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03 Feb 2025 | 4 min read
Force for Good: A Celebration of Collaboration

At VendorPanel, we know procurement has the power to drive innovation, build stronger communities, and make a meaningful impact. That core belief inspired our Force for Good fireside chat series, designed to bring procurement leaders together to exchange ideas and share best practice.
Our inaugural session, A Celebration of Collaboration, was hosted by VendorPanel and featured an impressive all-female panel of experts: Christina Guerra of Tennis Australia, Marnie Benney of the Municipal Association of Victoria, and Hayley Kudra of Unimarket. Together, they explored the challenges and rewards of collaboration in procurement—at industry, regional, and organisational levels.
Through engaging conversation and real-world examples, the panellists illustrated how collaboration can unlock financial, operational, and social benefits. From cutting costs to improving compliance, their insights offered actionable advice for procurement professionals looking to make a difference.
Here’s what we learned.
Industry Collaboration: Unlocking New Possibilities
Christina Guerra opened the discussion with an innovative perspective on industry-wide collaboration. Drawing from her experience at Tennis Australia and the formation of the Procurement Sporting Body forum, she emphasised the transformative power of sharing knowledge, technologies, and approaches across industries to uncover solutions they might not have discovered on their own.
“My number one recommendation is just start,” Christina urged. “The value in collaborating with your industry is so huge. You get to learn what everybody else is doing, how they’re doing it. They share knowledge, they share insights—even just understanding the basics of how they do things is so valuable.”
Christina shared examples of cross-industry forums and joint initiatives where organisations co-created solutions that benefited everyone involved. Whether it’s aligning sustainability efforts or streamlining supplier networks, the takeaway is clear: industry collaboration isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity for innovation and growth.
One of the key themes Christina highlighted was that collaboration breeds agility. In a world where historical processes are the norm, the ability to adapt and innovate collaboratively can be the difference between staying relevant and falling behind.
Regional Collaboration: Doing More With Less
Marnie Benney, a seasoned Procurement and Contract Management professional, delved into the advantages of regional collaboration, particularly for local councils and government entities. Her experience at Stonnington Council and the Municipal Association of Victoria has proven the immense value of pooling resources and leveraging collective knowledge at a regional level.
Marnie pointed out that councils often face common challenges—limited budgets, administrative pressures, and resource constraints. By collaborating with neighbouring councils, these challenges can be tackled more effectively.
“Sharing supplier lists not only results in better cost savings,” Marnie explained, “but it also saves councils from duplicating work. Instead of each council running the same tender process, we can collaborate to reduce the administrative burden and free up time for higher-value activities.”
She highlighted examples of regional partnerships that have achieved remarkable results, from group contracts that reduce procurement cycles to shared platforms, like VendorPanel, that streamline compliance. Beyond financial savings, regional collaboration fosters stronger relationships between councils and suppliers, creating a ripple effect of trust and transparency across the ecosystem.
Marnie also noted that the administrative efficiencies gained through collaboration go beyond saving time—they allow procurement teams to focus on strategic priorities, such as sustainability and community engagement, that might otherwise be sidelined.
Internal Collaboration: Building Bridges Within Organisations
Finally, Hayley Kudra brought the conversation closer to home, focusing on the role of collaboration within organisations. As an experienced procurement professional and now Head of Customer Success ANZ at Unimarket-VendorPanel, Hayley highlighted the importance of bridging gaps between procurement teams and other departments, transforming procurement into a trusted partner rather than a perceived barrier.
Hayley argued that technology is a crucial enabler when it comes to bridging the gap within organisations. By implementing user-friendly tools and systems, procurement teams can easily implement processes, improve compliance, and, most importantly, change how they are perceived internally.
“Technology can help reposition procurement from being seen as red tape and roadblocks to being a customer-focused department that’s approachable,” Hayley shared.
She also emphasised that when procurement teams actively engage with other departments—like listening to their needs, simplifying workflows, and offering tailored solutions—compliance and engagement naturally improve. This internal collaboration creates a culture where procurement is viewed as a value-adding function rather than a cumbersome hurdle.
Hayley’s insights underscore the need for procurement professionals to advocate for technology investments that align with organisational goals. By doing so, they can improve efficiency AND foster stronger internal relationships that benefit the entire organisation.
Collaboration as a Force for Good
This discussion was a powerful reminder of the need for collaboration in procurement and the potential it holds for organisations. Whether at an industry level, regional level, or within your own organisation, working together creates opportunities to innovate, build stronger partnerships, and drive positive outcomes.
As Christina Guerra so aptly put it: “just start.” Begin the conversation, reach out to peers, and explore opportunities to collaborate. You’ll not only discover better ways of doing things but also position your organisation—and procurement—as a true force for good.
Are you ready to unlock the power of collaboration?
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