August 27th, 2025​

New National Nonprofit, Procurement Professionals Alliance (PPA), Launches to Elevate and Unify the Profession

ARIZONA — Aiming to bring new focus and energy to one of the nation’s most crucial business categories, a new national nonprofit association, the Procurement Professionals Alliance (PPA), was officially launched on Tuesday, August 26. The Alliance endeavors to advance the profession, strengthen connections across the industry, and serve as the unifying voice for procurement professionals nationwide.

Guided by the principle, “Elevating the Industry. Unifying the Profession,” PPA is being created to highlight the essential role procurement plays in delivering value, efficiency, and accountability across government and public service. Membership is open to all procurement professionals and stakeholders at no cost through December 31, 2025, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

“The Procurement Professionals Alliance represents a significant step forward for our field,” said Jaime Schorr, Interim Chief Growth Officer of the newly launched organization and longtime veteran of the procurement industry. “For too long, procurement has been under-recognized despite its critical impact on how governments and institutions operate. PPA is here to change that—by elevating the visibility of our work, investing in professional development, and creating a strong national community.”

Member benefits include:

• Professional Recognition & Advocacy — A national platform dedicated to telling procurement’s story and amplifying the voices of those in the profession.
• Access to Education & Training — Including partnerships with trusted providers such as Procurement U, the continuing education platform of NASPO.
• Networking & Community — Opportunities to connect with peers across states and agencies, share best practices, and collaborate on challenges.
• Exclusive Resources — Timely insights, toolkits, and events designed to support professionals in every stage of their career.

PPA offers five tiers of membership to ensure accessibility for all who touch the field of procurement: Student Membership for those preparing to enter the profession, Procurement Stakeholder Membership for individuals currently serving in the field, Procurement Institution Membership for agencies and organizations, Individual Supplier Membership for vendors and partners who support the procurement ecosystem, and a Supplier Institution Level Membership. Each tier provides a tailored pathway for engagement, professional growth, and collaboration across the public procurement community.

In support of its education mission, PPA will serve as the preferred education partner of Procurement U, the nationally recognized training program operated by the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO). Through this partnership, PPA members will receive direct access to high-quality learning opportunities that help strengthen skills, support certification goals, and advance careers. Procurement U’s reputation for excellence, combined with PPA’s broad national membership network, ensures that professionals have a trusted and accessible pathway to growth.

“Partnering with Procurement U allows us to provide members with immediate access to one of the most respected education platforms in the country,” said Anita Chism, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer.  “Our nonprofit status ensures that we can deliver these opportunities with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering focus on supporting procurement professionals, not generating profit.”

PPA is organized as a nonprofit association, underscoring its commitment to serving the profession rather than commercial interests. Every program, partnership, and resource offered is designed with the mission of supporting procurement officers and advancing the field as a whole. This nonprofit structure guarantees that members can trust the Alliance to put the needs of practitioners first while reinvesting resources back into education, advocacy, and community-building.

PPA was built with the recognition that procurement professionals are not just administrators but key strategists who drive innovation, cost savings, and transparency. By uniting the industry under one banner, PPA ensures the profession is better positioned to attract new talent, retain top performers, and influence the broader policy and business landscape.

Membership is now open, and procurement stakeholders from across the country are encouraged to join.

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For more information about the Procurement Professionals Alliance and to become a member, visit JoinPPA.org.