In our next feature for the Women in Procurement campaign…
In honor of Women's History Month and National Procurement Month, we spotlight Megan Brooks, whose journey and insights are reshaping perceptions in the procurement world.
About Megan
Megan is a dynamic Senior Sourcing and Partnerships Manager at SiriusXM serving its Product & Technology Org with a passion for optimizing operations and fostering strategic relationships across the business. Her background across product and partner operations and vendor and account management serve her in bringing a fresh perspective to the everyday procurement world.
Megan has always believed that personal and professional passions can intersect. Her respect for technology, community, and inclusion serves as a great foundation for all the work she touches. Passionate about people and service to others, she is on a mission to infuse modernization in the world of procurement and sourcing.
As a woman of color in procurement, Megan recognizes the importance of representation in the industry. "Especially since being newer to the industry and as a woman and a woman of color, I don't see myself represented a lot," she notes, highlighting a challenge she hopes to help address through her work and advocacy.
Building Relationships and Owning Your Space
When asked about her professional advice for others in the field, Megan emphasizes the importance of building relationships. "Hone in on building relationships—internally across the business and externally," she advises. "Don't be afraid to flex those relationships and find advisors, or just work with your peers."
For Megan, the procurement community has been an invaluable resource. "I've found so much value, especially in the procurement community, just learning from my own peers and learning from other procurement practitioners."
One of her most resonant pieces of advice? "Be curious. You can even work on your curiosity—practice on asking better questions and don't be afraid to own your questions."
She also emphasizes the importance of confidence in professional settings: "Remind yourself that you're in that room for a reason and own your seat at the table."
Inspirations and Advice for Women in Procurement
Megan's approach to procurement is shaped by her belief in the power of relationships and holistic problem-solving. When asked what made her memorable to stakeholders who thought of her for new opportunities, Megan identifies: "The relationship management skills, as well as being someone that can step back and take a holistic look between multiple parties and being able to drive multiple parties to the best outcome for everyone."
This ability extends beyond formal settings, shaping how colleagues perceive her even "outside the room"—a testament to the power of personal branding in professional advancement.
When discussing skills that women should focus on to stay ahead in procurement, Megan highlights two key areas:
"I'd probably be remiss if I didn't mention owning skills in AI," she notes, connecting this back to her emphasis on curiosity.
Beyond technical skills, Megan stresses the importance of broader business knowledge: "Business acumen—learn the business side of things. In procurement, we get really focused on just learning the procurement industry, but learning all different facets around you, from finance to legal to security and business development" is crucial.
Her advice for women entering or advancing in the field is clear: "Own your questions" and "own your seat at the table." These simple but powerful statements reflect Megan's belief in the importance of self-advocacy and confidence.
Reimagining Procurement's Brand
Megan acknowledges procurement's image problem, noting from her perspective as a woman of color that representation is lacking. "I don't see myself represented in the industry a lot. I think that's huge."
She suggests several approaches to make procurement more appealing:
- "Exposing procurement to many different communities"
- Potentially evolving beyond the traditional term “procurement” to better reflect the function’s modern, strategic role.
- Emphasizing the partnership aspects of the role—"sourcing and partnerships"
- Positioning procurement as "an extension of the business" that "creates value versus just a process"
- Shifting perception from procurement as a "gatekeeper" to a "value creator"
She is particularly passionate about increasing diversity in procurement and believes in the power of storytelling to highlight procurement's strategic value. "The procurement industry needs to continue doing a lot more storytelling in the business, showing how we're driving positive business outcomes in everything that we touch and all of the different teams that we touch."
Looking Forward
As procurement evolves, Megan sees the field becoming "a lot more data-driven." Her perspective offers a refreshing vision for an industry in transition—one that values relationship building, curiosity, and strategic thinking while embracing diversity and innovation.
With her background spanning product and partner operations, vendor and account management, Megan brings a unique perspective that helps bridge the gap between procurement and other business functions. Her mission to "infuse modernization in the world of procurement and sourcing" aligns perfectly with her vision for the industry's future—more inclusive, more strategic, and more deeply integrated with the businesses it serves.
The path forward for procurement, in Megan's view, requires professionals who can navigate both the technical and human elements of the role. "We need to continue doing a lot more storytelling in the business," she emphasizes, "showing how we're driving positive business outcomes in everything that we touch while supporting teams across the business." This ability to articulate value is crucial as procurement shifts from being perceived as a process-driven function to being recognized as a strategic partner.
For women entering or advancing in procurement, Megan's journey offers valuable insights on the power of relationship-building, curiosity, and confidence. Her advocacy for greater diversity and representation stands alongside her practical advice on developing cross-functional business acumen and embracing new technologies like AI.
As both the industry and its professionals evolve, Megan's refreshing approach reminds us that procurement's true potential lies in its ability to connect people, drive strategic outcomes, and create value far beyond the traditional purchasing function. By owning their questions, owning their seat at the table, and championing a more inclusive and innovative future, professionals like Megan are reshaping not just how procurement operates, but how it's perceived across organizations.
This feature is part of our Women in Procurement series celebrating Women's History Month and National Procurement Month.