Fortune 500 companies and 11 years on CSCMP’sboard of directors, AWESOME Executive DirectorHeather Sheehan saw supply chain managementcome to play “a bigger and bigger role in C-suiteconversations.” A major reason, she says, is thegrowing recognition that—regardless of gender—supply chain professionals have a unique vantagepoint that makes them especially qualified forcompanywide management positions. “Becausesupply chain touches every aspect of a company’sbusiness and links functional areas and operations, all the way through plan, source, make,deliver, and return,” she says, “experienced supplychain leaders know how everything works together. They see the whole system; they aren’t bringingjust one functional perspective.” As more womenenter the supply chain profession, advocate forthemselves, and move up the ladder within thatfield, they’re simultaneously making themselvesvisible as qualified candidates for corporate leadership positions, she observes.
One example is that of Sonia Syngal, president
and CEO of apparel retailer Old Navy. In a 2018
interview with the U.S. television network ABC,
value that is essential to a company.” 7
