The Chain Podcast

Special episode recorded live from ASCM’s CHAINge Conference 2026

 
What does it take to build a supply chain that’s ready for disruption when disruption itself has become the norm?
 
In this special episode of The Chain, recorded live at ASCM’s CHAINge Conference 2026, Liz Young, Supply Chain Reporter for The Wall Street Journal, moderates the keynote session,“From Resilience to Readiness: Designing Supply Chains for a World that Never Stabilizes.”
 
The conversation brings together Heather Lane, Vice President, Supply Chain Strategy & Systems at Ulta Beauty; Steve Van Vossen, Vice President, Global Operations Excellence at Lindsay Corporation; and Anand Lal, Group Vice President, Supply Chain at Grainger.
 
Drawing on three very different supply chain environments, the panel explores how organizations can prepare for constant volatility rather than simply react to the latest disruption. They discuss smarter inventory strategies, sourcing and supplier diversification, extreme-weather preparedness, cross-functional collaboration, AI and automation, cybersecurity, and the skills tomorrow’s supply chain professionals will need. 
 
From building stronger operating models and business continuity plans to developing more adaptable talent, this conversation offers a practical look at what it means to move beyond resilience and design supply chains for readiness.
 

Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 

For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

What does the future of supply chain talent look like in an AI-driven world?

 
In this episode of The Chain Podcast, we sit down with Friddy Hoegener, co-founder and head of recruiting at SCOPE Recruiting, to discuss the evolving skills, expectations, and opportunities shaping today's supply chain workforce.
 
Drawing on insights from the 2026 ASCM Supply Chain Salary and Career Report, Friddy shares what he's seeing from the front lines of recruiting and talent development. 
 
From the transformation of entry-level roles to the growing importance of AI fluency, communication, and strategic thinking, Freddie explains why the next generation of supply chain professionals will need much more than technical expertise to succeed. The conversation also explores salary trends, certifications, mentorship, networking, leadership development and practical advice for standing out in an increasingly competitive job market.
 

Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 

For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

Is the answer to supply chain disruption really more technology?
 
In this episode of ASCM's The Chain, host Abe Eshkenazi sits down with John Melbye, founder of Become Demand Driven, to challenge some of the most common assumptions shaping supply chain planning today.
 
Organizations continue investing heavily in AI, planning platforms and digital transformation initiatives, yet many still struggle with inventory imbalances, stockouts, forecasting challenges and operational inefficiencies. John argues that better tools alone won't solve these problems—and that true improvement starts with questioning the assumptions behind how supply chains are managed.
 
If you're evaluating AI investments, rethinking inventory strategy or looking for new ways to improve supply chain performance, this conversation will challenge conventional wisdom and provide a fresh perspective on what drives real results.
Key Topics Covered:

Why technology alone doesn't fix supply chain problems

The limitations of traditional forecasting and planning

How AI should—and shouldn't—be applied in supply chain

The conflict between cost reduction and operational flow

Why inventory isn't always the enemy

Developing talent alongside technology investments

Moving from prediction-focused planning to capability-focused planning

Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 

For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

Transformation is everywhere—but real results are rare.

 
In this episode of The Chain Podcast, we sit down with DeAnna Harner, Global Executive Partner of Supply Chain Operations, to explore why so many transformation initiatives fall short — and what it actually takes to make change stick.
 
Harner shares hard-earned insights from working with hundreds of organizations navigating AI adoption, digital transformation and ongoing disruption. From “Excel chaos” to disconnected data, she explains why technology alone isn’t the answer.
 
Together, we unpack:

Why AI isn’t a “Band-Aid” for broken processes

How to move beyond constant firefighting in supply chains

Where organizations are seeing real value from AI today

The critical role of culture, collaboration, and change readiness

Why starting small—and getting the basics right—is the key to success

If you’re looking to turn bold transformation ambitions into measurable outcomes, this conversation will give you the practical mindset shift you need to get started.
 

Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 

For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

In this episode of The Chain Podcast, ASCM is joined by geopolitical supply chain expert and advisor, Koray Köse, founder and chief analyst at Köse Advisory, discuss how supply chains are evolving from efficiency-driven networks into strategic infrastructure that shapes resilience, competitiveness and business continuity.
 
The conversation explores how geopolitical pressure, tariffs, sanctions, export controls, AI adoption, cyber risk and supply chain visibility are changing what leadership looks like in modern operations.
 
Koray Köse also explains why resilience should be treated as an operating model and investment strategy — not just a defensive response to disruption.
 

Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 

For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

About Koray Köse:

Koray Köse, Founder and Chief Analyst of KŌSE Advisory, a global advisory firm operating at the intersection of geopolitics, GeoTech, artificial intelligence, and global value chains. Koray advises executives, investors, policymakers, and global stakeholders on the decisions that define competitive position, resilience, and long-term growth.

With more than two decades of senior advisory and executive experience, Koray has operated as both practitioner and strategist, from analyst to Director at the Federal Reserve Bank, and from Chief Procurement Officer to Chief Industry Officer across global organizations spanning automotive, defense, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, semiconductors, and high technology.

He serves as Special Adviser to the Centre for the Geopolitics of Global Change at ODI Global and is the inaugural Senior Fellow of GLOBSEC’s GeoTech Research Center, established under the leadership of General John R. Allen. He is also a participant in NATO’s 2030 Private Sector Dialogues.

Koray teaches MBA programs at HULT International Business School and Northeastern University and serves on the Board of the Slave-Free Alliance. He is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and a published author whose work has appeared in more than 100 publications and has been featured by The New York Times, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, BBC, Forbes, Bloomberg, CNBC, and Channel News Asia.

His advisory work spans multinational corporations, technology firms, investors, think tanks, NGOs, and major international conferences. He has also contributed strategic intelligence assessments, geopolitical analysis, and human intelligence context to senior government, national security, and intelligence community forums across North America, Europe, and the Middle East.