VIC/TAS President Division Report

What just happened?

The initial event of this year was a noteworthy achievement for the VIC/TAS chapter. It garnered the highest number of attendees for a single occasion and held great significance on the global calendar. On March 8th, we acknowledged the crucial role women play in our society and commemorated their invaluable contributions to social, economic, cultural, and political progress, which have resulted in more equitable conditions.

The VIC/TAS committee presented an impressive lineup of women who have devoted their professional lives to the supply chain and logistics industry. Four accomplished women who have established themselves as leaders in the global supply chain sector were warmly welcomed on stage.

• Laura Hull – Head of Supply Chain at Spectrum Brands

Laurel O’Donnell – General manager of Lineage Logistics in Laverton

• Angela Kranjcic – Associate Director at Accenture

Fleur Walsh – Head of Lead Logistics Oceania Region at A.P. Moller - Maersk

Hosted and moderated by SCLAA’s VIC/TAS committee member Dr. Elsie Hooi, a seasoned supply chain academic and international presenter, brought all the fun and laughter to the stage whilst JLL, venue sponsor provided the one hundred and thirty plus attendees a scenic backdrop of Melbourne’s city skyline from the 40th level of the CBD’s iconic 101 Collins Street building.

Dr. Elsie Hooi, an experienced supply chain academic and global speaker, who is also a member of SCLAA’s VIC/TAS committee, hosted and moderated the event with great enthusiasm and humour. The venue sponsor, JLL, offered the attendees a breathtaking view of Melbourne’s city skyline from the 40th floor of the iconic 101 Collins Street building in the CBD. The event attracted over 130 participants making it VIC/TAS biggest event to date.

The panel discussion captivated a diverse audience of supply chain professionals, including both experienced and emerging individuals. The panelists shared their insightful thoughts and engaged in intellectually stimulating discussions on the progress made by the industry. Although there has been an increase in female leadership in supply chain and logistics, there is still room for improvement in gender diversity across all operational levels of the industry. The panellists emphasised that fostering a more balanced and inclusive environment would lead to more growth, a better culture, and greater innovation.

As an integral part of SCLAA’s annual events calendar, International Women’s Day will continue to inspire and connect professionals in the industry, by recognising and honouring women who are driving positive change. Looking ahead to 2024, we aim to replicate the success of this year’s event by promoting and celebrating the women who are making significant contributions to the sector.

What is happening?

It is rare to find a supply chain professional who cannot identify a mentor that has played a significant role in shaping their career and contributing to their achievements.

Mentoring aspiring professionals in the supply chain industry can have a profound impact on their lives. Supply chain management is a complex and rapidly-evolving field that requires a wide range of skills and expertise. As such, a mentor who can guide and support an aspiring professional can be invaluable in their personal and professional development.

Mentoring helps aspiring professionals build their networks and establish meaningful relationships with others in the industry, providing opportunities for networking and career advancement. Perhaps most importantly, mentoring can have a profound impact on an aspiring professional’s confidence and sense of purpose.

Our 2022 Mentoring program wrapped up in April, and we are excited to launch the 2023 program. At the conclusion of the program, mentors and mentees from the 2022 cohort were recognised and shared their inspirational stories. Interestingly, we noticed a common trend where mentors also benefited greatly from the program, as much as their mentees did. The program has been overwhelmingly popular, and we are now accepting expressions of interest from both mentors and mentees for a limited time. For more details, please visit the SCLAA website.

By sharing knowledge and experience, mentoring can help to shape the next generation of supply chain leaders, while also building meaningful relationships and contributing to the growth and success of the industry as a whole.

What is to come?

Starting from May, there will be a multitude of events happening in VIC/TAS, including educational workshops, webinars, business luncheons, thought leadership sessions, networking breakfast events, and site tours. The topics will cover themes such as sustainability, warehouse automation, continuous improvement, and supply chain technology, among others. Please refer to the events calendar for further information.

In my humble opinion, success in the industry is a combination of the desire to learn, network, gain experience, and share knowledge. Joining SCLAA as a member provides the vehicle to achieve all these, but like any vehicle, it is only effective when in motion and headed towards a destination. I highly encourage an active membership, or even volunteering your enthusiasm to be part of our growing committee that makes all these wonderful events happen. SCLAA is an association driven by passion for the industry, and I am confident that you will experience this at our events.

Theo Pappas VIC/TAS State President

theo.pappas@sclaa.com.au