Shawntell Kroese On Supply Chain and Thriving through Change
The supply chain has been taken by storm so far this year. Extreme rain and winter weather across both coasts have caused delays or outright cancellations, and a solar storm even paused flights in some areas. Extreme weather is the new normal, and can only accelerate. Weathering the storm takes proactive, strategic approaches that only diversity in thought and representation can provide.
Women bolster supply chains against extreme weather by leveraging unique, localized knowledge of natural resources, serving as first responders in disasters, and driving sustainable, community-based adaptation. Empowering women with resources, training, and decision-making roles increases agricultural yields, ensures more resilient, sustainable sourcing, and drives supply chain agility.
Women are primed to respond to weather disasters, both on-site and behind the scenes. Because they are frequently the primary caregivers in their households, they are often the first responders when disaster strikes, managing community safety and resource scarcity for a faster recovery.
And empowering women to lead is profitable too. Businesses with women on their executive committees earn a return on equity almost 50% higher than those without. Organizations in the top 25% for gender diversity are 27% more likely to outperform the industry average in profitability.
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 highlighted leader is an outspoken advocate for women entering the industry and advancing in their careers.
We’re proud to feature Shawntell Kroese, a transportation executive and managing partner at Russel-Kroese Partners and an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Shawntell has over two decades of logistics experience, a Masters in Business Administration from Creighton University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She serves as an advisory board member for the Great Plains Susan G. Komen chapter.
Meet Our Sponsors
The Women In Supply Chain™ Forum™ was co-created by Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, to bring female logistics professionals 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 and branding yourself, both personally and professionally. 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. Go to https://www.
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.
