Women In Supply Chain™ hold about 26% of the C-suite and executive-level roles, a number that is historical and still growing. And Women In Supply Chain™ leadership are transforming the industry when it’s needed most, during endless disruptions that have only exacerbated over the last year, rattled by climate change, geopolitical tensions, and an all-out tariff war. The same rinse-and-repeat approaches don’t apply anymore, and that means that fresh perspectives and diversity in thought are increasingly important.
The latest negotiated “reciprocal” tariffs went into effect on August 7th. The administration first announced the tariff plans in April to give U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials time to collect taxes. Tariffs on Canadian goods will jump from 25% to 35% unless covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement; however, behind-the-scenes negotiations are ongoing. Goods from Mexico received a reprieve from the 25% tariff rate when U.S. and Mexican officials announced a 90-day extension to negotiate a long-term trade deal on July 31st. Those are big numbers to consider, with Mexico ranking as the top U.S. trade partner in June of 2025 at $73B followed by Canada at $58B. Meanwhile, at the start of August, the president shared his plans to raise tariffs on pharmaceutical imports into the U.S., eventually reaching up to 250%.
Now is the time to innovate and bring together new voices from different backgrounds with different perspectives and knowledge sets—including women’s. Because with the industry all but upended by the “new normal,” 26% of Women In Supply Chain™ leadership is simply not enough. And, while emotional intelligence is not inherently gendered, research suggests that women frequently score higher on measures of empathy and interpersonal sensitivity, huge factors in leading in a modern and disruptive supply chain space.
And at Let’s Talk Supply Chain, we are making our Women In Supply Chain™ series more than a call to action; it’s a movement. There’s a growing workforce of Women In Supply Chain™ who see and approach things differently, and have new strategies and flavors of leadership. Our Let’s Talk Supply Chain Women In Supply Chain™ program, blog, and podcast series showcase the importance of greater gender representation. This month’s featured leader is the embodiment of the importance of leading through kindness and empathy.
We are proud to feature Elena Galbally. Elena is a senior robotics engineer at Mytra, building robotics and AI-driven solutions to empower resilient, modular, and reconfigurable material flow and storage. She boasts both a PHD in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. She also graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s in Bioengineering after first attending the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
1. How did your supply chain journey start?
I grew up in Spain and completed my first three years of undergraduate studies in Biomedical Engineering at Universidad Carlos III in Madrid. In my senior year, I studied at the University of Maryland as an exchange student and worked on a new stroke rehabilitation device as part of my capstone project. I also took an assistive robotics class that motivated me to learn more and look for an internship in the field. That’s how I ended up in Pensacola (FL) at IHMC’s (Institute for Human and Machine Cognition) Robot Lab. I recently graduated with a PhD in robotics from the Stanford Robotics Lab and now work as a robotics engineer at Mytra.
2. How have mentors played a role in your growth as a woman in supply chain?
I’ve been lucky to have several informal mentors throughout my journey—colleagues and friends who shared advice and encouragement along the way. Mentors come in all shapes and forms, from any background and gender. Sylvain Bertrand stands out; a controls engineer lead at IHMC. He patiently taught me new concepts and encouraged my curiosity. His unconventional path—from working with a French circus to earning a PhD—reminded me that there’s no single route to success and inspired me to pursue my PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
3. What’s your experience working in a male-dominated industry?
Throughout my education and career, I’ve been a minority, sometimes even working in a lab as the only female scientist of 24 people. It’s easy to have impostor syndrome in a setting like this, but I consistently reminded myself that I earned this opportunity and deserved to be here. Luckily, even as a minority, the communities I’ve entered are always supportive and respectful.
4. When did you find your voice in your career?
There wasn’t a single epiphany, but there have been several moments that gave me clarity and confidence. Getting the call that I’d been accepted to Stanford with a fellowship—after almost not applying—was one. Defending my thesis and finding a workplace like Mytra, where I feel challenged and supported, were others. Participating in a Women in Science coffee talk with a European research agency also stands out. I initially thought, “Why me?” but surprised myself with how much I had to share and how well it was received.
5. What advice do you have for Women In Supply Chain™ and others looking to start a career in the industry?
Explore the industries and topics that spark your interest, even if the path forward feels uncertain. If you follow your passions at first, exploring and maybe even failing, this will lead you to where you are meant to be. This hands-on experience will help build your confidence and connect you with the people who will help shape your career along the way. Not every opportunity has to be perfect, but if you give it your all, it can lead you to the next one.
6. Who do you admire in and outside of the supply chain?
I’d have to say my mom. My upbringing played a huge role in where I am today, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. I played with the same trucks and trains as my three brothers and was encouraged to explore science and technology just like them. Watching my mom balance four kids with a career in academia was incredibly inspiring—her passion for science definitely rubbed off on me.
7. What have you learned on your supply chain journey so far and what’s next?
I’ve learned that what really energizes me are forward-looking R&D projects, cross-functional work, prototyping and communicating new ideas, and finding ways to help people grow and build a positive team culture. I’ve also learned that progress isn’t always linear, and in those moments of doubt, it’s important to believe in your team, your project, and yourself. Keep showing up, and the results may surprise you.
In the future, I hope to continue carving out more time to grow as a mentor, take on new challenges even when I don’t feel entirely ready, and contribute to my team not only through technical work but by staying grounded, kind, and supportive through high-pressure moments.
8. What does this Women In Supply Chain™ feature mean to you?
It’s an honor to be featured among so many talented and driven women. Representation matters, and I hope sharing my story helps others see the many paths into tech and robotics—even ones that aren’t linear or perfectly planned out. The more we highlight diverse voices in this space, the more inclusive and innovative our industry becomes.
Women In Supply Chain™: Empowering Your Journey at Every Career Stage
Whether you’re just starting or leading at the highest levels, our Women In Supply Chain™ membership programs are designed to support you in every career phase. We offer multiple tailored tiers to help you connect, grow, and lead within the supply chain industry.
Women In Supply Chain™ Connections
Build Your Network. Shape Your Future. ($199/year)
Step into a vibrant community where you can share, learn, and grow as a woman in supply chain. Whether you’re just beginning your career or seeking support in your current role, Women In Supply Chain™ Connections provides an essential space to connect, network, and thrive. For $199 a year, you’ll will:
What you’ll experience:
Dynamic virtual discussions on pressing industry topics
Exclusive access to targeted job opportunities through our community board
Meet-ups to build authentic relationships with peers
Bi-annual virtual networking events with industry leaders
A supportive community that champions your growth
Perfect for: Supply chain professionals seeking to expand their network and tap into a supportive community of like-minded women.
Connect, Collaborate, and Grow with Women In Supply Chain™ Connections
Are you a woman navigating the dynamic world of supply chain? Join our vibrant community and gain access to:
Virtual discussions on relevant topics
Community job boards and local meetups
Bi-annual virtual networking events
And much more!
Join today for just $199 a year!
Meet Our Sponsors
The Women In Supply Chain™ Forum was created by Marina Mayer and Jason Desearle to foster real connections—bringing men and women together to network, learn, and build lasting bonds beyond traditional conferences. It’s about strengthening pipelines, creating a community of advocates, mentors, and trusted peers. Similarly, the Women In Supply Chain™ Award was born from a need to recognize female leaders navigating challenges and driving change. Since its inception five years ago, it has grown to nearly 400 submissions, celebrating the achievements of women shaping the future of supply chain. Find out more: Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
About the Author
Naomi Sylvian is a content marketing leader with more than 17 years of experience, and the editor of Let’s Talk Supply Chain™’s Women In Supply Chain™ series. Her works have appeared on Forbes, Mashable, Business Insider, The Muse, and Yahoo, and have been mentioned by The New York Times Online. Naomi mentors at-risk teens to fight recidivism and contribute on a local level, working with the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. Subscribe to her LinkedIn newsletter, The Chain Explained, for all things Supply Chain broken down with as many pop-culture references as possible, or view her marketing portfolio online.
