The Leading Edge

The Leading Edge is a new thought leadership series, offering in-depth insights into the key challenges, innovations, and evolving dynamics of the contract and commerce landscape.

We’re bringing these insights to our community in a new way – through a curated series of articles and accompanying podcasts featuring expert voices and industry leaders.

Contributors

Host

Nikki Mackay

Nikki is the Chief Development Officer for CCM Institute, where she is committed to advancing research that underpins responsible change. She is passionate about leveraging insights to influence policy and practice for the professional community.

With over two decades of global experience, Nikki has lived in seven countries, helping organizations develop strategies and curate shared learning experiences through research, events and multimedia campaigns. Her work spans diverse industries in both public and private sector, including Financial Services, Energy, Transportation, Telecommunications, Pharmaceuticals, and Healthcare.

Nikki thrives on building relationships and bringing people together to collaborate and innovate.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-mackay-ba932a9/

Guests

Guest

Cinthia Nazario Martin

I’m a Commercial Research and Innovation Specialist with a background in Legal Engineering, and Corporate Law with a Master's in International Business Law, specializing in Research, legal technology and innovation. I harness the power of data analysis to drive insights and create meaningful Research outcomes. I also optimize legal processes, while also implementing cutting-edge solutions such as document automation, CLM, MM, and LFD for clients across diverse industries.

With a strong passion for technology, I am committed to continuously evolving the role of the lawyer in the future legal landscape. Known for being proactive, responsible, and results-oriented, I thrive on delivering forward-thinking, data-driven solutions that empower legal teams and businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinthia-nazario-martin-ab995413b/

Guest appearance on:

Buying and Selling AI: A Pricing Nightmare?

Guest

Daniel Finkenstadt

Dr. Daniel Finkenstadt, an expert in public procurement and policy, supports the CCM Institute with over 23 years of acquisition experience across operational units, headquarters, and international roles in Italy and Afghanistan, including work with the intelligence community.

Formerly an assistant professor of defense management at the Naval Postgraduate School, he pioneered gamified acquisition training and founded the Simulation and Ideation Lab for Applied Science (SILAS), winner of NCMA’s 2023 Innovation in Contracting Award. Author of two books and numerous peer-reviewed and professional works, he is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, with his article “How Generative AI Can Augment Human Creativity” ranking as a best-seller.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieljfinkenstadtphd

Guest appearance on:

Germany’s Defense Procurement Crisis: It’s Time for Strategic Overhaul

Guest

Tim Cummins

Tim Cummins serves as the Executive Director of CCM Institute and as the President of World Commerce & Contracting. He has also lectured in Law at the University of Leeds. For 25 years, Tim has led research and the development of standards for the Commercial and Contract Management discipline, an achievement that was recognised by the Financial Times ‘Market Shaper of the Year’ award in 2019.

Over that time, Tim has been instrumental in developing the world’s only international not-for-profit association dedicated to commercial and contract management and continues to work with its 80,000 members in both public and private sector to improve the quality and integrity of trading relationships.

Tim’s inspiration came from a career in Finance and Commercial Management, spanning multiple industries and countries and providing insight to the critical role that commercial innovation plays in delivering business and social value.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-cummins-62248a/