Procurement Pathways Podcast: 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?”
Throughout the conversation, Alex challenges the notion that procurement is purely a process-driven function. Instead, she explores the blend of creativity, business acumen, and relationship building that sits at the heart of the profession. From developing stakeholder trust to creating opportunities where others see constraints, she shares how procurement leaders generate value by connecting people, ideas, and objectives in ways that move organizations forward.
Alex shares practical insights on building teams with complementary strengths and perspectives. She discusses how leaders can create environments where people are empowered to do their best work. It also emphasizes the role of continuous learning in long-term professional growth. A strong theme throughout is the importance of community, mentorship, and meaningful connections. Ultimately, the conversation reinforces that procurement creates its greatest impact through growth, innovation, and better business outcomes.
Key insights for procurement leaders include:
- How curiosity and openness to unexpected opportunities can accelerate professional growth and career development
- Why relationship building remains one of procurement’s most powerful tools for creating value and influence
- The importance of balancing structure with creativity when solving business challenges and driving transformation
- How developing talent, embracing diverse perspectives, and leveraging emerging technologies can position procurement for future success
Listen to Stacy and Alex’s conversation to learn why some of procurement’s greatest opportunities emerge when professionals step beyond established boundaries, invest in meaningful relationships, and continuously seek new ways to create value for the organizations and communities they serve.
About our guest:
Alessandra “Alex” Tassini-Negri is a bold, future-focused procurement executive with 25+ years of experience driving global impact across the Procurement Lifecycle, ESG, and Travel & Expense. She has built and evolved procurement organizations into high-performing growth engines; unlocking enterprise value, accelerating innovation, and strengthening resilience across gaming, business information & analytics, telecom, financial services, oil & gas, and manufacturing. Alex brings a rare blend of digital fluency, operational depth, and executive presence. Known for challenging convention and inspiring action, she is a thought leader and storyteller who advances the function while bringing others along for the journey. Her style is vision-first, people-centered, and outcomes-driven; leveraging data, AI, and supplier ecosystems to elevate procurement as a critical driver of business performance while fostering a culture-led, high-performing environment.
