April 22, 2023

"The Role of Data Analytics and Technology in Modern Warfare: A Panel Discussion with Defense and Industry Experts"

Supply Chain and Business Analytics Symposium

Both in the modern battlefield and internal operations, data analysis and technology are critical. To adequately support a wide variety of military activities, including acquisition, combat operations, system development, logistics, and force design, both qualitative and quantitative data analysis along with technologies like AI and IoT are necessary to ensure safety and success.

As the volume of data generated in the digital age continues to grow, so will the role and importance of big data analytics in modern warfare with applications spanning intelligence gathering, predictive maintenance and strategic decision-making to name a few.

Panelists:

Jermon Bafaty, founder and CEO of digital and IT professional services firm Platinum Technologies, will discuss securing the defense industrial base and the leadership lessons learned as an entrepreneur in supply chains and national security technologies. Bafaty is on the front lines of America’s Defense Industrial Base, having worked in government at the Department of Energy on AI and with the Pentagon officials on procurement weapons design, cybersecurity and other mobilization issues. In his current role, Bafaty is strategizing to diversify America’s access and supply of rare earth metals, semiconductors and other advanced machine learning technologies to keep pace with China.

CPT Venkatesh “Anuj” Srinivasan is a military government officer (technologist) with 353 Civil Affairs Command (CACOM) in Staten Island, New York. Before joining the 353 CACOM, CPT Srinivasan was at the Army’s 75th Innovation Command in Houston, Texas, supporting the Autonomy & Robotics Team. In his civilian career, he is a research and development program manager with the U.S. Navy. He leads and manages emerging and disruptive technology programs. CPT Srinivasan’s technical area of expertise is in big-data, predictive data analytics, cloud computing, ai/ml, unmanned systems (sea, air, and land), acoustic data processing and data encryption, and unmanned systems autonomy.

Brandon Smith boasts a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the fields of defense and intelligence in the Army and Special Operations, private business, and software sectors, consistently driving outcomes of national security and business significance. He excels in orchestrating remote and geographically dispersed teams, adeptly navigating asynchronous task management while aligning efforts with overarching team and company objectives. Presently, Smith serves as the guiding force behind advanced technology solutions design at FNA, delivering impactful results to both commercial entities and national security clients on a global scale.

Alexander Boroff  is an active duty Army Major serving as the Battalion Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion 69th Armor Regiment serving as the Framework Nation for Forward Land Forces - Battle Group Poland. An Armor Officer, Boroff has commanded company formations in both the generating and operational force. He has completed tours on both the 3rd Infantry Division Staff, the Joint Staff, and the Army Staff. While on the Army Staff, Boroff worked on improving Army cyber policy.  He commissioned through the United States Military Academy and holds a Master's in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Master's in Policy Management from Georgetown University. His publications include topics such as general organizational leadership in public and private sectors, Army reconnaissance training, and great power competition. He is a former Fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point.

April 4, 2024

"Pharma's Digital Supply Chain Transformation: A Story of Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age"

Evren Ozkaya

Founder and CEO of Supply Chain Wizard, LLC

Evren Ozkaya, founder and CEO of Supply Chain Wizard, LLC, brings us the pharma industry's transformation journey over the last 10 years, driven by traceability and supply chain security regulations for improved patient safety. Case studies, learnings, pitfalls and success stories from his company's experience with over 100 clients in one of the least digitized of all manufacturing industries.

With the backdrop of an industry transformation journey, Ozkaya discussed his own journey of entrepreneurship in the digital age, including personal stories as a road warrior and consultant.

About Our Speaker
Evren Ozkaya, Ph.D. is the founder and CEO of Supply Chain Wizard, LLC, a management consulting and digital solutions firm helping clients establish and execute cost-effective and scalable digital transformation programs via data-driven decision making by leveraging state-of-the-art technologies. As a former consultant at McKinsey & Company and a supply chain executive at Sandoz/Novartis, Ozkaya led various business transformation programs in industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer goods, industrial, logistics and private equity, advising over 100+ companies & organizations. As a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and author in industry journals, Ozkaya covers topics around digital transformation, supply chain traceability, self-driving supply chain and digital factory.

Ozkaya received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology with an award-winning thesis on Demand Management in Global Supply Chains. He was selected to the inaugural list of "40 Under 40" by Georgia Tech Alumni Association in the class of 2020. Ozkaya's academic service activities include being an advisory board member in Rutgers Business School, Georgia Tech Industrial and Systems Engineering, Middlesex County College and Bilkent University, while he is involved in part time teaching in executive education program at INSEAD.

October 31, 2023

"Mitigating Supply Chain Risks in a Global Economy"

Patrick F. Healy

Director of World Wide Strategic Sourcing, Snap-on Tools

Seize this opportunity to garner invaluable expertise from a seasoned industry maven. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades in supply chain management across diverse sectors, Patrick Healy offers a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience. Educated at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and armed with master's degrees from Northwestern University's Kellogg and McCormick Schools, he presently spearheads Worldwide Strategic Sourcing at Snap-on Tools. In his presentation, Healy will dissect complex supply chain challenges — ranging from geo-political uncertainties and currency fluctuations to environmental dilemmas and labor issues. Moreover, he will shed light on Snap-on's pioneering risk-mitigation approaches, notably focusing on Dual Region/Dual Sourcing strategies. The talk will conclude with an interactive Q&A, giving attendees the exclusive chance to engage in meaningful dialogue with our distinguished speaker.

Snap-on Tools is a global leader in providing professional-grade tools, equipment, and diagnostic solutions. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the S&P 500 company generated $4.5 billion in sales in 2022. Their products cater to critical industries like automotive repair, aerospace, and manufacturing, and are distributed through franchisee vans, direct sales and distributors.

November 28, 2023

"Pivoting Government Through Digital Transformation”

Jay Liebowitz, D.Sc.

Former Inaugural Executive-in-Residence for Public Service 
Columbia University

Don't miss this chance to learn from one of the world's top 2% of scientists (according to a 2019 Stanford Study). A seasoned academic and researcher with previous roles at Columbia, Seton Hall, and NASA, among others, Jay Liebowitz is globally recognized as a top-tier expert in knowledge management and analytics. His talk will be based on his recent book Pivoting Government Through Digital Transformation (Taylor & Francis, August 2023) and will focus on how the U.S. federal government can leverage data analytics and build its digital talent pipeline. Amid challenges like the Great Resignation and an aging workforce, Liebowitz will discuss innovative programs and strategies to address talent gaps, relevant not just for the U.S. but for governments globally. The presentation will explore key issues and creative solutions for enhancing government efficiency through digital transformation, culminating in an opportunity for audience engagement during a Q&A session. 

April 25, 2023

"Supply Chain Agility: Insights from Ricola's VP of Supply Chain Operations"

Nicholas Fiori

VP of Supply Chain Operations, Ricola North America

 During this presentation, Nicholas Fiori, VP of Supply Chain Operations at Ricola North America, shared his 35+ years of supply chain experience and insights from working with some of the world's leading companies like Best Foods, Cadbury and Kraft / Mondelez.

In this engaging event, Nicholas provided an over-the-counter (OTC) perspective on how companies like Ricola were able to swiftly adapt from being locked down globally to reopening and meeting customer needs during these unprecedented times. Attendees gained valuable knowledge on the key strategies and execution tactics required for successful supply chain operations and learn from the challenges and successes experienced by a leading industry professional.

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March 28, 2023

"Navigating The Rough Waters of Supply Chain in Today’s World"
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The panel discussed hot topics in supply chain and how companies and service providers are learning to adjust during these uncertain times.  Covering how world events such as the pandemic, wars, political unrest and natural disasters have impacted supply chains, they outlined strategies to mitigate the impact to the bottom line and answered questions from the student audience.

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Lindi Gold

Vice President of Solutions Sales, CargoTrans Inc.

Lindi Gold, vice president of solutions sales at CargoTrans Inc., has been in the global logistics industry for almost a decade. In her role today, Lindi is responsible for uncovering new opportunities through intuitive, unique and tailored global supply chain solutions and providing customers with the tools of advanced analytics, compliance expertise, and international/domestic logistics services to help them manage and grow their businesses. Lindi attributes her success to building long-lasting relationships based on trust with her customers. Lindi graduated with a B.S. from the Robert H. Business School from University of Maryland College Park.

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Jim Headley

President, M & M Quality Solutions

Jim Headley is the president of M & M Quality Solutions, a 3PL that offers warehousing and logistics, as well as supply chain management services to clients. Prior to his work at M & M, Jim was the president of Smart Warehousing and vice president of sales for Mexico at UPS Supply Chain Solutions. He has over 25 years in supply chain experience and specializes in warehousing, international logistics and omni-channel fulfillment.  Jim studied abroad at the University of Costa Rica and has a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Kansas.

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Laura Heyburn

Director of Trade Compliance, Firmenich

Laura Heyburn is the director of trade compliance for Firmenich, a privately held flavor and fragrance company located in Plainsboro, NJ. She has been with Firmenich for 25 years and is responsible for ensuring the company’s compliance with international trade regulations while supporting the company’s strategic objectives and initiatives.  Laura provides onsite compliance training to internal stakeholders as well as managing the company’s Foreign Trade Zone.  In addition to her compliance activities, Laura and her team lead several cost savings initiatives within the company. Laura graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Rutgers University and is a licensed Customs Broker.

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February 21, 2023

"The Beauty of Supply Chain: CPG Supply Chain Management through the Lens of the World's Largest Cosmetics Company"

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Supply Chain used to be a function people fell into when they didn't quite fit anywhere else. Now, companies are beginning to realize its importance and how it can be leveraged as a competitive advantage. This talk takes a macro look into the “How” and “Why” of this evolution through Peyton's experiences at L'Oreal.

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Peyton Elder

Demand Planning Manager, L’Oreal

Peyton Elder grew up in North Carolina before attending Seton Hall University to pursue collegiate soccer and a quality education. He has received several athletic and academic awards while at Seton Hall University.  After graduating in 2018, Peyton began working at L'Oreal and has been there ever since, occupying several different functions within the realm of supply chain. 

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September 21, 2021

"Driving Measurable Business Impact Through Data Science at Scale"

Jeffrey J. Headd, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Commercial Data Sciences, The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

 Successful leverage of data science requires a strategy that balances talent, use case selection, organizational change management, impact measurement, and technology. Through this presentation, attendees learned how Janssen Pharmaceuticals has matured its data science capabilities from early proof of concept projects to a cornerstone capability enabling critical business initiatives. 

 Headd partners with commercial leadership across business functions to identify and tackle critical challenges with novel data-driven solutions. His multidisciplinary team applies expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data integration, and other modern analytical methods to address these challenges and generate measurable business value. Headd holds a Ph.D. in computational biology and bioinformatics from Duke University. In addition to his current position in Janssen, he has also worked in J&J's Medical Devices sector as a member of the R&D Technology Data Sciences team, following his initial J&J role as a data scientist in the Janssen Business Technology Data Sciences team. Prior to joining J&J, he worked in methods development for macromolecular crystallography as a member of the Phenix team at both Duke University and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Headd lives in North Wales, PA, with his partner Lindsay and their cat Echo.

October 21, 2021

"When People Feel Stuck: How to Get People to Use Your Analytical Tools"

Patrick McCreesh, Ph.D.

Managing Partner, Simatree

 Many people struggle to adopt new analytical tools compared to using the experience-based approach they have always used. This session explained why people get Stuck on their old ways and how we can help them change their ways to use new tools and techniques. When we get people to include data-driven tools in their decision-making process, everybody wins! 

Patrick McCreesh, Ph.D., is a visionary in analytics and change management who passionately leads teams to build data-driven cultures. With 20 years of advisory experience, McCreesh successfully leads teams through digital transformations and the development of analytics programs across the public sector and Fortune 500 clients.

McCreesh led the design of the Chief Data Officer role and office for a Fortune 500 professional services organization, where he designed the first five pilot projects that collectively identified more than $15 million in savings during the first year of operations. Additionally, he led the effort to design the Analytics Center of Excellence for the Social Security Administration (SSA), where the team developed a five-year roadmap to build a more data-driven organization for the $1 Trillion Agency. His additional public sector clients include the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and many agencies within the departments. McCreesh was awarded the Innovation in Analytics award from the analytics professional organization, INFORMS for his work with the government agency Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

McCreesh serves as adjunct faculty at Georgetown University and George Mason University Business School. His forthcoming book Stuck (2021) will help people and organization get through their deepest change challenges. Previously, he published the book Workplace Attachment: Managing Beneath the Surface (Routledge, Taylor Francis 2019) and has publications featured on the Washington Business Journal, Bloomberg Government, the International Security Finance Monitor, and Public Manager. McCreesh is also a leader in the global change management community through the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP). He founded and served as the President of ACMP DC before serving on the ACMP Global Board of Directors.

McCreesh graduated from The University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs and History, received his Master of Public Policy from Harvard University, and completed his Doctorate in Public Policy at George Mason University.

He lives in Vienna, VA with his wife, Courtney, and four daughters – Lizzie, Rose, Bridget, and Ginger.

 

November 11, 2021

"The People Part of Analytics (or When Data Isn't Enough)"

Kimya Lee, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Strategic Workforce Planning and Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

 Exploring the intersections among data, analytics, personnel & HR policy. What to do when your data model isn't enough. The discussion focused on the complexities of data analytics, how it affects policymaking, and the importance of storytelling with data.

Kimya Lee, Ph.D., leverages her background in social science research and statistical analysis, as well as more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors to oversee a portfolio that includes key DHS human capital functions, including Data Analytics, Human Capital Strategic Planning, and Human Capital Accountability.

Prior to becoming the Executive Director, she served as OCHCO's Senior Advisor on Strategic Human Capital Research and Evaluation, where she helped to improve organizational effectiveness by developing and utilizing a more rigorous base of information and scientific evidence to guide decisions about programs, policies, implementation, and management. She served as a consultant to OCHCO senior executives on the application of innovative research procedures, analytic tools, and methods of communicating findings.

Before joining OCHCO, Lee was with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) where she established the framework of OPM's Center of Excellence for leveraging data analytics and research to advance evidence-based human capital management. Lee spent 12 years in the private sector at Westat, a statistical research firm, where she was the Senior Study Director focusing on Employee and Workforce Studies.

Lee serves on Seton Hall University's Stillman School of Business, Master of Science in Business Analytics Advisory Board. She also serves on American University’s School of Public Affairs, Key Executive Leadership Programs Advisory Council.

Lee earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Seton Hall University, and her Master of Science and Doctorate in Social Psychology from Howard University.

December 9, 2021 

"Analytics from the CFO's Perspective"

Jeffrey S. Noto, M.S.

SVP and CFO, Global Network and Technology

 Noto discussed analytical applications focused on improving the financial outcomes in a corporate environment, including how improved operational data leads to advancements in financial outcomes - business volume insights, investment analytics, profitability insights, financial forecasting and overall improved financial results.

Jeffrey Noto is responsible for all budgeting, planning, reporting, commercial and capital activities for the Network and IT organization, ensuring the $30B of capital and expense is efficiently and effectively directed to achieving the company’s strategic objectives.

Noto is a Strategic Finance executive with a 30+ year track record of performance in the Telecommunications industry. He has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility, including leading financial organizations in Global Content & Media, Consumer and Business Markets, Wholesale Partner Solutions and International Wireless Operations. He has also led teams focused on financial analytics, and enterprise sales support.

Noto is an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University's Stillman School of Business, and serves on the university’s Masters of Science in Business Analytics Advisory Board. He also serves on the Major Employer Advisory Group of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In addition, he is Treasurer, Executive Committee member, and Board member for the National Children's Alliance (NCA), a not-for-profit supporting child abuse treatment, investigation and prosecution of offenders.

Noto holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from Rutgers University, a Masters in Accounting from Seton Hall University, and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in New Jersey.

September 23, 2020

"How to Get Started in Building Data Fueled Products to Solve Business Problems"

Marc Rind

Vice President, Software Development for Data and Analytics, Fiserv

 Many organizations have started the journey to leveraging data.  They have collected, connected, and cleansed data across their organization. Many talk about building machine learning and AI capabilities… but few succeed in executing on those dreams, fewer are able to justify the investment, and even fewer know how to even get started. Join Marc Rind as he shares his approach and lessons learned in getting organizations and product teams started on their data journey. 

Marc Rind is responsible for leading the Software Development for the Data and Analytics Products provided to Fiserv's Bank Solutions Customers. He is focused on creating business driven analytics, building industry insights which leverages massive data sets and ensuring users have access to the data they need, when they need it most. Rind's innovative approach to research and development around data will drive the insight capabilities for Fiserv and its customers. Previously, Rind was responsible for leading the research and development of Automatic Data Processing's (ADP's) Analytics and Big Data platform as VP of Product Development and Chief Data Scientist. Prior to joining ADP, Rind's innovative spirit and fascination with data was forged at Bolt Media--a dot-com start-up based in NY's "Silicon Alley." The company was an early predecessor to today's social media outlets.  Rind received his master's degree in Business Communications from Emerson College in 1995 with a focused study on industry innovations through technology.

October 21, 2020

"People Data: Corporate, Economic and National Interests"

Jack Berkowitz

Senior Vice President, Product Development, Data Cloud (including Data Science), ADP

 ADP provides human resources, payroll and tax information for millions of people, both in the U.S. and in over 140 countries. One of their key values is to provide a range of information and data analytics capabilities, powered by the latest innovations in Machine Learning and collection methods. Berkowitz will provide an overview on how this information can be used to power a company's Talent Strategy and Competitive Differentiation; provide Market Insights; and help the Nation during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jack Berkowitz leads business and product development for ADP Data Cloud. Data Cloud provides People Analytics, Compensation and HR Benchmarking products to HR departments. In addition, DataCloud partners to use benchmarking data across the industry. The team also builds and operationalizes machine learning applications across ADP's varied HR, Payroll and Time applications around the world.  Right before joining ADP, Berkowitz was the VP of Products and Data Science & Oracle Adaptive Intelligence for Oracle for almost seven years.

December 9, 2020

"An Unconventional Path to Data Science"

Maria Macuare

Vice President, Data and Analytics, Campbell Soup Company

During this presentation, you will learn the combination of factors determining success in a data science profession, the growth from being a single contributor knee-deep in analytics to delivering solutions at scale for a Fortune 500 CPG.

Before serving as the VP of Data and Analytics at the Campbell Soup Company, Maria Macuare  held senior leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, as the North America Data Science Leader, the Latin America Business Intelligence Leader, and the Greater China Business Analysis Leader. Her formal education is from Venezuela, and she has spent more than 17 years in the Analytics field. She also is an obsessive travel planner and crafter.