Nicole Lei, Corporate Vice President, Procurement/
Strategic Sourcing at New York
Life Insurance Company, helps business
and technology stakeholders achieve key
objectives. Through collaboration and
strategizing, she delivers results that drive value.
These efforts have led to a reduced reliance on solesource
suppliers, a unified voice in negotiations, and
significant cost savings for the company. Nicole cultivates
internal and external relationships that support
dynamic sourcing strategies, strengthening the supply
chain and enhancing operational efficiencies. She
also leads efforts to connect with diverse suppliers
through matchmaking sessions and ensures they are
engaged in all competitive bid processes.
One of the key ways Nicole drives efficiency is
by working with internal teams, including Legal and
Compliance, to eliminate administrative burdens and
streamline the procurement process. She embraces
new technologies and tools and has helped automate
key procurement processes. This speeds up decision-
making and enhances the ability to track supplier
performance, manage risk, and ensure compliance,
all contributing to a more efficient and sustainable
sourcing strategy. Nicole has established regular
and transparent communication across all channels
to maintain open, collaborative dialogue between
internal stakeholders and external suppliers.