Supply Chain Forum Agenda

An audience at the Spring 2024 Supply Chain Forum listens to speakers Ted Stank and Don Maier

April 8-10, 2025

The spring 2025 Supply Chain Forum will be held April 8-10, 2025, at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown. Below is an overview of the agenda. Detailed session descriptions, full speaker bios, exclusive resources, and more will be available to attendees closer to the event.

Tuesday, April 8

  • 2–3 p.m. Check-in and Registration
    Registration is required, and space is limited for both student networking events. When you register online, make sure to sign up for both events.
  • 3–4 p.m. Graduate Student and Corporate Partner Networking
    A structured opportunity for our talent specialists and others from our corporate partners to meet students currently enrolled in the Haslam College of Business’s No. 1 ranked graduate SCM programs: the full-time MBA and MS in Supply Chain Management Online.
  • 4–4:30 p.m. Break
  • 4:30–5:45 p.m. Scholars of Distinction and Corporate Partner Networking
    A dynamic and interactive networking session with UT’s Scholars of Distinction, a select group of rising second-, third-, and fourth-year SCM students who are eager to meet industry leaders across supply chain functions and gain firsthand knowledge of job opportunities and career paths.
  • 6–8 p.m. Welcome Reception
    Join us at the Opening Reception for hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and brief remarks from GSCI Co-Executive Director Ted Stank. This casual networking event is a great opportunity to connect with other supply chain professionals and UT faculty and staff.

Wednesday, April 9

  • 7:30–8 a.m. Breakfast and Check-in
    Stop by the registration table and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet before a day of main and breakout sessions.
  • 8–8:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
    A brief welcome and update from GSCI Managing Director Thomas Deakins and Co-Executive Director Ted Stank.
  • 8:15–9:15 a.m. Main Session 1: Live Podcast Recording with Tractor Supply Chief Supply Chain Officer Colin Yankee
    Session Description coming soon.
  • 9:15–9:30 a.m. Break
  • 9:30–10:30 a.m. Main Session 2: Transportation Panel moderated by Yemisi Bolumole
    Session Description coming soon.
  • 10:30–10:45 a.m. Break
  • 10:45–11:45 a.m. Main Session 3: Supply Chain Planning Panel
    Session Description coming soon.
  • 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch and NeXxus Outstanding Woman in Supply Chain Award Presentation
    During lunch we will have a brief presentation of the 2025 NeXxus Outstanding Woman in Supply Chain Award. This year’s recipient is Darcy MacClaren, Global Chief Revenue Officer Supply Chain Management, SAP America.
  • 1–1:45 p.m. Main Session 4: Beyond Supply Chain with Mike Keith, “Voice of the Vols”
    Session Description coming soon.
  • 1:45–2:15 p.m. Break
  • 2:15–3 p.m. Breakout Sessions
    • Breakout #1: Corporate Trade–A Safety Net for Supply Chain with Anchor Trading
      • Session Description coming soon.
    • Breakout #2: Regulatory and Geopolitical Threats to Supply Chains with Berkeley Research Group
      • Session Description coming soon.
    • Breakout #3: Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative Procurement White Paper Release
      • Session Description coming soon.
    • Breakout #4A: Transportation Round Table Discussion, moderated by Yemisi Bolumole*
      • Session Description coming soon.
    • Breakout #4B: Supply Chain Planning Round Table Discussion, moderated by Lance Saunders**
      • Session Description coming soon.
    • Breakout #5: On-Boarding Young Professionals: Setting Up New Hires for Success, moderated by Cole Burns
      • Session Description coming soon.
    • Breakout #6: Advance Your Career at a Top Supply Chain University, moderated by Izabela VanDeest
      • Session Description coming soon.

*Breakout 4A will only be offered during the first window
**Breakout 4B will only be offered during the second window

  • 3:00–3:15 p.m. Break
  • 3:15–4 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Repeat)
  • 4:00-5 p.m. Break
  • 5–7 p.m. Partners Reception at TBD
    The reception will feature poster presentations from seniors who recently completed honors theses as part of the Smith Global Leadership Scholars program. This event will provide partners with a fantastic opportunity to learn about undergraduate student research and connect with a handful of UT’s best and brightest upcoming graduates.

Thursday, April 10

  • 7:45–8:30 a.m. Breakfast
  • 8:30–9:30 a.m. Main Session 5: Procurement Panel
    Session Description coming soon.
  • 9:30–9:45 a.m. Break
  • 9:45–10:45 a.m. Main Session 6: State of the Economy with Marianne Wanamaker, Dean of the Baker School of Public Policy
    The former White House chief domestic economist discusses the hot topics of immigration, the shrinking U.S. workforce, the implications of the second Trump administration’s tariffs and other policy decisions for businesses, and more.
  • 10:45–11 a.m. Break
  • 11:00–11:45 a.m. Main Session 7: Faculty Research Lightning Round, moderated by John-Patrick Paraskevas
    Session Description coming soon.
  • 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch and Closing Remarks
    Another great forum ends with a lunch for attendees.

Access Exclusive Content

The GSCI app offers exclusive Supply Chain Forum content, such as speaker profiles, student resumes, event maps, announcements, photography, and other resources.

Previous Agendas

If you’re curious about what topics were covered and who spoke at previous Supply Chain Forum events, explore the content below.