Bara Waters

Senior Officer, Communications & Training @University of California Office of the President

Oakland, CA, US

Oversee internal/external communications & training programs for UC Systemwide Procurement, department responsible for over $13 billion in annual spend across the UC 10-campus system. Lead and support initiatives of critical importance to the University with systemwide, state and national impact, including high-visibility policy, public interest programs and organizational transformation efforts within world’s top public research university system. High impact initiatives include:• Proactive marketing communications for national lead agency contracting program that leverages UC\'s purchasing power to benefit higher and K-12 education, public agencies, governments and nonprofits via access to UC competitively-bid contracts, with over public agencies currently using UC contracts.• Markedly increased economic and social impact via awareness of procurement opportunities for small and diverse suppliers for a stronger and more resilient supply chain.• Impactful communications and change management for supply chain transformation and continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing capability and capacity and delivering innovative supply chain solutions.• Effective change management and training for collaborative eProcurement technology initiative implemented across 35 state university locations to maximize and streamline California public higher education\'s buying power.