In a world where organizations are continuously evolving to meet the demands of a dynamic market, some leaders stand out for their unwavering commitment to excellence, resilience in the face of disruption, and foresight in navigating complex operational ecosystems. Damon Ascolani, the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Procurement, Facilities, Travel, Third Party Risk Management, and Corporate Security at TransUnion, is one such figure. With a career that spans decades and disciplines, Damon exemplifies the rare blend of strategic insight, data-driven decision-making, and people-centric leadership that defines transformative impact in today’s global enterprise environment.
Damon’s journey to the pinnacle of corporate operations leadership was anything but linear. It began in the mid-1990s at Household Finance Corporation, where he started as a risk analyst. His early career revolved around sourcing vast volumes of data from third parties, including the major US credit bureaus. As he transitioned into a risk manager role, Damon began to carve a reputation for himself as someone who could synthesize complex data sets and translate them into strategic sourcing decisions.
The acquisition of Household by HSBC marked a pivotal turning point. With the integration came heightened regulatory scrutiny and the need for consolidated procurement functions. Damon seized the opportunity to pivot his career, stepping into procurement in 2006. Over the next decade, he climbed the ranks, ultimately overseeing all US procurement for HSBC—a portfolio totaling approximately $6 billion in annual spend. This period also marked a significant personal milestone: while managing enormous professional responsibilities, Damon pursued and completed a law degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago, passing the bar exam in 2011.
His academic pursuit was not a detour but rather a powerful complement to his operational acumen. Legal training sharpened his analytical thinking, enhanced his contract negotiation skills, and added another layer of depth to his already multifaceted expertise. It also prepared him for the next big leap in his career.
In 2017, Damon joined TransUnion, a global information and insights company, as its first Global Head of Procurement. At the time, he inherited a small team of US-based IT sourcing specialists. But for a leader with his vision and experience, the role was a blank canvas. TransUnion, having recently gone public, offered a culture of innovation and agility—an ideal backdrop for building something from the ground up. Damon laid the foundation for what would become a fully-fledged global procurement function. By 2019, the team had moved under the newly established Operations Department, securing a global mandate for procurement.
The transformation that followed was nothing short of remarkable. Damon led the implementation of TransUnion’s first-ever procure-to-pay system across all territories. Under his guidance, the organization introduced global procurement policies, procedures, and practices that have since become benchmarks for operational efficiency. The team expanded rapidly, growing into a high-performing, 36-member sourcing powerhouse spread across 11 countries on five continents.
Damon’s responsibilities didn’t stop at procurement. In 2022, he took on the additional mantle of managing global facilities, real estate, and travel. A year later, third-party risk management was added to his portfolio. And in 2024, corporate security joined the fold. The scope of his role today touches nearly every critical aspect of operational risk, cost management, infrastructure optimization, and global compliance at TransUnion.
What sets Damon apart is not just his ability to scale functions but the mindset with which he leads. For him, leadership is fundamentally about empowerment. In an age of rapid technological change and evolving workforce dynamics, he remains steadfast in his belief that procurement and facilities are, at their core, people businesses. Hiring top-tier talent and removing the barriers that hinder their potential is Damon’s blueprint for success. It’s an approach rooted in trust, collaboration, and accountability.
He is deeply data-driven. For Damon, clean, comprehensive data isn’t just a metric—it’s the bedrock of credibility. In procurement especially, where value often manifests as cost avoidance or strategic gains rather than direct savings, the ability to report with accuracy and clarity becomes a vital asset. Damon emphasizes reporting not only as a tool for internal alignment but as a lever to influence executive decision-making. His teams are encouraged to deliver concise, data-backed narratives that support strategy and forecast future needs.
Executive presence is another key trait Damon values. He understands that effective leadership requires more than just operational know-how—it requires the ability to inspire confidence, articulate a vision, and build alignment across senior stakeholders. Damon actively cultivates these qualities within his team, often providing rising stars with opportunities to present to executive leadership. His goal is not only to develop skills but to ensure that every team member feels seen, heard, and valued at the highest levels of the organization.
Perhaps the most defining challenge of his leadership tenure came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as Damon’s team had implemented a new global procurement model, the world changed overnight. Supply chains buckled. Vendor performance became erratic. Securing products and services turned into a daily obstacle course. But Damon’s experience and poise under pressure made the difference. He guided his team through the turbulence, balancing short-term urgencies with long-term resilience.
As the procurement function stabilized, Damon was asked to take on a broader challenge: managing TransUnion’s global real estate and facilities portfolio. At a time when organizations were rethinking the very concept of office space, Damon led with clarity. He spearheaded a detailed analysis of underutilized properties, renegotiated leases, and drove consolidation efforts that significantly reduced overhead. His embrace of a hybrid work model further supported employee safety, satisfaction, and business continuity.
Building a new department during a global crisis while supporting a rapidly expanding business was no small feat. Damon focused on foundational strength—hiring resilient, agile individuals and fostering a culture of open communication and cross-functional collaboration. He made sure that the growing team remained in lockstep with TransUnion’s broader strategic objectives, embedding agility into the DNA of his function.
For Damon, technology is not just a tool—it’s a catalyst. The future of procurement, facilities, and risk management lies in automation, real-time analytics, and streamlined decision-making. Damon sees speed as the new currency of business. Today’s associates expect rapid results, and digital transformation is the answer. From AI to workflow automation, he champions tools that enhance efficiency while freeing up his team to focus on more strategic work.
But Damon also offers a word of caution—without clearly defined problems, even the most advanced AI tools can become expensive distractions. He urges his peers and partners to avoid the trap of implementing solutions in search of problems. His approach is pragmatic: evaluate existing policies, question the purpose of every process, and eliminate inefficiencies before automating them. It’s this grounded perspective that makes Damon not just a tech-forward leader, but a strategic one.
The challenges facing modern procurement and real estate functions are manifold. From rising inflationary pressures to evolving supplier capabilities, from cultural shifts to workforce expectations, organizations must be both adaptive and strategic. Damon points out that while AI adoption is increasing, very few organizations have truly mastered its integration. That’s why he focuses on the fundamentals—cost reduction, post-contract supplier management, and early engagement with budget owners.
He is a strong advocate for procurement having a seat at the table. When stakeholders view procurement as a strategic partner, not just an order taker, the entire organization benefits. It leads to better purchase decisions, more impactful negotiations, and stronger supplier relationships. On the real estate front, Damon continues to navigate the ripple effects of the pandemic. He recognizes that workplace culture and physical space are intertwined. His strategy balances flexibility with purpose—supporting both remote productivity and in-person collaboration.
Innovation and collaboration are not just buzzwords in Damon’s vocabulary—they’re operational imperatives. He challenges his teams to question the status quo, rewards speed over perfection, and embraces failure as a pathway to growth. By creating a psychologically safe environment where experimentation is encouraged, Damon unlocks the creative potential of his teams.
Attracting and retaining top talent is a constant priority. Damon believes in the power of purpose, and he leverages TransUnion’s mission—”Information for good”—as a beacon for recruitment. When employees feel connected to a higher purpose, engagement soars. He also fosters a workplace culture that is fun, inclusive, and empowering. Micromanagement has no place in Damon’s world. Instead, he cultivates autonomy, ownership, and trust.
His leadership philosophy extends into team development as well. Damon empowers his teams by assigning high-impact projects that expand their skill sets and challenge their assumptions. He encourages cross-functional exposure, especially through presentations to senior leaders, allowing team members to showcase their work and build executive confidence. These experiences are not just career milestones—they’re confidence boosters that reinforce a sense of purpose and pride.
To young professionals aspiring to lead in procurement, facilities, or risk management, Damon offers sage advice. He believes the industry is ripe for disruption and reinvention—and it needs the energy, perspective, and drive of the next generation. His message is clear: speak truth to power, work hard, and stay grounded in people-first values.
He reminds emerging leaders that this is still a people business. Relationships matter. Communication matters. Whether it’s picking up the phone instead of sending an email or leaning into honest conversations, the ability to connect authentically is a hallmark of leadership. Damon encourages young professionals to own their space, assume positive intent, and bring energy into every room they enter.
He is also a champion of curiosity. Leaders must be hungry for knowledge, eager to understand the details, and willing to dive into the trenches. Damon advises future leaders to develop executive presence, seek out speaking opportunities, and always look for ways to contribute meaningfully to conversations that matter.
Today, as he oversees a global team responsible for some of TransUnion’s most mission-critical functions, Damon Ascolani continues to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion. His journey from risk analyst to global SVP is a testament to resilience, lifelong learning, and the power of purpose-driven leadership. In a corporate landscape defined by constant change, Damon remains a steady hand—a leader who not only adapts to the future but actively shapes it.
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