Networking & Insights
Supply Chain Leaders Forums
Join industry titans from Comcast, Dell Technologies, IBM, and more for an intensive day of insights, innovation, and networking focused on mastering supply chain visibility in the age of disruption.
October 20, 2026
Overview
The Supply Chain Leaders Forum is where theory meets practice. Twice annually, the Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research convenes the brightest minds in supply chain management, senior executives, innovative practitioners, and leading academics, for candid conversations about the challenges keeping you up at night.
This Fall's Focus: Supply Chain Visibility & Orchestration
As supply chains evolve from linear processes into complex, interconnected networks, visibility and collaboration have shifted from competitive advantages to survival essentials. Join us for a day of engaging presentations, dynamic panel discussions, interactive table conversations, and meaningful networking with peers facing the same challenges you are.
October 20, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. EDT
Location: Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, Room 603 | 123 S. Burrowes Street, State College, PA
Fee: $1,195 for General Attendance | Free for CSCR Corporate Supporters
Supply Chain Leaders Forum, Event Sponsor
Thank You to Our Event Sponsor
Building on a legacy of logistics optimization since 1990, ProvisionAi delivers performative solutions designed to help businesses run smarter, faster, and more cost-effective supply chain operations.
Who Should Attend
This forum is designed for:
Supply Chain Executives & Directors
Operations Leaders
Logistics & Transportation Professionals
Procurement & Planning Leaders
Change Management Professionals
Supply Chain Academics & Researchers
Program Benefits
Learn from industry leaders about what's actually working in their organizations
Gain actionable insights and discover real-world use cases
Network with peers facing similar challenges
Benefit from the CSCR model that brings together practitioners and researchers
Explore emerging topics shaping the future of supply chain management
Earn professional development and return with fresh perspectives
Program Agenda
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Check in & Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Donna Palumbo, Executive Director, Center for Supply Chain Research
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
The Orchestration Most People Mean, and the One That Actually Moves Freight
Chris O'Brien, CEO, ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions
Discover the gap between orchestration theory and the practical realities of moving freight in today's complex logistics environment.
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Building Resilient Supply Networks in an Uncertain World
Tom Vogel, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Business Continuity, and Workplace Solutions, Comcast
Learn how one of America's largest infrastructure companies builds resilience into sprawling supply networks.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Panel: Right Product, Right Place, Right Time—Finally?
Hear from leaders at IBM and Johnson & Johnson about achieving the holy grail of supply chain management.
Panelists:
Eric Jones, Vice President, Supply Chain Global Manufacturing & Execution, IBM
Jennifer Kozak, Director, Z & Power Systems Operations, IBM
Deborah Rivers, Global Head of Cell & Gene Therapy Operations and General Manager of the Malvern Biologics Site, Johnson & Johnson
Elizabeth Selsley, Director, Value Chain Management PMO, Johnson & Johnson
Moderator: Brenda Berg, Supply Chain Projects Leader, IBM
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM
Lunch & Facilitated Table Discussions
Join topic-driven conversations at themed tables:
Global Routes & Great Stories – International supply chain experiences
The Perfect Recipe: Planning, Procurement & Execution – Integration strategies
The Power of Personal Interests – Work-life balance in demanding roles
App-solutely You – Technology tools that make a difference
Page Turners & Perspectives – Books and ideas shaping your thinking
If I Had an Extra Hour Every Day – Productivity and prioritization
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Smart Factory, Real Results: IBM's Journey to AI-Driven Manufacturing
Romain Eugene, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Operations, IBM
Lucy Rooney, Supply Chain Summer Intern, IBM (Penn State Smeal College of Business)
See how AI is transforming manufacturing operations from the plant floor perspective, including insights from a Penn State student intern.
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Control Towers in Logistics
Ludovic Laungani, Director, Global Transportation Excellence, Johnson & Johnson
Explore how control towers provide real-time visibility and enable proactive decision-making across global logistics networks.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Procurement Modernization at Dell Technologies: A Real-World Use Case
Shri Panse, Vice President, Procurement, Dell Technologies
Learn from Dell's procurement transformation journey—challenges, solutions, and measurable outcomes.
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Break
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Panel: The Change-Ready Supply Chain—People at the Center
Technology enables transformation, but people make it happen. Hear how leading organizations manage the human side of supply chain change.
Panelists:
Joe Kaizor, Director, Domestic Logistics, Total Wine & More
Laurie Valkanas, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions
Liz Wood-Hopkins, Change Management Manager, Wegmans Food Markets
Moderator: Dr. Carrie Marcinkevage, Assistant Clinical Professor, Supply Chain & Information Systems, Penn State University
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways
Donna Palumbo, Executive Director, Center for Supply Chain Research
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Networking Reception
Continue conversations, forge new connections, and unwind with colleagues and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere.
Event Details
Registration
Each CSCR Corporate Supporter company receives two prepaid seats. Additional seats are not available at this time. The general attendance fee for professionals from non-supporter companies is $1,195.
Parking
Public parking is available in close proximity of the Innovation Hub.
Beaver Garage: Located at 200 W Beaver Avenue (1 block from the building)
Fraser Garage: Located at 135 S Fraser Street (2 blocks from the building)
Hotel Information
A hotel block has been secured at the Scholar Hotel (205 East Beaver Avenue, State College, PA). To utilize this hotel block and discounted rate, reservations must be made before September 28, 2026. For our special rate, use block code SCL when securing your hotel room. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-800-445-8667 and referencing Penn State Center for Supply Chain Research.