US-based Nigerian supply chain strategist and risk management expert Deborah Nwankwo is helping businesses identify and mitigate critical risks as infrastructure spending in the US reaches historic levels.
Nwankwo shared how his extensive background in supply chain strategy, procurement forensics and risk analysis now prepares him to help organizations prevent fraud and waste in critical infrastructure investments.
Nwankwo's journey in the industry was shaped by a clear focus on education and practical experience.
He holds a STEM-designated MBA in Strategy, Supply Chain and Data-Driven Management Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis and a BSc 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 to safeguarding public resources,” he said.
His early professional path began at KPMG Nigeria, where he worked in risk consulting and procurement forensics, identifying structural vulnerabilities in financial and operational systems.
He later gained experience in the technology, retail, healthcare and consulting sectors, understanding how procurement failures can emerge in complex supply chains.
At Amazon, she oversees operations that optimize the delivery network, monitor supplier performance, and stabilize critical material flows.
In previous positions as senior vendor manager and healthcare operations, he developed analytics dashboards, negotiated multi-vendor agreements, and strengthened enterprise control systems.
These experiences culminated in Project COCI (Critical Operations and Contract Integrity), a data-driven initiative designed to tackle systemic weaknesses in procurement.
“Project COCI is about adding proactive controls directly into the procurement process, so organizations can identify high-risk contracts before funding is awarded,” he said.
The initiative links financial approvals to verified supplier performance and market benchmarks, shifting monitoring from reactive audits to preventive, data-informed decision making.
Weak oversight can affect project timelines, reduce quality, and reduce public trust. Project COCI addresses these risks by promoting transparency, accountability and strategic alignment in the transportation, energy, defense and public utilities sectors.
“Our goal is to ensure that every dollar spent provides real value while minimizing risk,” she explained.
Nwankwo's work demonstrates the value of early risk identification and proactive mitigation, helping to ensure that public investments achieve their intended economic and social outcomes.
Her professional reputation continues to grow as she uses her expertise to strengthen infrastructure systems.
Nwankwo is committed to guiding organizations towards greater operational integrity, strengthening public trust and shaping more resilient business networks.
