Thought Leadership Webinar
Centralized or Decentralized Procurement? Finding the Sweet Spot Between Control & Agility
Join us to hear procurement leaders from George Fox University and Seton Hall University share firsthand experiences, lessons learned, and practical insights on how to design a procurement structure that aligns with your institution’s goals and culture.
🗓️ Thursday, July 17, 2025 | ⏰ 2 pm ET | 11 am PT

Why you should attend this webinar
What you'll learn
✔️ The core benefits and trade-offs of centralized and decentralized procurement models
✔️ The hidden costs, compliance risks, and inefficiencies leaders often overlook
✔️ Real-world insights from institutions that have successfully evolved their procurement structures
Who should watch
- Procurement and purchasing professionals in higher education
- Registrars and finance leaders seeking better spend control
- Public sector sourcing and contract managers
- Anyone tasked with modernizing procurement operations or policy
Featured Speakers

As Procurement Manager at Connecticut College, Kristi Kerr leads initiatives to modernize procurement processes, enhance compliance, and drive strategic sourcing. With a focus on optimizing procurement operations, Kristi has been instrumental in streamlining workflows and improving supplier relationships.
Her expertise includes strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, and supplier relationship management. Kristi is also a founding member of E&I’s Strategic Advisory Board, contributing to collaborative procurement strategies in higher education.

Christopher Rust, APPM
Former Director of Purchasing at Connecticut College & Mount Holyoke College
Director of Consulting Services, Unimarket
As Unimarket’s Director of Consulting Services, Christopher helps institutions modernize procurement and contract management by applying real-world expertise from nearly two decades in higher education.
With a background leading purchasing departments at Connecticut College and Mount Holyoke College, Christopher brings deep insight into the challenges institutions face—transforming legacy processes into streamlined, compliant, and value-driven operations.
Hear firsthand how Kristi and Chris tackled common contract pitfalls and modernized their approach—leading to better oversight, fewer compliance risks, and more confident procurement decisions.
Featured Speakers

Christopher Rust, APPM
Former Director of Purchasing at Connecticut College & Mount Holyoke College
Director of Consulting Services, Unimarket
As Unimarket’s Director of Consulting Services, Christopher helps institutions modernize procurement and contract management by applying real-world expertise from nearly two decades in higher education. With a background leading purchasing departments at Connecticut College and Mount Holyoke College, Christopher brings deep insight into the challenges institutions face—transforming legacy processes into streamlined, compliant, and value-driven operations.

As Director of Purchasing and Administrative Services at George Fox University, Frank leads the university’s transition from a decentralized to a centralized procurement model. With over 15 years of global supply chain experience, he focuses on integrating technology-driven solutions, sustainable practices, and robust vendor management to deliver efficient, future-ready procurement operations that align with the university’s mission.

As Director of Procurement at Seton Hall University, James oversees the full procure-to-pay lifecycle, bringing more than two decades of supply chain and operations leadership across higher education, industrial, and construction sectors. With expertise in ERP, operational excellence, supplier management, and continuous improvement, James helps the university strengthen procurement processes, drive efficiency, and deliver greater value. A graduate of the NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program, he’s committed to advancing best practices and building transparent, collaborative partnerships across campus.
Hear firsthand how Christopher, Frank, and James have tackled the challenges of centralized versus decentralized procurement—unlocking better oversight, stronger compliance, and smarter spend decisions for their institutions.
