Exploring Supply Chain Partnerships For Sustainability, Circular Cities, Scaling Circular Economy, and Zero Plastic-Waste Communities  w/ John Holm of Pyxera Global artwork
Supply Chain Revolution

Exploring Supply Chain Partnerships For Sustainability, Circular Cities, Scaling Circular Economy, and Zero Plastic-Waste Communities w/ John Holm of Pyxera Global

  • S1E28
  • 11:04
  • August 1st 2020

Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Building a better world is almost impossible without industry-wide collaboration, cooperation, and consensus. Circularity, like supply chain, is becoming more popular in business discussions. However, we are at an inflection point where there are no good choices in a bad system. It’s powerful because we inadvertently make decisions that are “less bad” rather than designing solutions that proactively solve wicked problems 100 years from NOW. How do we get the public, private, and social sectors to collaborate? How do make the transitions real for marginalized communities and shift the paradigm that circular economy is a siloed “project”? How do we design solutions that fit the world proactively?

"It takes courage to forge a true partnership. It takes compromise. It takes respect for one another’s goals, experiences, knowledge, processes, and approaches. It takes courage, if you are a donor institution or an NGO, to accept that your private sector partner has a goal, even an obligation, to drive business value—that is, to ultimately profit from this work. And that is a valid goal, and should be embraced as part of the partnership.” (Deidre White of Pyxera Global)

Episode 28 is a 3 part series of lightning talks with John Holm from Pyxera Global. In this episode he explores how public, private, and social sector organizations engage to address global challenges to solve the world’s biggest problems, including the low hanging fruit in circular transition. He also describes the circular cities model and zero waste communities (btw he LOVES waste pickers and is a huge advocate)!

As cities embrace the concept of the circular economy by reducing the amount of waste and working to decouple economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, making it real and accessible for consumers becomes critical. We also discuss the lack of recycling infrastructure in the United States and how mayors can help influence circular models. How can we shift business to service contracts versus selling more products? We unpack a few examples and the benefits of using P-a-a-S (product as a service).

Part 2 - Episode 29 explores "Sustainable Development & the SDGs, Have We Failed the Global Development Community with the Wrong Context, Womens Rights and Building an Equitable Society"

Part 3 - Episode 30 explores "How to Frame and Lead the Business Case for Sustainability and Circular Economy, Ocean Plastics & PPE, and the Sea Change in Circular Products in Footwear & Apparel"

Reach out, connect, learn more, and get started...

Find John Holm, Pxyera Global at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnholm/ & https://www.pyxeraglobal.org/

Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/

Supply Chain Revolution

The Supply Chain Revolution Podcast is where global leaders in sustainability, AI, and supply chain reimagine the future of business. Hosted by Sheri Hinish, the Supply Chain Queen, this award-winning show explores bold ideas at the intersection of supply chain, circular economy, innovation, technology, ESG, and leadership.

Each episode features candid conversations with C-suite executives, investors, academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs who are shaping how organizations create value in a rapidly changing world. From decarbonization and digital transformation to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we unpack strategies that accelerate progress and challenge the status quo.

Listeners gain:

  • Actionable insights on AI, data, blockchain, robotics, and sustainable finance
  • Big ideas in circularity, climate tech, and responsible compute
  • Inspiration from stories of leaders driving transformation across industries

The Supply Chain Revolution podcast host has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, The Economist, and ESG Today, and recognized as a Top 100 Leadership Podcast. It is the go-to resource for professionals and change makers looking to stay ahead of the curve, strengthen leadership, and shape a more sustainable future.

Sheri Hinish, known globally as the Supply Chain Queen, is an executive strategist, board advisor, and award-winning sustainability leader. She has been named among the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain, a multi-year “Pro to Know”, and one of the Top 250 Global Leaders in Sustainability.

Join the revolution—because supply chains can save the planet, save lives, and build a better world.

Learn more at www.supplychainqueen.com

Keywords: supply chain podcast, sustainability podcast, circular economy, climate tech, AI, ESG, innovation, leadership, digital transformation, diversity and inclusion

Sheri Hinish avatar
Sheri Hinish
Host, Founder

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.

Views are my own under trademark

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