Valerie Nesbitt is Director Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability for Norfolk Southern is the recipient of the Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. League Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, advocacy, and service to the Atlanta area business community. The award, named after the late Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., a beloved civic leader and businessman, celebrates individuals who exemplify his legacy of empowerment, mentorship, and community uplift.

Nesbitt is responsible for ensuring that contracts issued by the company maximize opportunities for small, minority and woman-owned businesses to participate. She also serves as the sustainability liaison for the sourcing team, working strategically with suppliers to identify ways to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

“Supplier diversity is an essential business strategy at Norfolk Southern,” said Nesbitt in a statement. “It is important for us to form meaningful business relationships by engaging high quality small and diverse firms. We are proud of our successes to date and excited about the future as we continue to grow our program.”

Spanning more than thirty years, her extensive background in supply chain management includes leadership assignments with companies such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Martin Marietta and General Electric.

Valerie takes great pride in the impact of her work, especially in creating lasting change. Among her many achievements, she is most proud of enhancing the Supplier Inclusion programs at Norfolk Southern and Delta Air Lines. Her leadership in these initiatives not only strengthened the companies’ supply chains but also built meaningful relationships with diverse firms across the country.

A native of Aiken, South Carolina, Nesbitt is a lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) and Contract Compliance Administrator (CCA). She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Public Administration from Golden Gate University.

The consummate professional also generously gives her time to various community organizations by actively serving on committees and the board of directors with organizations such as the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, the Atlanta Business League and she is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Valerie and her husband Donas reside in Smyrna, Georgia.