OREANDA-NEWS. September 09, 2015. A Ford employee was recently recognized as one of the top 100 influencers in conflict minerals compliance, according to a list published by Assent Compliance.

Kelly Katynski, Sustainability purchasing manager, leads Ford Motor Company’s conflict mineral compliance efforts and was ranked No. 20 in the list for her work in assuring that Ford sources certain minerals, including tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, responsibly.

Assent Compliance, which specializes in IT solutions to help organizations with their compliance strategies, compiled this first-ever Top 100 Conflict Mineral Influence Leaders List based on independent research by LDT Consulting.

“I was surprised and humbled when Assent released their assessment,” Katynski said. “I wasn’t aware that this assessment was being conducted. I’m really pleased that Ford’s efforts are being recognized by others.” 

Katynski’s team surveys suppliers and analyzes the information they provide to determine the exact origin of those minerals.  

And it’s no small undertaking.

“When we survey our suppliers, that survey must be cascaded all the way down the supply chain to the point where the smelters can be identified,” she said, “and then the information must be fed back up the supply chain.

“It’s quite a massive task to make sure that information can be gathered or collected so we can have a complete look at the sourcing of minerals in our products. We work extensively with our industry and cross industry colleagues to identify and validate the smelters and refiners that are processing minerals that have been sourced responsibly.”

Despite the monumental task in pinpointing where exactly these conflict minerals are coming from, it’s crucial work — not just because of the need for compliance, but because of the circumstances surrounding how they got that name.

Some of the world’s supply of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold are mined in areas where their production directly or indirectly finances or benefits armed groups, propagating human rights violations and environmental destruction, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“While Ford does not buy these minerals directly, it is critically important that we work with our suppliers to understand the origin of the minerals that end up in our products so that we can be assured they have been sourced responsibly,” said Katynski. 

Katynski has had a career in purchasing supply chain management for her entire professional career and has been with Ford Motor Company for 26 years. A few years back, she had the opportunity to join the Supply Chain Sustainability Group, and she hasn’t looked back.

“It has been the most rewarding position of my career,” she said. “I have had the privilege of holding a position that allows me to make a positive difference in the lives of others while helping to create a sustainable supply chain for Ford Motor Company.”?