Libsyn Directory

The Strategic COO: Navigating Disruption and Driving Change with Suketu Gandhi

Release Date: 04/23/2025

CHAINge, AI and the Future of Freight with Bart A. De Muynck

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “CHAINge, AI, and the Future of Freight”, and , an industry expert and thought leader with over 30 years of supply chain and logistics experience across the globe, discuss how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the logistics landscape and what the future holds for global freight. About Bart A. De Muynck stands as an accomplished industry expert and thought leader, boasting over three decades of global supply chain and logistics experience. His distinguished career includes significant roles at major international companies such as EY, GE Capital, Penske...

Safeguarding Your Shipments: Denim's Insights on Fraud, Payments, and Carrier Vetting with Chad Capooth

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “Safeguarding Your Shipments: Denim's Insights on Fraud, Payments, and Carrier Vetting”, and , VP of Operations at Denim, discuss the evolving landscape of freight fraud, payment challenges, and how Denim provides comprehensive solutions to ensure financial and operational security for freight businesses. About Chad Capooth is the VP of Operations at Denim. He brings over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, business growth, and operations leadership. At Denim, he leads operational strategy, leveraging deep expertise in factoring, credit underwriting, and portfolio management...

Navigating the Numbers: Tariffs, AI, and the Future of Supply Chains with Corey DeSantis

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “Navigating the Numbers: Tariffs, AI, and The Future of Supply Chains”, and , BDO’s Logistics and Transportation Subject Matter Expert, discuss the evolving landscape of global trade, the transformative power of artificial intelligence, and strategies for building resilient supply chains for tomorrow. About Corey DeSantis serves as BDO’s Logistics and Transportation Subject Matter Expert, supporting clients in manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications and food manufacturing. Corey improves the condition of BDO’s clients through making data-driven decisions to optimize...

The Threads of Trade: How Global Events are Reshaping Cotton Logistics with Michael Symonanis

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “The Threads of Trade: How Global Events are Reshaping Cotton Logistics”, and , Director of Strategic Network at Louis Dreyfus Company, discuss how global events are reshaping cotton logistics, leveraging Michael’s dual perspective as a BCO and former ocean carrier, and the importance of collaboration and data transparency. About Michael Symonanis doesn’t just move containers - he moves conversations forward. With 30+ years in international container shipping, Michael brings a rare dual lens as both a BCO and former ocean carrier. Now in his 20th year at Louis Dreyfus Company, he...

REPOST: Beyond the Tracks: The Next Frontier of American Rail with Martin Lew

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss beyond the tracks: the next frontier of American rail. Martin is CEO at , a tech-enabled rail logistics provider with a team of experienced rail professionals, an extensive network of partners, and a best-in-class technology platform that simplifies the movement of freight and creates a competitive advantage. About Martin Lew is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Commtrex, the largest tech-enabled logistics platform in North America (US, Canada, and Mexico) for shippers to directly connect with railroads, transloaders, storage facilities,...

REPOST: Avoiding Logistics FUD with Steve Elwell

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss avoiding logistics FUD. Steve is the Founder and Managing Director of Partners, a boutique leadership, business strategy and turnaround consulting firm. Summary: Avoiding Logistics FUD In this episode, Joe Lynch and guest Steve Elwell tackle the pervasive issue of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) and its impact on various aspects of business, particularly in logistics. Joe and Steve provide valuable insights into overcoming FUD by establishing trust and eliminating disruptive elements within business relationships, and leadership. The...

Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges with Michael Needham

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges”, and , a Principal at Efficio, discuss how to build resilient supply chains using data-driven strategies and a hands-on consulting approach to achieve both cost savings and operational resilience in the complex pharma and healthcare sectors. About Michael Needham is a Principal Consultant at Efficio, the leading global consultancy, dedicated to helping clients achieve their supply chain and procurement goals. Michaël has 20+ years of experience working across the pharmaceutical manufacturing,...

REPOST: The Revenue Engine with Kara Smith Brown

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the revenue engine. Kara is the Founder and CRO of , the premier B2B marketing and PR firm dedicated to helping logistics companies increase lead generation through targeted marketing strategies and media coverage. About Kara Brown A prominent thought leader in B2B go-to-market strategy, is CEO of LeadCoverage, the pioneering consultancy transforming approaches to PR, demand generation and marketing across the supply chain, heavy industrial, and tech sectors. Her successful corporate career started at Echo Global Logistics where she played a key...

Beyond LTL & Truckload: The Expedite All Approach to Smaller Truck Solutions with Mike Ernst

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “Beyond LTL & Truckload: The Expedite All Approach to Smaller Truck Solutions”, and , the President of Expedite All, discuss how specialized small truck solutions, spearheaded by networks like Expedite All, deliver efficient, on-demand transportation for time-critical shipments, leveraging cargo vans, box trucks, and straight trucks to bypass the limitations of traditional LTL and Truckload. About Mike Ernst , President of Expedite All, brings over 25 years of experience in the logistics industry to the company. He has held leadership roles such as Vice President of...

U.S. Maritime Modernization: Policy Driven Changes in Ocean Shipping with Lauren Beagen

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “U.S. Maritime Modernization: Policy Driven Changes in Ocean Shipping”, and , the Founder of Squall Strategies and The Maritime Professor, discuss how recent U.S. policies, like OSRA 2022 and strategic efforts to move supply chains from China, are significantly reshaping the ocean shipping industry. About Lauren Beagen is a seasoned maritime attorney and the founder of and . Ms. Beagen is often called on for her industry expertise by notable trade networks, including features on CNBC and FreightWaves. has extensive experience in oceanborne commerce...

More Episodes

Suketu Gandhi and Joe Lynch discuss the strategic COO: navigating disruption and driving change. Suketu is a partner and global chair for the Strategic Operations Practice at Kearney, a leading management consulting firm.

About Suketu Ghandi

Suketu Gandhi is a partner and global chair for the Strategic Operations Practice at Kearney, a leading management consulting firm. Based in Chicago, his expertise covers a wide range of operations topics, with an emphasis on end-to-end supply chains and their redesign for four critical purposes, growth, cost, resilience, and sustainability. Noting that the key to maximizing their effectiveness lies in the combination of human intelligence, AI, and automation, he underpins this with a deep understanding of how global operations work. Suketu’s passion for operations work goes back to the earliest days of his career with a major retailer. Now, he puts this knowledge to work for clients throughout the consumer and retail space. Suketu is frequently published on operations transformation topics in outlets such as HBR, MIT Sloan Management Review, and The Wall Street Journal.

About Kearney

Since 1926, Kearney has been a leading management consulting firm and trusted partner to three-quarters of the Fortune Global 500 and governments around the world. With a presence across more than 40 countries, our people make us who we are. We work impact first, tackling your toughest challenges with original thinking and a commitment to making change happen together. By your side, we deliver—value, results, impact. To learn more about Kearney, please visit www.kearney.com.

Key Takeaways: The Strategic COO: Navigating Disruption and Driving Change

Kearney's third annual COO survey, in collaboration with AWS, reveals that while COOs anticipate organizational growth in 2025, they foresee significant hurdles related to skills gaps and execution challenges.
The research highlights key findings from the survey of over 120 senior operations leaders, indicating a shift in priorities from pure cost efficiency to a more balanced strategy emphasizing innovation, risk management, and the integration of technologies like GenAI in supply chains.
The purpose of the survey is to identify the major concerns and strategic shifts among COOs, revealing an "execution gap" and a critical need to address skill shortages and proactively manage risks in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Global & Legacy Powerhouse: Founded in 1926 and headquartered in Chicago, Kearney is a top-tier management consulting firm with a presence in 40+ countries, serving Fortune Global 500 clients across industries.
Strategic Expertise at the Core: Renowned for excellence in strategic operations, sourcing, procurement, and transformation — Kearney consistently ranks among global leaders in these areas.
Forward-Thinking Insights: Through thought leadership like the FDI Confidence Index and Global Business Policy Council, Kearney shapes conversations on global economics, innovation, and disruption.
People-First, Impact-Driven: With a culture rooted in collaboration, inclusion, and purpose, Kearney focuses on delivering measurable change while fostering a diverse and empowered workforce.