This award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network.

Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global cold food supply chain, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the only publication covering the entire global supply chain, has named Heidi Wyle, PhD, Founder & CEO of Venti Technologies, a world leader in autonomous vehicle logistics for global supply chain and industrial and logistics yards, as a winner of this year’s Women in Supply Chain Award, which honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network.

“As someone with deep expertise introducing new technologies to the global supply chain, I have seen firsthand the importance of building a world-class team - and identifying and lifting female leaders of the future,” said Dr. Wyle. “This award recognizes Venti’s committed, diverse and highly motivated 16 nation workforce who are accomplishing the real promise of self-driving vehicles. We are increasing efficiency in industrial yards and logistics hubs, reducing transportation costs and prices to consumers, improving workplace safety, and strengthening the resilience of the global supply chain.”

Despite a downturn in the VC funding environment, Wyle led Venti to quickly and successfully closing a $28.8M Series A funding round this year. Venti’s innovative deployments in autonomous logistics have rapidly advanced during the past 12 months, and the company is now operationally deploying a true driverless moderate size fleet by the end of 2023, including exacting production and cost-saving metrics. In addition, Venti is pioneering high-value career paths for drivers in new-tech fields such as on-demand remote operations.

Wyle has served on the Boards of MIT, the Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Boston (HBSAAB) and the Massachusetts Women’s Forum where she was President. She has extensive experience in developing and implementing governance and DEI, having started and chaired Governance Committees and implemented DEI throughout organizations. She is passionate about mentoring women leaders and followed the blueprint of success to bring these processes to Board Governance and recruitment of Board Governors, officers, and members. She also partners with minority leaders in the Supply Chain and women’s groups to support and mentor the next generation of women in the field.

“This year, we received over 400 submissions, the highest number of applications not only for this award, but also for all of our awards. What’s more, 118 of those applications were submitted by male counterparts, nominating their boss, co-worker, or associate. Last year, that figure was just at 75. Also, this year, 39 women self-nominated, a tremendous uptick from last year’s award, which just saw 12 self-nominations. This shows progress. This shows hope that one day, we won’t need an award like this because men and women in the supply chain will be equal,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “While there’s still more work to be done, what we’re doing is working. From truck drivers to CEOs, what these winners are doing matters to the future of all supply chains.”

“Women have been making a significant impact in supply chain management, contributing to the growth and innovation of the supply chain industry. As more women join the supply chain workforce, they bring diverse perspectives that can help address complex supply chain problems and improve global supply chain operations. It is important that we empower, recognize, and elevate these achievements through initiatives like the Women in Supply Chain Award, as seen through the overwhelming response. Congratulations to all the winners, those who nominated others and the bravery of those who nominated themselves,” adds Sarah Barnes-Humphrey, founder of Let’s Talk Supply Chain podcast and Blended Pledge project, both exclusive sponsors of the Women in Supply Chain award.

Go to https://foodl.me/fdx1zi to view the full list of winners. Recipients will be honored at this year’s Women in Supply Chain Forum, set to take place Nov. 14-15, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Go to www.WomenInSupplyChainForum.com to register and learn more.

About Venti Technologies

Venti Technologies is a world leader in autonomous vehicle logistics for industrial yards and logistics hubs: ports, airports, warehouses, and factories. Founded in 2018 by a team with strong MIT roots, the company is pioneering the future of transportation for moving goods. Its highly flexible and industrial-grade precision technology enables rapid deployment and best-in-class safety and operational efficiency for customers. For more information, please visit www.ventitechnologies.com.

About Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive

Food Logistics reaches more than 26,000 supply chain executives in the global food and beverage industries, including executives in the food sector (growers, producers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and grocers) and the logistics section (transportation, warehousing, distribution, software, and technology) who share a mutual interest in the operations and business aspects of the global cold food supply chain. Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the only supply chain publication covering the entire global supply chain, focusing on trucking, warehousing, packaging, procurement, risk management, professional development and more. Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive also operate SCN Summit and Women in Supply Chain Forum. Go to www.FoodLogistics.com and www.SDCExec.com to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230918906553/en/