Deborah Nwankwo, a US-based Nigerian supply chain strategist and risk management expert is helping businesses identify and mitigate critical risks as infrastructure spending reaches historic levels in America.
Nwankwo shared how her extensive background in supply chain strategy, procurement forensics, and risk analytics now positions her to help organisations prevent fraud and waste in critical infrastructure investments.
Nwankwo’s journey into the industry was shaped by a clear focus on education and practical experience.
She holds a STEM-designated MBA in Strategy, Supply Chain, and Data-Driven Management Science from Washington University in St. Louis and a BSc degree in Accounting from the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike.
“My educational background provided a foundation in financial oversight, operational systems, and data-driven decision-making, all of which are essential for safeguarding public resources,” she explained.
Her early professional path began at KPMG Nigeria, where she worked in risk consulting and procurement forensics, identifying structural weaknesses in financial and operational systems.
She later gained experience across technology, retail, healthcare, and consulting sectors, understanding how procurement failures can emerge in complex supply chains.
At Amazon, she oversees operations that optimize distribution networks, monitor supplier performance, and stabilize critical material flows.
Previous positions as a Senior Vendor Manager and in healthcare operations saw her develop analytics dashboards, negotiate multi-vendor agreements, and strengthen enterprise control systems.
These experiences culminated in Project COCI (Critical Operations & Contract Integrity), a data-driven initiative designed to tackle systemic vulnerabilities in procurement.
“Project COCI is about embedding proactive controls directly into the procurement process, so organisations can identify high-risk contracts before funds are committed,” she said.
The initiative links financial approvals to verified supplier performance and market benchmarks, shifting oversight from reactive audits to preventive, data-informed decision-making.
Weak oversight can affect project timelines, reduce quality, and erode public confidence. Project COCI addresses these risks by promoting transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment across transportation, energy, defense, and public utility sectors.
“Our goal is to ensure that every dollar spent delivers real value while minimizing risk,” she explained.
Nwankwo’s work demonstrates the value of early risk identification and proactive mitigation, helping ensure that public investments achieve their intended economic and social outcomes.
Her professional reputation continues to grow as she applies her expertise to strengthen infrastructure systems.
Nwankwo remains committed to guiding organisations toward greater operational integrity, reinforcing public trust, and shaping more resilient business networks.
