Finding Meaning and Fulfilment in Building Resilient Supply Chains
Role of PurposeDriven Supply Chain Leadership in a Fragmented World.
Damon Ascolani, Senior Vice President & Global Head of Procurement, Facili es, Travel, Third Party Risk Management, & Corporate Security
Intoday’svolatile,interconnectedglobaleconomy,
supplychainleadershaveemergednotjustas operationalmanagersbutasstrategicarchitects shapingtheresilienceandagilityofmodernbusinesses. Asorganizationsfaceongoingdisruptions—from geopoliticaltensionsandclimatechallengestoevolving consumerdemands—supplychainexecutiveshavenot onlyadapted,butledthechargeinredefininghow companiesrespondandthrive.
At CIO Business World,weareproudtospotlightthe growingconfidenceandinfluenceoftheseleaders.They representabreedofprofessionalswhounderstandthat thesupplychainisnolongerabackendfunction,buta centralpillarofbusinessstrategy,competitive advantage,andcustomersatisfaction.
Recentdevelopmentsacrossindustriesshowthatsupply chainleadersareembracingadvancedtechnologies, real-timeanalytics,andcollaborativeecosystemstostay aheadofthecurve.Frompredictiveforecastingto integratedsuppliernetworks,theyareinvestingin innovationsthatimprovevisibility,mitigaterisks,and drivesustainablepractices.Thesestrategicdecisions, supportedbydataandalignedwithcorporategoals, reflectamaturitythatspeaksvolumesabouttheir foresightandoperationalcommand.
What’sparticularlycommendableisthesatisfaction theseleadersexpressintheirevolvingroles.Goneare thedayswhensupplychaindecisionsweremadein isolation.Today,theysitatthetablewithCIOs,CFOs, andCEOs,offeringinsightsthatimpacteverythingfrom inventoryandlogisticstocustomerexperienceandESG compliance.Theirsatisfactionstemsfrom
influence—anddeservedlyso.Theyarenotonlykeeping goodsmovingandservicesdelivered;theyareenabling digitaltransformation,drivingrevenue,andprotecting brandintegrity
Moreover,themodernsupplychainleaderthrivesin complexity.Theyknowthatadaptabilityisthenew efficiency,andresiliencethenewbenchmarkof performance.Whetherdealingwithsemiconductor shortages,portbacklogs,orshiftingregulatory environments,theymeetchallengeswithstructured agility,oftenturningcrisesintocatalystsforlong-term innovation.
It’salsoworthnotingthattheirleadershipstyleis evolving.Morecollaborative,cross-functional,and people-oriented,today’ssupplychainprofessionals recognizethatit’snotjustaboutsystemsand processes—it’sabouttalent,partnerships,andpurpose. Theyarebuildingmoreinclusiveteams,nurturing supplierrelationships,andaligningoperationswiththe broadervaluesoftheirorganizations.
At CIO Business World,wecelebratethismomentof transitionandtriumph.Supplychainleadersareno longertheunsungheroes—theyarevocal,visionary,and fullyintegratedintothestrategicfabricoftheenterprise. Theirsatisfactionisn’tjustpersonal—it’sprofessional, operational,andorganizational.Andaswelooktoward thefuture,theirrolewillonlycontinuetogrowin influenceandimpact.
Thisissueisatributetotheirleadership,resilience,and satisfactioninshapingthebusinessesoftomorrow We areproudtobringtheirstories,strategies,andsuccesses totheforefront.
From theEditor’s desk
C o v e r
S t o r y
A Visionary Leader Reshaping the Global Procurement Landscape at TransUnion 10
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18 26 Dynamic Supply Chain Leaders: Naviga ng Industry Waves With Innova on
32 Supply Chain Leaders: Making Waves in the Industry
NAVIGATING THE FUTURE: KEY TRENDS RESHAPING SUPPLY CHAINS
A r t i c l e s
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Finding Meaning and Fulfilment in Building Resilient Supply Chains
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The Role of Purpose-Driven Supply Chain Leadership in a Fragmented World
June, 2025
Damon Ascolani, Senior Vice President & Global Head of Procurement, Facili es, Travel, Third Party Risk Management, & Corporate Security TransUnion
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We focused on building a strong founda on by hiring talented individuals who were adaptable and resilient.
Inaworldwhereorganizationsare
continuouslyevolvingtomeetthe demandsofadynamicmarket, someleadersstandoutfortheir unwaveringcommitmenttoexcellence, resilienceinthefaceofdisruption,and foresightinnavigatingcomplex operationalecosystems.Damon Ascolani,theSeniorVicePresident andGlobalHeadofProcurement, Facilities,Travel,ThirdPartyRisk Management,andCorporate SecurityatTransUnion,isonesuch figure.Withacareerthatspansdecades anddisciplines,Damonexemplifiesthe rareblendofstrategicinsight,datadrivendecision-making,andpeoplecentricleadershipthatdefines transformativeimpactintoday'sglobal enterpriseenvironment.
Damon'sjourneytothepinnacleof corporateoperationsleadershipwas anythingbutlinear.Itbeganinthe mid-1990satHouseholdFinance Corporation,wherehestartedasarisk analyst.Hisearlycareerrevolved aroundsourcingvastvolumesofdata fromthirdparties,includingthemajor UScreditbureaus.Ashetransitioned intoariskmanagerrole,Damonbegan tocarveareputationforhimselfas someonewhocouldsynthesize complexdatasetsandtranslatethem intostrategicsourcingdecisions.
TheacquisitionofHouseholdby HSBCmarkedapivotalturningpoint. Withtheintegrationcameheightened regulatoryscrutinyandtheneedfor consolidatedprocurementfunctions. Damonseizedtheopportunitytopivot
hiscareer,steppingintoprocurementin 2006.Overthenextdecade,he climbedtheranks,ultimately overseeingallUSprocurementfor HSBC—aportfoliototaling approximately$6billioninannual spend.Thisperiodalsomarkeda significantpersonalmilestone:while managingenormousprofessional responsibilities,Damonpursuedand completedalawdegreefromthe UniversityofIllinois-Chicago,passing thebarexamin2011.
Hisacademicpursuitwasnotadetour butratherapowerfulcomplementto hisoperationalacumen.Legaltraining sharpenedhisanalyticalthinking, enhancedhiscontractnegotiation skills,andaddedanotherlayerofdepth tohisalreadymultifacetedexpertise.It
alsopreparedhimforthenextbigleap inhiscareer
In2017,DamonjoinedTransUnion,a globalinformationandinsights company,asitsfirstGlobalHeadof Procurement.Atthetime,heinherited asmallteamofUS-basedITsourcing specialists.Butforaleaderwithhis visionandexperience,therolewasa blankcanvas.TransUnion,having recentlygonepublic,offeredaculture ofinnovationandagility—anideal backdropforbuildingsomethingfrom thegroundup.Damonlaidthe foundationforwhatwouldbecomea fully-fledgedglobalprocurement function.By2019,theteamhadmoved underthenewlyestablishedOperations Department,securingaglobalmandate forprocurement.
Thetransformationthatfollowedwas nothingshortofremarkable.Damon ledtheimplementationof TransUnion’sfirst-everprocure-to-pay systemacrossallterritories.Underhis guidance,theorganizationintroduced globalprocurementpolicies, procedures,andpracticesthathave sincebecomebenchmarksfor operationalefficiency Theteam expandedrapidly,growingintoahighperforming,36-membersourcing powerhousespreadacross11countries onfivecontinents.
Damon'sresponsibilitiesdidn’tstopat procurement.In2022,hetookonthe additionalmantleofmanagingglobal facilities,realestate,andtravel.Ayear later,third-partyriskmanagementwas addedtohisportfolio.Andin2024,
corporatesecurityjoinedthefold.The scopeofhisroletodaytouchesnearly everycriticalaspectofoperationalrisk, costmanagement,infrastructure optimization,andglobalcomplianceat TransUnion.
WhatsetsDamonapartisnotjusthis abilitytoscalefunctionsbutthe mindsetwithwhichheleads.Forhim, leadershipisfundamentallyabout empowerment.Inanageofrapid technologicalchangeandevolving workforcedynamics,heremains steadfastinhisbeliefthatprocurement andfacilitiesare,attheircore,people businesses.Hiringtop-tiertalentand removingthebarriersthathindertheir potentialisDamon’sblueprintfor success.It’sanapproachrootedin trust,collaboration,andaccountability
Heisdeeplydata-driven.ForDamon, clean,comprehensivedataisn’tjusta metric—it’sthebedrockofcredibility Inprocurementespecially,wherevalue oftenmanifestsascostavoidanceor strategicgainsratherthandirect savings,theabilitytoreportwith accuracyandclaritybecomesavital asset.Damonemphasizesreportingnot onlyasatoolforinternalalignment butasalevertoinfluenceexecutive decision-making.Histeamsare encouragedtodeliverconcise,databackednarrativesthatsupportstrategy andforecastfutureneeds.
Executivepresenceisanotherkeytrait Damonvalues.Heunderstandsthat effectiveleadershiprequiresmorethan justoperationalknow-how—itrequires theabilitytoinspireconfidence, articulateavision,andbuildalignment acrossseniorstakeholders.Damon activelycultivatesthesequalities withinhisteam,oftenprovidingrising starswithopportunitiestopresentto executiveleadership.Hisgoalisnot onlytodevelopskillsbuttoensurethat everyteammemberfeelsseen,heard, andvaluedatthehighestlevelsofthe organization.
Perhapsthemostdefiningchallengeof hisleadershiptenurecameduringthe COVID-19pandemic.JustasDamon’s teamhadimplementedanewglobal procurementmodel,theworldchanged overnight.Supplychainsbuckled.
Vendorperformancebecameerratic. Securingproductsandservicesturned intoadailyobstaclecourse.But Damon’sexperienceandpoiseunder pressuremadethedifference.He guidedhisteamthroughthe turbulence,balancingshort-term urgencieswithlong-termresilience.
Astheprocurementfunctionstabilized, Damonwasaskedtotakeonabroader challenge:managingTransUnion’s globalrealestateandfacilities portfolio.Atatimewhenorganizations wererethinkingtheveryconceptof officespace,Damonledwithclarity. Hespearheadedadetailedanalysisof underutilizedproperties,renegotiated leases,anddroveconsolidationefforts thatsignificantlyreducedoverhead. Hisembraceofahybridworkmodel furthersupportedemployeesafety, satisfaction,andbusinesscontinuity
Buildinganewdepartmentduringa globalcrisiswhilesupportingarapidly expandingbusinesswasnosmallfeat. Damonfocusedonfoundational strength—hiringresilient,agile individualsandfosteringacultureof opencommunicationandcrossfunctionalcollaboration.Hemadesure thatthegrowingteamremainedin lockstepwithTransUnion’sbroader strategicobjectives,embeddingagility intotheDNAofhisfunction.
ForDamon,technologyisnotjusta
tool—it’sacatalyst.Thefutureof procurement,facilities,andrisk managementliesinautomation,realtimeanalytics,andstreamlined decision-making.Damonseesspeedas thenewcurrencyofbusiness.Today’s associatesexpectrapidresults,and digitaltransformationistheanswer. FromAItoworkflowautomation,he championstoolsthatenhance efficiencywhilefreeinguphisteamto focusonmorestrategicwork.
ButDamonalsooffersawordof caution—withoutclearlydefined problems,eventhemostadvancedAI toolscanbecomeexpensive distractions.Heurgeshispeersand partnerstoavoidthetrapof implementingsolutionsinsearchof problems.Hisapproachispragmatic: evaluateexistingpolicies,questionthe purposeofeveryprocess,and eliminateinefficienciesbefore automatingthem.It’sthisgrounded perspectivethatmakesDamonnotjust atech-forwardleader,butastrategic one.
Thechallengesfacingmodern procurementandrealestatefunctions aremanifold.Fromrisinginflationary pressurestoevolvingsupplier capabilities,fromculturalshiftsto workforceexpectations,organizations mustbebothadaptiveandstrategic. DamonpointsoutthatwhileAI adoptionisincreasing,veryfew
organizationshavetrulymasteredits integration.That’swhyhefocuseson thefundamentals—costreduction, post-contractsuppliermanagement, andearlyengagementwithbudget owners.
Heisastrongadvocatefor procurementhavingaseatatthetable. Whenstakeholdersviewprocurement
asastrategicpartner,notjustanorder taker,theentireorganizationbenefits. Itleadstobetterpurchasedecisions, moreimpactfulnegotiations,and strongersupplierrelationships.Onthe realestatefront,Damoncontinuesto navigatetherippleeffectsofthe pandemic.Herecognizesthat workplacecultureandphysicalspace areintertwined.Hisstrategybalances
flexibilitywithpurpose—supporting bothremoteproductivityandin-person collaboration.
Innovationandcollaborationarenot justbuzzwordsinDamon’s vocabulary—they’reoperational imperatives.Hechallengeshisteamsto questionthestatusquo,rewardsspeed overperfection,andembracesfailure asapathwaytogrowth.Bycreatinga psychologicallysafeenvironment whereexperimentationisencouraged, Damonunlocksthecreativepotential ofhisteams.
Attractingandretainingtoptalentisa constantpriority.Damonbelievesin thepowerofpurpose,andheleverages TransUnion’smission—"Information forgood"—asabeaconfor recruitment.Whenemployeesfeel connectedtoahigherpurpose, engagementsoars.Healsofostersa workplaceculturethatisfun,inclusive, andempowering.Micromanagement hasnoplaceinDamon’sworld. Instead,hecultivatesautonomy, ownership,andtrust.
Hisleadershipphilosophyextendsinto teamdevelopmentaswell.Damon empowershisteamsbyassigninghighimpactprojectsthatexpandtheirskill setsandchallengetheirassumptions. Heencouragescross-functional exposure,especiallythrough presentationstoseniorleaders, allowingteammemberstoshowcase theirworkandbuildexecutive confidence.Theseexperiencesarenot justcareermilestones—they’re confidenceboostersthatreinforcea senseofpurposeandpride.
Toyoungprofessionalsaspiringtolead inprocurement,facilities,orrisk management,Damonofferssage advice.Hebelievestheindustryisripe fordisruptionandreinvention—andit
needstheenergy,perspective,and driveofthenextgeneration.His messageisclear:speaktruthtopower, workhard,andstaygroundedin people-firstvalues.
Heremindsemergingleadersthatthis isstillapeoplebusiness.Relationships matter.Communicationmatters. Whetherit’spickingupthephone insteadofsendinganemailorleaning intohonestconversations,theabilityto connectauthenticallyisahallmarkof leadership.Damonencouragesyoung professionalstoowntheirspace, assumepositiveintent,andbring energyintoeveryroomtheyenter.
Heisalsoachampionofcuriosity Leadersmustbehungryfor knowledge,eagertounderstandthe
details,andwillingtodiveintothe trenches.Damonadvisesfutureleaders todevelopexecutivepresence,seekout speakingopportunities,andalways lookforwaystocontribute meaningfullytoconversationsthat matter
Today,asheoverseesaglobalteam responsibleforsomeofTransUnion’s mostmission-criticalfunctions,Damon Ascolanicontinuestoleadwithclarity, courage,andcompassion.Hisjourney fromriskanalysttoglobalSVPisa testamenttoresilience,lifelong learning,andthepowerofpurposedrivenleadership.Inacorporate landscapedefinedbyconstantchange, Damonremainsasteadyhand—a leaderwhonotonlyadaptstothe futurebutactivelyshapesit.
naworldmarkedbyuncertaintyandrapid Ichange,buildingresilientsupplychainshas becomemorethanabusinessimperative,itis acallingthatoffersdeepmeaningandfulfilment forthosewhoapproachtheworkwiththeirwhole heart.Thejourneytoresilienceisnotjustabout weatheringdisruptions;itisaboutcreatingsystems thatservecommunities,supportemployees,and drivepositivesocietalimpact.Whensupplychain professionalsworkwithpurposeandcommitment, theybecomestewardsoftrust,innovation,and progress.
Modernsupplychainsareevolvingfromprofitcentricoperationstopurpose-drivenenginesof value.AccordingtoaglobalGartnersurvey,85% ofsupplychainleadersbelievethattheprimary priorityofenterprisepurposeistoconnectthe customerthroughproductofferingswhile deliveringapositivesocietalandenvironmental impact.Thisshiftmeansthateverydecisionfrom sourcingmaterialstodeliveringproductscarries theweightofresponsibilityandtheopportunityfor impact.
Purpose-drivensupplychainsrequirevisibleexecutive commitment.Leadersmustembedpurposeintostrategy, decision-making,andmetrics,ensuringauthenticityand buildingtrustamongemployeesandstakeholders.When teamsunderstandthe“why”behindtheirwork,theyare moreengaged,innovative,andresilientinthefaceof challenges.
Resilientsupplychainsarenotaccidental;theyarebuiltby design,tailoredtotheuniqueneedsofeach organization.Thefoundationofresilienceliesinagilitythe abilitytoanticipate,resist,andbouncebackfrom unexpectedevents,whetherit’sanaturaldisaster,a pandemic,orasuddenshiftindemand.Thisagilityis achievedthroughacombinationofstrategies:
• DistributingInventory:Spreadinginventoryacross multiplelocationsreducesriskandensurescontinuity evenifonewarehousefacesdisruption.Thisapproach notonlyspeedsupdeliverybutalsokeepscustomer trustintactduringcrises.
• End-to-EndVisibility:Leveragingtechnologyand datatotrackproductsthroughoutthesupplychain enablesproactiveplanningandquickresponseto disruptions.
• CollaborationandPartnerships:Aligningwith partnerswhoshareyourvaluesamplifiesresilience. Collaborativeecosystemsfosterinnovationandshared value,makingtheentirenetworkstronger
Supplychainrolesareuniquelypositionedtomakea positivedifferenceintheworld.Everyday,supplychain professionalsconnectpeopleensuringessentialgoodsreach thoseinneed,supportinglocaleconomies,andresponding tocriseswithspeedandcompassion.Thesenseof fulfilmentcomesfromknowingthatyourworkmatters,that ittoucheslivesbeyondthebalancesheet.
Theindustry’sevolutiontowardsconsciouslogisticsand holisticmanagementreflectsagrowingrecognitionofthis impact.Leadersnowprioritizecustomerexperience, sustainability,andethicalsourcing,understandingthattrue valueiscreatedwhenpeople,processes,andtechnology workinharmony Thisholisticapproachnotonlyenhances efficiencybutalsodrivessustainablegrowthandcustomer satisfaction.
Buildingresilientsupplychainsdemandsmorethan technicalexpertiseitrequiresheart.Leaderswhoapproach theirworkwithempathyandintegrityinspireteamstogo theextramile.Theyfosterculturesofflexibility,continuous learning,andopencommunication,empoweringemployees tocontributeideasandtakeownershipofoutcomes.
Employeeengagementisvital.Whenpeoplefeelincluded, heard,andvalued,theyaremorelikelytobuyintothe organization’spurposeandgivetheirbesteffort.Purposedrivenculturesarebuiltthroughautonomy,decisionmakingprinciples,andopportunitiesforinnovationand growth.
TheCOVID-19pandemicunderscoredthenecessityof resilience,andthemeaningfoundinovercomingadversity Companiesthatthrivedwerethosethatadaptedquickly, investedintechnology,andreinforcedtheircultural foundations.Theymovedfromsimplytrackingdisruptions toproactiveplanningforthem,combiningdata-driven insightswithhumanjudgmentandintuition.
Thisperiodalsorevealedthatresilienceisnotjustabout bouncingback,it’saboutbouncingforward.It’saboutusing everychallengeasacatalystforimprovement,learning,and deeperconnectiontopurpose.
Atitscore,supplychainworkisservice.Itisaboutmeeting needs,solvingproblems,andmakinglifebetterforothers. Thefulfilmentcomesfromknowingthateveryeffortevery latenight,everycreativesolution,contributestoalarger mission.Whetherit’sensuringalife-savingmedicine reachesaremotevillageorhelpingasmallbusinessscale, theimpactisrealandlasting.
Buildingresilientsupplychainsisajourneythatdemands intellect,adaptability,andmostimportantlyheart.Itisin thiswork,donewithwhole-hearteddedication,that professionalsfindtruemeaningandfulfilment.Byaligning profitwithpurpose,fosteringcollaboration,andserving withempathy,supplychainleadersandteamscancreate systemsthatnotonlywithstanddisruptionbutalsobuilda betterworldforall.
Intheend,resilienceisnotjustabusinessstrategy,itisa testamenttothepowerofworkingwithyourwholeheart.
ntoday’sfragmentedandunpredictableworld,supply
chainleadersfacechallengesthatgofarbeyondcostand efficiency Theriseofpurpose-drivensupplychain leadershipisrevolutionizinghoworganizationscreatevalue, buildtrust,andfosterresilience.Thisnewapproachisn’tjust aboutprofitability,it’saboutaligningoperationswithsocietal, environmental,andethicalgoals,andinspiringteamstowork withtheirwholeheart.Whenyouleadwithpurpose,youset yourselfandyourorganizationonapathwhereyouwill succeed,nomatterhowcomplexthelandscape.
Purpose-drivenleadershipisabouthelpingemployeesfind personalmeaningintheirworkandbuildingavaluealigned,deeplycommittedworkforce.Leaderswho communicateaclearvisionandconnectdailytaskstoa greatermissiondrivehigherengagement,innovation,and resilience.Whenyourteamunderstands why theirwork matters,motivationandperseverancefollowkey ingredientsforovercomingobstaclesandachievinglasting success.
Insupplychains,thispurpose-centricapproachisespecially powerful.AccordingtoGartner,85%ofsupplychain leadersbelievethatthetoppriorityforenterprisepurposes istoconnectthecustomerthroughproductofferingswhile deliveringpositivesocietalandenvironmentalimpact surpassingeveninvestorreturns.Whenyoualignyour goalsandvalues,younotonlyimproveperformancebut alsocreateaculturewhereeveryoneissetuptosucceed.
Afragmentedworldmarkedbygeopoliticalshifts,climate disruptions,andevolvingconsumerdemandsrequires collaborationacrosstheentirevaluechain.Purpose-driven supplychainleadersaremovingbeyondtraditional, transactionalrelationshipstobuildvalue-aligned ecosystems.Inthesenetworks,allparticipantsarepartners, sharingcapabilitiesandvisionformutualbenefit.
Gartnerpredictsthatsuchecosystemswillbethe competitiveedgeofthefuture.Innovationandshared purposewilldrivepartnerships,ensuringthatyour organizationcanadaptandthrive.Leadingcompaniesare alreadyexpandingtheirecosystems,leveraging collaborationtosolvecomplexchallengesanddeliveron theirmissions.Whenyoufosterthesealliances,you multiplyyourchancesforsuccess.
Toensureyoursupplychainispurpose-drivenandsetfor success,focusonthesefiveactions:
• ShowExecutiveCommitment:Integratepurposeinto strategy,decision-making,andmetrics.Authentic, visibleleadershipbuildstrustandcredibility
• EngageinPortfolioManagement:Beproactivein productdevelopment,ensuringpromiseslike sustainabilityaredeliveredandtraceable.
• AlignthePartnerEcosystem:Workwithpartnerswho shareyourpurpose,amplifyinginnovationandvalue acrossthenetwork.
• FosterEmployeeEngagement:Empoweryourteam withopencommunication,autonomy,and opportunitiesforinputcreatingaculturewhere everyonecansucceed.
• BeAccountable:Balanceprofitabilitywithstakeholder interests,usingmetricsthatreflectyourcommitmentto purposeandlong-termsuccess.
DrivingResilienceandInnovation:YourCompetitive Advantage
Purpose-drivensupplychainleadershipisaprovencatalyst forresilienceandinnovation.Whenyourteamisunitedby asharedmission,theybecomemoreagile,creative,and determinedinthefaceofdisruption.Researchshowsa26% increaseinworkforcehealthanda50%boostinemployee engagementwhenorganizationsactonsocialissuesand makeworkpersonallymeaningful.
Apurpose-drivenapproachalsofuelsinnovation. Employeeswhoseetheirworkasmeaningfularemore likelytothinkcreatively,takeresponsiblerisks,and collaborateacrossboundaries.Inaworldwheresupply chainsmustconstantlyadapt,thismindsetensuresyouwill succeednomatterthechallenge.
Inafragmentedworld,purpose-drivensupplychain leadershipisn’tjustastrategy,it’syourNorthStar.By groundingdecisionsandrelationshipsinauthenticpurpose, youunitestakeholders,navigateuncertainty,andcreate sustainablevalueforbusinessandsociety Theresult?A supplychainthatismoreresilient,innovative,andfulfilling foreveryoneinvolved.
Asyoulooktothefuture,rememberwhenyouleadwith purpose,youwillsucceed.Purpose-drivenorganizations turnfragmentationintoopportunity,buildingalegacyof trust,impact,andenduringachievement.Letpurposeguide yourjourneyandwatchassuccessfollows.
