
Sep 2019 – Jun 2021
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Division Director
City of Port Lucie Primary focus on; (Administration – Public Works – Police Department – Building Department – Utilities – Community Redevelopment Agency – Neighborhood Services – Human Resources – Legal Services – Communications – Parks & Recreation – Emergency Management). Strategically aligned the technical resources on-hand and bridged the gap to create continuity of contract reporting. Developed best practices for contracting services, implementing uniformity for vendor negotiations, terms, and conditions. Established best practices for contract compliance, vendor performance and verification processes for stakeholders. Technical development and guidance for solicitation specifications for various departments and administration. Lead stakeholder project planning sessions to establish procurement recommendations future contracts for required services. Developed training program for City University, New Vendors, and Departmental Employees for procurement practices. Established project management and strategic sourcing practices to streamline procurement management for the city. Reorganize, direct and train procurement staff within the department. Left to accept the position with Palm Beach State College in higher education.
Jun 2018 – Sep 2019
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Director of Procurement Management Services
Miami-Dade County Public Schools A primary focus on (Facilities Operations – Maintenance – Furniture, Fixture & Equipment (FF&E) – Sourcing Management – Safety and Emergency Management – Capital Task Force). Streamlined FF&E product catalog system (hard / electronic files) and updated all product line offerings, decreasing project lag-time. Developed best practices for facility contract services, with a focus on the implementation of uniform RFQ’s for pre-approved vendors. Formulated checklist / guidelines to establish contract compliance and verification for stakeholders. Technical development and guidance for solicitation specifications for various District departments and offices. Lead stakeholder project planning sessions to establish procurement recommendations for future contracts for required services. Spear-headed formal contract negotiation sessions, yielding cost savings/cost avoidance for the district upwards of $40M annually. Developed strategic sourcing practices for leveraging cooperative buying opportunities for volume discounts. Directed and trained procurement staff, Procurement Analysts, Procurement Specialist within the department. Position ended due to budget cuts and a reduction in departmental staffing.
Feb 2017 – Jun 2018
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Purchasing Manager / Acting Assistant Director
Dallas County Acting in a relief capacity as Assistant Director of Purchasing. Develop, research, analyze specifications for products and services for all county departments, with a focus on highly complex services, capital projects and other special projects as requested. Managing the entire process for informal bids and formal solicitations. Key facilitator for the RFx process, which includes the development of the solicitation, evaluation committee selection, steering interviews, demonstrations, scheduling, contract negotiations, and preliminary contract development. Actively monitoring contracts for compliance, transparency, and continuity throughout the contract cycle. Development of formal briefing for Commissioners Court to initiate contract negotiations, awards, extensions, amendments, and cancellations. Developed alternative solutions for value added procurements, cost avoidance measures and cost savings features associated with cooperative contract utilization. Responsible for the development, supervision, training, performance evaluations, and goal setting for the Contract Specialists, Buyers, and administrative support staff.
Jan 2013 – Feb 2017
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Purchasing Manager / Assistant Director
Presidential Builders Managed all aspects of contract negotiations; goods/services, municipal/federal government, purchasing and business processes. Established growth initiatives by cultivating domestic and international sourcing for contract projects. Developed new products for organizational branding, increasing profit margins by 10% over previous year. Streamlined contracts and bidding process (Rfx) by instituting cost controls and guidelines for submissions. Responsibility for business sector and departmental budget (top down /bottom up) planning. Executed planning and management of purchasing budgets to maximize business segment profitability. Implemented supplier scorecards/benchmark guidelines, creating vendor continuity and conformity. Worked in conjunction with legal counsel to develop and revise contracts and agreements as needed. Negotiated and implemented all service contracts for contractors and sub-contractors. Developed and launched “best practices” for all new build and renovation projects, decreasing cost by 8% over previous year.
Dec 2006 – Nov 2012
Volunteering
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Shark Pantry - Advisory Board Member The NSU Shark Pantry was established to address food insecurity on campus. This provides a valuable resource for students in need.
Nova Southeastern University
Oct 2021 – Present
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Member and Volunteer The Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) is a non-profit organization that empowers its members across the globe to operate their businesses at the highest levels of integrity. The organization provides research and a best practice community, as well as certification opportunities for ethics & compliance professionals. Through its membership, ECI represents entities across nearly every industry, located in 37 countries on six continents each dedicated to promoting the highest levels of integrity.The Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) is a non-profit organization that empowers its members across the globe to operate their businesses at the highest levels of integrity. The organization provides research and a best practice community, as well as certification opportunities for ethics & compliance professionals. Through its membership, ECI represents entities across nearly every industry, located in 37 countries on six continents each dedicated to promoting the highest levels of integrity.
Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI)
Sep 2021 – Sep 2026
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At Large Director - NAEP Board of Directors Mission Statement To advance institutional and individual success through innovative procurement strategies Vision Statement To be the sought-after resource on educational procurement innovation Strategic Plan A year in the making, the new strategic plan focuses in three key areas: Education, Connection, and Brand Management and is designed to create a roadmap for the Association’s future while being flexible to adapt to our rapidly changing environment.
National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP)
Mar 2021 – Mar 2026
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Volunteer Member and Donor Volunteer contributing to roundtable discussions, and international teleconference discussions on the following topics; international human rights, economic dilemmas, women's rights, equality, irradicating disease, eliminating poverty, and supporting the development of micro-businesses in third world countries.
United Nations Foundation
Jan 2014 – Dec 2025
Languages
- French (France) Beginner
- German Beginner
- Spanish Beginner
Additional information
Organizations
