It’s no secret that supply chain is a traditionally male-dominated field. In general, STEM disciplines have less female representation than male professionals in these fields. However, the supply chain industry has experienced a phase of disruption in recent years; a disruption that is driving change for women in supply chain.
Smeal College of Business has a tradition of supporting future female leaders in supply chain logistics and management. Fervently inspired by the female faculty and industry leaders, early to mid-career professionals and students alike seek to break through very real barriers, collaborate to share resources, and lead the way for others to find their voice too.
CSCR® is pleased excited introduce Women in Supply Chain, a web-based initiative designed to provide a platform for elevating the voices of women in the supply chain industry. This initiative seeks to provide a collective of knowledge, advice, and stories that support women in supply chain, no matter where they happen to be in their professional journeys. The center hopes to take small steps toward bridging the gender gap within the industry by sharing these narratives and igniting interest for engaging women in the profession of supply chain.
The website offers a variety of features on women CSCR has been lucky to know, ranging from podcasts to feature stories to video interviews— each represented by corresponding categories: “Hear Their Voices,” “Read Their Words,” and “Watch Their Stories.”
Each feature addresses numerous barriers to entry some of these women have faced. The interviews outline why they chose supply chain, resources they used, and advice for future women entering the field.
The site is rife with poignant storytelling, depicting experiences of each female leader interviewed. Authentic and real, these women are forging a path for change. And while change can seem intangible at times, the impact of this collective can be seen right here at Smeal.
Dr. Hui Zhao, associate professor and the Robert G. and Caroline Schwartz Fellow within the Smeal Supply Chain and Information Systems Department, recently opened up about the balancing act women face in society as both mother and professional.
“I had to reassure— I had to convince myself I am smart enough, that I’m good enough,” she said in her video interview, echoing similar sentiments from several others.
One of the first interviews conducted featured Paula Natoli, Director of Global Supply Chain, Logistics, and Transportation at Google Cloud. Natoli also serves on the CSCR Advisory board, helping the center to remain at the forefront of the supply chain discipline.
Natoli shared what it felt like to sit in forum her freshman year and come to the realization that supply chain is where she belonged. She talked about how being a woman in supply chain has shaped her life for the better.
“The world of supply chain is the foundational underpinning of how everything operates in the world,” Natoli remarked about why the field gave her new purpose.
https://youtu.be/xTCfcSkWQUA
The Women in Supply Chain collective identifies a vital gap in storytelling within the industry. As more narratives and perspectives are added to the site, the initiative will continue to serve as a resource for those seeking solidarity.
“This site is more than just an online hub of content,” explained Laura Zaks, website facilitator. “This is a place where women in supply chain can feel emotionally safe, emotionally heard and therefore professionally empowered.”
For those interested in sharing their story, please contact Laura Zaks at lmz51856@psu.edu for more details.