Her Story
About Carline
From Healthcare Procurement to Government Contracting: A Career Built on Hard Work, Communication, and Purpose
Carline Merisier is a procurement professional whose career reflects determination, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous growth. As a Buyer supporting the City of Houston and Houston Airport System, Carline brings more than a decade of procurement and contract administration experience to an environment where effective purchasing plays an essential role in keeping critical operations moving. Carline began her career in procurement in the long-term care industry, where she developed her foundation in purchasing, vendor relations, and supply chain operations. She later transitioned into the hospital healthcare field, gaining experience in an environment where procurement directly supports critical services and operational continuity. Her professional journey eventually led her into government procurement, where she continued to expand her expertise and take on increasingly complex responsibilities. Today, her work supports the diverse and highly specialized operational needs of one of the nation's busiest airport systems.
One of the accomplishments Carline is most proud of is working her way up through hard work, persistence, and a willingness to learn. Rather than viewing her career as a straight path, she embraced each opportunity as a chance to gain knowledge, develop professionally, and prove what she was capable of accomplishing.
A defining part of Carline's approach to procurement is her belief that communication can bridge the gap between procurement and operations. She has worked to strengthen communication between procurement professionals, operational departments, and vendors, recognizing that successful procurement requires more than policies and procedures—it requires understanding the people and operational needs behind every request. As part of that effort, Carline has contributed to the development and implementation of standardized operating procedures, helping create greater consistency, clarity, and efficiency within procurement processes. Her focus is not simply on completing a transaction, but on creating processes that help departments understand expectations, navigate procurement requirements, and ultimately accomplish their operational goals. She has also been entrusted with procurement activities supporting major runway and roadway projects, giving her experience with large-scale infrastructure and operational initiatives where accuracy, timeliness, vendor coordination, and fiscal responsibility are critical.
What distinguishes Carline's professional journey is her ability to see procurement from multiple perspectives. Her early experience in long-term care and hospital environments taught her the importance of having the right resources available when they are needed. Her transition into government procurement taught her the importance of accountability, compliance, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Together, those experiences have shaped her into a procurement professional who understands that the best procurement solutions are built through partnership, communication, and a clear understanding of the mission. Carline's influence extends beyond the purchasing process. She is passionate about creating better systems, improving communication, supporting the people around her, and demonstrating through her own career that professional growth is possible when you remain willing to learn, work hard, and step into opportunities that challenge you.
She attributes her professional success to consistency, resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous growth, noting that her career in procurement developed unexpectedly after she initially envisioned pursuing a writing career in New York. Carline is also committed to professional development, relationship building, mentorship, and community service. She encourages young women entering male-prevalent industries to know their value, continue learning, speak confidently, ask questions, build meaningful professional relationships, and seek mentors who can support their growth. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she volunteers with The Women's Home, a rehabilitation center serving women, and participates in the Houston Haitian community, reflecting her connection to her heritage. As she continues to advance in procurement, Carline remains focused on expanding her expertise and impact, with a long-term aspiration of pursuing procurement opportunities with NASA.
She didn't simply work her way up—she learned her way up. And she continues to build a career defined not only by what she accomplishes, but by the doors she helps make easier for others to walk through.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carline
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, consistency, and the willingness to keep growing. My career has not been a straight line, and I think that has actually been one of my greatest strengths. I started my career in procurement in the long-term care industry, transitioned into the hospital environment, and eventually found my way into government procurement. Every transition challenged me to learn something new and become a stronger professional. I’ve learned that success isn’t always about being the most experienced person in the room. Sometimes it’s about being willing to learn, being prepared when the opportunity comes, and having the courage to take your seat when someone opens the door for you.
I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, but I’m equally proud of the woman and professional I’ve become along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is simple: never stop learning, and never be afraid to sit at a table where you haven’t been before. I’ve been blessed to have a mentor who didn’t just teach me how to navigate the room, she prepared a seat for me at tables I once never imagined I would sit at. There will always be moments when you question whether you are ready for the next opportunity. I’ve learned that you don’t always get to wait until you feel completely prepared. Sometimes you have to step forward, trust what you’ve learned, and allow yourself to grow into the opportunity. I’ve also learned that your reputation matters. Titles and positions may change, but the way you conduct yourself, the relationships you build, and the quality of your work can follow you throughout your entire career. So I believe in always being prepared and staying teachable.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the industry to know their value and recognize that their perspectives and voices matter. Learn as much as you can, ask as many questions as you need, and never apologize for speaking up or making yourself heard. You are in the room for a reason, so have the confidence to contribute, advocate for yourself, and embrace opportunities to grow. Just as importantly, build strong professional relationships and seek out mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective throughout your career. Procurement is an industry that requires confidence, strategy, negotiation, communication, and the ability to make difficult decisions. As a woman, there may be moments when you walk into a room and feel like you have to prove that you belong there. Don’t let that feeling silence you. Most importantly, don’t confuse being humble with making yourself small. You can be gracious and still be confident, you can listen and still lead.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the greatest challenges in procurement right now is balancing competing priorities. Organizations need to control costs, maintain compliance, manage risk, support operations, and still move quickly in an environment where supply chains and market conditions can change rapidly. But I see those challenges as opportunities for procurement professionals to redefine what the profession means. Procurement is no longer simply about placing orders or finding the lowest price. It is about strategy, relationships, risk management, data, negotiation, and understanding the organization you support. Technology and automation are also creating opportunities to work smarter and spend more time focusing on strategic decisions rather than transactional processes. For me, that evolution is exciting. It gives procurement professionals an opportunity to have a much stronger voice within their organizations and to demonstrate the value we bring beyond the purchasing process.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, accountability, and respect are at the center of how I try to live and work.
Integrity means doing what is right even when it is uncomfortable or when no one is watching.
Accountability means taking ownership—not only when things go well, but also when they don’t.
Respect means recognizing that every person you encounter has a story, a perspective, and something they can teach you.
As I’ve grown personally and professionally, I’ve realized that success isn’t only about the title you hold, the accomplishments on your résumé, or the goals you achieve. It’s also about the person you become along the way.
I want to build a career that I’m proud of, but I also want to build a life that reflects my values. At the end of the day, I want to be remembered as a woman who worked with integrity, treated people with respect, continued to grow, and used every opportunity she was given to make an impact.
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