Picture shows Associate Vice President LeeAnn Pasquini (left) Chief Procurement Officer Michael Durkin (center) and and NASH Interim President Jessica Todtman (right)
“We are very proud that our Unified Procurement Services Team has been recognized with the Scaling for Change Award. In addition to generating significant cost savings for the University, UPST’s innovative approach to system-wide procurement demonstrates the power of collaboration and data-driven decision-making.” - Marty Meehan, President of the University of Massachusetts
Congratulations to the UPST team for being awarded the 2025 Scaling for Change Award by the National Association of Higher Education Systems! This honor recognizes UMass for its commitment to innovation and measurable impact across multiple contexts. By uniting procurement and accounts payable services across five campuses, UPST has achieved an astounding $145.7 million in cost savings from inception to October 2024. The initiative has delivered remarkable efficiency gains, ranging from 10% to 37%, in supplier onboarding, contracts, and invoice processing. Additionally, UPST has harnessed the power of AI-driven automation and data transparency tools to drive progress. This award stands as a shining example of the dedication, collaboration, and visionary spirit of this incredible team!