Meet our Alumni
Azibaolanari Okungbowa
Systems Change Practitioner & Board Member

 Azibaolanari shares how her Ðǿմ«Ã½ experience sparked a systems thinking mindset that now drives her wide ranging community and organisational impact.Â
From Ðǿմ«Ã½ to Systems Change: Applying Procurement Skills for Community Impact
When I completed my MSc in Procurement & Supply Chain Management at Ðǿմ«Ã½ in 2022, I left with more than a degree - I left with a systems thinking mindset that continues to shape every part of my career. Ðǿմ«Ã½ taught me to see challenges not as isolated problems, but as interconnected systems that need thoughtful, collaborative solutions.Â
My Ðǿմ«Ã½ ExperienceÂ
During my time at Aberdeen Business School, I was proud to receive several awards, including the Half Scarlet Award with Distinction, the Welcome Buddy of the Year Award, and the Innovation Award. I was also recognised as a CIPS Top 6 Global Finalist for my research on reducing carbon emissions in automotive supply chains, which was later published in CIPS Supply Management magazine.
Turning Learning into Impact
Since graduating, I’ve applied procurement and supply chain principles across sectors far beyond traditional industry roles. My journey has included:
- Serving on the Grampian Credit Union Board as Supervisory Committee LeadÂ
- Supporting 4,500+ members as Public Relations Manager for Toastmasters International District 42Â
- Coordinating multi agency work for vulnerable families, using supply chain frameworks to strengthen social impactÂ
- Joining the Aberdeen Advisory Team for The Big Plastic Count, the UK’s largest people powered investigation into plastic wasteÂ
These opportunities weren’t the expected outcome of my degree - and that’s what excites me most. Procurement has proven to be a powerful toolkit for driving environmental, social, and organisational change.
What I Carry Forward
Three lessons from Ðǿմ«Ã½ continue to guide me:Â
- Systems thinking is a superpower - it helps me connect people, processes, and challenges.Â
- Applied learning matters - the real world focus at Ðǿմ«Ã½ gave me the confidence to work across new sectors.Â
- Staying connected is invaluable - remaining engaged with the Ðǿմ«Ã½ community has shaped both my career and my ability to give back.Â
