MBN USA

October 04, 2021

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Unlimited potential fuels Hastings passion for supplier diversity

Graciela “Grace” Hastings is the supplier diversity manager at Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC. She began her career with Oncor — formerly known as TXU — in 1988. Previously, she held positions in customer service, procurement, materials management and corporate contracts. She joined the corporate supplier-diversity organization in 2000. In 2008, she was promoted to supplier diversity manager.

In this role, she manages Oncor’s supplier diversity program. Under her leadership, the largest energy delivery company in Texas has spent more than $2 billion with diverse suppliers since its supplier diversity initiative was created in 2007. It was a Gold Award winner in the 2018 American Business Awards. Oncor also received the President’s Award from the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2018. She currently serves as secretary on the board of Women’s Business Council – Southwest and has been involved over the years with Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council Inc. She has been the recipient of many awards, including 2019 Corporate Advocate of the Year for Women’s Business Council – Southwest.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background?

A: My family and life experiences created lasting beliefs and ideas that have made me who I am today. I learned so much from my father, who came to this country as the son of migrant farmworkers. He lived a life of service, including being in the U.S. Army followed by a career in law enforcement — 25 years with the Dallas Police Department and 12 years as a Dallas County Deputy Sheriff bailiff for the grand jury.

His dedication to helping people and to the multicultural communities across the city was something that I saw every day, and people knew they could reach out to him if they needed anything. My mother was a strong Hispanic woman who also taught me about commitment and perseverance. She worked in the medical profession helping people and was the backbone that always kept our family together. Both my parents taught me about Mexican history, culture and traditions that I still love to this day.

While growing up in a suburb of Dallas, I faced challenges that many Hispanic and Latinx people still experience today. My brother and I were placed in special speech therapy classes during our elementary school years because we spoke with a Spanish accent. We were told that we could not speak Spanish at school, and we should not speak it at home. This was the first of many life experiences I can recall that had a profound impact on my life and career choices.

Q: What attracted you to the supplier diversity arena?

A: I began my career with a predecessor company of Oncor as a bilingual customer service phone representative. I worked my way into the procurement organization, which created an opportunity to work with an amazing leader who also became a mentor. She offered me a chance to help her with some events in the supplier diversity arena. I loved the experience of meeting amazing minority and women entrepreneurs. Their energy and passion were so exciting, and it led me down the path to a career focused on supplier diversity. 

With the encouragement of my family and my mentor, I went back to school and completed my college education, which focused on business management and entrepreneurship. I also gained additional experience in the supply-chain area, which has been another important part of the work I do to engage diverse suppliers and bring them into the supply chain.

Over the years, I have been able to work with diverse suppliers that are now national and global leaders — not only in their business categories but also in academia, politics and philanthropic pursuits. Their businesses vary from staffing to electric utility construction companies and even new technologies or categories that these entrepreneurs have created. They are truly the heartbeat of the economy and future. Working with these entrepreneurs and the unlimited potential is what feeds my passion for supplier diversity.

Q: What are you most proud of about Oncor’s supplier diversity program?

A: I am proud to work for a company like Oncor that has a true commitment and understanding of the value and positive impact the utilization of diverse suppliers can have on the company and the communities we serve. Consistent and significant increases in spend and the positive economic impact are some of the measurable results. The dedication and commitment of Oncor’s leadership and all employees continue to increase opportunities and unique experiences with the diverse supplier community.

As these suppliers work with Oncor to provide innovative solutions and technologies to consumers, it is exciting to see how these partnerships are creating solutions that are providing safe and reliable service, while continuing to grow the economy.

Q: What advice do you have for minority business enterprises interested in doing business with Oncor?

A: MBE suppliers should understand Oncor’s core business and our culture. The electric utility industry is changing quickly with new technologies and rapid growth. Suppliers need to come to the table with solutions that will add value. They must also understand that new business does not happen overnight.

Sometimes, it takes a while for the right situation and opportunity to arrive, and they must be ready when the call goes out to engage in a sourcing event.

If there is an opportunity to begin with a smaller opportunity, they should be willing to take it. In many cases, it will lead to other work of a more significant scope. Also, remember “no” doesn’t always mean never; it may mean not now. Patience and perseverance are a part of establishing a relationship that can lead to future opportunities.

Q: What’s your vision for the future of minority business development and supply-chain diversity?

A: Supplier diversity encompasses more than just engaging minority businesses in sourcing opportunities. Once a supplier is part of the supply chain, there must be open dialogue and mentoring to ensure success of the relationship for both parties. The development of existing diverse suppliers is important, creating continued growth opportunities for these suppliers as well as potential new suppliers. I am excited about the new technologies and solutions these suppliers continue to create. These diverse businesses make our supply chain more resilient and the economy stronger. 

To learn more about Oncor’s supplier diversity program, visit oncor.com/sitepages/Suppliers.aspx.