Summary: Supply Chain Now – Breaking News Now: Ready for CHAINge 2025 with ASCM’s Abe Eshkenazi

Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Scott Luton (B)
Guest: Abe Eshkenazi (C), CEO, Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM)

Episode Overview

In this special "Breaking News Now" livestream, host Scott Luton welcomes Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). The focus: the relaunch and reinvigoration of ASCM’s annual event, now rebranded as “CHAINge North America,” taking place in Columbus, Ohio, September 9–10, 2025. This episode delves into why this shift matters—prioritizing collaboration, talent development, and addressing contemporary supply chain challenges like resilience, technology, and sustainability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolving Role of Supply Chain and ASCM’s Mission

• Recognition & Influence:

  • Abe underlines that supply chain professionals are now at the forefront, dealing with unprecedented disruptions and challenges (geopolitical, environmental, etc.)
    • “I couldn't think of a more important time for these individuals to lead.” – Abe, [01:41]
  • ASCM’s focus: enabling members' competency and collaboration for career pathways and strategic integration.

• Shift from Back Office to Strategic Leadership:

  • The profession’s responsibility has expanded beyond logistics and cost to include risk management, sustainability, and cross-functional collaboration.
    • “Now compliance, collaborative sustainability, strategic… these are all part of their responsibilities today.” – Abe, [03:17]

2. Reinventing the Annual Event: Why CHAINge?

• The Big Shift:

  • ASCM is moving from the traditional conference model (passive listening) to an engagement-centric experience focused on peer learning.
    • “We're being called not just to rethink about how fast and cheaply we can move things, but how responsibly, transparently, and resiliently we can operate.” – Abe, [04:42]
  • The event is "by practitioners for practitioners", meant to facilitate relationship and knowledge exchange among peers.

• European Model Success:

  • Initial trials in Europe received strong feedback, with attendees valuing interactive formats and practical takeaways.

• Collaboration is Essential:

  • “Collaboration is no longer optional, it's essential… Events like CHAINge accelerate those conversations and those partnerships.” – Abe, [07:25]
  • Emphasis on breaking down silos—CSCOs working with CFOs, compliance, and sustainability officers.

3. Trends, Challenges, and Thematic Focus Areas

• Core Themes for CHAINge North America:

  • Resilience & Agility: Absorbing shocks and capitalizing on disruptions for organizational growth.
  • Leveraging Technology: AI, digital twins, and data analytics now sit at the core of innovation.
  • Advancing Sustainability: Despite less media buzz, leading organizations continue to invest in sustainable practices.
  • Workforce & Talent Development: Bridging the skills gap remains critical.
    • “That's a winning combination between the talent side and technology… that's where the focus is for the event.” – Abe, [09:05]

• Sustainability and Investment in People:

  • Scott highlights organizational moves into water stewardship and the continuing importance of sustainability.
  • Workforce development is not just essential but increasingly expected by employees.
    • “Your workforce craves development. They crave to learn new skills.” – Scott, [10:15]

4. Distinctive Features of the New Event Model

• Two-way Engagement:

  • Moving away from lecture-heavy formats to highly participative sessions.
    • “We're getting away from… 50 minute presentations… much more in terms of impactful content and then get them talking to each other.” – Abe, [11:19]
  • Focus on building “inclusive workplaces” and supporting rewarding career paths.

• Talent as the Defining Issue:

  • The profession’s demand far outpaces supply; ongoing professional development is positioned as both a challenge and opportunity.
    • “Supply chain has moved from the back office to the boardroom.” – Abe, [11:19]

• Information Sharing:

  • “I want to talk to you. I want to find out what your challenges were. How did you overcome…? That's what organizations are looking for today.” – Abe, [12:52]

5. Making the Business Case: Why Attend CHAINge?

• Technology + Talent = Success:

  • Real organizational advances happen at the intersection of tech investment and skilled workforce.
    • “Technology without the talent to drive it… can't deliver its full value… It's that combination that really does leverage the investment…” – Abe, [14:51]
  • AI is essential; those who can use it will outpace those left behind.

• Peer Learning as Value Proposition:

  • Not simply about content, but relationships and peer benchmarking.
  • Scott’s analogy: most impactful learning comes from dialogue rather than monologue.

6. ASCM’s Salary & Career Report: Industry Insights

• Compensation Trends:
  • Median U.S. supply chain compensation is $103,000, 52% higher than the national median ([17:19]).
  • “Companies are recognizing the value that these individuals provide their organization, not only on the bottom line, but… sustainability, compliance… career pathways.” – Abe, [17:19]
• Gender Pay Trends:
  • Women are out-earning men for entry-level salaries, but longer tenure reverses the trend; more leadership and growth opportunities needed for women.
• Changing Demographics:
  • Digital natives are far more technologically adept; reverse mentoring opportunities abound.
  • The profession is now a first-choice field, with students directly seeking supply chain degrees.
• The Profession’s Role:
  • Supply chain professionals now have a seat at the C-suite table; expectations are higher than ever.
    • “Now we have to have the supply chain professionals … use their voice … their experience to help organizations… advance in today's turbulent times.” – Abe, [19:26]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “I couldn't think of a more important time for these individuals to lead.”
  – Abe Eshkenazi, [01:41]

• “The equation has changed dramatically… balancing efficiency, adaptability, geographic diversity, political resilience.”
  – Abe, [03:17]

• “Collaboration is no longer optional, it's essential.”
  – Abe, [07:25]

• “We're being called not just to rethink about how fast and cheaply we can move things, but how responsibly, transparently, and resiliently we can operate.”
  – Abe, [04:42]

• “Technology without the talent to drive it… can't deliver its full value.”
  – Abe, [14:51]

• “It's not that AI is going to take your job. It's going to be another individual using AI that's going to take your job.”
  – Abe, [14:51]

• “Supply chain has moved from the back office to the boardroom.”
  – Abe, [11:19]

• “Now we have to have the supply chain professionals … use their voice … their experience to help organizations… advance in today's turbulent times.”
  – Abe, [19:26]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction and ASCM’s Current Focus: [00:14] – [02:48]
• Supply Chain’s Evolving Role & Event Rethink: [02:48] – [04:42]
• CHAINge Event Purpose and Design: [04:42] – [07:25]
• Industry Challenges & Event Thematics: [08:28] – [10:15]
• Event Format: Two-way Engagement: [11:19] – [13:42]
• Developing Tech + Talent: [14:51] – [15:59]
• ASCM Salary & Career Report Insights: [17:19] – [19:26]
• Closing Reflection & Invitation: [21:01] – [21:38]

Memorable Moments

• Abe’s strong assertion of supply chain’s rising importance:
  “These are true superheroes in today's environment.” [03:17]
• Scott’s analogy to college learning styles, underscoring the value of interactive formats. [13:42]
• The pride in positive compensation trends and diversity, tempered by acknowledgment that challenges remain for tenured women professionals. [17:19]

Final Notes

• Registration for CHAINge North America (Columbus, Sept 9–10, 2025) is encouraged for supply chain professionals at all levels.
• Full access to the 2025 ASCM Salary and Career Report is available at ascm.org.
• The episode closed with an optimistic challenge to industry professionals:
  “Do good, give forward. Be the change that’s needed.” – Scott, [21:03]