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Pencils and Pistons
Rashmeet Kaur
19 episodes
17 minutes ago
Welcome to Pencils and Pistons 🎙️ Your school of sustainability and supply chain excellence, hosted by soon-to-be Dr. Rashmeet Kaur, whose research revolves around inspiring behaviours for sustainable transformation. Join inspiring conversations with industry pioneers and changemakers transforming supply chain management—from circular economy strategies to green logistics, ethical sourcing to carbon-neutral operations. Whether you're a supply chain professional, sustainability practitioner, or business leader, discover actionable insights driving meaningful behavioural change.
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Business
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All content for Pencils and Pistons is the property of Rashmeet Kaur and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Welcome to Pencils and Pistons 🎙️ Your school of sustainability and supply chain excellence, hosted by soon-to-be Dr. Rashmeet Kaur, whose research revolves around inspiring behaviours for sustainable transformation. Join inspiring conversations with industry pioneers and changemakers transforming supply chain management—from circular economy strategies to green logistics, ethical sourcing to carbon-neutral operations. Whether you're a supply chain professional, sustainability practitioner, or business leader, discover actionable insights driving meaningful behavioural change.
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Business
Episodes (19/19)
Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Engineering to Supply Chain - A Journey of Passion and Purpose

Join us as we talk with a mechanical engineer who discovered her true calling in supply chain management after three years in the field. Driven by her fascination with process improvements, she pursued an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, graduating with distinction.

Now committed to growing as an engineering expert in emerging industries, she shares her experiences navigating career transitions, finding professional fulfillment, and supporting women in STEM. Her story showcases how technical expertise combined with supply chain knowledge creates unique professional opportunities.

This episode offers valuable insights for engineers considering career pivots, professionals interested in supply chain optimization, and anyone passionate about increasing women's representation in technical fields.


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1 year ago
30 minutes 8 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Tech Pioneer and Digital Advocate

Professor Sue Black OBE is a trailblazing figure in computer science and digital advocacy. Named among Forbes World's #Top50 Women in Tech, she serves as Professor of Computer Science at Durham University while actively seeking paid Non-Executive Director roles.

Her extensive governance experience includes advisory positions with the UK Government Digital Service, the Fawcett Society Commission of Gender Stereotypes, and Comic Relief—a major UK charity committed to creating a just, poverty-free world.

With over 20 years in academia, Professor Black brings substantial experience as an academic manager and research centre director, having authored more than 40 publications and earned a PhD in software engineering.

As a passionate champion for women in technology, she founded BCSWomen—the UK's first online network for women in tech—and #techmums, a social enterprise empowering mothers and their families through technology education.

Professor Black gained widespread recognition for her innovative digital campaigning, particularly her successful social media-driven effort to save Bletchley Park, the historic home of WW2 codebreakers.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a proud mother of four children and grandmother to five.

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1 year ago
29 minutes 1 second

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Driving Supply Chain Excellence

As a Technical Program Manager , Shimon Gowda leads cross-functional teams that deliver supply chain optimization and innovation projects across various products and services. She applies her deep expertise in supply chain network design, analytics, and software asset management to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate customer satisfaction.

Shimon holds a Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering from Rutgers University-New Brunswick with a specialization in supply chain management and logistics. Her professional credentials are further strengthened by multiple certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Supply Chain Management Fundamentals, and Agile Project Management.

Her exceptional contributions to the field earned her recognition as one of the Top Women in Supply Chain by SDCE in 2021, complemented by victories in several national-level business plan and consigliere competitions.

Shimon is driven by her passion for solving complex problems, embracing new technologies, and creating meaningful value for both her organization and society at large.

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1 year ago
26 minutes 5 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Supply Chain Excellence and Business Development at DHL

Nikitha Angela Fernandes is a dynamic Business Development & Program Management professional in Service Logistics at DHL Supply Chain. As a recent graduate of Indian School of Business's Advanced Management Program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (AMPOS Co'24), she combines industrial engineering fundamentals with strategic management principles to deliver effective supply chain solutions.

With nearly 7 years at DHL Supply Chain, Nikitha has progressed through several roles, demonstrating her expertise in program management and business development. In her current manager position, she focuses on sales growth and business development within DHL's Service Logistics division.

Nikitha holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Management from Dayananda Sagar Institutions and is a Certified Sales Specialist through DHL. Her educational foundation is complemented by specialized training, including Harvard Business Publishing's Mathematics for Management certification.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nikitha is committed to community service as a long-term volunteer teacher with Teach For India since 2021. Her career achievements include recognition as "Employee of the Year" at DHL Supply Chain in 2020 and "Achiever of Quarter" in 2019.

Nikitha is an advocate for women in logistics, having participated in podcasts and professional development programs focused on empowering women in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and bringing one's unique skills and talents to the table regardless of gender.

Her professional interests include sustainable supply chain solutions, efficient logistics implementation, and mentoring in STEM fields.

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2 years ago
27 minutes 33 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Award-Winning Business Sustainability Consultant

Rondi Allan is an award-winning Business Sustainability Consultant and Director at Sustainable X, a company she founded in August 2020. Based in St Albans, England, she helps businesses transform sustainability from a perceived cost or compliance burden into a strategic business advantage.

As the leader of Sustainable X, Rondi works with organizations at all stages of their sustainability journey, from those just beginning to consider sustainability to those striving to become purpose-led, socially and environmentally responsible businesses. Her approach emphasizes practical, business-focused sustainability strategies that deliver measurable value.

Rondi brings extensive corporate experience to her consultancy, having spent over 14 years at Henkel in various leadership roles, including Head of IT for UK, Ireland, and Nordics, and Beauty Care Retail executive responsible for field sales and key account teams.

Her expertise has earned her multiple recognitions, including being named one of the Top 100 female entrepreneurs in the f:Entrepreneur #ialso community for 2023, winning the Gold Award for Sustainability at the National Business Women's Awards, and receiving an award at the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Herts awards.

Beyond her consultancy, Rondi serves as an Advisory Council Member for Harvard Business Review, an Advisory Board Member for The Global Chamber, and an Associate at The Supply Chain Academy. She is also deeply committed to education, serving as Chair of Governors at Cunningham Hill Junior School since 2012 and as a mentor for The Institute of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability.

Rondi's approach to sustainability consulting emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, practical examples, and awareness-building. Her work focuses on helping businesses build sustainable business cases, recognize existing sustainable practices, prioritize strategic next steps, and effectively communicate their impact through certification programs.


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2 years ago
34 minutes 27 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Pioneering Sustainable Diet Research

Dr. Emma Garnett is a sustainability researcher at the University of Oxford, where she investigates approaches to reduce meat consumption and promote sustainable diets. Her research focuses on understanding and overcoming the economic, social, and political barriers to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural ecosystems.

Currently working in the Health Behaviours Team at Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Dr. Garnett examines various interventions to reduce meat consumption across different contexts. Her previous role as Research Fellow in Sustainable Consumption at the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (2020-2022) involved working on sustainability in supermarket supply chains through a project funded by Sainsbury's.

Dr. Garnett completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge (2016-2020), where she researched effective interventions to reduce the environmental impact of diets and change consumer behavior. Her doctoral work spanned natural and social sciences, public health, and behavioral psychology, with a particular focus on encouraging plant-based food choices.

Her research has been published in prestigious journals including PNAS, Nature Food, and the Journal of Environmental Psychology, with notable papers examining strategies to increase vegetarian sales in cafeterias and reduce meat consumption. These publications have contributed valuable insights to the field of sustainable consumption.

Dr. Garnett's academic background includes a European Master in Applied Ecology from Kiel University (with distinction) and a BA in Zoology/Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge (First Class). She has also gained practical experience through positions at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and The Nature Conservancy.

Beyond her research, Dr. Garnett maintains an active interest in marine conservation, serving as a volunteer marine researcher at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre since 2010, where she monitors dolphin and seal populations.


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2 years ago
30 minutes 45 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Global Procurement Leader and Supply Chain Innovator

Maryna Trepova is the CEO and Founder of IPSM Procurement, a consulting firm that specializes in optimizing procurement processes and supply chain management. Currently based in Portugal after relocating from Ukraine, she brings 16+ years of procurement and supply chain expertise to her role.

With dual MBA degrees from Edinburgh Business School and Kyiv National Economics University, Maryna has built an impressive career focused on procurement transformation, cost reduction, and transparent business practices. Throughout her career, she has generated over $170 million in savings for clients through procurement audits, portfolio analysis, category management, and supplier relationship management strategies.

As a recognised thought leader in her field, Maryna has founded or co-founded several influential initiatives in Ukraine, including the CPO Club, NGO "Transparent Procurement," and NGO "Procurement & Supply Chain Future." She also established CIPS educational programs in Ukraine as the CIPS Academic Leader and Approved Tutor, helping to elevate procurement standards across the country.

Her extensive client portfolio includes major international companies such as Japan Tobacco International, Vodafone, SoftServe, and DTEK. Her work spans multiple countries including Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Singapore, UAE, USA, UK, Germany, and others across Africa and Asia.

Beyond her consulting work, Maryna is an accomplished speaker and educator. She has organized three International Procurement and Supply Chain Conferences, presented at 15 industry conferences, authored 40 articles, and conducted 50+ webinars. In 2021, she was recognized as "The bravest entrepreneur in Kyiv region" by MC.Today.

Despite the challenges faced by Ukrainian businesses during wartime, Maryna continues to advocate for procurement excellence and transparent business practices while sharing Ukraine's unique experiences with the global business community. She remains dedicated to rebuilding Ukraine's future and developing world-class procurement professionals.

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2 years ago
43 minutes 7 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Analytics Leader & Sustainability Innovator

Meghana Patil serves as Vice President of analytics and Innovation at WebXpress Transportation Software and LogiCloud Supply Chain Visibility Platform, where she leverages her diverse expertise in supply chain management, sustainability, and technology to drive business transformation.

With dual roles in analytics leadership and as a Visiting Professor at Thakur Institute of Management Studies & Research, Meghana brings a unique blend of practical industry experience and academic insight to her work. She is a certified PMP® (Project Management Professional) and CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), supplemented by her recent certification as a CII Certified Professional in Carbon Footprint.

Meghana's career journey demonstrates impressive professional growth and versatility. Beginning as a business analyst at WebXpress in 2012, she quickly advanced through roles in customer relations before leading product development. Her experience expanded through positions at Aurionpro Solutions, where she consulted on software needs for logistics service providers across Southeast Asia, and Mahindra Logistics, where she managed strategic alliances and partnerships to enhance operations through value-added services.

Throughout her career, Meghana has developed expertise across product development, analytics, sales, operations, and procurement. This multifaceted background enables her to analyze opportunities and design innovative solutions with a focus on business growth, customer expansion, and service enhancement. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes looking beyond routine operations to truly listen and address business challenges.

In her current leadership role, Meghana approaches her work with an entrepreneurial mindset—developing new products, redesigning existing offerings, understanding client needs through direct interaction, and collaborating with partners to create customized solutions. Her stakeholder-centric approach aims to facilitate growth for all parties involved, including vendors, business partners, and customers.

Meghana holds an MBA in Operations from the University of Mumbai and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering.


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2 years ago
28 minutes 11 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : FMCG Growth Leader & Strategic Business Manager

Isha Agarwal is a seasoned FMCG professional with over 10 years of experience at Unilever, where she currently leads business development as area sales & channel manager for Bangalore Metro. Her expertise spans P&L management, business growth strategy, product category management, and supply chain operations.

In her current role, Isha manages a substantial $41M annual recurring revenue business for Bangalore, leading a team of 8 direct reports and overseeing 300+ sales and merchandising representatives across 16 B2B partnerships. She is responsible for the P&L management of distribution partners while directing the distribution network for 33,000 general trade outlets throughout Bangalore.

Before her current position, Isha served as Business Development and Area Sales Manager for South Karnataka, where she successfully led a $29M ARR business, deployed sales strategies across multiple food and beverage brands, expanded distribution coverage, and executed "Winning in Channel" strategies to enhance Unilever's market presence. Her achievements include delivering 6.5% sales growth and improving delivery efficiency by 500 basis points across 1,400+ stakeholders.

Earlier in her career at Unilever, Isha worked as the Asia Pacific Market Program Manager for Integrated Business Planning, where she led the design of a global process model integrating frontend promotion planning with demand and supply planning for APAC markets. This initiative unlocked $16M in potential value with a 3.5-year payback period in the Thailand market.

Isha holds an MBA in Marketing & Strategy from the Indian School of Business, where she graduated on the Dean's List (top 10% of her class) and received the ISB PGPPro Brand Ambassador Award. She also completed the GrowthX® program focusing on acquisition, engagement, retention, onboarding, and monetization strategies. Her technical qualifications include APICS CPIM certification in Supply Chain Management.

Beyond her professional achievements, Isha has demonstrated commitment to social responsibility through her volunteer work as a mentor for female farmers in Unilever's "Nayi Disha" Prabhat mentorship program and as a fundraising coordinator for children's causes at NIT Warangal.

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3 years ago
27 minutes 32 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Strategic Supply Chain Leader & Industry Innovator

Pooja Shah is a senior strategic supply chain manager at Amazon based in New York, bringing extensive experience in supply chain management, operations, and business strategy. Her career trajectory showcases consistent growth and expertise development across prominent global organizations.

Before joining Amazon in January 2024, Pooja served as a Project Management Consultant in Strategy at the LEGO Group, where she honed her skills in strategic planning and business strategy. Prior to this, she spent nearly six years at Nestlé in progressively responsible roles, culminating as a Manager focused on S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), strategy, and supply chain operations for the coffee and tea category.

During her tenure at Nestlé, Pooja managed various aspects of the supply chain for different product categories, including foods, chocolates, and confectionery. Her responsibilities encompassed distribution, planning, logistics, and operations management, providing her with comprehensive insight into multiple facets of supply chain operations.

Pooja's educational background includes a Master in Business Analytics and Project Management with a major in Operations from the University of Connecticut and a Micro Masters in Supply Chain Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is Tableau Certified and holds a Jira Fundamentals Badge, demonstrating her technical expertise in data visualization and project management tools.

Her professional excellence has earned her recognition as a "30 Under 30 Supply Chain Superstar" by Celerity Supply Chain Tribe in 2021, and she was ranked second in "India's Most Employable 50 Management Graduates" by Inside IIM. Pooja has also been featured in various industry platforms, including Spotify podcasts and YouTube, where she advocates for increased female representation in the supply chain industry.

As a thought leader in the supply chain space, Pooja actively contributes to discussions on industry trends, diversity, and women's empowerment, making her a notable voice in promoting gender diversity in the traditionally male-dominated field of supply chain management.


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3 years ago
25 minutes 49 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Supply Chain Analytics Leader & ML Innovation Expert

Madhumita Banerjee is a manager in the Supply Chain Practice at Tredence Inc., where she specializes in supply chain consulting with an emphasis on industrializing machine learning solutions. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, she brings nearly a decade of experience working with globally distributed teams across various functions including delivery leadership, engineering, UX, business, data science, sales, and product development.

With a customer-first approach, Madhumita excels at balancing technology, strategy, and user experience to create effective supply chain solutions. Her professional journey includes significant roles at prominent organizations such as The Coca-Cola Company, where she served as Team Leader for Supply Chain Analytics, EY as a Consultant, and Tech Mahindra as a Business Intelligence Consultant.

Madhumita holds a MicroMaster's in Supply Chain Management from MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from West Bengal University of Technology, where she graduated in the top 5% of her class. Her credentials are further strengthened by her CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) certification and specialized training in Supply Chain Technology and Systems from MIT.

Her expertise in supply chain analytics, business process improvement, stakeholder management, and analytical reasoning has earned her industry recognition, including the "Rising Star - Women in Supply Chain Award" from Supply and Demand Chain Executive in 2024 and being named an "Under 30 Supply Chain Superstar" by Celerity Supply Chain Tribe in 2023.

As an industry thought leader, Madhumita regularly contributes insights on emerging topics such as the impact of Generative AI on supply chain platforms, data-driven brand portfolio strategies, and the evolution of automation in supply chain enterprises. Her published works appear in platforms like Analytics India Magazine and through Tredence Inc.'s thought leadership channels.

Madhumita's passion for transforming supply chains is evident in her commitment to collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement. She describes her strengths as being detail-oriented, strategically focused, and empowering her peers and team while maintaining an inclusive approach to leadership.


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3 years ago
23 minutes 56 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Social Innovation Leader and Design Thinking Expert

Roselin Minj is a social innovation and design thinking expert at Accenture Canada's Innovation Hub, where she applies human-centered design approaches to help clients discover new ideas, co-create concepts, and design breakthrough solutions. With 15 years of global leadership experience spanning South East Asia, North America, and Europe, she has established herself as a thoughtful leader in sustainable development and social impact.

In her current role at Accenture, Roselin works on transformative innovation journeys that scale impact across various sectors. She recently contributed to important healthcare research in Canada, studying citizens' expectations for healthcare experiences and how technology can enhance healthcare delivery systems.

Beyond her corporate role, Roselin serves as a Board Member for Social Planning Toronto, a non-profit community organization working to improve equity, social justice, and quality of life for Toronto residents through community capacity building, advocacy, and policy research. She also provides leadership coaching to early and mid-career professionals, particularly focusing on those in sustainability and social impact fields, individuals seeking purpose-driven leadership approaches, and women/mothers/people of color/immigrants navigating major life transitions.

Her professional journey includes significant roles as Program Head for Sustainable Cities at the World Resources Institute and Senior Engagement Manager for Social Impact Strategy at Sattva Consulting. Throughout her career, she has worked on tough impact problems across energy, water, waste, mobility, biodiversity, and sustainable cities, collaborating with nonprofits, international foundations, corporations, bilateral organizations, and social enterprises.

Roselin holds a Master's degree in Natural Resource Management from TERI University and completed an Executive Management Program in CSR and Sustainability from the Swedish Institute. Her contributions to climate action have earned her recognition as an International Climate Champion and Global Changemaker by the British Council. She was also selected for LinkedIn India's first creator program in 2022, joining a cohort of 100 experts.

As a thought leader, Roselin writes a fortnightly newsletter on purpose-driven leadership (ThoughtShot.substack.com) and is currently working on her debut book. She describes her superpowers as design thinking, communication, strategic storytelling, building partnerships, and facilitation, all of which she leverages to connect dots for complex problem-solving and to develop entrepreneurial approaches to social challenges.

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3 years ago
28 minutes 53 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Supply Chain Resilience Pioneer & Visionary CEO

Bindiya Vakil is the founder and CEO of Resilinc, widely recognised as the world leader in supply chain visibility, resiliency intelligence, and analytics. As a trailblazing entrepreneur and thought leader, she has fundamentally transformed how organizations approach supply chain risk management (SCRM) since founding Resilinc in 2010.

With a distinguished background that includes pivotal roles at industry giants Cisco and Flextronics, complemented by education from MIT, Bindiya brought both practical expertise and academic rigor to identify a critical gap in global supply chains: the lack of comprehensive visibility and proactive risk management solutions. Her vision to address this vulnerability led to the creation of Resilinc, which has since become the gold standard for supply chain resilience solutions.

Bindiya's expertise spans a diverse range of supply chain domains, including component risk mitigation, product resiliency, revenue impact modeling, probabilistic simulation techniques, and supplier relationship management. She has pioneered approaches that move beyond simple risk scoring to sophisticated quantitative analysis that can predict and quantify potential disruptions.

Her entrepreneurial journey exemplifies her ability to translate complex supply chain challenges into practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable value. Under her leadership, Resilinc has helped global organizations transform their approach to supply chain management from reactive to proactive, enabling them to anticipate disruptions, mitigate risks, and maintain operational continuity even in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Bindiya's contributions to the field of supply chain management have not only revolutionized industry practices but have also established her as a visionary leader whose innovations continue to shape the future of supply chain resilience in an increasingly volatile global business environment.


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3 years ago
29 minutes 40 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Versatile Supply Chain Leader & Transformation Expert

Kimberlee is an accomplished supply chain leader whose career spans the full spectrum of supply chain operations, from transportation and sourcing to planning and digital transformation. Her professional journey is defined by a proven ability to solve complex supply chain challenges, develop high-performing teams, and advance awareness of the supply chain profession.

With a foundation built during her first decade in the industry, Kimberlee gained valuable experience implementing innovative supply chain tools and leading teams across transportation, sourcing, and planning functions. Her career took an entrepreneurial turn when she joined a startup in its early stages, where she successfully built a supply chain operation and team from the ground up—demonstrating her capability to create efficient systems in environments with minimal existing infrastructure.

Currently focused on supply chain transformation consulting, Kimberlee leverages her diverse operational background to guide clients through complex change initiatives. Her practical experience enables her to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world implementation, helping organizations modernize their supply chain operations and adapt to evolving market demands.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kimberlee demonstrates her commitment to the supply chain community through her board membership with The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), where she leads the young professionals committee. This role reflects her passion for mentoring students and early-career professionals as they navigate the beginning stages of their supply chain careers.

Kimberlee's approach to leadership is characterized by her continuous learning mindset and willingness to explore new concepts. She consistently challenges her teams to think innovatively and approach problems from different perspectives, fostering a culture of growth and adaptation essential in today's rapidly evolving supply chain landscape.


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3 years ago
17 minutes 32 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Environmental Sustainability and Strategy Expert

Dr. Sunita Purushottma is a highly driven, knowledge-focused sustainability professional with extensive experience leading both international and national environmental projects across multiple sectors. Her work directly addresses the pressing challenges of environmental protection and sustainability implementation.

With a strong academic foundation complemented by practical field experience, Dr. Purushottma has established herself as an authority in several key areas of environmental management, including:

  • Sustainability strategy development and implementation
  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessment and reduction
  • Air emissions monitoring and control strategies
  • Water resource management and conservation
  • Waste management systems and optimization
  • Circular economy principles and applications
  • Technology enablement for environmental solutions
  • Environmental modeling and impact assessment
  • Sustainability reporting and disclosure frameworks


Her approach combines scientific rigor with practical business applications, allowing her to develop solutions that are both environmentally sound and economically viable. This balanced perspective has made her particularly effective in helping organizations integrate sustainability into their core operations and strategic planning.

Dr. Purushottma's work demonstrates her commitment to advancing environmental sustainability through data-driven strategies, innovative approaches, and collaborative engagement with stakeholders across various sectors. Her ability to translate complex environmental concepts into actionable business practices has helped numerous organizations improve their environmental performance while maintaining operational excellence.

As sustainability continues to move to the forefront of business priorities globally, Dr. Purushottma's expertise in developing comprehensive environmental management frameworks positions her as a valuable resource for organizations seeking to navigate the complexities of environmental compliance, stakeholder expectations, and long-term sustainability goals.

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3 years ago
22 minutes 9 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Global Supply Chain Communications Expert and Industry Connector

Rachael White brings over three decades of specialised expertise in global cargo supply chains, encompassing shipping, logistics, ports, and land transport sectors. As a multifaceted professional, she has excelled as a writer, editor, conference producer, event emcee, moderator, industry influencer, and ambassador.

Through her company, Next Level Information, Rachael provides comprehensive support to corporates, NGOs, event organizers, and institutional clients, helping them navigate complex industry trends and develop effective strategic positioning. Her service offerings include:

  • Branding, messaging, and reputation management
  • Market trends analysis and thought leadership development
  • Specialized marketing and media services
  • Network building through live and virtual events, association management, direct introductions, and social media engagement
  • Executive content creation including ghostwriting, speech writing, white papers, case studies, research reports, digital content, and press materials
  • Professional emcee and conference moderation services

Rachael's extensive background as a journalist, editor, conference organizer, and trade association manager has given her unique insights into industry leadership thinking and emerging trends. She has conducted interviews with executives worldwide and chaired or emceed hundreds of logistics, transport, and port events across the globe. This deep industry knowledge, combined with her understanding of digital communication strategies, enables her to position clients effectively as thought leaders in their fields.

Her professional experience includes serving as Secretary General to the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association and leading the secretariat team for ICHCA International, the global cargo handling association. Rachael also co-owns the Cool Logistics conferences, newsletter, and blog, which brings together experts to analyze trends in global reefer trades and perishable distribution chains.

Rachael's specialized expertise spans container and cargo freight supply chains, digital supply chain innovation, stakeholder engagement, corporate and executive brand building, research and writing, social media strategy, and media relations. Her ability to synthesize complex macro and micro trends makes her an invaluable resource for organizations looking to enhance their market positioning and strategic direction in the global supply chain sector.

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3 years ago
36 minutes 43 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Supply Chain Solutions Architect

As a versatile Supply Chain Solutions Architect, this professional brings deep expertise across manufacturing/production, inventory policy development, and operational improvement initiatives. Their industry knowledge spans diverse sectors including building materials, consumer packaged goods (CPG), automotive, biotechnology storage, and fashion—establishing them as a supply chain subject matter expert with broad cross-industry perspective.

Beyond technical expertise, they are recognized for thought leadership that explores how transformative, data-driven and scientific methods in supply chain management can create paradigm shifts toward a more sustainable world. Their credentials include:

  • Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional from the International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA)
  • Master's degree in Global Fashion Supply Chain/Business of Fashion
  • Active participation on DEI Panels and Sustainable Fashion Task Forces
  • Service as a spokesperson for humanitarian supply chain efforts
  • Climate Reality Project Trained Leader/Mentor (Virtual Training 2021)
  • Membership in sustainability, circularity, and waste management initiatives
  • Professional certification as a Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)


Her multifaceted background uniquely positions them to bridge traditional supply chain optimization with emerging sustainability imperatives. By applying analytical expertise to environmental and social challenges, they demonstrate how supply chain professionals can drive meaningful transformation across industries while addressing critical global challenges.

This professional exemplifies how specialized supply chain knowledge, when combined with sustainability training and cross-sector experience, can create innovative approaches to business operations that benefit both organizational performance and broader societal goals.

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3 years ago
27 minutes 38 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Rising Supply Chain & Analytics Professional

Sofia Rivas Herrera is a dynamic young professional with a passion for supply chain management and logistics, backed by solid credentials as an Industrial Engineer. She combines strong foundations in supply chain principles with advanced data analytics skills, demonstrating a continuous commitment to professional growth and learning.

Currently, Sofia serves as a Senior Staffing Analyst within the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) team at Mercado Libre in Mexico, Latin America's largest e-commerce platform. In this role, she takes responsibility for key operational functions:

  • Distribution center operation optimization
  • Demand planning and forecasting
  • Capacity analysis and resource allocation

Her professional experience includes previous work as a Data Analyst in the airport industry with Pacific Airport Group, where she contributed to business intelligence through:

  • Creating comprehensive benchmarking reports
  • Developing predictive analyses of future market behavior
  • Leveraging data to inform strategic decision-making

Sofia's educational background in Industrial Engineering provides her with a systematic approach to process improvement and efficiency optimization, which she applies effectively in her supply chain roles. Her experience across both e-commerce and transportation sectors gives her valuable cross-industry perspective on logistics challenges and solutions.

As a young professional actively building her career in supply chain management, Sofia exemplifies the next generation of talent bringing fresh analytical perspectives to traditional logistics challenges. Her combination of technical skills and industry experience positions her well for continued growth in the rapidly evolving fields of supply chain management and logistics analytics.


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4 years ago
35 minutes 14 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Outliers : Engineer, Intrapreneur & Women's Advocate

Atewet TN is a mechanical engineering professional currently working as an Application Engineer at Nuovamacut. With a Master's degree from Politecnico di Torino and experience across multiple companies, she combines technical expertise with an intrapreneurial mindset. While thriving in her corporate role, she aspires to entrepreneurship in the future. Beyond her professional work, Atewet demonstrates commitment to social impact as the founder of "Tifo Woman!" - a LeanIn circle based in Turin that promotes gender diversity and women's advancement in technical fields. Her multifaceted identity integrates technical prowess, business initiative, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion.


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4 years ago
43 minutes 59 seconds

Pencils and Pistons
Welcome to Pencils and Pistons 🎙️ Your school of sustainability and supply chain excellence, hosted by soon-to-be Dr. Rashmeet Kaur, whose research revolves around inspiring behaviours for sustainable transformation. Join inspiring conversations with industry pioneers and changemakers transforming supply chain management—from circular economy strategies to green logistics, ethical sourcing to carbon-neutral operations. Whether you're a supply chain professional, sustainability practitioner, or business leader, discover actionable insights driving meaningful behavioural change.