Zip Community Spotlight: Natasha Liso, Procurement Leader at Grafana Labs

Procurement Leader @ Grafana Labs

About Natasha: Natasha Liso is reporting in from sunny Santa Barbara County. We riffed on doing-more-with-less, turning chaos into simple playbooks, and where AI can actually help. Dive in and enjoy!

What first led you into procurement? Did you find it or did procurement find you? Procurement found its way to me. I began my career in Toronto, and after college, I was exploring various paths. Thanks to a friend, I was offered the chance to support the educational toy department at Toys R Us as an Assistant Buyer. This experience served as a gateway to working with many different commodities in both indirect and direct sourcing.

What is an interesting trend or challenge you are currently thinking through in your role? I'm sure this is a common issue, but we're all being asked to do more with less. I'm constantly trying to create simple, repeatable processes for our stakeholders. On top of that, my team is increasingly becoming a central point for not just Strategic Sourcing & Procurement, but also Legal, Security, and Privacy. The world of Strategic Sourcing has changed, and so have our responsibilities.

I believe AI will be a big help in meeting these needs or at least allowing us to shift priorities. While we're not fully there yet, I see a future in the near term where AI can help my team cut down on repetitive tasks, manage communication, and handle the easy wins. The technology is available, and we're ready to implement and embrace it. This will allow my team to focus on the important strategic work without getting bogged down by the smaller details.

What is the best career advice you have ever received? Perform at the level you’re trying to achieve. I love this because it pushes me to learn, ask questions, and continue to be motivated in my role, no matter the level. Curiosity is key to growth.

Outside of work, what is your hobby or passion that brings you joy? I’m in the season of life where parenting is my main hobby. When I’m not at dance, soccer, or other kid activities, I enjoy adventures with my family and being outdoors.

What about the Zip community are you most excited to explore as it develops? The Procurement community has been a cornerstone of my own career success, allowing me to share insights and learn from prominent leaders in this field for many years, even before Zip. I continue to nurture these relationships as we collectively explore new frontiers in Procurement and beyond. I am eager to connect with new individuals, foster collaboration, and contribute to the growth of those who are just beginning their journey or charting a new course.