| Patricia J. Richards is Manager of Corporate Supplier
Diversity and Diversity Outreach for Shell Oil Company with responsibility for developing and implementing
the strategic direction of diversity and inclusiveness for Supplier Diversity program and Diversity Outreach
efforts across the Shell Companies in the United States. A significant part of her responsibilities include
executing a strategic plan to achieve corporate goals and objectives for supplier utilization and inclusion.
She also provides guidance to Shell leaders and supplier diversity advocates on how they can integrate best
practices to achieve business unit M/WBE goals. Patricia is charged with forging dynamic relationships with
minority and women business owners and support organizations like the Women's Business Enterprise National
Council (WBENC) and National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), RainbowPUSH Coalition and others.
Born August 19th in Lampasas, Texas, Patricia received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
from Oral Roberts University and received her MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2006. She joined Shell in
January 2002, after an extensive career in supply chain management and supplier diversity with Texaco.
Patricia has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the arena of minority and women business development.
Her overall work experience includes twenty plus years in corporate buying organizations and supplier diversity
programs.
Mrs. Richards serves on several committees of minority and women support organizations such as the
Houston Minority Business Council. She is a member of The Working Group, a 23-member consumer industry group.
She chairs the WBENC's Development Committee and Ambassadors Program and serves on WBENC's board of directors.
Patricia is a board member of the Minority and Women Business Development Group (MWBDG) associated with the
Institute for Supply Management, working to influence the utilization of minority and women owned businesses in
supply chains. Patricia is a sought after speaker on the businesscase for supplier inclusion and best practices
in supplier diversity.
She has received numerous awards and recognitions based on company performance and personal attributes,
including recipient of the 2002 Advocate of the Year from the Houston Minority Business Council (HMBC) and
recognized as a 2003 Woman of Excellence by Minority Business News USA. Shell has also received corporate
recognition from local and national organizations including: 2004 Corporate Commitment Award and 2003
Innovation Award from the HMBC and the 2004 Corporate Commitment Award from the Louisiana Minority Business
Council (LMBC). Shell has also received the 2003,2004 and 2005 America's Top Corporations for WBEs Award from
WBENC and 2003, 2004 Cutting Edge Awards from Women's Business Enterprise Alliance for highest percent
utilization of WBEs.
Patricia resides in the Houston area with her husband and two sons. She serves as fund raising chair for a
local Boy Scouts of America troop. She enjoys family, friends, travel and reading. |
