Innovation in the Supply Chain
November 6-7, 2025
Wood Dining Room, Iacocca Conference Center, Lehigh University
We will open with a cocktail reception on Thursday, November 6 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM and follow up with a full day program on Friday, November 7 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (check-in and full breakfast begins at 7:30 AM). Networking and education will feature prominently throughout the day with interaction and takeaways. Register today!
Agenda
8:00 - 8:15 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Zach Zacharia, Ph.D., Associate Professor; Director, CSCRL, Lehigh University College of Business
8:15 - 9:00 AM | Session 1
Innovation Within the Box: The Small "i" of Supply Chain Innovation
Ginelle Julien, Vice President, MedTech Supply Chain Digital, Johnson & Johnson
9:00 - 9:45 AM | Session 2
Embedding Innovation as a Cultural and Strategic Growth Engine
Leena Vadaketh, Executive Vice President, Global Operations, Crayola
9:45 - 10:05 AM
Coffee Break
10:05 - 10:50 AM | Session 3
Virtual Vertical Integration - Beyond Supply Chain Visibility: Thriving in Today's Geopolitical Environment
Aaron Libbey, Chief Growth Officer, Altana
10:50 - 11:35 AM | Session 4
AI Democratization at Capacity
Jeff Kaiden, Chief Executive Officer, Capacity LLC
11:35 AM - 12:20 PM | Session 5
Panel Discussion: Innovation in the Supply Chain
Laudy Allan, Vice President, Global Logistics and Manufacturing, Crayola
Peter C. Bayer Jr., Senior Vice President of Operations, Penske Logistics
Sal Lombardo, Territory Manager, Northeast, The Teneo Group
Kate Solomito, Pricing and MicroBulk Business Manager for the West Subregion, Air Products
12:20 - 1:15 PM
Lunch
1:15 - 2:00 PM | Session 6
Autonomous Procurement: Advanced Automation for Spot Freight Sourcing
John Atherton, Global Lead, Market Strategy and Innovation, Transportation & Logistics, Trimble
2:00 - 2:45 PM | Session 7
AI-Powered Problem Solving: Quick Insights for Leaders
Michael Rivera, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Business Information Systems, Lehigh University College of Business
2:45 - 3:15 PM
Closing Comments and Wrap-up
Zach Zacharia, Ph.D., Associate Professor; Director, CSCRL, Lehigh University College of Business
3:15 - 4:00 PM
Closing Reception