Simone Ray

Director, Supplier Diversity

Simone Ray is a seasoned professional with a background in supply chain management, retail and product development with a passion for diversity and inclusion. She is director of Supplier Diversity for Hilton’s highly ranked and recognized supplier diversity program as awarded by DiversityInc, WBENC Top Corporations and consistently ranked Top 50 Corporations as Best of the Best with the NBIC. Simone received her Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising from Florida State University.

Throughout her career, Simone has cultivated relationships with diverse agencies and organizations, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on the boards of the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council and the National Association of Veterans Owned Businesses, along with being Chair of the Hospitality Industry groups with the NMSDC. In addition to her professional memberships, Simone is also a member of the Institute of Supply Management and Women in Travel & Hospitality.

Simone's dedication to diversity and inclusion has been recognized through numerous awards and accolades, including the Diversity Buyer of the Year award from Minority Business News and the Women to Watch award from Women's Diversity Comms Magazine. She has also been named as one of the Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity by DiversityPlus.

In her spare time she enjoys connecting with local business owners in the DMV providing guidance on how to improve or generate new synergies in the community.