Global Supply Chain Institute

Welcome to the Fall 2025 Supply Chain Forum. Partners may check in with volunteers at the desk. Registration is required to attend the day’s two student networking events. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up early!

A structured opportunity for talent specialists with corporate partner organization to meet students currently enrolled in Haslam’s highly ranked graduate supply chain management (SCM) programs: Full-Time MBA (SCM concentration), M.S. in Supply Chain Management Online and M.S. in Supply Chain Management (Global).

Break time between events

A dynamic and interactive networking session with UT’s Scholars of Distinction, a select group of rising second-, third-, and fourth-year SCM students eager to meet industry leaders across supply chain functions and gain firsthand knowledge of job opportunities and career paths.

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.

Stop by the registration table and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet before a day of Main and Breakout sessions.

A brief welcome and update from GSCI Managing Director Scott DeGroot and Co-Executive Director Ted Stank.

Annette Danek-Akey, chief supply chain officer at Barnes & Noble, brings decades of publishing and distribution experience—including her leadership role at Penguin Random House—to a brand in the midst of rapid growth. Named one of Alcott Global’s Top 30 Supply Chain Leaders, she is pioneering a localized fulfillment model to support B&N’s nationwide expansion. In this conversation with GSCI Managing Director Scott DeGroot, Danek-Akey will share candid lessons on scaling operations, balancing efficiency with flexibility, and turning growth into a lasting logistics advantage.

Break time between events

Professor Alan Amling and ZYCI Founder Mitch Free bring a direct look at how North American manufacturers are responding to cost pressures, innovation demands, and shifting labor realities. With combined experience across industry, academia, and entrepreneurial ventures, they’ll translate front-line lessons into practical insights on agility, workforce resilience, and rethinking what makes domestic production competitive.

Break time between events

Join professor Alex Scott for a fast-paced session featuring presentations from doctoral students Lila Al-Shwaf, Vlada Snyder, and Nadja Vorontsova. Each presenter will share key insights from their work in under 10 minutes, followed by an open Q&A session. This interactive format offers a unique glimpse into the next generation of supply chain scholarship and an opportunity for industry partners to engage directly with UT’s top emerging researchers.

Lunch

Retired Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney has led sailors in combat and served as chief of staff to Defense Secretary James Mattis. In this live recording of Tennessee on Supply Chain Management, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby will explore how the military principles of rapid decision-making, organizational readiness, and building trust under pressure translate into effective supply chain leadership in today’s volatile environment.

Break time between events

• Breakout #1—The 5Ps of Returns Management: An Integrated Approach, Wiley 
  Huseyn Abdulla and Tom Goldsby introduce the “5 Ps” framework—product, process, people, policy, and performance—to reimagine returns management. Learn how leading organizations are transforming costly reverse logistics into opportunities for recovery, sustainability, and deeper customer connection.
• Breakout #2—Procurement in Practice: A Peer-to-Peer Exchange, Hope 
  Facilitated by Stephanie Eckerd, a leading scholar of buyer–supplier relationships, this collaborative discussion addresses procurement’s most pressing challenges. Framed by her research on trust, contracts, and supplier alignment, this roundtable will spark candid dialogue and equip participants with fresh strategies to mitigate risk, manage spend, and strengthen partnerships.
• Breakout #3a*—Supply Chain Planning: From Classroom to Career, Milani 
  Facilitated by Professor Lance Saunders, this session spotlights top UT students preparing for careers in supply chain planning. Covering everything from demand forecasting to network optimization, participants will gain valuable insights into the skills and experiences shaping the next generation of supply chain professionals. The discussion will also highlight how organizations can better connect with emerging talent and align opportunities with the evolving needs of the planning function. 
• Breakout #4—Reshoring Talent: Bridging America’s Manufacturing Workforce, Fulton 
  Former industry executives Alan Amling and Darrell Edwards examine one of the greatest challenges in U.S. manufacturing: closing the talent gap. This session highlights practical strategies for building sustainable pipelines, from apprenticeships to community partnerships, and shows how reshoring initiatives can strengthen both operations and workforce development.
• Breakout #5—Addressing the Supply Chain Strategy and Planning Execution Gap, Clark 
  Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative project leaders Anne Dohmen and Jason Merrick, and Shaw VP of Corporate Planning Laura Smith, tackle the enduring challenge of aligning strategy with day-to-day execution. Drawing from proven cross-functional practices, they will show how organizations can translate long-range visions into measurable outcomes that deliver value across the supply chain.

**Breakout 3a will only be offered during the first window

Break time between events

• Breakout #1—The 5Ps of Returns Management: An Integrated Approach, Wiley 
  Huseyn Abdulla and Tom Goldsby introduce the “5 Ps” framework—product, process, people, policy, and performance—to reimagine returns management. Learn how leading organizations are transforming costly reverse logistics into opportunities for recovery, sustainability, and deeper customer connection.
• Breakout #2—Procurement in Practice: A Peer-to-Peer Exchange, Hope 
  Facilitated by Stephanie Eckerd, a leading scholar of buyer–supplier relationships, this collaborative discussion addresses procurement’s most pressing challenges. Framed by her research on trust, contracts, and supplier alignment, this roundtable will spark candid dialogue and equip participants with fresh strategies to mitigate risk, manage spend, and strengthen partnerships.
• Breakout #3b*—Navigating Transportation and Logistics Disruption, Milani 
  From supply bottlenecks to modal shifts, transportation leaders face unprecedented volatility. Yemisi Bolumole, renowned for her work with the U.S. Department of Transportation and on national freight policy, will guide a frank discussion on today’s most urgent logistics issues. Participants will leave with actionable ideas to improve resilience and performance.
• Breakout #4—Reshoring the Workforce: Bridging America’s Manufacturing Talent Gap, Fulton 
  Former industry executives Alan Amling and Darrell Edwards examine one of the greatest challenges in U.S. manufacturing: closing the talent gap. This session highlights practical strategies for building sustainable pipelines, from apprenticeships to community partnerships, and shows how reshoring initiatives can strengthen both operations and workforce development.
• Breakout #5—Addressing the Supply Chain Strategy and Planning Execution Gap, Clark 
  Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative project leaders Anne Dohmen and Jason Merrick, and Shaw VP of Corporate Planning Laura Smith, tackle the enduring challenge of aligning strategy with day-to-day execution. Drawing from proven cross-functional practices, they will show how organizations can translate long-range visions into measurable outcomes that deliver value across the supply chain.

*Breakout 3b will only be offered during the second window

Break time between events

Join us for a vibrant evening of networking at Covenant Health Park, Knoxville’s new stadium in the heart of the Old City. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and great conversation with fellow industry leaders. Don’t miss this chance to connect, unwind, and explore Knoxville’s historic Old City district!

Stop by the registration table and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet.

Economist Georg Schaur offers a clear, applied perspective on the economic forces shaping today’s supply chains. Moderated by Tom Goldsby, the conversation will span interest rate fluctuations to policy uncertainty and shifting consumer demand. Schaur will provide actionable insights to help leaders anticipate disruption and adapt strategy with confidence.

Break time between events

Tariffs, trade disputes, and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping global supply chains. Daniel Myers, former executive vice president of integrated supply chain at Mondelez International; Drew DeLong, principal at Kearney; and Sean Trainor, senior vice president at Hewlett-Packard, will share hard-won lessons from leading through disruption at the highest levels. Moderated by Chad Autry, this conversation will explore how global manufacturers and supply chain leaders can anticipate policy shifts, diversify their networks, and develop resilient strategies that safeguard growth in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Break time between events

Kate Vitasek, architect of the Vested® business model and one of the world’s most respected authorities on collaborative supplier relationships, shares how organizations can move beyond transactional contracts. Recently honored with the James P. Groton Award for Outstanding Leadership in Dispute Prevention and inducted into both the Sourcing Industry Group and International Association of Outsourcing Professionals Halls of Fame, Vitasek will outline how trust-based agreements reduce risk, prevent conflict, and unlock long-term performance.

Enjoy lunch as we wrap up the Fall 2025 Supply Chain Forum with important announcements, key takeaways, and a look ahead to future events.