Dr. Karmetria Burton doesn’t just walk into a room—she arrives. With unmistakable poise, signature red lips, and a presence that radiates power, she exudes a rare kind of elegance: the kind that’s been earned. When I sat down with her for ATELIER Magazine, it was clear from the very first moment—this wasn’t a conversation. This was a masterclass.
As a globally respected executive, thought leader, speaker, and advocate for supplier diversity, Dr. Burton has dedicated her career to shifting culture and strategy from the inside out. She’s led billion-dollar procurement portfolios, built pipelines for diverse suppliers, and launched platforms like Paint Your Lips Red, a global empowerment movement rooted in visibility, voice, and unapologetic excellence.
“Red lips are more than a color. They’re a commitment. They say, ‘I’m here. I’m bold. And I’m not backing down.’”
Born in Mississippi and refined by the boardrooms of global corporations, Dr. Burton blends southern grit with global grace. Her path, though polished, is one paved with challenges—and victory. “Every ‘no’ I ever heard just taught me how to knock louder,” she tells me. “I learned early that the rooms weren’t always built for me, but I walk in anyway. I bring my own chair, my own light, and my own voice.”
In her current role as a supplier diversity executive for a Fortune 50 company, Dr. Burton oversees initiatives that drive economic inclusion across industries. Her mission is crystal clear: to create access for women and minority-owned businesses—globally. And she doesn’t just advocate behind closed doors. She speaks on global stages, mentors young entrepreneurs, and invests in rising leaders with the same passion she brings to the corporate sphere.
“Diversity is not a box to check. It’s a strategy to win. It’s how we innovate. It’s how we grow.”
But beyond business, Dr. Burton’s power lies in how she moves through the world—with style, substance, and spirit. She calls it “executive elegance,” a philosophy that merges performance with presence. Her fashion isn’t ornamental—it’s intentional. Whether she’s wearing a sharply tailored suit or a sweeping gown, she dresses with a message in mind.
““Its no secret to how I stay happy, whole, and centered is because I pray. Faith and Business intersects, you should not be going to your corporate job and not praying.”“
She credits much of her drive to her deep spiritual foundation. Faith, for her, isn’t separate from business—it informs it. “My faith centers me. My purpose drives me. I don’t balance it all—I blend it all.”
As the founder of the Paint Your Lips Red campaign, Dr. Burton has redefined what executive branding looks like for women of color. The movement began as a statement of power and evolved into a call to action—encouraging women everywhere to own their space, speak up, and show up fully.
When I ask what continues to fuel her, her answer is swift and profound: “Legacy.” She’s not interested in momentary recognition—she’s building something far more lasting.
“I want to leave systems better than I found them. That’s the assignment. That’s the legacy.”
And legacy, in her hands, is a living thing. It breathes through the suppliers she champions, the women she mentors, and the minds she molds.
At ATELIER, we are committed to spotlighting those who elevate not only the culture of fashion, but the culture of leadership. Dr. Karmetria Burton is both a blueprint and a force. Her story is not just one of personal triumph—it’s a roadmap for transformation.
In her world, power wears red, dreams are scaled, and excellence is non-negotiable.
“I don’t just want a seat at the table,” she says. “I want equity on the menu.”
And with Dr. Burton at the helm, the future of inclusive leadership isn’t just bright—it’s red, radiant, and relentlessly bold.
Source