Click Here To Listen Nashville Business 100 Leading Women Michelle Hernandez Lane
Michelle Hernandez Lane was appointed by Mayor Megan Barry as Metro Nashville’s Chief Procurement Officer/Purchasing Agent in June of 2017. Michelle has responsibility for all of the City’s bidding and contracting activity. In this role, Michelle provides vision, leadership direction and structure to the procurement function so as to drive effective and value-added purchasing planning and sourcing aligned with the priorities of the Metropolitan Government.
Prior to this role, Michelle served as the City’s first Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). In this role, Michelle was charged with implementing the Mayor’s agenda to ensure that all parts of Metro Govt. are diverse and inclusive.
Michelle’s career with Metro Govt. began in 2001 as she worked to develop the existing small business program. In 2008, Michelle began her role as Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance and implemented a program designed to promote the inclusion of minorities and women in the City’s procurements. In 2013, Michelle was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam to the Advisory Council on State Procurement.
Michelle holds a B.A. from Fisk University, an M.S. from Cumberland University. Michelle has been certified as a Professional Public Buyer, is a Certified Compliance Administrator, and Certified Grant Professional. She holds memberships in the American Contract Compliance Association, the National Institute of Government Purchasing, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Michelle has called Nashville home since 1993 and hails from Palm Springs, Ca.