519: Overcoming The Perfect Storm: Moving Beyond Basic Automation To Realize AI's Full Potential, with Amazon Web Services
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Kris Orlowski of Amazon Web Services talks about their recent survey and what it reveals about data, trust, decision-making and AI readiness in supply chain. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.12] An introduction to Kris, his background, and his role at Amazon Web Services. “A good part of my role right now, as we’re continuing to innovate, is understanding what supply chain practitioners actually want and need.” [05.17] An overview of AWS – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [06.20] An overview of Amazon Web Services’ recent industry survey,...
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518: From Automation to Intelligence: How AI Is Transforming the Modern Warehouse, with GreyOrange
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Saurabh Gupta of GreyOrange talks about how AI is transforming the modern warehouse, the role of partners, & why automation without orchestration underdelivers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.33] Saurabh’s career journey and what he learned from being involved in software development for iPods and the very first iPhone at Apple. “The most powerful technology is one that works so seamlessly that it’s invisible to the user.” [09.39] Why Saurabh pivoted from a career in consumer robotics to supply chain and warehouse robotics. “In consumer robotics, we start...
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517: ‘Useful AI’: Your Key to Visibility Project Success, with Shippeo
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Lucien Besse of Shippeo talks about navigating supply chain chaos; data quality & continuous improvement; AI; and the keys to visibility project success. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.38] An introduction to Lucien and the journey that led him to co-found Shippeo. [07.07] The biggest sources of chaos for supply chain teams, and why they need flexibility and visibility. “Supply chain managers need to make hundreds of decisions every day, every hour, every minute – they need to navigate uncertainty every single day, and that hasn’t changed… What has really changed is...
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516: Innovation, Transformation, and Modern Supply Chains, with Blue Yonder
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Andrea Morgan-Vandome of Blue Yonder explores what true end-to-end supply chain transformation looks like amidst unprecedented complexity and disruption. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.47] An introduction to Andrea and her role, and how Blue Yonder helps their customers. “We bring the physical and digital worlds together, and that’s key in supply chain.” [06.05] Why end-to-end planning will be crucial in navigating supply chain complexity and disruption in 2026. “When people look to drive transformation, they can sometimes get mired down in the complexity. So how do...
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515: Experience Precision Supply Chain Operations, with Brecham Group
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Chris Hamley & Andy Smith of Brecham Group talk about what they do; what makes them different, Precision Supply Chain Operations; & helping you suck less. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.58] Chris’s background and the journey that led him to co-found Brecham Group. “I started out loading trucks!... And it got to a point where I got frustrated trying to broker conversations. People didn’t pay attention to details, I found myself translating – and that was the catalyst.” [06.04] Andy’s 30+ year industry career, and his role at Brecham Group. [08.26] An...
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514: Turn Strategic Planning Into Retail Profitability, with Anaplan
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Scott Jennings of Anaplan talks about retail inventory optimization, planning challenges, AI & how Anaplan enables retailers to sell more and carry less. [03.37] An introduction to Scott, his background, and experience in the industry. “Siloes are present functionally across different pieces of the business, whether it’s merchandise, supply chain or finance. But they’re also persistent inside the systems that support those different groups – and that’s where it gets tricky.” [05.53] An overview of Anaplan and what they do. [06.53] How retail planning has historically...
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513: Women In Supply Chain™, Megan Rudolph
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Megan Rudolph talks about her career journey; developing a team through hypergrowth; the challenges & opportunities for parcel in 2026; & finding inspiration. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.15] An introduction to Megan and Saddle Creek Logistics Services. [03.00] Megan’s early career dream of sports journalism, how graduating during the recession led her to take a sales job at UPS, and what she found so fascinating about logistics. “There was a great structure. I worked under multiple female leaders – some of the people that probably don’t even know how...
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511: Women In Supply Chain™, Jennie Malafarina
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Jennie Malafarina talks about her career journey; collaboration & community; building businesses; & turning marketing from a cost center into a revenue driver. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.30] An introduction to Jennie and her businesses Virago Marketing and FR8MVMT. [05.03] Why Jennie pursued a degree in communications, and how having three kids under five during her final year at university led her to a marketing career. “Communication, psychology and marketing all tied together… it’s a passion for understanding why people do what they do.” [07.55] Why...
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510: Women In Supply Chain™, Kendra Tanner
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Kendra Tanner talks about her career journey; what she's learned about leadership, making an impact on boards and conference stages; & inspiring women. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.35] An introduction to Kendra and her company, Allstates WorldCargo. [03.40] Kendra’s education and how her marriage to her high school sweetheart impacted her career path. “I wanted to get my business finance degree, but I was adamant that I was not taking one more accounting class – so I switched to marketing!” [05.47] How a family connection led Kendra to Consolidated...
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509: Women In Supply Chain™, Nermine Saad
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Nermine Saad talks about her career journey; fostering a culture of learning; moving from Egypt to Canada; mentorship; & the future of digital transformation. [03.48] What sparked Nermine’s interest in logistics, and how it led her to seek out a career that connected strategy, people, and operations. “I realized there’s an entire industry behind the movement of goods, and it involves shipping lines, airlines, ports, and so much more. The more I read, the more I was fascinated.” [05.46] The early years of Nermine’s career in Egypt and the big lessons she learned,...
info_outlineZera Zheng talks about her career journey; being open to opportunity; the importance of understanding risk; & what she learned, moving from China to Europe.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[03.36] How Zera began her career, going from University to a graduate program at Kuehne and Nagel, and how it allowed her to learn all about logistics.
[07.20] Why it’s important to try different things during your career, why Zera felt like she was getting a new challenge every day at Kuehne and Nagel, and the importance of expanding your comfort zone if you want to strengthen your capability.
“Don’t jump into decisions... Look around and see what could keep you interested... Success starts with passion.”
[10.42] How Zera came to specialize in Health, Safety, Security, and Environment.
“As a graduate, you don’t really know what each department is doing, you have to be open to the opportunity… That knowledge and experience, the things I did in the past, have shaped who I am now.”
[12.45] Zera’s move to A.P. Moller–Maersk, the types of projects she works on now, and the importance of understanding, and responding to risk.
[17.50] Why Zera took an opportunity to move from China to Holland, the pressures she felt, and the support she received to help make it happen.
“We often hear that the logistics industry is men’s work and, especially for a security role – we see men with a background from the military or police. It was rare to offer this opportunity to an Asian woman.”
[27.37] What Zera’s ‘industry rising star’ award win means to her.
[29.21] Zera’s experience speaking at forums and on panels, and her advice for other women, from leaning into making mistakes to taking the time to practice.
“I still remember making a mistake as a child, when I couldn’t speak on stage… It reminds me of where I was to who I am now.”
[34.22] The mentors that have made an impact on Zera’s life and career, and the scientist who inspires her.
[38.00] The future for Zera.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
You can connect with Zera over on LinkedIn.
If you want to find out more about Zera’s work at Maersk, read up on her Supply Chain Resilience Model or Risk Management.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women who have made big moves for their careers, check out 207: Women In Supply Chain™, Shana Zheng, 450: Women In Supply Chain™, Jenny Perlitch or 275: Women In Supply Chain™, Amani Radman.
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