Christa Hinkel On How to Rise Up the Supply Chain Ranks
Women In Supply Chain™ leadership are stepping up at a time when constant disruptions have become the new normal. The old playbooks just aren’t cutting it anymore, and these leaders are bringing the fresh thinking and adaptable mindset companies need to keep moving forward. Their different backgrounds and lived experiences are helping teams see problems from new angles, respond faster, and build supply chains that aren’t thrown off course every time the world shifts—which, lately, seems like every week.
At the same time, consumers have never been more tuned in to where their products come from. Social media, nonstop news, and a growing wave of sustainability content mean people are asking tougher questions about sourcing, carbon footprints, and how workers are treated. Women leading supply chain teams are leaning directly into that pressure, championing greater transparency and pushing for responsible sourcing and production practices that meet these rising expectations without slowing businesses down.
They’re not just helping organizations “keep the lights on”—they’re helping them thrive in a landscape where trust and accountability matter more than ever. By prioritizing open communication, embracing innovation, and making values-driven decisions, Women In Supply Chain™ leadership are shaping operations that are both resilient and responsible. Their approach is helping brands stay competitive, earn consumer trust, and build supply chains that are prepared for whatever comes next.
At Let’s Talk Supply Chain, our Women In Supply Chain™ series is more than a call to action; it’s a movement. Because women and their presence in the supply chain are growing—and so is our influence. Our Let’s Talk Supply Chain Women In Supply Chain™ program, blog, and podcast series showcase the importance of greater gender representation. And this month’s highlighted leader continues to pass it on, sharing her experience with women across various networking groups.
This month, we are honored to feature Christa Hinkel, a logistics leader focused on delivering business value through system integrations. Christa is the Chief of Staff for Chain.io, a supply chain management platform. She boasts a decades-long career in logistics, an MBA in International Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University’s Erivan K. Haub School of Business, and a bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of Delaware.
1. How did your supply chain journey start?
Ironically, I’ve spent more than half of my life working in some aspect of logistics and supply chain. From a summer job at a stevedoring firm, college internships at a Port, and the U.S. Export Assistance Center, it definitely sparked some interest in international trade. Coupled with a few great lectures from Political Science professors, I found my path, one that at least sounds glamorous on paper!
I held my first full-time job working in Import Ops at a customs broker, and went on to wear a few other hats in Sales and Solutions, helping manage a supply chain visibility tool. I took a detour for a short time to work at EY embedded on a Fortune 1000 account. But ultimately, found my way back into CS, working at software platform, Chain.io, connecting data across the supply chain, where I now serve as Chief of Staff.
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.
