Supply Chain Now: The Buzz – Women in Supply Chain Awards

Episode Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Scott Luton, Tandra Bellamy
Special Guest: Marina Mayer (Editor in Chief, Food Logistics & Supply & Demand Chain Executive)
Theme: Celebrating Women Leaders & Key Trends in Supply Chain

Episode Overview

This lively edition of "The Buzz" on Supply Chain Now centers on the celebration of the Women in Supply Chain Awards and broader discussions of recent trends, talent, leadership, and innovative solutions in global supply chain management. Hosts Scott Luton and Tandra Bellamy welcome supply chain thought leader Marina Mayer to discuss the evolution of these trailblazing awards, key industry challenges, and empowering strategies for advancing women in the profession.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of Supply Chain: News Pulse and Market Updates (00:29 – 09:42)

• Economic Challenges:
  The ISM Manufacturing PMI reveals the sixth consecutive month of contraction in the US manufacturing sector—a sign some equate to times "much worse than the Great Recession." (03:11)

  • Quote:
    “Some manufacturing executives are saying the economy is ‘much worse than the Great Recession.’ Yikes.” (01:40, Scott Luton)

• Labor Market Insights:
  Hiring remains sluggish: just 22 non-farm jobs added in August vs. 80,000 expected (03:11).

• Current Focus:
  Tandra encourages focusing on what’s controllable, especially education, upskilling, and innovation rather than being overwhelmed by negative headlines.

  • Quote:
    "Let’s focus on what we can do to make sure we’re prepared regardless of what happens." (04:16, Tandra Bellamy)

2. Supply Chain Leadership Pulse Check (04:50 – 07:43)

• Analytical & Digital Transformation:
  Emphasizes the need for systemic, data-driven approaches (predictive models, sensitivity analysis) and leveraging clean data and technology to anticipate rapid change.

  • Quote:
    "You really cannot live in an analog world in this digital society." (05:50, Tandra Bellamy)

• AI Adoption:
  Cautionary advice: Start with good data; AI is only as strong as its inputs. Experimentation is key, but solid foundations matter.

  • Quote:
    "If you feed it bad information, it is absolutely going to give you a bad outcome." (07:19, Tandra Bellamy)

3. Industry Trends: State of the Sector & Freight Data (07:43 – 09:42)

• Freight Index:
  US Bank Q2 2025 Freight Payment Index shows a slight uptick after 11 quarters of decline; uncertain whether this is a rebound or tariff volatility (08:07).

4. Guest Segment: Marina Mayer & The Women in Supply Chain Movement

Fun Starter: Favorite Reads (10:30 – 12:49)

Charming opener: Marina favors Michael Connelly’s mysteries; Tandra praises Maya Angelou’s "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and Dawn Staley’s "Uncommon Favor" for their themes of resilience and leadership.

State of the Industry Report (13:07 – 19:02)

• Five Trends Highlighted:

  1. Global trade tariffs and new classifications shaping cost strategies.
  2. Tariff reclassifications as a potential cost-avoidance tactic.
  3. Industrial real estate vacancy at a 12-year high.
  4. Continued cooling in the labor market.
  5. The anticipated merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads.

• Expert Insights:

  • Tariffs: Monitor their impact constantly; proactive companies gain competitive edge.
    • Quote:
      “You can’t measure and move forward with what you don’t monitor.” (15:30, Marina Mayer)
  • Job Market: The turbulence is nuanced; AI’s impact on jobs is variable and often misunderstood.

5. Talent: Perspectives from Chief People Officers (21:21 – 27:17)

• World Economic Forum Article:
  CPOs highlight three major disruptors:

  • AI adoption (and fears of skills loss/stagnation)

  • Talent scarcity

  • Shifts in worker expectations

  • Marina’s Take:
    The irony of pausing hiring while doubling down on AI is a “cart-before-the-horse” domino effect:

    • Quote:
      "If you’re pausing hiring, then why do you think that it’s necessary to be all-in for AI and not have people available?" (21:21, Marina Mayer)

  • Tandra’s Insight:
    The critical gap is in “worker expectations” and the widening divide between managers and staff due to poor communication.

    • Quote:
      “Worker expectations get out of alignment when there is a lack of communication.” (23:23, Tandra Bellamy)

  • Education Gap:
    The need for business acumen and strategic thinking aren’t being taught early enough; industry must get more involved in school curricula. (25:07-25:56)

• Company Culture:
  Technology cannot replace human connection and culture in the workplace.

  • Quote:
    “Company culture is a human being aspect to your company and even the most introverted employee needs connection.” (26:19, Marina Mayer)

6. Trade Trends: Foreign Trade Zones (29:36 – 31:01)

• Surging Demand Explained:
  FTZs offer strategic flexibility for tariff management, especially for apparel and beauty sectors.
  • Marina’s Caution:
    “How long will that last?”—anticipates eventual government attempts to close ‘loopholes’ as popularity rises (29:36).
  • Tandra’s Warning:
    Setting up new FTZs is complex, highly regulated, and demands rigorous compliance. (30:12)

7. Women in Supply Chain Awards & Forum

Origins & Growth of the Awards (32:20 – 35:45)

• Creation:
  Launched by Marina in 2020 to celebrate and spotlight female leadership in logistics and supply chain.

  • From 60-70 nominations in year one to over 400 in year five.
  • Quote:
    “It is a way to celebrate the achievements that female logistics leaders do. It’s not meant to be anything more than just bridge that gap between, you know, the men and the women supporting each other in the supply chain space.” (33:18, Marina Mayer)

• Encouraging Self-Advocacy:
  A marked increase in women nominating themselves—a shift in confidence and culture.

  • Quote:
    "You are your only voice for that." (35:06, Marina Mayer)

• Award Vetting:
  The program is highly selective; nominations with concrete impact are favored.

Winners & Impact (35:45 – 37:39)

• Special spotlight: Mary Casio, Pallet Alliance, overall DEI Pioneer category winner.
• Marina’s Reflection:
  “If you submit a nomination that says ‘I’m the best in supply chain’—probably not going to win.” (36:19)

The Forum: Women in Supply Chain Event (38:52 – 42:09)

• Details:
  November 18–20, Clearwater Beach, Florida; selling out fast.
  • Highly interactive: coffee/cocktail networking, “Supply Chain Jeopardy”, community service, male allies panel.
  • Quote:
    “It’s not just for women. We do have men … coming on to talk about how we can partner together…, how we can become allies together in promoting women in supply chain.” (39:23, Marina Mayer)

Allyship & Takeaways for Elevating Women (43:54 – 46:32)

• Tandra’s Advice:

  • Proactively inquire about women’s workplace experience and ambitions.
  • Don’t make assumptions about women’s involvement in team building or networking.
  • Quote:
    “There are a lot of areas that I was in that there were very few women, and they often were not invited in and engaged to the level that made them feel like they were a valued member of the team.” (44:46)

• Marina’s Advice:

  • Seek out introverted or quieter women for one-on-ones to uncover their strengths and ideas.
  • Encourage open dialogue and ensure all voices are heard.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “You can’t live in the analog world in this digital society.” (05:50, Tandra Bellamy)
• “You can’t measure and move forward with what you don’t monitor.” (15:30, Marina Mayer)
• “Company culture is a human being aspect to your company and even the most introverted employee needs connection.” (26:19, Marina Mayer)
• “You are your only voice for that.” (35:06, Marina Mayer)
• “There are a lot of areas … there were very few women, and they often were not invited in and engaged to the level that made them feel like they were a valued member of the team.” (44:46, Tandra Bellamy)

Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps

• [00:29] Show opening, episode previews, and audience engagement.
• [05:50] Leadership pulse check: Data-driven decision making & AI readiness.
• [10:30] Guest warm-up: Marina Mayer & Tandra Bellamy’s favorite books.
• [13:07] Industry report: Marina’s five trends (tariffs, labor, rail merger).
• [21:21] CPO perspectives: AI, talent, and business acumen.
• [29:36] Foreign trade zones: Trends, risks, and compliance.
• [32:20] The story and growth of Women in Supply Chain Awards.
• [38:52] Women in Supply Chain Forum details and impact.
• [43:54] How to be an ally for women in supply chain—practical advice.

Final Thoughts

This episode shines as both a celebration of women’s leadership in supply chain and a nuanced look at industry trends, talent development, and the importance of collaboration. The maturity and selectivity of the Women in Supply Chain Awards and Forum (as described by Marina Mayer) exemplify what it looks like to elevate not just individual women, but the entire ecosystem—by championing inclusivity, self-advocacy, strategic data use, and community-building.

For further details:

• Find links to the Women in Supply Chain Awards and upcoming Forum on the Supply Chain Now website and Marina Mayer’s LinkedIn.
• Continue the conversation and learn more: Supply Chain Now