In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes Lushentha Naidoo, Managing Director of the European Supplier Diversity Program (ESDP), for a candid conversation on purpose-driven leadership and the business value of inclusive procurement. Drawing on a 14-year transformation career at Unilever and a personal journey from apartheid-era South Africa to global operations leadership, Lushentha shares how caring as a leadership “superpower” can fuel innovation, save jobs, and build psychologically safe teams. She explains how supplier diversity isn’t charity. It’s a competitive advantage that increases agility, strengthens resilience, and unlocks fresh thinking when disruption hits. She also breaks down how ESDP bridges corporates and diverse suppliers through a fast-growing database, networking events, and the Inclusive Procurement Academy, teaching pitching, storytelling, and “corporate readiness.” From real success stories (mentorship that kept a founder in the fight) to pragmatic guidance for senior leaders doubling down on DEI, this conversation offers actionable takeaways: define the why, build inclusive cultures, and widen the supplier funnel so the best partner wins.   This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.   Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during…

The energy industry is increasingly leveraging AI to analyze data from drones and sensors to predict future energy failures, reduce downtime and maintenance costs, and even optimize energy production by accurately predicting energy demand. A recent report by McKinsey estimated that AI could potentially enable the energy sector to realize up to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson explore the transformative impact of AI on the energy sector. Discover how AI-driven innovations are enhancing operational efficiency, predicting failures, optimizing energy production, and driving sustainability goals. Learn from industry leaders like Georgia Power and Constellation Energy on their AI journey towards improved operations, safety, and achieving net zero commitments. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of energy.