Colleen St. Cyr | Published on 10/1/2026
At our recent COOPP gathering, Cindy Collins led a thoughtful discussion alongside panelists Jatnna Garcia Rosario and Maria Gadomski. Together, they guided the group through “a journey to a new era,” exploring how the procurement profession has evolved across generations and how it will continue to grow as time passes.
The conversation highlighted a strong contrast between then versus now. Jatnna brought humor to the room as she reminded everyone just how dramatically the field has shifted—from paper-heavy workflows to an almost entirely virtual paper trail. While tools and processes have changed, she stressed that the core value of the profession has not. Jatnna encouraged all of us to be loud and proud, to own our titles, and to recognize procurement as a meaningful and powerful career. Learning, she emphasized, is one thing that will never lose its importance.
Cindy expanded on this theme, acknowledging not only how much procurement has evolved but the importance of balance within that evolution. She spoke about the advantages of being proactive rather than reactive, and the necessity of flexibility in the modern workplace. Cindy expressed hope that future leaders will fully appreciate the human aspect of the job—understanding that real-life challenges like sick kids or cars that won’t start are part of being human. She encouraged everyone to look at situations through multiple lenses rather than focusing solely on monetary outcomes.
Maria reflected on the role leadership has played in shaping procurement over time and the role it will continue to play. She noted that age does not determine one’s leadership abilities. Instead, great leaders understand the value of people and the value of procurement itself. They represent their peers in ways that promote improvement, positivity, and growth. Maria echoed the idea that many people “fall into” procurement, but once they do, they take the role seriously, striving to learn, grow, and contribute. Overall, the panel agreed that procurement professionals bring tremendous value to their communities. Our willingness to share knowledge and collaborate is what will ensure that the profession continues to evolve as we move through new eras.
During the business meeting, Barb congratulated Jatnna on being named the new Vice President of COOPP, and also extended congratulations to Maria, who will now serve as Program Chair. Donna informed the group that another election is approaching, and COOPP will be looking to fill several roles. The Nominating Committee will announce the election process and begin accepting nominations on Friday, October 2. The announcement will include a nomination form and instructions for submitting the form to the Nominating Committee.