Sheri Hinish loves highlighting sustainable innovation, insights that challenge conventional thinking, and diverse people across global supply chains who are underrepresented in STEM and supply chains. She hosts a top podcast called the Supply Chain Revolution, exploring how we can use circularity, sustainability, inclusive leadership, and technology to design a better world. Companies featured include Microsoft, SAP.iO, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Pyxera Global, Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil, Rheaply, Infor, IBM, Starbucks, and many more.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’ leaders and Sheri Hinish:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
I am someone who is incredibly driven by purpose in all that I do. My purpose is simply to make a meaningful impact on the clients, colleagues, partners, and communities I serve. I help customers design and build supply chains of the future that empower the human experience, strategically champion stewardship, and create change that is impactful, equitable, responsible, and profitable. When I am not working, I am… spending time with my 3 kids and husband, walking outdoors, gardening, and cooking.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started or joined the company?
Colleagues and clients affectionately call me the nickname “Supply Chain Queen.” I’m recognized as a trusted advisor that companies consistently leverage for strategy and a unique point of view in supply chain, sustainability & the SDGs, talent + organizational change management, diversity as a business imperative, and strategy in digital transformations.
I have spent over 17 years leading and influencing transformations as a practitioner and consultant for Fortune 500 clients in consumer, technology, industrial, and disruptive innovation in e2e processes and product design.
I am a rebel and an eternal student who loves to bring out the best in people. I’ve made a career of simplifying the complex, rethinking supply chain strategy and customer experience. I host a top podcast that evangelizes the future of supply chains called the “Supply Chain Revolution.” My vision is to change the world through shared purpose, sustainable supply chains, circularity, and building technology grounded in the principles of sustainable development.
Before joining IBM, I served as a sustainability and supply chain leader for a number of global brands. I also founded Supply Chain Revolution, a podcast that shares stories of purpose and sustainable transformation, innovation, and provocative points of view that challenge paradigms for progress.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI services and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries with insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in their industries.
Earlier this year, IBM Consulting officially launched our Sustainability Services offering. Our team of leaders and consultants work with businesses to develop sustainability roadmaps that go beyond compliance to meet board and consumer expectations; implement a holistic, responsible computing platform based on cloud and AI; and operationalize sustainability by incorporating data and automation into daily workflows.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
My work ethic, determination, and passion for work have all led to my success. I think it’s also my love of learning and ability to challenge traditional paradigms of work that set me apart from others and is one way that I’ve achieved success.
I truly value my relationships—in particular, my relationships with my family, friends, team and peers in sustainability and supply chain. My relationships bring me joy, they keep me informed and they help me get a better view of what the latest challenges and best practices are that we can implement on our journey to become more sustainable.
Which are the major services of the company and how do they the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
IBM Consulting Sustainability Services guides clients from strategy to execution to become a sustainable enterprise. IBM helps embed sustainability into an organization’s operations and culture across transparent supply chains, ESG reporting and finance, responsible computing and green IT, decarbonization and clean energy transition, climate risk assessment and adaptation, and most importantly, putting the human experience and planetary health at the center of transformative change.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Innovation is at the core of what I do each day. I surround myself with a team of diverse thinkers who are passionate about sustainability and how IBM Consulting can help companies drive meaningful change while not losing sight of achieving their business goals.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
I really think that it depends on the organization. I believe that individual heroics are not the key to long-term success. You need to have an engaged team and a clear vision, along with processes in place that can help you achieve success as a unit rather than a singular person.
What are your responsibilities as the Founder/CEO of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
I currently lead sustainability services and alliances globally for IBM. My job is to serve and deliver differentiated value and impact for our clients with a breadth of offerings, strategic alliances, research, world-class talent, and ethical innovation to build a responsible, equitable, and circular world. The happiest part of my daily routine is waking each morning knowing I am doing exactly what I was put on this earth to do!
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Never stop learning. Being a leader doesn’t mean always having all of the answers. A great leader listens to their team and learns from them, regardless of how junior or senior they may be.
