Procurement Pathways Podcast

ProcureAbility
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Management

ProcureAbility’s Procurement Pathways—a journey into the dynamic world of procurement, told through the voices of its most trusted leaders. Here, every story, every lesson, and every hard-won insight reveals how personal passion fuels professional impact—and how those moments, taken together, shape the future of our field. Music: "Relaxing Motivational Corporate" by Music for Creators, licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

Episodes

  1. Sep 30

    Beyond the Value Mirage: How Procurement Earns Influence and Drives Enterprise Value

    In Part I of this two-part episode, host Stacy Joslin spoke with Omid Ghamami, President of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Institute, and Darshan Deshmukh, President of ProcureAbility, about one of procurement's most persistent myths: that most value is created at the negotiation table. Now, in Part II, they turn to a different challenge. If procurement creates value, why do business stakeholders still hesitate to engage it early? Too frequently, procurement is associated with policies, procedures, and compliance rather than business results. As a result, stakeholders may see procurement as a gatekeeper instead of a partner. However, that perception changes when procurement demonstrates a clear understanding of business priorities and helps solve real problems. The discussion also challenges several assumptions that continue to shape the profession. For example, procurement teams often excel at negotiating with suppliers but struggle to build influence internally. Likewise, savings remain the dominant success metric even though business leaders are increasingly focused on growth, risk, and performance. The conversation also addresses AI, arguing that technology cannot fix ineffective processes. Instead, organizations must first define the problem and then determine where AI can add value.

    Beyond the Value Mirage: How Procurement Earns Influence and Drives Enterprise Value

  2. Sep 16

    The Value Mirage: Why Procurement Keeps Looking in the Wrong Place

    In Part I of this two-part Procurement Pathways series, host Stacy Joslin sits down with Omid Ghamami, President of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Institute, and Darshan Deshmukh, President of ProcureAbility. Together, they challenge one of procurement's biggest misconceptions: that negotiation creates most of the value. Drawing on decades of procurement leadership experience, Omid and Darshan explore why many organizations focus on savings only after costs have already been embedded in the business. They examine how procurement teams can create greater impact by shaping requirements, reducing complexity, and aligning more closely with business objectives long before supplier negotiations begin. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the hidden costs of over-engineered specifications, excessive customization, and outdated procurement practices. They also challenge traditional zero-sum negotiation approaches, arguing that stronger collaboration with suppliers and stakeholders can unlock greater value for all parties involved.

    The Value Mirage: Why Procurement Keeps Looking in the Wrong Place

  3. Jul 16

    From Poet to Procurement Value Alchemist: Building a Career Through Curiosity, Connection, and the Power of "Why Not?"

    In this episode, host Stacy Joslin speaks with Alessandra “Alex” Tassini-Negri a Procurement Global Executive. Together, they explore the unconventional paths, unexpected opportunities, and defining moments that shape successful procurement careers and drive lasting procurement value. The discussion examines the value of challenging assumptions and staying open to opportunities beyond the original plan. Alex’s story is a powerful reminder that meaningful careers rarely follow a straight line. Instead, they are often shaped by curiosity, courage, and a willingness to ask, “why not?”

    From Poet to Procurement Value Alchemist: Building a Career Through Curiosity, Connection, and the Power of "Why Not?"

  4. Jun 25

    Gut Over Glory: Building a Career Grounded in Integrity

    In this episode, host Stacy Joslin speaks with Rosemarie Timko, Global Vice President, Procurement Mars, Petcare (Science & Diagnostics), about the realities of leading in an environment defined by constant change. Through a career shaped by shifts across companies, roles, and major acquisitions, the discussion unpacks how navigating uncertainty, evolving priorities, and diverse operating models builds both perspective and resilience over time.

    Gut Over Glory: Building a Career Grounded in Integrity

  5. Jun 4

    Procurement as a People Business: Leadership Lessons Across Borders

    In this episode, host Stacy Joslin sits down with Carlos Perico, Managing Director at ProcureAbility, to explore the leadership principles that have shaped his global procurement career. Drawing on experiences across multiple countries, cultures, and industries, Carlos shares why understanding people is often more important than understanding processes. At the center of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: procurement is ultimately a people business. While organizations invest heavily in technology, processes, and transformation initiatives, sustainable success depends on trust, relationships, and the culture leaders create for their teams. The conversation explores why people-centered leadership remains one of the most powerful drivers of organizational success. From building trust and fostering collaboration to developing talent and embracing diverse perspectives, the discussion offers practical insights for leaders navigating increasingly complex market environments.

    Procurement as a People Business: Leadership Lessons Across Borders

  6. May 13

    From Chicken Farm to the C-Suite: A Masterclass in Limitless Leadership (Part II of II)

    In Part I, host Stacy Joslin and Howard Richman, owner of Levelfield Enterprises and retired Chief Procurement Officer at Citrix, unpacked a leadership philosophy centered on amplifying strengths rather than fixing perceived weaknesses. That perspective set the foundation for how modern leaders approach value, influence, and impact. More importantly, it reinforced a critical truth: when individuals are empowered to lean into their strengths, they build confidence and consistently deliver higher‑quality outcomes. Building on those insights, Part II shifts from philosophy to execution, focusing on what differentiates consistently high-performing organizations. At the center of that difference is leadership. The environment leaders create ultimately shape how people perform, collaborate, and grow. They examine culture, adaptability, and the courage required to lead in increasingly complex environments.

    From Chicken Farm to the C-Suite: A Masterclass in Limitless Leadership (Part II of II)

  7. Apr 23

    From the Chicken Farm to the C-Suite: A Masterclass in Limitless Leadership (Part I of II)

    In this first episode of a two‑part conversation, host Stacy Joslin sits down with Howard Richman, Owner of Levelfield Enterprises and retired Chief Procurement Officer at Citrix. Together, they explore what it really takes to build effective, strategic procurement organizations. Drawing on decades of leadership across the pharmaceuticals, CPG, and technology industries, Howard shares an unfiltered look at the unconventional paths that shape successful procurement careers and why the strongest functions are built on people, not just processes, platforms, or savings metrics. Through candid stories and hard‑earned perspective, this conversation challenges traditional thinking and reframes procurement as one of the most complete and influential business functions in the enterprise.

    From the Chicken Farm to the C-Suite: A Masterclass in Limitless Leadership (Part I of II)

  8. Apr 2

    A Strategic Convergence: Bridging Staff Augmentation and Managed Services

    Procurement leaders aren’t just rethinking talent, they’re redesigning how work gets done. The real question isn’t “Do we hire or augment?” It’s "What delivery model will best drive outcomes in an increasingly complex and demanding environment? In this episode, Stacy sits down with colleagues Kim Neisen, Director of Workforce Talent, and Ani Roy Chowdhury, Advisory Director, to challenge the traditional decision framework and explore how organizations leading procurement into the future are  orchestrating service models in order to build a procurement function that is adaptive, scalable, and aligned to enterprise value creation.

    A Strategic Convergence: Bridging Staff Augmentation and Managed Services

  9. Mar 16

    Trust by Design: Elevating Modern Procurement Partnerships

    Host Stacy Joslin sits down with Aparna Thornton, Director of North America Commercial Procurement at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), to unpack how business partnering, supplier relationships, and cross-functional trust turn procurement into a true enabler for commercial teams. The conversation emphasizes modern procurement and highlights that when procurement treats stakeholder and supplier relationships as strategic priorities, not just tactical sourcing, the entire organization moves faster, operates smarter, and experiences less friction. With more than 20 years of experience spanning the pharmaceutical, financial services, retail, and food industries, Aparna Thornton brings deep global procurement and supply chain expertise to her role within GSK’s North America Commercial Procurement organization. Over the past three years, she has driven measurable value through strategic sourcing, operational excellence, and strong cross-functional collaboration. A Penn State graduate, Aparna holds Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and APICS certifications. Outside of work, she is a CASA Child Advocate and serves on the Darlington Arts School Board. Aparna lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband and two teenage sons. Listen in to hear actionable insights you can apply right away, from playbooks and stakeholder listening to the art of candid feedback and vendor development. Note: All opinions and perspectives expressed and/or information shared by Aparna Thorton on this podcast are hers alone, and do not represent those of her firm, GSK.

    Trust by Design: Elevating Modern Procurement Partnerships

  10. Feb 5

    The White Glove Playbook: How to Transform Procurement from Friction to Function

    Today, we’re joined by longtime procurement leader Katie Levesque for a candid conversation about the often non-linear path into procurement—and what it truly means to operate as a strategic partner who delivers measurable value to the business. In this episode, we explore the twists and turns that shaped her career, the hard-won lessons she learned along the way, and why procurement’s greatest impact comes from building trust and influence—not just managing process. It’s a discussion about relationships, credibility, and redefining what C-suite-level, strategy-led procurement really looks like. We'll focus on how Katie elevates procurement from an internal check-the-box function to an indispensable business partner. -------------------------------- Katie has been a professional in the Financial Services space for more than twenty years, and has partnered across many categories, including Marketing, Advertising, Professional Services, IT, and Non‑IT Contingent Labor. Katie also serves on the Marketing & Communications Committee for the Financial Services Roundtable for Sustainable Development and previously spent over a decade with Brighthouse Financial and MetLife in roles that led her into Procurement. She holds degrees from the University of Connecticut and the University of Hartford and stays active in her community as the PTO Communications Chair at her local elementary school in Lake Wylie, SC.

    The White Glove Playbook: How to Transform Procurement from Friction to Function

  11. Jan 14

    Why Future-Ready Procurement Starts With People—Insights from a Talent Leader

    In this inaugural episode, ProcureAbility Chief Talent Officer Lauren Gallagher reflects on the evolving role of the procurement professional—sharing insights on candidacy, culture, and how life-work integration shapes long-term success at every stage of a procurement career.

    Why Future-Ready Procurement Starts With People—Insights from a Talent Leader
  • 11 Episodes

About

ProcureAbility’s Procurement Pathways—a journey into the dynamic world of procurement, told through the voices of its most trusted leaders. Here, every story, every lesson, and every hard-won insight reveals how personal passion fuels professional impact—and how those moments, taken together, shape the future of our field. Music: "Relaxing Motivational Corporate" by Music for Creators, licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

Information

  • Creator
    ProcureAbility
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Procurement Pathways Podcast
  • Show Website
    Procurement Pathways Podcast