Fall 2022 Supply Chain Forum Agenda

October 25-27, 2022

The fall 2022 Supply Chain Forum was an in-person event hosted at the newly renovated Marriott Knoxville Downtown. Below you’ll find an overview of the fall agenda. Detailed session descriptions, full speaker bios, exclusive resources and more are accessible to past attendees in the GSCI app.

Tuesday, October 25

• 2–3 p.m. Check-in and Registration

  Registration is required and space is limited for both student networking events. Make sure you sign up for both events when you register online.

• 3–4 p.m. Networking with Graduate Students

  A structured networking opportunity for corporate partners and SCM graduate students to discuss relevant career and supply chain topics. Meet students from Haslam’s No. 1 ranked graduate SCM programs.

• 4–4:30 p.m. Break

• 4:30–5:45 p.m. Speed Networking with Undergraduate Students

  A lively and interactive networking session with supply chain management Scholars of Distinction, a select group of rising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year SCM students eager to meet industry professionals and gain firsthand knowledge about job opportunities and career paths.

• 6–8 p.m. Welcome Reception

  Before we dive into mega sessions and breakouts, join us at the opening reception for hors d’oeuvres, drinks and brief remarks from Supply Chain Management Department Head John Bell. Connect with other SCM professionals and UT faculty and staff at this casual networking event.

Wednesday, October 26

• 7:45–8:15 a.m. Breakfast

• 8:15–8:30 a.m. Welcome

• 8:30–9:30 a.m. Mega Session: Zero Percent Carbon, 100% Digital: A New Lens for Supply Chain

  The environment in which we operate supply chains is undergoing intense change, and it requires an evolving perspective to truly understand how to successfully lead. Sharpen your vision of what the future holds and hear real case studies about how leading companies are using digitalization to improve their operations, their approaches to sustainability, and how they think about talent in today’s world. Speaker: Matt Davis, Head of Research, Zero100

• 9:30–9:45 a.m. Break

• 9:45–10:45 a.m. Interactive Mega Session: Group Discussion on Defining the Future of SCM Today

  Engage with the group in a discussion about harnessing opportunities in regard to digital, ESG, and talent development across the end-to-end supply chain. This discussion will include the latest data on where leaders are focused, and it will provide a forum for you to engage directly with other participants in an interactive and engaging conversation. Speakers: Matt Davis, Head of Research, Zero100 and Caitlin O’Keefe, Partner, Kearney

• 10:45–11 a.m. Break

• 11–11:50 a.m. Mega Session: Fast and Furious – Why We’re Headed for Rapid Digital Acceleration and Why It’s Good for the Planet

  Digitization is profoundly transforming supply chains. For Schneider Electric, it is the enabler for a more resilient, agile, and sustainable supply chain. Ken Engel, Schneider Electric’s top supply chain leader for North America shares how Schneider’s digital transformation helped endure supply chain disruption while fostering sustainability wins. Speakers: Ken Engel, SVP Global Supply Chain North America, Schneider Electric and Alex Scott, Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Haslam College of Business

• 12–1 p.m. Lunch

• 1–2 p.m. Mega Session: Thought Leadership – Lightning Round Research Summaries

  UT’s Supply Chain department takes immense pride as a center for thought leadership, creating knowledge that is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. We are fortunate to keep adding new thought leaders to our ranks. This session features new faculty and senior PhD students presenting their latest research projects in a fast-paced, hard-hitting manner. Speakers: Justin Kistler, Anne Dohmen, Seongkyoon Jeong, Sara Hsu, and John-Patrick Paraskevas.

• 2–2:15 p.m. Break

• 2:15–3:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions
  1. The Future of Work – Supply chain organizations face increasing pressure to acquire and retain talent amidst labor shortages, steep competition, and inflationary pressures. In this session, Timothy Munyon from the University of Tennessee will discuss labor market demographics and how employers are pivoting to face these challenges. Beyond presenting solutions from the academic literature, we will also discuss crowdsourced solutions from participants. Speaker: Tim Munyon.
  2. Mapping the Landscape of Last-Mile Delivery and E-Commerce – This session illuminates research conducted over the past two years to identify alternative pathways to reach the consumer and to address the burden of merchandise returns, illustrating the latest developments in thinking, processes, and technology to deliver desired customer experience profitably and sustainably. Speakers: Tom Goldsby and Alan Amling.
  3. Enabling Visibility into Transportation Sustainability – In this session, Christian Piller and Thomas Deakins from project44 and Alex Scott from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will discuss a new solution that will enable decision makers to assess the sustainability of all carriers when making their carrier-selection decisions.
  4. Addressing the Effects of Code Switching – Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are critical for addressing SCM’s talent issues, yet few of these initiatives pay sufficient attention to the subtle pressures unique to minority populations. This session will highlight outcomes typically associated with code switching and identify actionable interventions to help address these issues. Speakers: Yemisi Bolumole.
  5. Advance Your Career at a Top-Ranked Supply Chain University – Learn how our No. 1 graduate supply chain programs can transform your career. Our staff and faculty will share an overview of our top-ranked graduate and non-degree programs, focusing on opportunities for working professionals, like our Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain, MS SCM Online, Supply Chain Leadership Academy and more. You’ll learn about our world-class curriculum and customized student experience. No matter where you are in your career, Haslam’s top-ranked programs will provide you with insights into the latest supply chain trends, empowering you to successfully drive value for your organization. Speakers: Hannah Ballew, Izabela Vandeest, Jon Holztrager, and Joe Buckley.

• 3:15–3:30 p.m. Break

• 3:30–4:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Repeat)

• 4:40–5:10 p.m. project44 Sustainability Index Demonstration – Join the project44 team to see a demonstration of their innovative Sustainability Index. Speaker: Thomas Deakins, Senior Vice President Global Partnerships & Alliances

• 5–7 p.m. 25th Anniversary of Supply Chain Forum Celebration Reception at the Knoxville Museum of Art

Thursday, October 27

• 7:45–8:30 a.m. Breakfast

• 8:30–8:45 a.m. Break

• 8:45–9:45 a.m. Mega Session: The State of the Economy – What Is the Outlook for Global Supply Chains?

  If you’ve looked at the news headlines lately, you’ve probably seen an abundance of reports, charts and individual opinions about the state of the global economy and its near- and far-reaching impacts on supply chains. As most major economies around the world transition into a period of rising inflation and potential for decelerating GDP growth, how will these external macroeconomic factors affect US supply chains? Infrastructure investments, commodity prices, consumer spending habits, interest rates and geopolitical tensions are just a few key issues of concern. Join Yemisi Bolumole as she leads a panel of experts in a fireside chat discussing the economic outlook for supply chains today, evaluating perspectives from local, domestic, and global economic experts.

• 9:45–10:00 a.m. Break

• 10–10:30 a.m. Mega Session: Beyond Supply Chain – Inside the Mind of the Entrepreneur

  Join SCM Department Head John Bell in a casual conversation with Axle Logistics President Shawn McLeod and SkyNano Co-Founder and CEO Anna Douglas about the vision, mindset, and approaches required to take a business from an idea to a successful enterprise.

• 10:30–10:45 a.m. Break

• 10:45–11:30 a.m. Mega Session: Procurement, A Strategic Asset for Sustainable Value Creation

  The last three years have proven just how valuable procurement teams are to an organization’s success. Sourcing teams are increasingly seen by the C-suite as strategic and indispensable assets for company growth. This panel of chief procurement officers will talk about their experience as thought leaders in the space and share their perspectives on the future of procurement, including how ESG, talent and technology play a critical role in sustaining growth. Speakers: Martha Buffington, CPO, SC Johnson, David Hauxwell, CPO, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Yves Thill, Partner, Americas Lead – Procurement, Kearney, and Andrea Sordi, Clinical Assistant Professor, Supply Chain Management.

• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch