shola-richards-forum-2023

Lourdes (María de Lourdes) Coss, MPA, NIGP-CPP, CPPO

FACILITATOR

Lourdes (María de Lourdes) Coss, MPA, NIGP-CPP, CPPO - is a transformational leader and the author of “Procurement Methods: Effective Techniques.” Following a successful public procurement career, she founded M. L. Coss and Associates, LLC, and continues to add value to the profession. Today she is a Consultant, Speaker, Executive Coach, and Trainer. Lourdes is also a certified Personality Consultant, Licensed Brain Trainer, and Neuro-Encoding Specialist. She is an active member of NIGP, the chair of the NIGP Talent Council Leadership Committee, a NIGP instructor, and a senior consultant.

As a former Chief Procurement Officer, Lourdes invested most of her 27-year career successfully leading procurement transformations at some of the largest agencies in the U.S., including the City of Houston, Cook County, City of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Public Building Commission. In addition to developing high-performing teams, Lourdes has left a legacy of innovation, automation, legislative action, and administrative & financial policies in each of these agencies. Most of the policies implemented have survived the test of time and remain in place today.

Lourdes graduated magna cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico and received her MPA from Florida State University. She’s a former NIGP Board member, the recipient of the 2016 Spirit of NIGP Award and the 2018 NIGP Integrity Award. She’s a certified member of the Maxwell Leadership Team and serves on its President’s Advisory Council. Thinkers360 recognized Lourdes as one of the top 100 Women Thought Leaders to Follow and among the 50 Top Procurement Influencers and Thought Leaders.

Podcast: “Transforming Procurement with Lourdes Coss”
https://transformingprocurementwithlourdescoss.buzzsprout.com

Blog: “Procurement Transformation”
https://procurement-transformation.com

Website: www.lourdescoss.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lourdescoss/

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar Recordings

NIGP Forum 2025

NIGP VCON: Technology & Innovation

NIGP Leadership Summit

Headliner: Tariffs and the New World Order

Register Early and Save

Strategy

Policy and Legislation

Planning and Analysis

Sourcing and Solicitation

Contract Administration

Leadership

Business Principles

Essential Skills

Learning Labs

Headliners

New - Request for Proposals

Developing and Managing a Sustainability Program

Job Order Contracting (JOC)

Using Federal Grant Funds

Construction Procurement

Technology Procurement

Cloud Procurement

Foundational (0 - 5 Years)

Mid-Career Professional (6+ Years)

Legacy and Transition

Introduction to Public Procurement

NIGP Leadership Roadmap

Core Certificate: Foundations of Leadership

Edge

Impact

Mastermind

NIGP Career Development Guide

Mentorship

Concierge Program

Learning by Design Blog

Certification Prep

Agency Training

Pathways Program

Select the Right Credential

Our Promise

Instructor Directory

Special Offer for Members

Search for a Course

Upcoming Course Calendar

Why Attain the NIGP-CPP

Current NIGP-CPPs

Hear from your peers

Get Started

Map your Timeline

How to Apply

NIGP-CPP Requirements Manual

Attend a NIGP-CPP Webinar

NIGP-CPP Prep Tools

Understand the Exam

Exam Prep Timeline

Register for the August Testing Window

Register for Testing

Exam Pass/Fail Stats

How to Recertify

NIGP-CPP Retired Status

Authorized Education Providers

Access your Record

Impact of Public Procurement

Cooperative Purchasing Programs

Search Contracts

State & Provinces Procurement Websites

Other Associations

Higher Education Programs

Values & Guiding Principles

Document Library

Dictionary of Terms

NSite Communities Online

Special Interest Groups - NSite+

NIGP Bookstore

Global Best Practices

Research Papers

Position Papers

White Papers