Speakers
Deadline to apply to speak: Monday, July 3, 2023
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Call for Speakers
NextGen Supply Chain Conference 2023
Is your organization utilizing NextGen technologies, such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, blockchain or AI or Machine Learning as part of your digital transformation?
Are you a consultant working with clients on the digital transformation of their supply chain processes — from procurement through final mile delivery?
Or are you an academic researching how technology and digitalization is changing supply chain management?
If so, we’d like to invite you to be part of NextGen 2023. This is an in-person event focused on digital transformation and the emerging supply chain technologies. Preference is given to supply chain leaders, rather than solution providers, and to examples of these technologies in action, where they can deliver the most value, and finally, the challenges or pitfalls associated with implementation.
Abstract Guidelines
Attendees are responsible for the design and management of the end-to-end supply chain. For that reason, we welcome and encourage case study presentations by supply chain executives.
- Please get all necessary approvals from your organization prior to submitting an abstract.
- Abstract topics should be relevant to senior level supply chain managers responsible for setting the direction of their supply chains.
- Commercial abstracts will not be considered.
- Solution providers should also note that a preference is given to supply chain practitioners.
- The Advisory Board will consider abstracts touching on the application of emerging technologies to core supply chain processes, including:
- Talent and workforce management
- Procurement
- Supply chain planning
- Transportation, logistics, last mile and last yard delivery
- Warehousing fulfillment and manufacturing processes
- Supply chain planning, including S&OP
- Cold chain
- Control towers – especially tied into digital transformation and transportation and logistics
- Smart manufacturing
- How small-to-mid-size enterprises, including manufacturers, can identify the technologies that can deliver value given their limited budgets and resources
- Closing the gap between technical team members, like data scientists, and supply chain team managers
- Creating a digital center of excellence
Notification of Acceptance
- You will be notified of your acceptance into the technical program by July 21, 2023.
- You will have three (3) business days from when the acceptance e-mail is sent to confirm your participation.
- If we do not receive your confirmation after a follow-up e-mail, we will assume you are no longer interested in participating in the program.
Cancellation Policy
While we understand circumstances arise that may prohibit you from presenting after confirmation, please let us know as soon as possible.
Thank you for your interest in being part of our high-value technical programs. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact btrebilcock@peerlessmedia.com.
We look forward to seeing you in Chicago October 16 – 18, 2023!
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PAST NEXTGEN SPEAKERS
Prior to his current role, Guru was the Chief Supply Chain Officer for Global Tools & Storage business of Stanley Black and Decker (NYSE: SWK). In this role, he was responsible for the development and execution of the manufacturing and distribution strategy and accountable for customer driven end-to-end supply chain for tools and storage and also as the Chief Procurement Officer where he was responsible for procurement of direct material and indirect spend across the enterprise.
He was recently appointed to the Global Board of Directors for the U.S.-India Business Council.
Prior to joining the company, Guru held varying roles in engineering, procurement, finance and product management. He has held increasing roles of responsibility and has extensive experience in product development, procurement, manufacturing and finance at Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) and Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX)
Guru earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from B.A. Technological University in India, a master’s degree in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo and holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota. 
Cornelia currently serves as Vice President for Supply Chain Innovation Orchestration & Deployment in which she is responsible for establishing an eco-system of emerging technological capabilities, global partnerships and strategic hubs to enable customer focused and disruptive innovations to facility growth and reimagine supply chain across JNJ and for the customers they serve.
Cornelia has over 25 years of Supply Chain experience and joined JNJ in 2017 as V.P. JJOS, Product Supply Execution where she was responsible for the development & deployment of Best in Class Proven Practices, Business Process Standards, and disciplined methodology for driving improvement and optimizing the E2E Supply Chain for Johnson & Johnson.
Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson Cornelia held cross-functional Executive Leadership roles in Supply Chain within fortune 500 companies such as Eaton Corporation, TE Connectivity, Johnson Controls and HID Global. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. 
Jerome is the co-founder and former Co-CEO of 6 River Systems (6RS), a collaborative robotics and software solutions provider for the warehouse industry. With over 25 years of supply chain technology experience, Jerome was also a key early contributor at successful supply chain technology companies Yantra Corporation (now part of IBM) and Kiva Systems (now Amazon Robotics). While at 6RS, Jerome led all commercial and product activities including marketing, sales, customer success, and product management. Operating as an independent company within Shopify, 6RS is the leading provider of warehouse automation solutions using collaborative mobile robotics, with installs in over 100 warehouses worldwide. In 2019, 6RS was acquired by Shopify, the global commerce technology company. After recently transitioning from his duties at 6RS, Jerome is now responsible for scaling Shopify's logistics offerings as Vice President. Jerome holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering degree from UNH (1996) and graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern University with an MBA in Supply Chain and Finance (1998). He is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and guest lecturer in supply chain, technology, and entrepreneurship programs.. 
G.E. Appliances a Haier Company
Bill Good began his career in manufacturing on an assembly line while working his way through college. His experience sparked his passion and interest in manufacturing as a career, and he set a goal to one day lead manufacturing for a large U.S. company. Over the course of Bill’s 34-year career, he has honed his knowledge of supply chain management through his various roles of increasing responsibility at Tri-Glass, Charbroil, Whirlpool, and now in his dream job as the Vice President of Manufacturing at GE Appliances, a Haier company.
Bill is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, with expertise in Theory of Constraints, HOSHIN Planning, and the Toyota Production System. He places a high value on employee engagement, building relationships, and leading transformational change.
Currently, Bill and his team are focusing on expanding plant capacity, increasing automation in the supply chain, and implementing new digital tools to create a Zero Distance approach with consumers. 
Mariane Heidingsfelder joined Pandora at the beginning of 2021 as Vice President of Technology where she leads the technology development of three main areas: Supply Chain, Product innovation, and Colleague Experience. The team produces, develops, and operates digital solutions which enable end-to-end product development & innovation and overall operations value chain. Moreover, the team plays a key role in building Pandora’s colleague experience to empower employees in their day-to-day experience of all things technology at Pandora.
Mariane began her career in Global Operations in Adidas working in global supply planning. In 2010 she moved to El Salvador, where she worked for Unicomer - an Appliances and Furniture Retailer- holding different positions in IT focusing on ERP and POS rollout in their Caribbean stores. She rejoined Adidas in 2012 to set up the eCom IT Operations team helping to grow the business and consumer centricity significantly. She led the roll-out of Omnichannel capabilities globally while transforming the team to work on agile, product led manner. Before joining Pandora Mariane was IT Vice President of Europe - driving the tech strategy and delivery of capabilities to bring Adidas' European sales back to growth.
Born and raised in El Salvador, Central America, Mariane has lived most of her life there and in Germany. She holds a Master of Art in International Relations & Economics and a Bachelor in Political Science & Economics. 
Kevin Kuntz serves as Senior Vice President, Global Logistics Fulfillment at Gap Inc. Kevin oversees the company’s 14 fulfillment centers, including those in Asia and Europe, which process online and retail orders for Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, Intermix and Hill City. With a heavy focus on innovation and automation, Kevin is transforming Gap Inc.’s Global Logistics network to an elevated omnichannel operation.
During his 30 years with Gap Inc., Kevin established an excellent track record of launching and remodeling fulfillment centers, implementing warehouse management systems and partnering with third party logistics vendors. His ability to drive change and execute on innovative process improvements continues to result in year-over-year cost savings.
Kevin first started at Gap Inc. as a seasonal merchandise handler in Gap Inc.’s former Kentucky fulfillment center at 17 years old. Over the years, he steadily progressed into leadership roles of increasing responsibility within Gap Inc.’s Logistics and North American Transportation divisions.
Kevin received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Thomas More College. As a strong advocate for youth mentorship and job readiness, he’s been active with the Gallatin, Tennessee Shalom Zone and has recently served as a volunteer captain of his local high school’s fishing team. 
Adrienne Palermo, Senior Director of North America Oral Care Supply Network Operations for Procter & Gamble, is a seasoned Supply Chain Leader. Ms. Palermo has experience across multiple CPG businesses and Supply Chain domain across her 20+ years experience. Ms. Palermo has been a key global leader in Procter and Gamble’s supply chain demand and planning digital transformation recognized by Gartner’s Supply Chain Master designation for the last seven years. Ms. Palermo was recognized by Supply and Demand Chain Executive as a 2019 Inaugural Woman of the Year for her leadership of Procter and Gamble’s Global Supply Chain Citizen Developer Digital Fluency program to create over 1000 global supply chain professionals digital upskilling to create digital solutions in days for the most critical business opportunities.
Accelerating Business Value through Digitally Upskilling Supply Chain Professionals. 
In his role as president of U.S. Medical Products and Distribution, Rajalingam has end-to-end responsibility managing the business, which is a leading provider of medical products and supply chain services.
Prior to this role, Rajalingam was president of U.S. Sales, Medical Solutions, and led the Acute, Non-Acute & Inside Sales, Laboratory, Channel Partners Group, Enterprise Contracting and Government sales teams.
Before this, Rajalingam led the Medical Segment strategic selling organization, including the Strategic Accounts, Enterprise Contracting, Government, Channel Partners Group, and Customer and Market Insights teams.
Rajalingam came to Cardinal Health from Smiths Medical, where he was vice president and general manager of the Vascular Access Business Unit. Prior to joining Smiths Medical, he was the vice president of Global Marketing for Medtronic Peripheral Vascular, where he helped lead the integration of Covidien’s Peripheral business.
During his time at Medtronic, Rajalingam held leadership roles in product marketing, market development, market research, portfolio management, pipeline marketing and business development. He started his career as a biomedical engineer in the company’s Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management business.
Rajalingam earned a bachelor's degrees in biomedical engineering and economics from Duke University and a master of business administration from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. He previously served on the board of the American College of Phlebology Foundation and volunteered as a Year Up mentor. 
