Amber Salley of GAINS talks about being data-driven - its four-stage evolution, misconceptions, the problem with LLMs & the benefits of letting the data lead. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.43] An introduction to Amber, her background, and her role at GAINS. “I’ve taken all that I learned in the past 25 years and brought it to GAINS, to help them think through: ‘Where should we take our product in the future, and what should we be focusing on to help our customers make the highest-quality d...
Jan 13, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 445
Gina Anderson talks about her career journey; sitting on boards; mentorship; the power of reinvention; and why she's a self-confessed parcel fanatic. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.54] An introduction to Gina and her role at Reveel. [06.42] Gina’s career journey, and how she found supply chain. “Someone early on took a chance on me… Ron wanted to bring me into his freight forwarding business to do sales. So I said: “Well, what does that look like – and what does it pay?!” [08.24] Why Gina has e...
Jan 06, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 444
Eric Johnson & Chris Mazza of Shippeo talk about visibility, how big challenges in 2024 impacted the market, & overcoming data quality challenges. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.06] A closer look at two key upcoming conferences: TPM 25 – listen out for a special discount! – and Journal of Commerce’s Breakbulk and Project Cargo . [08.19] From an Uber Freight product launch to how technology is enabling companies to pursue smaller incidents of overbilling in freight payments, Eric dives i...
Dec 30, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 443
On The Margins: How procurement leaders can maintain supplier relationships, support teams, nurture trust and build resilience in volatile markets. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.24] An introduction to Michael van Keulen, and what he loves about travel and spending time with the supply chain community. “I love to connect, I take so much pride in what I get to do every day… Helping and playing a role in the community we’ve created keeps me energized.” [08.31] From the opportunities in technology...
Dec 23, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 442
Tom Burke of CargoWise Landside talks about how drayage rating & quoting best practices can improve supply chain management, visibility, & logistics execution. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.59] An introduction to Tom and his career journey, how he founded DrayMaster, and its current place in the extensive CargoWise Landise portfolio. “You could say that I’ve had my hand in every cookie jar when it comes to this industry, and I’ve gained valuable insights from each experience.” [09.49] ...
Dec 16, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 441
Bill Catania of OneRail talks about their recent Series C funding; collaboration with IBM Sterling®; & the challenges for retailers and wholesalers in 2025. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.46] An introduction to Bill, and how OneRail are empowering customers to design and execute their own brand of delivery solutions. “I love what we do – we’re solving a shopper marketing problem with supply chain and logistics... We’re helping our customers fulfil excellence at scale.” [09.57] OneRail’s suc...
Dec 11, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 440
Mandar Rahatekar of Manhattan talks about unified supply chain planning; breaking siloes; UI design; & leveraging AI and machine learning to reduce complexity. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.47] An introduction to Mandar, and an overview of Manhattan. [07.48] Mandar’s career, his journey from Manhattan customer to employee, and what he loves about supply chain. “I’m a mechanical engineer. I started my career in manufacturing and the first lesson I learned, day one on the shop floor, was: I ...
Dec 09, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 439
Maria Madrigal talks about her career journey; overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry; her leadership style; & the achievement she’s most proud of. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.56] An introduction to Maria and WSI. [07.20] Maria’s 24-year tenure at WSI, and what she loves about the business. “I built relationships, I just love WSI, it’s like a family… like home.” [08.02] Maria’s first role as a window clerk and what it taught her. “I saw a lot of disgruntled drivers, but that ...
Dec 05, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 438
Mercedes Pina talks about her career journey; her experience as an immigrant; her passion for logistics; and why she believes that anything is possible. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.05] Mercedes’ experience as a young immigrant in Long Island, and why her parents instilled in her a sense of hard work and perseverance. “The sacrifices my parents made gave me the opportunity to strive for excellence in everything I do.” [08.47] The challenges Mercedes faced as a young immigrant in a new country...
Nov 25, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 437
Alex Yaseen of Parabola talks about his founder journey; the future of spreadsheets; empowering teams with workflow control; and embracing AI. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.34] An introduction to Alex, his background, and the journey that led him to found Parabola. “Most people seem to engage with new tech with fear and a lack of agency… People describe fighting against technology. And that’s a shame, because you could have such a positive, productive, empowering relationship with technology o...
Nov 13, 2024•58 min•Season 4Ep. 435
Tiffany Brewer of Blue Yonder talks about synchronizing supply chain execution; building resilient businesses; & helping clients reduce spend & drive growth. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.23] An introduction to Tiffany, her background, and the expertise she brings to her role at Blue Yonder. “I’ve been in the shoes of our customers, and I’m able to speak to the product teams and say: “Hey – this is what’s going on in the industry, this is what our customers need.” [08.24] What synchron...
Nov 11, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 434
Annie Torikian talks about her career journey; her passion for innovation; balancing professional and social responsibility; and being named a trailblazer. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.47] The journey that led Annie from Lebanon to Canada, and what she learned along the way. “When I first came to Canada, I was really ready to embrace a new chapter in my life. I came looking for stability and security… It was a big shift… and it gave me a new perspective on life.” [08.30] The surprisingly prac...
Nov 04, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 433
Jeff Beadle of Manhattan talks about their Unified Forecasting Method; how the hybrid approach is different; & the benefits to supply chain planning. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.28] An introduction to Jeff, his role at Manhattan, and how, as a physicist coming from a job at the “applied chaos lab,” he found his way to supply chain. “As a data scientist, there’s not a better sandbox than supply chain – and especially at Manhattan, given the breadth of solutions we have across the space.” ...
Oct 28, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 432
Trace Haggard of TSG Fleet talks about his founder journey; the problem of overcapacity; avoiding delays; & the benefit of providing solutions under one roof. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.45] Trace’s entrepreneurial background, and the journey that led him to found TSG Fleets. “I came from an agricultural family, and I wanted to get off the farm!... By coincidence, I did an internship at a 3PL… The general manager asked if I’d be interested in coming back for a job, and that sounded much ...
Oct 21, 2024•50 min•Season 4Ep. 431
Bryant Smith of Manhattan talks about supply chain unification; visibility, resiliency & cost; overcoming siloes; and delivering big results with their TMS. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.52] An overview of Manhattan – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [08.20] The basics of supply chain unification, what it means, and the common misconceptions. “There are a lot of misconceptions about unification… Sometimes you hear other companies express unification as integra...
Oct 14, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 430
Kameel Gaines talks about her career journey; her business Rig on Wheels; driver recruitment; & the importance of elevating African American women in trucking. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.37] Kameel’s career journey, and how she found her way from educational sales to trucking recruitment. “Trucking chose me!” [10.38] Why Kameel founded her own business, Rig on Wheels, and why she always had an entrepreneurial mindset. “I came from an entrepreneurial family, so I wasn’t afraid of it. [13...
Oct 07, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 439
Amit Sharma of Narvar talks about leveraging intelligent communication to boost consumer trust, create memorable shopping experiences & maximize conversions. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.56] Amit’s career journey, and how it led him to establish Narvar. [10.12] An overview of Narvar – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “Online, after we buy, there’s a waiting period. And often that waiting period is overlooked, or under-invested. We help businesses engage their...
Sep 30, 2024•52 min•Season 4Ep. 428
Jeremy Reeves of Relish & Matt Montgomery of SAP talk about how technology can automate supplier data validation and mitigate risk; our data end games; & AI. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.15] Introductions to today’s guests and what they do. [08.59] An overview of the landscape of supplier data and the challenges of validation. “Supplier management needs to be thought of as the foundation for everything. It’s the knowledge that you need to have for every single decision you’re making.”...
Sep 23, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 427
Thomas Bagge of DCSA & Thomas Morris of FINN Partners talk about digitalization in container shipping; drivers & barriers to change; and progress & priorities. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.45] Introductions to today’s guests and what they do. “DCSA aims to help digitalize and make container shipping more effective. We’re open source and vendor neutral… and our members represent about 75% of the world’s containerized capacity.” [10.13] An overview of DCSA’s new state of the industr...
Sep 16, 2024•50 min•Season 4Ep. 426
Josephine Coombe talks about her career journey; how marketing has changed; work/life balance; & why it’s never been a more exciting time to be in supply chain. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.26] Josephine’s career journey; her transition from the arts to technology and supply chain; and why embracing ambiguity is a good thing. “I wouldn’t say my career was planned, or at least the first half was more serendipity than planning. But, around halfway through, I started being much more delibera...
Sep 09, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 425
Larry Cuddy of Lynxis talks about transforming terminal operations; consolidating solutions; & his vision for the landside logistics facilities of tomorrow. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.39] Larry’s career journey and unrivalled passion for supply chain. “My journey is so special because I love what I do. I have to pinch myself, because it’s really not a job for me… This journey started at five or six years old in a truck with my grandfather.” [08.53] An overview of Lynxis – who they are, ...
Sep 02, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 424
Ryan Zelhofer of Assent talks about PFAS management & evolving regulations; understanding risk; working with suppliers; & compliance as a competitive advantage. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.35] An overview of Assent – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We’re a SaaS company, with a flair of personal touch!” [07.31] The ever-changing regulatory landscape, specifically through the lens of PFAS, and the challenges it’s presenting for businesses. “You’re seeing...
Aug 26, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 423
Kiran Mann talks about her career journey; her experience in the male-dominated auto industry; & why she left the corporate world to found her own business. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.20] Kiran’s early years, and how an unexpected opportunity led her to a successful career in automotive and manufacturing. “It was a temporary situation that turned into 22 years! It felt like home. At some point I forgot about fashion designing, and became a full-time professional in automotive and manufa...
Aug 19, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 422
Evan Smith of Altana talks about his mission to fix globalization; the role of AI in making data actionable; & the changing face of supply chain visibility. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.59] Evan’s early fascination with global issues, and how that curiosity, combined with his unwavering work ethic, ignited a passion that has driven his career and led him to co-found Altana. “I was kind of a weird kid, focused on big global issues – I actually wrote my high school senior thesis on the impe...
Aug 12, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 421
Eric Johnson of LogTech Live talks about the new FMC detention and demurrage billing rules - the changes, challenges & what they mean for businesses. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.58] The latest from Eric – an update from Home Delivery World, two upcoming events, and how to get involved with the Blended Pledge. “Remember when everyone said ‘when the pandemic is over, everything will slow down’ – it didn’t, it never slows down!” [11.52] The big industry news of the week. “Now we’ve had Conv...
Aug 05, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 420
Bill Catania of OneRail talks about inventory, visibility & shrinkage; empowering customers by normalizing data; & optimizing customer experience. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.07] An overview of OneRail, what they do, and how they help their customers. “Don’t ever think of us like a parcel shipping solution! What we’re doing is delivering in localized markets – think about turning a store into a warehouse, turning a warehouse into a localized delivery zone.” [07.52] The latest at OneR...
Jul 29, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 419
Jon Phillips of Newage Software and Solutions & Chuck Simmons of E-Freight Solutions talk about collaboration, developing new software, & helping SME's compete. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.51] Introductions to today’s guests and what they do. [08.33] How, and why, Newage was founded, and its evolution over the years. “Our view has always been that a customer is looking for a forwarder to be their solution across multiple modes and activities – so how do we enable that?” [13.27] Newag...
Jul 22, 2024•53 min•Season 4Ep. 418
Ann Marie Jonkman of Blue Yonder talks about using tech to solve labor challenges; empowering teams & organizations to fulfill potential; & future supply chains. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.42] An introduction to Blue Yonder, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We’re your technology partner… if you want new innovation, advice on reducing your labor cost, reducing your tech stack debt… we have the chops and vision to execute with you.” [09.19] The ideal client for Blue Y...
Jul 15, 2024•58 min•Season 4Ep. 417
Ryan Walicki & Matt Montgomery talk about supplier management - data challenges; complex tech; taking a proactive approach to risk; & the potential of AI. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.43] Introductions to today’s guests and what they do. “I completely nerd out about supplier management and third-party risk!” [09.02] From collection and validation to ongoing maintenance, the current processes and challenges of supplier management. “You’d think it was simple… but, in reality, suppliers ...
Jul 08, 2024•50 min•Season 4Ep. 416
Evin Sisemore talks about founding a business alongside her husband; navigating its acquisition; how sales have evolved; & supporting women in supply chain. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.47] Evin’s career journey, and how she found supply chain. “I ended up taking a job and falling in love with it. We always joke, ‘Don’t ever burn any bridges in this industry’ because, once you’re in it, you’re hooked!” [09.22] Why Evin decided to found her own business, Texas Motive Solutions, in 2018; an...
Jul 01, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 415
