CSCMP CHICAGO
40TH ANNUAL SEMINAR
April 24, 2025
Hyatt Lodge | 2815 Jorie Boulevard | Oak Brook, IL
Strategy Meets Execution
The Next Frontier in Supply Chain
CSCMP Chicago Roundtable
40th Annual Seminar
April 24, 2025
CSCMP CHICAGO
Adapting to complexity while driving value.
Join us as we explore:
- The Future of Supply Chains: Prepare for impending changes and equip your organization with the tools to thrive.
- Crafting and Executing Winning Strategies: Learn how to design robust strategies that not only look good on paper but deliver measurable impact.
- Unlocking Value Across Initiatives: Discover how to maximize ROI from physical and digital investments while aligning them to overarching business goals.
- Overcoming Execution Barriers: Identify and tackle the factors that inhibit successful strategy execution.
- Resilience to the Unknown: Build strategies that withstand unforeseen external disruptions, ensuring long-term stability.
- Digital Success Stories (and Failures): Understand why digital initiatives often fall short—and how to ensure yours don’t.
- Harmonizing Strategy, Process, and Culture: Learn how people, processes, technology, and assets can be orchestrated for meaningful results.
Session Summaries
Keynote: Driving Strategy through to Execution for Impact
In this keynote is to provide insights into key components needed to successfully define a strategy and see it all the way through successful execution with sustainable outcomes.
The presentation will cover elements of an effective strategy, keys to successful change management, organizational readiness, and sustainable transformation to drive long term financial impact and competitiveness.
Speaker:
Brandi Shortt, President, ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages
Fixing the Foundation: How GenAI Solves Data Challenges for Supply Chain Transformation
Data continues to be the barrier to successful execution of strategic transformational initiatives. How many times have you heard “garbage in-garbage-out” when we talk about data quality?
New solutions leveraging GenAI can overcome these challenges. Global CPGs are already implementing these solutions to achieve tangible results in just few months (e.g. inventory reduction of 30%, identifying the most damaging master data issues and avoiding high costs by fixing the BOMs).
In this session you will learn from real use cases and real benefits.
Speakers:
- Oscar Diaz, Senior Director Supply Chain Planning, Americas Campari
- Maria Marti, CEO, Zero Error
All That and a Bag of Chalk: Being the Connection
A well-structured supply chain is the backbone of innovation and product excellence. This session will explore how supply chain integration with engineering and product development ensures efficient sourcing, production, and distribution while maintaining the highest standards of safety and performance.
With a focus on durability and low-maintenance innovation, we will discuss strategies for meeting global demand efficiently. The session will also highlight key shifts in supply chain strategy from pre- to post-COVID, including how to navigate disruptions, optimize inventory, and build long-term resilience in an evolving market
Speaker:
- Scott Thomas, Supply Chain Director, Head Rush Technologies
Implementing Transformational Supply Chain Strategies Successfully
Industry research predicts that 80% of companies will embark on at least one major supply chain transformation in the next 12 to 18 months—yet fewer than 25% will achieve their intended goals. What separates success from failure?
This presentation explores the key factors behind effective supply chain transformations, with a special focus on the critical role of leadership. Gain insights from industry-leading companies and learn practical strategies to maximize your chances of success.
Speaker:
Ignacio Arranz – Former SVP North America Supply Chain and Global Logistics at Procter & Gamble
Panel Discussion: Strengthening Supply Chains for Disaster Relief – Proactive and Reactive Strategies
In an era where disruptions—from natural disasters to global crises—are becoming more frequent and severe, the need for resilient and agile supply chains has never been greater. This panel will explore the critical role of supply chain professionals in ensuring the swift and efficient movement of essential goods, particularly in the food and beverage industry, when disaster strikes.
This discussion will bring together industry leaders to examine both proactive and reactive approaches to disaster relief planning. From preemptive strategies like predictive analytics, supplier diversification, and inventory buffering to real-time crisis response, logistics coordination, and last-mile distribution challenges, we’ll address the full spectrum of disaster preparedness and response. Attendees will gain actionable insights into mitigating risks, optimizing emergency response efforts, and leveraging technology to enhance supply chain resilience.
Join us for a dynamic discussion on how businesses can fortify their supply chains, minimize disruptions, and play a pivotal role in disaster relief efforts—ensuring that communities receive the critical resources they need when they need them most.
Moderator: Amber Romando – CEO of Spartan Logistics and CSCMP Chicago Roundtable President Elect
- Brian Boston – Director of Sales, Prosponsive Logistics
- Robert Levy – Sr Director of Transportation for Feeding America
- Cory O’Connor – Director of Customer Service and Logistics, The Jel Sert Company
Adapting Supply Chain Organizational Design as Companies Grow
As small and medium-sized enterprises grow, their supply chain organizations must evolve to support increasing complexity, demand, and competition.
Designing an effective supply chain organization requires a strategic balance between flexibility, efficiency, and scalability.
This presentation explores key principles in structuring supply chain teams, defining roles, and implementing processes that align with business growth.
Speaker:
Micah Bosley – Vice President of Operations and Support MSI Express
Adapt your digital transformation to your Company’s need and culture
Digital transformation is not a one-size-fits-all journey. While new technologies promise efficiency, agility and growth, their success depends on hoe well they align with an organization’s unique needs, culture, and workforce. This conference will explore how businesses can tailor their digital transformation strategies to fit their organizational DNA, ensuring adoption scalability and long-term success. In this talk, Cristina will discuss how to:
- Customizing digital transformation to align with business goals and culture
- Overcoming resistance to change and driving adoption across teams
- The role of leadership in fostering standardization and a digital first mindset
- Key challenges and strategies to ensure a successful activation.
Speaker:
Cristina Sergent – Sr Director, o9 Global Business Implementation Sr Director, Mondelez
Changing the Narrative- How to Move Supply Chain from Cost Center to Strategic Asset in a Manufacturing Organization
For a manufacturer, supply chain costs typically account for 10-20% of total revenue and are commonly perceived as an unavoidable burden. Schreiber Foods, an $8 billion-dollar global food manufacturer has been on a journey to monetize Supply Chain as a Service. Through a newly created business unit, the Company is gaining a better understanding of the value that supply chain can bring to the bottom line in addition to becoming a more strategic supplier.
In this thought-provoking session, Nate will share how this business model is creating value for Schreiber’s customers including Retailers, Distributors, and other Food Manufacturers, while increasing EBITDA for the organization.
Speaker:
- Nate Shillington, Vice President of Distribution, Schreiber Foods
The Hero’s Journey in the Age of AI Optimization: Lessons from UPS and Beyond
Supply chain professionals are no strangers to investigating the latest AI technologies to optimize their supply chain performance. However, successful adoption isn’t automatic—it requires vision, expertise, and persistence.
Drawing from the compelling story of Jack Levis at UPS and his pioneering journey deploying the ORION AI optimization system, Steve Sashihara introduces a transformative metric called “Percent Optimal,” now possible through advanced AI.
Attendees will learn how this KPI shifts operational performance measurements from traditional benchmarks toward striving for optimal outcomes. By identifying Unique Value Activities (UVAs) and systematically applying AI-driven insights, organizations can drive meaningful and sustainable improvements within their supply chains.
Speaker:
- Steve Sashihara – CEO Princeton Consultants
The Strategy-Driven Supply Chain Lab: How to cultivate strategic thinking about your supply chain
Aligning strategy, supply chain, and finance has never been more relevant. Those up to the challenge of designing the supply chain of the future not only must understand how this can be feasibly achieved based on fundamental mechanics of supply chain but also anticipate how long-term customer value creation may evolve.
While this may seem abstract, especially to pragmatic supply chain practitioners, developing such organizational muscle is no longer optional – it is an essential prerequisite for survival and success.
This presentation describes both the motivating factors and process to design a strategy-driven supply chain for the future.
Speaker:
Dan Kogan – Managing Director, Strategy-Driven Supply Chain Institute
Keynote Panel: Supply Chain 2030: Key Trends and How to Stay Ahead
The supply chain landscape is shifting faster than ever, shaped by geopolitical uncertainties, rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer demands, sustainability imperatives, and a changing workforce. Organizations must not only adapt to these forces but also proactively build strategies that drive resilience, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
In this dynamic panel discussion, industry leaders will explore the most pressing trends impacting supply chains today and how companies are addressing them. Panelists will discuss the structural and organizational shifts required to thrive in this evolving environment, key challenges businesses will face, and actionable strategies to future-proof operations.
Attendees will gain insights into how top companies are integrating new technologies, redefining workforce needs, strengthening supplier networks, and balancing efficiency with sustainability. Join us to uncover what it takes to build a supply chain that is not just reactive—but built for long-term success in an unpredictable world.
Moderator: Dan Vanden Brink – Partner Decision Spot
Kris Bjorson – International Director
Brandi Shortt, President, ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages
Speaker Bios
| Speaker | Bio |
|---|---|
 Brandi Shortt Keynote Speaker President, ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages  | Appointed President, ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages (ACCB) in 2024, Brandi Shortt is responsible for all Beverage Sales and Operations across portions of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. ABARTA is a family-owned distributor and producer of Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper Brands. Prior to ACCB, Brandi was President and CEO, CCBSS (Coca-Cola Bottlers Sales and Services) which provides business and procurement services that make it simpler for suppliers, customers and bottlers to do business across the North America Coca-Cola Bottling System. Brandi has more than 25 years of progressive experience in strategy implementation coupled with deep beverage industry knowledge. She is an accomplished executive leader who has been with the Coca-Cola System since 2004 working in the areas of finance, supply chain, technology, strategy and operations. Her contributions to the Coca-Cola System include the definition and execution of companywide strategies and roadmaps, as well as leading solution development and execution for key initiatives such as warehouse and delivery operations and supply chain management. Brandi is a 1996 graduate from WVU. She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband and twins. |
 Ignacio Arranz Former SVP North America Supply Chain and Global Logistics, Procter & Gamble | Ignacio Arranz is a seasoned supply chain executive with nearly two decades of leadership experience at Procter & Gamble, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of North America Supply Chain & Global Logistics. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale transformations, driving operational excellence across manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, planning, and customer service. At P&G, Ignacio spearheaded a $1 billion supply network transformation, implementing automation, digitization, and sustainability initiatives to enhance efficiency, double fulfillment speed, and reduce attrition. He also managed a $5 billion global logistics spend, setting strategic direction for cost savings, supplier relationships, and technology advancements. Beyond his corporate leadership, Ignacio serves on advisory boards for organizations focused on supply chain innovation and sustainability, including WattEV and the Global Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee. He is passionate about leveraging technology and data-driven solutions to optimize supply chains and build resilient, high-performing organizations. Ignacio holds Industrial Engineering and Advanced Systems Engineering degrees from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain) and CentraleSupélec (France). His expertise spans strategic planning, operations, and talent development, making him a sought-after voice in the supply chain community. |
 Kris Bjorson Retail/e-Commerce Distribution Group and member on the Global Industrial and Retail Boards, JLL  | Kris Bjorson is responsible for the development and management of the Retail/e-Commerce Distribution group and member on the Global Industrial and Retail Boards for JLL. With a focus on maximizing business results for corporations, he also co-founded the Supply Chain & Logistics Solutions practice which integrates supply chain strategy through industrial real estate implementation. His leadership skills and unparalleled knowledge of the real estate, logistics and retail industries continues to be a valuable asset in exceeding clients’ expectations. Over his 31-year career, Kris has completed over $14 billion of industrial real estate transactions. At JLL, he has been recognized as the #1 global industrial services professional and “Champion of Excellence,” the most prestigious honor awarded for consistently achieving high quality service ratings from clients and team members. Kris served for the first 13 years with The Staubach Company in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Chicago where he led the Midwest Industrial Services business and founded the Logistics Practice Group. Kris is a regular speaker at global real estate, logistics and retail industry events and contributor on thought leadership articles. |
 Micah Bosley Vice President of Operations and Support, MSI Express  | Micah is a seasoned operations and supply chain leader with over two decades of experience driving efficiency, scalability, and operational excellence across diverse industries. He began his career serving in the United States Air Force for eight years, where he honed his leadership, discipline, and strategic planning skills in high-pressure environments. Following his military service, Micah transitioned into the food and consumer goods industry, joining Kraft Foods, where he spent three years. He then moved to Mars Inc., where he dedicated ten years to gum, candy and ice cream businesses. Currently, Micah serves as the Vice President of Operations and Support at MSI Express, where he leads multiple factories and end to end supply chain. |
 Brian Boston Director of Sales Prosponsive Logistics  | Brian Boston is a seasoned transportation professional with 14 years of experience at Prosponsive Logistics, an asset-based brokerage headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Brian is passionate about building relationships and genuine connections inside and outside of the supply chain industry. As a collaborative thought leader, he champions notions of partnership and strategic alignment where communication always remains integral to success. Currently serving as the Director of Sales for Prosponsive Logistics, Brian is tasked with the management of standard operating procedures, supporting client success programs, and new opportunities for both external and internal customers while remaining a student of life alongside them. Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, hanging out (though not actually playing) on the golf course, cooking and giving back to the local community. |
 Oscar Diaz Senior Director Supply Chain Planning Americas, Campari  | Oscar Diaz is a Senior Supply Chain leader with 20+ years of experience across the food, retail, and spirits sectors, including roles at Campari, Swarovski, Sara Lee, and Danone. He excels in crafting transformational strategies, optimizing operating models, and designing organizations. Over the last 10 years, he has led programs that improved supply chain performance and built capabilities for sustainable growth. |
 Dan Kogan Managing Director, Supply Chain Institute  | Dan Kogan is a consultant and an educator with a passion at the intersection of supply chain, strategy, and finance. Dan is co-founder and managing director of The Strategy-Driven Supply Chain Institute where he works with companies to facilitate alignment across those very domains. He is also currently a Professor of Practice at Washington University in St. Louis where he enjoys cultivating business acumen in the next generation of leadership. |
 Robert Levy Sr Director of Transportation Feeding America  | Robert serves as Senior Director of Transportation at Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and has responsibility for day-to-day transportation planning, procurement, reporting and analysis. With more than twenty years of experience in supply chain management, Robert has a strong background in transportation and warehouse management, process improvement, analytics and systems implementation. He is a goal oriented, self-starter with a proven track record of leading business units and managing relationships with customers and suppliers within several dynamic and fast paced environments. He excels in developing and implementing processes to enhance awareness, increase accountability and organizational efficiencies. He is a proven people manager with continued success in employee development and retention. Prior to working at Feeding America, Robert worked in different roles for companies such as Treehouse Foods, ConAgra Brands, Butterball and OfficeMax. Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain and Master of Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University. |
 Maria Marti CEO, Zero Error  | Maria J. Marti is the founder and CEO of ZeroError, a New York-based Al company. She is an engineer with more than 20 years of leadership experience in Fortune 100 companies as CFO and CRO of key divisions (American Express and MetLife) and in leadership positions advising CEOs and the Board of Directors. Maria holds an MS in industrial engineering from UPC (Barcelona) and an MBA from the University of Chicago. |
 Cory O’Connor Director of Customer Service and Logistics The Jel Sert Company  | Cory has over 15 years of experience in leading supply chain operations within the food and beverage manufacturing industry and has held various leadership roles for The Jel Sert Company. Currently Cory directs the customer service, and transportation teams. He takes a collaborative approach with his internal team, and external suppliers to ensure a seamless transition from an order being placed to the customer receiving their order. His areas of expertise are in strategic development, relational communication, disaster planning, warehouse schematic design and global shipping efforts. |
 Amber Romando COO, Spartan Logistics and CSCMP Chicago Roundtable President Elect  | Amber Romando is the Chief Operating Officer of Spartan Logistics, bringing over two decades of experience in supply chain operations, transportation sales, and logistics technology. With over 20 years of experience across the dynamic landscape of the supply chain industry, Amber has built a career rooted in resilience, innovation, and leadership. From her early days as a transportation coordinator at UPS to her current role as Chief Operating Officer at Spartan Logistics, she has consistently driven results, led teams, and transformed operations through a blend of strategic insight and operational excellence. Her leadership journey began at UPS and has since spanned 3PL services, final mile delivery, and automation solutions. A passionate advocate for empowering women in logistics, she’s known for her sharp business acumen, strategic insight, and dedication to building inclusive teams and resilient supply chains. A passionate advocate for women in the industry, she leads with a people-first mindset and is committed to empowering the next generation of women leaders in the supply chain. Whether she’s mentoring emerging talent, speaking at industry events, or building inclusive workplace cultures, her mission remains the same: to help folks rise and thrive in logistics and beyond. |
 Steve Sashihara CEO, Princeton Consultants  | Steve Sashihara is the founder and CEO of Princeton Consultants, a consulting firm known for designing cutting-edge solutions for industry leaders. He is the author of "The Optimization Edge: Reinventing Decision Making to Maximize All Your Company’s Assets," a practical guide for executives seeking to combine their data with AI for competitive advantage. With decades of experience transforming complex operations in logistics and supply chain management, Steve has helped global organizations achieve breakthroughs in operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. |
 Cristina Sergent Planning Transformation & Excellence VP Diageo  | Previous to her position as Planning Transformation & Excellence VP at Diageo, Cristina lead the o9 Global E2E Planning transformation at Mondelez, which involved process, people and digital transformation across Demand, Supply, IBP and SOE. She was also responsible of standardizing E2E processes, driving adoption, unlocking value, and implementing a sustainment organization and governance framework. Prior to working at Mondelez, Cristina worked in different Business units in P&G Latinoamerica where she built experience on Supply Chain planning, IBP transformation, New product introduction, Supply Network Design, Logistics, and E2E synchronization initiatives. Cristina is in Chicago with her husband and two daughters, and in her free time enjoys running and spending time with friends. |
 Nate Shillington Vice President of Distribution Schreiber Foods  | Nate leads the US Distribution Team at Schreiber Foods, where he is responsible for operational excellence, long term growth and automation strategy, network optimization and emerging tech adoption. He has a passion for identifying talent and developing Supply Chain leaders. Nate has over 20 years of Supply Chain experience and has also held leadership roles in Supply and Demand Planning, Transportation/Logistics, and Business Development. He is an active Board Member for three non-profit organizations in the Midwest. Nate holds a B.S. in Supply Chain Management and an MBA from Arizona State University. He lives near Green Bay, Wisconsin with his wife and four children. |
 Scott Thomas Director, Supply Chain Operations Head Rush Technologies  | Scott oversees supply chain operations at Head Rush Technologies’ global HQ. He is responsible for driving value and improving margins by optimizing procurement strategies and managing logistical trade-offs. He served in Ramadi, Iraq, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines in 2006 and 2007 as a designated marksman and as a member of an 11-man military transition team, training over 50 foreign nationals in combat and security operations. After his military service, he held various roles stepping in and out of supply chain, including private investigator and security specialist, project manager, operations manager, locksmith, and certified guitar repair technician. In 2018, he moved from Iowa to Colorado and graduated with distinction from the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder in 2021 with a BSBA in Operations Management, and Business Analytics and Information Management. |
 Dan Vanden Brink Partner, Decision Spot  | Dan Vanden Brink is a highly experienced Supply Chain and Technology Executive with a distinguished career spanning over 30 years. With a solid foundation in technology, supply chain, strategy and leadership, Dan has cultivated expertise in strategy formulation, organizational scaling, and effective leadership. Notably, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive significant financial outcomes, generating over $200 million in savings to his employers and clients through the application of Optimization, Data Science and AI. Dan's professional journey showcases his proficiency in navigating complex challenges within the supply chain and technology domains. He has spearheaded initiatives in customer success, product management, analytics, and advanced decision sciences, consistently driving growth and innovation. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Dan is actively engaged in academia and industry associations, contributing to professional societies, board memberships and public speaking engagements. With a strong academic background complementing his extensive practical experience, Dan Vanden Brink is a versatile leader driving impactful change in the supply chain and technology landscape. |