Professional Role and Responsibilities
Rosanna Molinaro serves as the Director of Procurement & Contracts Management within the Planning, Real Estate & Facilities (PREF) department at Northeastern University. She has held this leadership position since January 2017. Her role involves oversight and management of procurement processes and contract administration for the university, supporting operational requirements critical to facilities and real estate planning.
She is responsible for leading bidding and contract negotiations, with an emphasis on supplier diversity and minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE). Rosanna advocates for institutional flexibility to enhance partnerships with diverse suppliers, reflecting her expertise in supplier diversity best practices.
Professional Background and Qualifications
Rosanna holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Suffolk University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University. Prior to her tenure at Northeastern University, she gained experience as an attorney specializing in business and insurance law, bringing a strong legal foundation to her procurement leadership role.
Industry Involvement and Recognition
Rosanna Molinaro is recognized within the Boston business community and the higher education sector for her contributions to procurement innovation and community engagement. Notably, she was awarded Champion of the Year at the 2023 Pacesetters Awards by the Boston Chamber of Commerce, underscoring her leadership and impact in advancing supplier diversity and procurement excellence at Northeastern.
She has participated as a panel expert on topics such as entrepreneurial diversity in the construction sector, highlighting her engagement with industry stakeholders and commitment to inclusive business development.
Strategic Focus and Institutional Impact
Under her direction, procurement activities strategically support Northeastern University’s expansive infrastructure needs. With an enrollment exceeding 51,000 students and a complex real estate portfolio, the procurement function plays a critical role in facilitating the university’s operational efficiency and growth initiatives.
Rosanna's approach emphasizes fostering partnerships with diverse suppliers, which aligns with broader institutional goals of sustainability, community economic impact, and social responsibility. Her leadership contributes to the university's reputation as a progressive institution in vendor engagement and contract management.
External Collaborations and Community Engagement
Rosanna’s influence extends beyond Northeastern through her involvement in city-wide economic development projects, including contributions cited in the “Strengthening the Heartbeat of Boston” report (2024), which addresses inclusive entrepreneurship and small business growth in the Boston metropolitan area.
Her perspectives have been sought in industry articles and corporate partnership narratives, such as an association with ABM Industries highlighting collaborative efforts to empower minority-owned businesses within university service contracts.
This report consolidates verified data points relevant to Rosanna Molinaro’s role at Northeastern University, providing a detailed professional profile suitable for procurement, vendor management, and strategic partnership considerations.
