Derrick Mitchell was named Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Non-Production Purchasing and Minority Business Enterprises in February 2021. In this role, Mitchell leads a cross-functional team that works on implementing the company’s DEI strategy and vision, as well as leading Non-Production Purchasing, where he runs all global non-production spending.

Appointed Chief Diversity Officer in 2020, Mitchell helped to establish Lear’s Executive Diversity Council and launched a comprehensive strategy to change perceptions and increase education and engagement. As Director of Supplier Diversity and Development, he was instrumental in advancing economic opportunities and visibility for historically underutilized suppliers through commitment, capacity, outreach, spend, personnel and process. Under his leadership, Lear spent more than $4.23 billion with certified minority-, women- and veteran-owned suppliers over the past decade.

Mitchell’s prior experience at Lear included multiple roles of increasing responsibility within Purchasing, such as purchasing director and purchasing manager of metals and materials. He joined Lear in 2004 after working at Ford Motor Company, where he managed seat purchasing and a diverse array of commodities.

Mitchell attended Michigan State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering and an MBA from the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management. He currently serves as a board member of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council and is a corporate representative in the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce.