
Lourdes Coss is a globally recognized transformational leader, author, executive coach, and founder of M. L. Coss and Associates, LLC, known for elevating individuals, teams, and organizations from operational stagnation to purposeful, high-impact transformation. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, behavioral science, and procurement excellence—empowering professionals to lead with clarity, confidence, and strategic influence.
Recognized as one of the 2026 Top 150 Women B2B Thought Leaders and Influencers by Thinkers360 on International Women’s Day, Lourdes has established herself as a trusted voice in both the procurement and leadership development arenas. Her insights integrate neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and influence-based strategies to drive sustainable performance and cultural transformation.
A former Chief Procurement Officer with a distinguished 27-year career, Lourdes led complex procurement transformations across some of the largest public sector organizations in the United States, including the City of Houston, Cook County, University of Illinois, Public Building Commission of Chicago, and the City of Chicago. Her leadership consistently delivered measurable results, strengthened governance, and positioned procurement as a strategic driver of organizational value.
Today, she continues to shape the profession through her writing, speaking, and advisory work. Her book, Procurement Methods: Effective Techniques, remains a practical resource for professionals seeking to elevate their technical and strategic capabilities. Through her widely followed blog, Procurement Transformation, and her podcast, Transforming Procurement with Name, she shares actionable insights that challenge conventional thinking and inspire leaders to expand their impact.
Lourdes's multidisciplinary expertise includes behavioral consulting, neuro-encoding, and influence science. She is a Cialdini Certified Practitioner and licensed brain trainer, equipping her with advanced tools to help leaders rewire habits, elevate decision-making, and sustain high performance.
A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and holder of a Master of Public Administration from Florida State University, Lourdes's career has been defined by both excellence and service. She is the recipient of the 2016 Spirit of NIGP Award, the 2018 NIGP Integrity Award, and a 2024 Leadership Award—recognitions that reflect her unwavering commitment to integrity, innovation, and the advancement of the procurement profession.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lourdes is deeply committed to developing future leaders. As a Live2Lead host and speaker, she continues to invest in building high-performing leaders and teams, leaving a lasting imprint on organizations and communities nationally and beyond.
Available For: Advising, Authoring, Consulting, Influencing, Speaking
Travels From: Chicago, IL
Speaking Topics: Transformation, Procurement, Leadership, Communication
| Lourdes Coss | Points |
|---|---|
| Academic | 10 |
| Author | 481 |
| Influencer | 42 |
| Speaker | 7 |
| Entrepreneur | 20 |
| Total | 560 |
Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.
ExecutiveCoach/Teacher/Professional Speaker/Trainer
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Collaboration Between Procurement and Program Areas
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Beyond Compliance: Embedding Ethics and Integrity in Day-to-Day Procurement Decisions
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Setting the Tone: How Procurement Leaders Can Align Their Teams for a Purpose-Driven Year
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Year-End Reflection: What Worked, What Didn’t, and Where Public Procurement Goes From Here
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Procurement and Public Trust: Transparency, Communication, and Community Impact
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Beyond Checklists: How to Elevate Your Procurement Evaluations
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Beyond Checklists: How to Elevate Your Procurement Evaluations
Tags: Leadership, Management, Procurement
Building Resilience in Procurement Teams: Skills Every Professional Will Need in the Next 5 Years
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Supplier Relationships Are a Strategic Asset: How to Build Them Without Compromising Fairness
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
The Power of Saying No: Guarding Procurement Integrity in a Political Environment
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
From Transactional to Strategic: Redefining the Role of Public Procurement
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Busy Is Not a Badge: Real Work Begins with Real Priorities
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Leading with Vision: A Procurement Leadership Imperative
Tags: Leadership, Management, Procurement
Elevating Procurement: Five Tips to Position Your Team as Influential Leaders
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Efficiency Redefined: A Strategic Approach to Automating Processes
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Engaging Your Procurement Team in Process Improvement
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Building Strong Relationships in Procurement Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Procurement Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Adapting Communication Styles with DISC in Procurement Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
The Art of Effective Communication in Procurement
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Building a High-Performance Procurement Team
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
SMART Goals in Procurement: A Roadmap to Success
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Crafting a Vision: Illuminating the Path to Success
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Five Tips for Procurement Leaders
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Enhance Your Leadership: 3 Steps to Improve your Relationships
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Procurement Methods: Effective Techniques
Tags: Procurement
Procurement Book Now Available!
Tags: Procurement
Procurement Methods: Effective Techniques
Tags: Procurement
Procurement Methods: Effective Techniques
Tags: Procurement, Supply Chain
M.L COSS AND ASSOCIATES, LLC
Tags: Procurement, Leadership
Tags: Supply Chain, Procurement, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 53: Digital Transformation: Staying Ahead of the Curve
Tags: Leadership, Management, Procurement
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 49: Visionary Leadership
Tags: Leadership, Management, Procurement
Tags: Leadership, Management, Procurement
Episode 47: 7 Things A Great Leader Doesn't Do
Tags: Leadership, Management, Procurement
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 40: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring
Tags: Leadership, Management, Procurement
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 37: The Growth Mindset Advantage
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 36: Interview with John Flynn about Remote Work
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 33: Your Evaluation Process and your Solicitation Goals
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 32: Is your team happy?
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Episode 31: Three Mistakes Leaders Make When Implementing Transformation
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Tags: Procurement, Management, Leadership
Think, Act, Transform
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico Date : May 11, 2022 - May 15, 2022 Organizer: M. L. Coss and Associates, LLC
Live2Lead 2021 hosted by M. L. Coss and Associates, LLC
Location: Virtual Experience Date : October 08, 2021 - October 08, 2021 Organizer: The John Maxwell Company
Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Collaboration Between Procurement and Program Areas
Beyond Compliance: Embedding Ethics and Integrity in Day-to-Day Procurement Decisions
Setting the Tone: How Procurement Leaders Can Align Their Teams for a Purpose-Driven Year