Lisa Reisman
Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder, Managing PartnerLisa Reisman is co-founder and executive editor of MetalMiner, the largest metals website by traffic, and CEO of parent company Azul Partners, which owns and operates multiple websites dedicated to the field of procurement. As one of the nation’s foremost metals experts, Lisa and her team have developed innovations in metal price forecasting, pricing and benchmarking. In addition to past roles at Arthur Andersen and Deloitte Consulting, she has also owned and operated her own aluminum trading company. Lisa earned her MPA from New York University along with a BA in political science and journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a Six Sigma Black Belt.
Pierre Mitchell
Chief Research Officer, Managing PartnerPierre has 25 years of experience in the procurement and supply chain industry, and is a recognized procurement expert specializing in supply processes, practices, metrics and enabling tools and services. He is a regular contributor to business publications, a frequent presenter at industry events around the world and counts himself fortunate to have served and interacted with so many CPOs and future CPOs.
Jason Busch
Founder, Managing PartnerThe closest thing to a household name in procurement and supply chain, Jason has led the charge as an advocate, futurist and evangelist since the 1990s. Initially at FreeMarkets and then an adviser to Ariba and other firms, Jason branched out on his own to establish Spend Matters, the largest news and information portal covering procurement. Jason divides his time between research, speaking, corporate finance advisory, angel investing and mentoring dozens of firms and procurement organizations. Prior to Azul Partners and FreeMarkets, Jason worked in consulting and merchant banking. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
Richard Lee
Chief Financial Officer, Managing DirectorBringing 20 years of executive and frontline management experience in finance, operations and strategy, Richard serves as CFO of Azul Partners and oversees larger advisory engagements, bringing particular expertise in travel, services procurement and related areas. Richard was a captain in the U.S. Army. He completed his MBA at Carnegie Mellon; MA economics and MPA from the University of Oklahoma; and BS from West Point. Richard is equally at home in front of boards of directors and large financial models — or jumping out of an airplane and whipping up a mean bowl of kimchee soup.
Peter Smith
Chief UK Research OfficerPeter has been around procurement for 30 years as a manager, CPO and consultant. He has an MA in mathematics from Cambridge University, and is a Fellow at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, of which he served as president in 2003. Peter is a regular speaker at conferences and workshops, and his first book, “Buying Professional Services: How to get value for money from consultants and other professional services providers,” co-authored with Fiona Czerniawska, was published in June 2010 by The Economist Books.
Scott Slone
Chief Technology Officer, Managing DirectorIn addition to his near-decade at Ariba as corporate webmaster and senior manager of online marketing, Scott has worked with web properties at several tech companies including Hyperion Solutions, PGP Corp. and Accept Software. Scott also has been involved with network and systems management organizations, working with the burgeoning internet at Novell in the mid-nineties. Early in his career, Scott worked for the FBI as both an illustrator and exhibits specialist before giving up the East Coast’s drastic winters for the more moderately dense fogs of the West.
Sheena Smith
VP Client Services, Managing DirectorWith over 10 years in production, delivery, sales and client management experience, Sheena runs the commercial and client services team with a focus on innovative program design and delivering top quality results. Her client-first mindset leads to collaborative and engaging programming across the spectrum of Azul Partners sites. Sheena holds a BA in english literature and political science from the University of Washington and an MA in english literature from DePaul University.
Carina Kuhl
VP Marketing, Managing DirectorCarina has rich experience creating B2B events and high-impact integrated marketing programs. At Azul Partners, she leads marketing across all brands with a customer-first mentality. Previous positions include head of marketing, events and operations at IACCM and head of ProcureCon events at Worldwide Business Research. Carina is a Dutch native and holds a BS in economics and management from Stenden University.
Kendra Cato
Manager, Client ServicesKendra works closely with clients to develop commercial programs and ensure delivery. Her main focus is managing projects and commercial parameters for Azul Partners’ contingent workforce practice. In her 15 years of editorial and client management experience, Kendra has provided executive-level client support in several industries, including investment banking, corporate law and procurement. She holds a BA in journalism and public relations from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.
Brianna Tonner
Manager, Client ServicesBrianna serves as a liaison between the Azul Partners analysts and clients. Bringing five years of marketing and editorial experience, she helps shape creative strategies and programs with clients across the Azul Partners spectrum, including MetalMiner. She has been with the Azul Partners team since 2011 and is rewarded by the friendships and business partnerships she makes. Brianna holds a BA in english literature from the University of Northern Iowa and an MA in English literature from DePaul University.