Chicago City Wire

CHICAGO – Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Sharla Roberts as Commissioner of the Department of Procurement Services. In this role, Roberts will oversee the city’s contracting, certification, and compliance operations.

Roberts previously served as the director of procurement diversity at the University of Illinois, where she increased the university’s diversity spending from $50 million to $113 million over five years. She also held the position of chief diversity officer at the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Additionally, Roberts chairs the Certification and Compliance committees of the State of Illinois Business Enterprise Council.

“I have been, and will always continue to be, a strong advocate for increasing diverse contracting. I am thrilled that Sharla will be joining me in this advocacy,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Sharla has long been a champion for diverse economic empowerment and is bringing her expertise and dedication to diversity, transparency, and innovation to the Chicago Department of Procurement Services.”

At the University of Illinois, Roberts established the Diverse Supplier Development Program to empower diverse businesses through capacity building. She created Illinois' first “sheltered market” contract exclusively for minorities and women in information technology. In 2023, she was recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Leaders in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Roberts’ career includes leadership roles in both public and private sectors where she spearheaded initiatives for economic development and diversity. Her strategic plan for procurement diversity at the University included staff training programs and innovative outreach efforts that fostered vendor relationships.

Roberts has also collaborated with organizations such as World Business Chicago, West Side Total Health Collaborative, and West Side United on initiatives promoting economic growth and job creation for small and diverse businesses in Chicago. These efforts have contributed significantly to advancing Chicago’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs.

“It is a profound honor to be appointed to serve in this role,” said Roberts. “I am excited to continue to expand upon Mayor Johnson’s initiatives to increase diverse contracting in the city of Chicago.”

###