2024 Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Mobile Robots and Drones
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Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the accomplishments of women across nations, cultures and time. And that doesn’t mean limiting ourselves to the past or even the recent past; history is a thing that continues to be made, and every contribution towards progress should be recognized and celebrated.
Through a series of LinkedIn posts, we’ve taken the opportunity to feature women who have made an impact on the supply chain and retail industries. Below is a brief overview of each woman we spotlighted this year, and we encourage you to look at their careers and successes (and maybe follow them, too).
Senior Director, Solutions Design North America at DHL Supply Chain
Meredith found her passion for the industry while completing her MBA program and turned it into a star-studded career at one of the largest logistics companies in the world. Today, her team, the Solutions Design Global Automation Focus Group, supports 350 DHL Supply Chain solution designers across the globe with research, development, training and standardization across many innovative technologies, including robotic automation.
“Inspire Inclusion means enabling and promoting women of diverse backgrounds, allowing them to contribute their unique ideas and experiences in the workplace.”
Managing Partner at RSR Research
Paula was born into a family of retailers, and she carried on the legacy by beginning as a project manager and working up to starting her own company. An IT and programming specialist, she was the first person to successfully implement merchandise planning in the US.
Her message to others is to “find a coalition of the willing and do great things.” She is a firm believer that people should work for emerging retailers at least once in their careers to learn more about the industry.
“I like to think there’s no one thing that I’m proud of, I’m just proud to have become successful and give something back to the industry that nurtured me.”
Supply Chain Technology Fellow at Deloitte
Wanda began her career in finance and accounting but quickly moved into the warehouse space after working on a WMS implementation project. Since then, she has spent over 20 years helping both businesses and nonprofits find better ways to organize their warehouses with technology.
During the pandemic, she even helped a nonprofit streamline its warehouse so that it could provide clothes, food, books, and beds to children in need. The supply chain is ultimately made to support people, and Wanda fully understands that.
“We, as women, must first inspire ourselves to be heard, respected, and empowered. We must influence change and drive decision making.”
Head of Strategic Innovations at InDro Robotics
Stacey has worked in the supply chain industry for over 15 years, and she has witnessed a notable shift towards the inclusion of more women in the workplace, especially in director and executive roles.
Above all, Stacey stresses the importance of mentors and colleagues in increasing diversity in the workplace. When it comes to breaking down preconceived notions about roles and industries, Stacey says that it’s critical to “recognize the transferable skills individuals have and encourage each other to push beyond” what they’re currently doing into what they are capable of.
“I am a believer that it often takes someone further down the line to help you see the capabilities and opportunities within you. We each have a responsibility to help our colleagues identify the unique strengths they bring and how they empower them to manage unfamiliar ground.”