Exploring Diversity & Inclusion in STEM and Supply Chain: Why It’s Time to CANCEL THE MANEL (all male panels) and How to Embrace Diversity and Inclusion at Industry (and Virtual) Events
- S1E15
- 27:14
- April 15th 2020
Episode 15 is a provocative and timely topic for supply chain and STEM professionals around the world. As we enter conference season coupled with the transition to virtual events due to COVID19, the on-going persistence of all-male panels must stop. It’s time to cancel the MANEL! As eloquently described by Dr. Francis Collins, the diversity of bright and talented minds <in supply chain and STEM fields> has come a long way and our public engagements need to catch up. Breaking up the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) bias that is preventing women and other groups underrepresented in science from achieving their rightful place in scientific leadership must begin at the top. Creating new norms is a tough and challenging process. We hope this a helpful step to bring awareness to the MANEL and encouraging others to embrace diversity and inclusiveness at events and conferences.
In this episode, you’ll hear why MANELS must STOP, why a level playing field with gender diversity is necessary, why being inclusive isn’t just about “inviting a women on a panel” or better yet “having a women moderate or interview the panel”. We describe changes in the supply chain workforce and population of recent graduates. Ageism and challenging traditional norms is a contentious task, but necessary to shift the status quo. Our hearts are in the right place during this difficult discussion. Women and members of underrepresented communities should also have an opportunity for speaking slots at high-level supply chain, STEM, and academic events and conferences. We urge you to take the panel pledge and draw the line by calling out actors who may unknowingly (or knowingly) participate in this stale and divisive tradition.
To learn more about the MANEL pledge, visit: https://www.owen.org/pledge/
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Sheri Hinish is an award winning executive strategist, board advisor, and global thought leader in supply chain transformation, sustainability, and AI. She is the Founder of Supply Chain Revolution Global and previously led sustainability consulting at EY and IBM. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Economist, and Forbes. Named the number one Global Supply Chain Leader and Top 250 Leaders in Sustainability. She speaks regularly at COP, New York Climate Week, Reuters Events, and Gartner Supply Chain Symposium.
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Keywords: supply chain, sustainability, AI, artificial intelligence, ESG, tariffs, trade policy, procurement, reshoring, nearshoring, circular economy, Scope 3, digital transformation, supply chain management, supply chain technology, supply chain leadership, agentic AI, climate tech, supply chain strategy
Learn more at supplychainqueen.com
My purpose is to make a meaningful impact for the clients, colleagues, partners, and communities I serve. I have spent my career at the intersection of supply chain, sustainability and innovation in large-scale transformation. I’d love to walk with you on your journey.
I'm the Founder and Host of the Supply Chain Revolution podcast. In my day role, I currently serve as the Global Consulting Sustainability Services, Technology + Ecosystems Leader at EY serving across sectors, alliances, sustainability solutions, and digital ventures. I formerly led Sustainability Services + Alliances at IBM with a passion for sustainable supply chain, circularity, and hardening emerging sustainability tech use cases.
Colleagues and clients affectionately call me the nickname “Supply Chain Queen.” I'm recognized as a trusted partner that F500 companies consistently leverage for connected transformation, end-to-end digital supply chain, purpose-driven leadership, and disruptive thinking in embedding sustainability and emerging innovation in transformations.
Recent awards include: Top 250 leaders in Sustainability (2025), Leaders in Excellence, Supply & Demand Chain Executive (2025), Top 100 Women in Sustainability and Supply Chain (2024), Top 50 influencer in Sustainability by Onalytica (2023), 100 Women in 2023 by March8 Magazine, the 2021 #1 Supply Chain Leader by Supply Chain Digital, a 2022, 2021, 2020 & 2019 Supply & Demand Chain Executive "Pro to Know," the "People's Choice 2020 Global Woman in Supply Chain Leader,” and a Corporate Vision Excellence award in 2020.
I’m a Rebel who loves creating, building, and bringing out the best in people, helping to grow high-performance teams. I've made a career in turn-around and scaling high growth opportunities (product, solutions, infrastructure for practice areas and alliances), simplifying the complex, rethinking paradigms for F500 clients, mainly in CPG, Financial Services, Retail, Advanced Manufacturing, Chemicals and Energy.
I am a graduate lecturer in Sustainability at the University of Arkansas and have a Masters from Harvard University with emphasis in Sustainability + Liberal Arts. I hold 2 credentials from Rutgers University with highest distinction (Beta Gamma Sigma), an MS in Supply Chain Management, and a Mini-MBA in Digital Supply Chain. I also have a BS in Business, Supply Chain Management (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Maryland. I hold an IBM Industry Academy Expert designation (in Consumer), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt.
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