Federico Gomez

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton sat down with Christine Barnhart, Head of Industry Engagement & Alliances at Miebach. She is known by many across industry as “The Supply Chain Whisperer.” Their conversation covered everything from AI and supply chain maturity to workforce evolution and the importance of practical execution. Through it all, Barnhart offered a grounded perspective shaped by years of operational leadership and transformation work. And if there’s one central takeaway from the discussion, it’s this: the companies that succeed won’t be the ones chasing hype. But they WILL be the ones building resilient, executable supply chains.   There Is No “Normal” Anymore Supply chain leaders have spent years navigating disruption, but Barnhart believes the industry has finally reached an important realization. “People have finally come to this conclusion that there is no such thing as normal anymore,” she explains. That mindset shift is changing how organizations think about planning, investment, and agility. Network design exercises that once happened every three to five years are now being revisited continuously. Companies are investing in tools that shorten decision cycles and improve responsiveness in near real time. The old approach that focused on “design once, optimize later” – –…

Written by Karin Bursa, Founder and CEO of NIRAKIO and Supply Chain Now Host If you know me, you know I’m a supply chain nerd. I love talking about it, thinking about what’s next, and sharing success stories to inspire others who may feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. So, when I stepped into the moderator’s chair for our recent Supply Chain Now livestream, I knew we were in for a powerful conversation. Five extraordinary women — each leading global supply chains at some of the world’s most iconic brands — came together to share how they are navigating disruption, embracing innovation, and shaping the future of supply chain leadership. As a fellow Woman in Supply Chain for over 30 years, I had to resist acting like a true ‘Fan Girl’ — I could have talked with them for hours. The world we live in is the “Never Normal.” Volatility is constant. Technology is advancing faster than our operating models. Yet, what struck me most during our panel was the optimism and resilience each leader displayed. These women are proof that even in the face of complexity, supply chains can be transformed into engines of business growth, agility, and…