Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 04/23/2025

REPOST: Beyond the Yard: How Velostics Streamlines Scheduling

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss beyond the yard - how Velostics streamlines scheduling. Gaurav is the Founder and CEO of , a company on a mission to revolutionize the logistics landscape. Summary: Beyond the Yard: How Velostics Streamlines Scheduling In this podcast, Gaurav Khandelwal, CEO of Velostics, discusses how their cloud-based logistics software automates scheduling and streamlines processes for shippers, carriers, and logistics providers. Velostics aims to eliminate manual scheduling, reduce friction in the handoff process, and provide user-friendly tools for better...

The 5 Failures of Final Mile with Jason Burns

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In “The 5 Failures of Final Mile,” and , Host of Last2First Podcast and Insurance Producer at CUI Agency, discuss the common mistakes that final mile companies make. About Jason Burns is a native of New Orleans and a passionate business leader in the final mile transportation industry. He is a 2006 graduate of Vanderbilt University where he was a SEC Academic Honor Roll student-athlete in football and selected as the recipient of the Head Coach’s Dedication Award. After beginning his professional career in the parking industry, Jason returned to his hometown to assume a...

TIA Unpacks Freight: Tariffs, Trust, and the Fight Against Fraud with Chris Burroughs

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

In "TIA Unpacks Freight: Tariffs, Trust, and the Fight Against Fraud," and , President and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), dive into key industry topics. About Chris Burroughs is the President and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), a position he assumed in November 2024. With over 14 years at TIA, he previously served as Vice President of Government Affairs, overseeing legislative and regulatory efforts before Congress and federal agencies. Before joining TIA, Burroughs gained valuable experience on Capitol Hill, working for the House...

RocketFuel: Fintech for Fulfillment with Braden DiCristofano

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss RocketFuel: Fintech for fulfillment. Braden is the Co-founder and CEO of Launch Fulfillment and RocketFuel, two high-growth companies transforming the logistics and fintech landscapes. About Braden DiCristofano is the Co-founder and CEO of Launch Fulfillment and RocketFuel, two high-growth companies transforming the logistics and fintech landscapes. Raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah, he served a two-year mission in Jacksonville, Florida, before attending Ensign College. Braden began his career in sales, gaining nine years of experience in sales and leadership—skills that laid the...

The Container Payment Portal and the Rise of AI in Freight with Jake Hoffman

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the container payment portal and the rise of AI in freight. Jake is the Chief Technology Officer of Gnosis Freight, a logistics tech company focused on the lifecycle of a shipping container as it moves around the world. About Jake Hoffman is the Chief Technology Officer of Gnosis Freight, a logistics tech company focused on the lifecycle of a shipping container as it moves around the world. He has led the engineering team since the company's inception in 2017, bringing a deep understanding of technology and trends in the industry to bear in driving the company's technical...

From Ports to Politics: Decoding Tariffs, Ocean Shipping, and Supply Chains with Sal Mercogliano

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss from ports to politics: decoding tariffs, ocean shipping, and supply chains. Sal is is an associate professor of history at Campbell University in North Carolina and adjunct professor at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. About Sal Mercogliano is an associate professor of history at Campbell University in North Carolina and adjunct professor at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in marine transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College, along with a merchant marine deck officer license (unlimited tonnage 2nd mate), a...

Delivering the Drinks: Streamlining Beverage Transportation with Kristina Bernarducci

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss delivering the drinks: streamlining beverage transportation. Kristina is the Director of Operations at Bettaway, a privately held, family-owned Supply Chain Services company headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Kristina and the Bettaway team are big supporters of Wreaths Across America. About Kristina Bernarducci isn’t just building partnerships—she’s building community. As Director of Operations at Bettaway and Director of Business Development at PalletTrader, Kristina brings energy, creativity, and a drive for results to the world of logistics and supply...

REPOST: Global Giants: ICAT Moves the World's Largest Cargo with Chris Cser

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss global giants - ICAT moves the world's largest cargo. Chris is the Director of Operations at ICAT Logistics Detroit where they handle the shipments that other companies don't, can't, and won't. Summary: Global Giants: ICAT Moves the World's Largest Cargo In this podcast, Chris Cser, Director of Operations at ICAT Logistics, takes us on a journey through the complex world of global logistics. Founded in 1992 in Baltimore, ICAT Logistics has expanded across the United States and Europe, specializing in handling unusual, high-value, and oversized freight that often falls outside the...

The People-First Approach to Funding the Future of Logistics with Michael Sachaj

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the people-first approach to the future of logistics. Michael is a Partner at Hyde Park Angels (HPA), a leading early-stage investor based in Chicago. About Michael Sachaj is a Partner at HPA and manages and supports HPA’s investment opportunities through their lifecycle. Michael has led investment in a number of HPA’s top performing investments including ShipBob, FourKites, Paccurate, and Digit. Prior to joining HPA in 2013, Michael attended Northwestern University and worked at strategy consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton supporting various government clients in the...

Tech-Driven Drayage: A PortPro Perspective with Corey Abbott

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss tech-driven drayage: a PortPro perspective. Corey is the Chief Growth Officer and his team lead enterprise initiatives at PortPro, an innovative technology company that keeps the drayage industry moving efficiently with its operating platform built for drayage trucking companies, brokerages, and those that do both. About Corey Abbott , Chief Growth Officer and his team lead enterprise initiatives at PortPro, focusing on developing comprehensive products designed to enhance the customer experience, guided by their needs and feedback. Corey spent over a decade at STG Logistics, the...

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.