Leading Transformation in the AI Era: Why Digital Success Starts with People

In a recent conversation, Supply Chain Now’s Scott Luton gained perspective from Sylvia Wilks, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lamb Weston, who shared a powerful point of view on what it takes to lead in today’s increasingly complex, high-stakes supply chain environment. Her journey, from leading transformative initiatives at Starbucks to shaping global operations at Kimberly-Clark and REI, offers a consistent message: Success in supply chain isn’t just about systems or strategy. It’s about people, integration, and clarity of purpose. Wilks’ passion for supply chain was sparked during her time at Starbucks, where she led a bold initiative to insource instant coffee production. What began as a business case evolved into a transformative opportunity. “Seeing the entire chain, from strategy through operations, work seamlessly toward a common goal reinforced how much value organizations unlock when supply chain subfunctions operate collaboratively rather than in silos,” she explained. The idea of breaking down silos to create an integrated value chain has remained a central theme throughout Wilks’ leadership career.   The Power of People and Integration Across organizations of all sizes, Wilks sees a common thread: The challenges may be similar, but outcomes depend on how well teams work together. “My passion…

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton sat down with Josh Cloer, General Manager, North America for Nomagic, to discuss the next phase of warehouse robotics and the growing role of AI-driven automation inside modern fulfillment operations. While transportation costs and economic uncertainty continue to pressure supply chains globally, Cloer sees a major opportunity emerging inside the four walls of the warehouse.   The Next Wave of Warehouse Investment According to Cloer, many organizations spent the last decade investing heavily in core warehouse infrastructure: automated storage systems, shuttles, and tote-moving technologies. Now, the focus is shifting toward connecting and expanding those systems. “What they’re moving forward with now is doing the rest of their warehouse,” Cloer explains. That includes: automated forklifts, robotic picking systems, mobile robots and AI-driven item handling. At the same time, smaller operators that may not have justified large-scale automation investments in the past are increasingly turning to more flexible robotic solutions. This evolution reflects a broader industry trend: warehouse automation is no longer reserved only for massive enterprises. More scalable and adaptable technologies are opening the door for a wider range of operators.   A Different Approach to Robotics One of the most interesting parts of…