She Supply Chains

This week we are thrilled to welcome Jim Wetzel, a true supply chain expert and "constructive disruptor". Jim’s journey spans from his start as a sheet metal worker to leading digital transformation as the former CEO of the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute. He spent over three decades at General Mills in roles that often didn't even exist before he stepped into them. Today, we’re diving into why 90% of AI projects fail, the difference between management and leadership, and how to stop serving up "no sandwiches" to your boss.    ✨ Connect with Jim! 📱LinkedIn | Jim   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  Set the Right Mindset for Smart Manufacturing IoT & Manufacturing: How Innovation Transforms the Value Chain   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode of the She Supply Chains podcast, we dive into the world of supply chain strategy with Manika Bhargava, the Director of Integrated Supply Chain at Dow. Manika shares her journey from being one of only eight people in her MBA class to major in supply chain to leading a global team in Mumbai that acts as a strategic "Global Capability Center" (GCC) for Dow. The discussion explores how these centers have evolved from simple cost-savings hubs into "innovation engines" that harmonize global processes and drive digital transformation through AI. Manika also offers tactical advice on process improvement, emphasizing the need to avoid "over-engineering" by staying focused on the end-to-end objective and sitting with teams to find the "hidden" bottlenecks not found in handbooks.   ✨ Connect with Manika! 📱LinkedIn | Manika   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) Take Strategic Role In Global Enterprises By 2026 Supply Chain Trends for 2026 – From Agentic AI to Orchestration   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode, Maria Villablanca, a prominent supply chain influencer and CEO, explains why 90% of transformations fail. As the co-founder of Future Insights Network and host of the Transform Talks podcast, she brings insights from over 200 interviews with global executives. Maria identifies the root cause of failure as a neglect of the human element and a lack of a clear "why" behind the change. She advocates for a strategy where technology is the final step, implemented only after defining outcomes and aligning people and processes. The conversation also redefines the "leader of the future," prioritizing commercial savvy and people skills over technical abilities like coding. Maria encourages leaders to become vocal storytellers of their business value to navigate the current "flock of black swans". ✨ Connect with Maria! 📱LinkedIn | Maria 📱mariavillablanca.com   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  Corporate Ozempic: If you want to understand how AI is trimming corporate America Foot Locker COO names 4 skills crucial to supply chain leaders   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it  

In this special "Kidsode," our host Courtney is put in the hot seat by a very special guest interviewer: her daughter, Harper! They dive into the "why" behind the podcast, the hurdles of starting something new, and what it feels like to find your voice in a male-dominated industry.   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode of She Supply Chains, we go behind the scenes of the furniture industry. Guest Megan Fischer, COO of Sundays, Moe's Home Collection, and Hetta, discusses her fascinating transition from the fast-paced world of fashion at Aritzia to the high-stakes, "big and bulky" world of furniture logistics. Megan shares how she applies a "grid thinker" mindset to disorganized spaces, her strategies for managing the "nine lives" of a varied career, and her hard-won advice on why brands should prioritize system configuration over custom coding. Whether discussing her childhood habit of inventorying Halloween candy or the "Bible" of product lifecycle calendars, Megan’s insights offer a masterclass in building resilient, integrated teams that can navigate the messy realities of global operations without losing their creative spark.   ✨ Connect with Megan! 📱LinkedIn | Megan Fischer   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  "It's a tough industry out there": A look at the furniture supply chain's challenging year ERP Customization vs. Configuration: What's the Difference?   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode of She Supply Chains, we sit down with Angela Dodd, founder of Females in Food and a 20-year veteran of the food and beverage industry. From her beginnings as a bakery scientist to becoming a commercial sales leader, Angela shares her philosophy on "creating your own recipe" and advocates for a stronger bench of women leaders across the global supply chain. To accelerate career growth, Angela emphasizes "ruthless prioritization," focusing only on the "needle-moving" KPIs that drive results while letting go of administrative noise. She challenges women to separate their identity from their job titles and to move away from constantly seeking feedback in favor of asking for access to new rooms and opportunities.   ✨ Connect with Angela! 📱Females In Food Home - Females In Food   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  McKinsey & Co. | Women in the Workplace 2024 Females in Food | State of Industry Results 2025   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Beecher, a leader in supply chain and the VP of Operations at Reduce, to explore the intersection of technical discipline and global leadership. Kelly shares how her background as a licensed customs broker and former internal auditor allows her to identify "red flag" process gaps and utilize "tariff engineering" to optimize duty rates through strategic product design. From managing high-stakes biotech "million-dollar molecules" to overseeing the unprecedented growth of stainless steel drinkware, she emphasizes that documentation and change control are non-negotiable for scalability. Beyond the spreadsheets, Kelly reflects on the endurance required for both triathlons and leadership, her upcoming move to China with her young family, and the essential reminder that you must own your career path more thoughtfully than anyone else   ✨ Connect with Kelly! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-marie-halloran/   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  Navigating Trade Uncertainty: The Top 5 Customs Issues Defining 2026 Retail Chargebacks Explained: The 7 Common Mistakes Suppliers Make   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode, Billy Boren, VP of Supply Chain at Duke Cannon, joins the She Supply Chains podcast to discuss the stark differences between operating in a global conglomerate like General Mills versus a nimble, high-growth brand. Billy shares his "Hero, Hardship, and Highlight" story, offering a vulnerable look at how personal adversity shaped his leadership style. From navigating the complexities of plant closures to managing a 30% production loss after a factory fire, Billy emphasizes that success always comes back to one thing: the people. ✨ Connect with Billy! 📱LinkedIn: Billy Brac Boren | LinkedIn   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  Supply Chain Risk Management: Large Corporations vs. SMEs Building Trust with Your Manufacturing Workforce During Transformation   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

Chef Ann Ahmed joins us to discuss supply chain leadership and the power of resilience. In this special on-location episode recorded at Khâluna, the acclaimed chef-owner of Lat 14, Lemon Grass, and Gai Noi sits down to discuss how she operationalizes compassion and navigates risk in the high-pressure culinary world. Chef Ann shares her incredible journey, from buying her first restaurant over the phone without seeing the kitchen to expanding her empire during the pandemic to revitalize her community. She opens up about the Laotian concept of "Oat-ton," her transition from a teacher to a "boss lady," and how she balances the rigid demands of business with the flexibility needed to thrive.   ✨ Connect with Chef Ann! 📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefannahmed/ 💻Learn more about leadership and resilience here:  "Leadership turmoil threatens supply chain resilience, Gartner survey finds"  "Why better supply chain visibility is critical in 2025"   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast   💵 Arise Financial Check out Arise Financial Coaching and their Financial Goal Accelerator program, and let them know She Supply Chains sent you!   🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode, we reflect on our journey through the past year, discussing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Emphasizing the importance of community, curiosity, and the human element in supply chains while looking forward to the upcoming season and new initiatives. ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this episode, we sit down with Carolina De La Paz, a 16-year veteran at Lenovo and the founder of the Women Enhancing Logistics (WEL) program. Carolina shares her journey from "the jungle" of Latin American operations to leading global network transformation. We dive deep into how she is practically applying Artificial Intelligence to create an intelligent supply chain, the importance of finding a higher purpose in day-to-day tasks, and why successful careers are built on consistency rather than just fleeting motivation. Keywords: supply chain, logistics, women in business, mentorship, AI in operations, project management, career development, intrapreneurship, network transformation, Lenovo   ✨ Connect with Carolina! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-de-la-paz   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

In this engaging conversation, Sofia Rivas Herrera shares her journey from a curious child in Guadalajara, Mexico, to a passionate advocate for supply chain management. She discusses the importance of creativity in engineering, her experiences in the supply chain industry, and her mission to amplify Latin voices. The conversation also touches on the significance of storytelling, cultural nuances in global teams, and the challenges women face in taking up space and building confidence in their careers. Keywords: supply chain, Latin voices, storytelling, confidence, cultural nuances, engineering, creativity, women in STEM, global teams, problem-solving   ✨ Connect with Sofia! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-rivas-herrera/   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

Supply chain leadership is the focus this week as we welcome John Church, whose career at General Mills spans over three decades of guiding everything from product development to global strategy. Known for his servant leadership style, John excels at connecting business agendas with operational execution while mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. In this conversation, John reflects on his journey from developing Multigrain Cheerios to leading massive integrations like the Pillsbury acquisition and ultimately serving as Chief Supply Chain Officer. He shares why the basics of the industry still hold true despite changes in technology and speed, the essential nature of servant leadership, and how his transition into board leadership has provided a fresh perspective on guiding complex organizations. ✨ Connect with John! 📱LinkedIn - John   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  Darden Ideas to Action (2026) Korn Ferry: Featured Insights (2025)   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

This week, we welcome Erin Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer of YMX Logistics. Erin describes herself as a logistics and operations nerd, someone who thrives at the intersection of people, technology, and supply chain. Erin spent over two decades at Kraft Heinz, leading major transformation projects, overseeing logistics operations, and even spearheading the design and execution of an automated Mega Distribution Center. After building her career inside one of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods companies, Erin made the bold decision to step into the unknown. Leaving the comfort of a global enterprise to become employee number two at a startup.  ✨ Connect with Erin! 📱LinkedIn - Erin   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  Transportation Today: Kraft Heinz to Invest in Automated CPG Distribution Center First Round Review: Read This Before Joining as Employee 1 to 20 at a Startup   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

This short and sweet episode is a reminder that gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re leading a team, supporting colleagues, or simply connecting with friends and family, appreciation is free and powerful. Join the Movement! Share your gratitude stories on Instagram or LinkedIn with #SheSupplyChains 💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  Sid Meadows: Why Gratitude Is a Leadership Strategy (2026) ADAA: Gratitude - A Mental Health Game Changer   ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

This week, we're diving into a powerful and transformative principle that applies to every facet of your professional and personal life. You get what you tolerate. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated by inefficiencies, or like you’re settling for "good enough," this episode is for you. Inspired by a thought from Dr. Julie Gurner, we're challenging you to reflect on where you might be tolerating "less than" in your career, from vendor relationships and team performance to your own personal growth. We’ll also cover how women leaders can model elevated expectations while maintaining empathy and inclusivity. 💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  HBR: Why Good Managers Let Bad Behaviors Slide Forbes: How Women Leaders Can Set High Standards Without Losing Their Team ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

 This week, we welcome Val Mack, a supply‑chain leader who’s worked across operations, logistics, and now people and culture. Val calls supply chain the “heartbeat” of a business, with people and leadership its heart. In this episode, Val tells the story of stepping straight from a development program into supervising factory shifts, explains the lessons of leading across generations and diverse teams, and shares practical leadership habits that keep teams healthy and productive. ✨ Connect with Val! 📱LinkedIn - Val   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  ReFED Insights: How Food Waste Reduction Is Taking Shape In 2026 Food Logistics: Top 5 Food Waste Trends to Expect in 2026 ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

This week, we welcome Kathy Fulton, Executive Director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). Kathy leads the nonprofit that connects private-sector logistics capacity with disaster-impacted communities to get food, water, medical supplies, and critical services where they are needed most. Kathy explains how ALAN decides when and where to activate, why donated services like transportation, forklifts, and warehousing often deliver far more value than boxes of unsolicited goods, and how simple supply‑chain thinking can prevent wasted effort and landfill-bound donations. She shares hard lessons from Hurricane Harvey, Puerto Rico, Maui, and recent U.S. storms, and offers practical ways individuals and companies can strengthen community resilience. ✨ Connect with Kathy! 📱LinkedIn - Kathy   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  USAID CIDI: The Critical Role of Logistics in Humanitarian Aid FEMA: Partnering with the Private Sector for Emergency Management ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

This week, we welcome Shelley Smith, Senior R&D and Lab Operations leader at Boston Beer Company, a chemical engineer turned brewer, one of only 28 Master Cicerones in the world, and the creator of the marathon-inspired 26.2 brew. Shelley walks us through how a new beer goes from idea to shelf, the surprising upstream supply-chain constraints that shape production, and the R&D tactics her team uses to test quickly and scale thoughtfully. We talk yeast and flavor, the booming extremes in beer (high-alcohol flavor bombs and sophisticated non-alcoholic options), leadership lessons from long study hours to asking for help, and practical advice for founders on getting scrappy without over-scaling.    ✨ Connect with Shelly! 📱LinkedIn - Shelly   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  IFT: Scaling Up - The Intersection of Food Science and Brewing Operations IWSR: The Evolution of No- and Low-Alcohol Transitions in Craft Brewing ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it

Building a career in the supply chain and freight tech sector is our focus as we welcome Carly Gunby, VP of Revenue at Transfix. From her beginnings as an Art History major to her current leadership role in a high-growth technology firm, Carly shares a powerful perspective on navigating this ever-changing field. Her journey highlights the importance of problem-solving, resilience, and a people-centered approach, proving that confidence and curiosity are the ultimate tools for mastering the human side of logistics. ✨ Connect with Carly! 📱LinkedIn - Carly   💻Learn more on the topics discussed here:  FreightWaves: The Human Element in Digital Freight Brokerage Supply Chain Dive: Why the Next Generation of Logistics Leaders Won't All Have Supply Chain Degrees ✨ Connect with us! 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-supply-chains/ 📱INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shesupplychainspodcast/ 📱TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesupplychainspodcast 🎧 Call to Action Follow She Supply Chains on your favorite podcast app Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show Share this episode with someone you think would love it