- May 28th 1pm ET
Beyond Vendor Lock-In: How Procurement Leaders Can Drive Strategic Business Growth
Vendor lock-in is just one symptom of a larger challenge: procurement teams operating reactively rather than strategically. As businesses evolve at a rapid pace—especially with AI-driven advancements—procurement must shift from tactical contract management to a proactive, business-aligned function.
In this webinar, we’ll explore how procurement leaders can move beyond transactional decision-making and align their strategies with overall business objectives. We’ll discuss how procurement can become a value driver by improving contract flexibility, increasing tech stack visibility, and ensuring that every vendor decision supports long-term growth and agility.
Speakers
A glimpse into the inspiring voices and procurement trailblazers who shape and elevate our events.
Michael Keller
Director of Procurement
Vertice
Paul Nilsen
Director of Procurement
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
speaker bios
Michael Keller is the Director of U.S. Procurement at Vertice, with over a decade of experience in procurement, negotiation, business strategy, and team development. He has managed over $1.1 billion in spend across direct and indirect categories, including technology, SaaS, travel, marketing, and R&D. Previously, he served as a Global Category Manager at GSK, overseeing IT categories such as enterprise data & analytics, AI, and hosting. He also worked as an Executive Procurement Consultant at Kainos, helping companies establish and optimize procurement functions.
Previously, he held a Procurement management role at Willis Towers Watson, where he led a global Procurement team focused on Marketing & Facilities spend. Paul is also the founder of the Lone Wolf Sourcing Group, a networking group for mid-market Procurement professionals that focuses on education, collaboration and peer support.
Paul Nilsen is an experienced Procurement Director with a demonstrated history of achieving significant cost savings and process improvements. He established the Procurement function at Douglas Elliman Real Estate and has successfully negotiated complex contracts, including major enterprise agreements while promoting the sensible adoption of AI tools to drive further efficiencies.
Previously, he held a Procurement management role at Willis Towers Watson, where he led a global Procurement team focused on Marketing & Facilities spend. Paul is also the founder of the Lone Wolf Sourcing Group, a networking group for mid-market Procurement professionals that focuses on education, collaboration and peer support.