Annie Oler is a shining example of the Kelley ability to turn moments into momentum. A 2008 Kelley graduate with majors in supply chain and finance, she is dedicated to her career while still devoting time and energy to the school that started her down her path to success.

Reflecting on her experiences, Oler states, “Knowing how much Kelley prepared me for the business world and seeing how valuable my degree and skills are to the industry really energizes me to continue to give back to Kelley. Not only did I feel like I had a leg up when I graduated, but now as a recruiter on the other side of the table, Kelley has continued to raise the bar, and their students are a direct example of that.”

Oler is currently senior manager of procurement enablement at Grainger. Oler helps design Grainger’s procurement strategies and negotiation tactics to be leveraged during supplier cost and contract negotiations. Her work, while spanning the entire global organization, mainly focuses on North American and European business units. This scope is still relatively new, following Grainger’s shift to offer customers their products globally.

In addition to her extensive current role, Oler has been Grainger’s Indiana University manager since 2010. This role requires Oler to use her knowledge and professional skills to help students develop their own skills and transform them into prime candidates for any position.

Since Oler took up this position, Grainger has grown on campus to a seven-time consecutive “top corporate partner,” hiring interns and full-time students into multiple departments across the company and well into double digits annually. The company, with Oler in the lead, hosts a supply chain case competition for students on campus every April. The participating teams work on a real-world problem and present their solutions to a panel made up of Grainger’s executive leadership team. The winning teams (many of whom Grainger has actually hired the following semester) receive a cash prize and an opportunity to network with Grainger leadership directly.

Oler’s dedication to Kelley has led her to representing Grainger on the ODT Connect board. She and other board members meet multiple times a year to discuss the preparation that is needed to develop the next generation of business leaders. Together, they discuss what skills are needed in the field for students to be successful after graduation and how they can be implemented into new and exciting student learning opportunities. Oler explains, “Right now, [the board is] exploring innovative technologies and concepts being introduced to the field of supply chain and operations. It’s an exciting time to have a direct hand in shaping future Kelleys.”

Oler’s contributions, along with her recruiting team at Grainger, and those of the groups she works with like ODT Connect, positively impact Kelley students’ educational experience. “I hope my experiences and track record of success help to impart a sense of pride to the future generations of Kelleys,” she says. “It’s a big world out here, but I am more confident than ever that Kelley students are prepared to tackle it.”