Rubina Malbari Appointed as Vice President, Global Procurement US & Canada at Marriott International – Architecting Transformation, Inclusion, and Global Impact
In a move that signals both strength and vision for the future of hospitality, Marriott International has appointed Rubina Malbari as Vice President, Global Procurement for the US and Canada. With nearly two decades of distinguished experience across consumer goods, consulting, luxury, and hospitality, Rubina brings not only unparalleled procurement expertise but also a deeply human approach to leadership.
From Procurement Specialist to Global Leader
Rubina’s journey is a testament to resilience, strategic insight, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Beginning her career in IT and procurement process management, she quickly established herself as a leader who could merge business process, technology, and supplier networks into scalable, efficient ecosystems.
Her rise through the ranks at Diageo marked a defining chapter in her professional story. Over nearly six years, she played key roles in procurement management, marketing operations, and global strategy across media, digital, and consumer planning. These formative years gave her the ability to understand procurement not just as a cost lever but as a value engine that connects strategy, performance, and people.
At The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Rubina solidified her reputation as a transformative executive. Over a decade, she evolved from Executive Director to Vice President of Global Indirect Sourcing & Head of North America Procurement, leading multi-billion-dollar procurement portfolios across marketing, creative, digital, e-commerce, IT, and consumer insights. She became known for delivering first-in-market opportunities, building trust-driven supplier partnerships, and spearheading sustainability and ESG-driven sourcing frameworks. Her leadership was defined not only by performance metrics but also by her ability to create high-performing, diverse teams built on trust, engagement, and empowerment.
Driving Purpose at Marriott International
In her new role at Marriott, Rubina oversees strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, and procurement operations across 400+ properties. Her mandate is not only operational excellence but also advancing Marriott’s Serve360 platform, which focuses on responsible sourcing, supplier diversity, and community impact.
Rubina’s leadership comes at a critical time for the hospitality industry, where supply chain resilience, sustainability, and diversity are no longer optional but central to brand reputation and guest experience. Her ability to “connect the dots” across business functions, technology, and procurement ecosystems makes her uniquely equipped to guide Marriott into its next chapter of growth and innovation.
Champion of Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Development
Beyond her operational achievements, Rubina is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has consistently worked to build environments where individuals feel empowered to contribute fully. Known for her keen eye in spotting and nurturing diverse talent, she has built global teams that thrive on trust, innovation, and performance.
Her appointment as an Advisory Board Member at Teach For America New Jersey further demonstrates her commitment to social impact. There, she partners in vision-setting, strategic planning, and resource mobilization to ensure opportunities for children across the education system. Her professional and philanthropic work together reflect a leader who balances business outcomes with human progress.
A Visionary for the Future
Rubina’s career has been defined by her ability to transform procurement into a strategic growth driver — implementing digitization strategies, introducing platforms like Ariba Procure-to-Pay, eSourcing, and Concur Travel/Expense, and pioneering supplier collaboration models that deliver both savings and innovation.
But perhaps her greatest legacy lies in her leadership style: a blend of strategic vision, operational rigor, and human-centered empowerment. She embodies the principle that C-level leadership is not only about driving profits but about creating opportunities, building resilient systems, and inspiring people to deliver their best.
Celebrating a Journey of Resilience and Impact
Rubina Malbari’s appointment at Marriott International is more than a career milestone — it is a celebration of her journey, her resilience, and her impact on global business ecosystems. From navigating the complexities of procurement in consumer goods and luxury to now shaping the future of hospitality, she has consistently demonstrated that visionary leadership creates ripples far beyond organizations — it transforms industries and communities.
At CXO Gateway, we proudly celebrate Rubina Malbari as she steps into this pivotal role. Her story is a reminder that leadership, innovation, and vision are not just qualities of a role — they are the essence of transformation.
Congratulations, Rubina Malbari, on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to witnessing the impact you will continue to create at Marriott International and beyond.
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