Modernizing Procurement — Panel Session

​Modernizing Procurement: Embracing Innovation for Future Success

• ​Run of Show:

  • ​ Introductions (5 minutes),

  • ​ Panel Session (40 minutes)

  • ​ Q&A (15 minutes)

• ​Moderator: Ryan Cherfan, Product Owner, AltaML

• ​Speakers: 

  • ​Gabriel Potter, Director of Outreach, Government of Alberta

  • ​Sohrab Sohrabi, Chief Procurement Officer and Branch Manager of Corporate Procurement and Supply Chain Management, City of Edmonton  

  • ​Emily Marino, Head of Product & Customer Experience, QuoteToMe

​Gabriel Potter is the Director of Outreach with Digital Design and Delivery division, Ministry of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta. He has more than 10 years of government experience, focusing on stakeholder engagement, product management, and Indigenous relations. His current work focuses on building bridges between the Government of Alberta and external stakeholders in the tech industry, other government jurisdictions, and post-secondary institutions. He’s particularly interested in how innovations in procurement, human-centred design, and technology can lead to better services for citizens.

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​Sohrab has an impressive 20-year career in various executive roles in supply chain, procurement and contract management. He has held senior leadership positions in various sectors such as Director of Procurement Strategy, and Executive Director of Procurement with Alberta Transportation, Manager of Construction Procurement with Alberta Infrastructure, and Senior Director of Procurement with BC Transit.

​Currently, he is the Chief Procurement Officer and Branch Manager of Corporate Procurement and Supply Chain Management with the City of Edmonton. Sohrab's academic background is equally impressive, holding a Ph.D. in Operations Management with a focus on Supply Chain Management, a Master’s degree in Operations Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He also holds a Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation from Supply Chain Canada.

​Sohrab is passionate about client service excellence and continuous improvement in procurement solutions. He champions diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in his leadership and daily practices. His areas of expertise include procurement transformation, category management, major capital infrastructure projects procurement, social and sustainable procurement, and vendor performance management.