From Shakespeare to Sourcing: Finding Purpose in Procurement
In Part I of this two-part Procurement Pathways Podcast series, our host Stacy Joslin, sits down with Kelly Barner, co-founder and Head of Content and Operations at Art of Procurement. What begins as a conversation about an unconventional career path quickly becomes a discussion about curiosity, storytelling, leadership, and the decisions that shape a career over time.
Kelly shares how an academic passion for Shakespeare unexpectedly led her into procurement. Along the way, she reflects on the experiences that influenced her thinking, from corporate research and knowledge management to strategic sourcing, consulting, content creation, and entrepreneurship. Her story highlights a theme familiar to many procurement professionals: few people plan to enter procurement, but many discover opportunities that align with their strengths in unexpected ways. From building Art of Procurement into a respected industry platform to navigating difficult career decisions, Kelly offers a candid perspective on growth, resilience, and professional fulfillment. She also shares practical advice for professionals seeking to communicate their value, strengthen their personal story, and stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Key insights for procurement leaders include:
- How storytelling helps procurement align stakeholders, influence decisions, and create consensus.
- Why analytical thinking and curiosity can become powerful competitive advantages.
- How trusting your instincts can open doors to unexpected career opportunities.
- Why strong partnerships, active listening, and culture are foundational to long-term success.
- How professionals can better communicate their unique value and differentiate themselves in the market.
- Why personal experiences and nontraditional backgrounds often become professional strengths.
- How perception influences value, and why understanding that dynamic matters in business and procurement.
Listen as Kelly discuss career pivots, leadership lessons, entrepreneurship, and the skills that continue to shape successful procurement professionals. Along the way, they explore the importance of authenticity, continuous learning, and staying open to opportunities that may not have been part of the original plan.
Stay tuned for Part II of this conversation, where Kelly shares additional insights on career development, value creation, communication, and the evolving role of procurement professionals.
About our guest:
Kelly Barner
Kelly Barner is the Co-Founder and the Head of Content and Operations at Art of Procurement. She has her MBA from Babson College as well as an MS in Library and Information Science from Simmons College and she has co-authored three books: ‘Supply Market Intelligence for Procurement Professionals’, ‘Procurement at a Crossroads’, and ‘Finance Unleashed.’ In 2022, Kelly was one of the #First100 members of the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator program where she led an in-depth project into the current status and future potential of supplier diversity, and was selected as one of 19 podcast hosts to participate in the first LinkedIn Podcast Academy.
