Logistics With Purpose® I Building Better Supply Chains

What if the future of ocean freight depended on a technology that once ruled the seas?For Michael Fernandez-Ferri, Managing Director of VELA, the answer lies in bringing wind-powered shipping back, not as a step into the past, but as a new approach to modern maritime transport. In this conversation with Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter, Michael explains how VELA is rethinking transatlantic freight by combining the power of wind with modern vessel design, ocean-racing technology, and advanced weather forecasting.The idea began with a simple question: could there be a better way to move goods across the Atlantic than relying entirely on air or conventional sea freight? VELA set out to develop a solution that could offer an alternative for shippers looking for reliable, efficient, and lower-emission transportation. Its wind-powered cargo vessel uses a trimaran design, drawing on innovations from competitive ocean racing, while sophisticated weather-routing systems help plan routes and forecast arrival times.Michael shares how this approach is changing common assumptions about sailing transportation, particularly around speed, reliability and commercial viability. He also explains why VELA's smaller vessel can access secondary ports, avoid some of the congestion at major terminals, and offer a different approach to moving specialized cargo, including pharmaceuticals and temperature-sensitive products.Michael also reflects on building a company from a blank sheet, bringing together expertise from different industries, staying close to customer needs, and knowing when to focus on proving a business model before pursuing new opportunities. Looking ahead, he shares what it will take to scale wind-powered shipping, from shipper commitment and investment to partnerships that could bring the model to other routes around the world.In this episode, you'll learn:• How modern ocean-racing technology and weather forecasting are making wind-powered cargo shipping possible• Why wind-powered shipping can offer a different approach to transatlantic freight, port congestion and specialized cargo• Why cost, lead times and transportation quality can make sustainability commercially viable• What it takes to build an innovative business by starting with customer needs rather than technology alone• Why collaboration, shipper commitment and investment are essential to scaling lower-emission maritime transportAdditional Links & Resources:Know more about VELA: https://vela-transport.com/Follow VELA on social media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vela-transport/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vela_sailforgoodsSubscribe to Logistics With Purpose®:https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenPowered by Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter.Subscribe for more conversations about supply chains, logistics, leadership, innovation, and the people finding new ways to create meaningful impact.#LogisticsWithPurpose #VELA #WindPoweredShipping #SustainableShipping #OceanFreight #MaritimeInnovation #SupplyChainInnovation #Decarbonization

What happens when a system works on paper but still fails to reach the people it is meant to serve?For Quinten Sims, Deputy Logistics Director at Black Voters Matter Fund, the answer starts with listening, building trust, and understanding the communities. In this conversation with Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter, Quinten explores how lessons from grassroots organizing can reshape the way businesses think about logistics, supply chains, and community engagement.A central idea emerges from the conversation: “That last mile should be your first mile.” Quinten challenges traditional, one-size-fits-all approaches to reaching communities, explaining why solutions designed in corporate offices can miss local realities. Sometimes, communities described as hard to reach have simply been overlooked. Reaching them requires more than an efficient system. It takes trusted local relationships, consistency, and a willingness to listen before offering solutions.Quinten also shares how Black Voters Matter Fund works with grassroots partners across the country, allowing local communities to shape the issues and priorities that matter to them. He discusses Grassroots and Grills, an initiative that creates space for important political conversations in familiar community settings, and explains how local businesses play a meaningful role in the organization’s work.The conversation goes beyond voter access to explore the operational realities of logistics, the importance of prioritization, and the value of investing in people first. Quinten explains why supporting local suppliers can create opportunities that extend beyond a single transaction, strengthening businesses, relationships, and communities over time.His perspective offers an important lesson for supply chain leaders: reaching people is not just about delivering something to a destination. It is about understanding who is there, earning their trust, and building solutions that work for them.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why the last mile should be the first consideration when serving overlooked communities• How local knowledge and trusted messengers can outperform one-size-fits-all systems• What Grassroots and Grills teaches us about community engagement and accessibility• Why investing in local businesses can create lasting value across supply chains• How consistency, relationship building, and investing in people can strengthen community impactAdditional Links & Resources:Black Voters Matter Fund: https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/Follow Black Voters Matter Fund on social media:https://www.instagram.com/blackvotersmtr/https://www.facebook.com/BlackVotersMtr/https://x.com/BlackVotersMtrEleven86 Real Artesian Water: https://www.eleven86water.com/Detroit People’s Food Co-op: https://detroitpeoplesfoodcoop.com/Subscribe to Logistics With Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenPowered by Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter.Subscribe for more conversations about supply chains, logistics, leadership, and the people finding practical ways to create meaningful impact in their communities.

Building healthier communities takes more than healthcare alone. It starts with understanding the people being served, the realities they face, and the cultural knowledge that already exists within the community.Dr. Crystal Lee, CEO and Founder of United Natives, joins Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter for a conversation about Indigenous health, community resilience, and innovation. From growing up on the Navajo Nation to becoming one of the nation's leading voices in Indigenous health equity, Dr. Lee shares how her experiences, culture, and commitment to service have shaped her life's work.Together, they explore how Indigenous wisdom and modern technology can work hand in hand to address health disparities and create opportunities for future generations. Dr. Lee also shares the story behind United Natives, which began as a $100 mentorship initiative and evolved into a national organization serving Indigenous communities through health services, youth leadership, emergency response, and more.The conversation also dives into the upcoming United Natives Health App, a digital ecosystem designed to improve access to healthcare, education, community resources, and support for missing and murdered Indigenous relatives. Dr. Lee also shares her broader vision for creating opportunities for future generations, including why sports remain a powerful pathway to education and long-term success for Indigenous youth.Dr. Lee's perspective is a reminder that lasting change starts with listening, building trust, and recognizing that the decisions we make today can shape communities for generations.In this episode, you'll learn:• The story behind United Natives and its national impact• Lessons learned from leading COVID-19 response efforts in Indigenous communities• Why interconnectedness is a powerful leadership principle• How sports can create educational and professional opportunities• What CEOs and organizations can learn from Indigenous leadership perspectivesAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Dr. Crystal Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-crystal-lee-703940101/Learn more about United Natives: https://www.unitednatives.orgConnect with United Natives on social media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/united-nativeshttps://www.facebook.com/unitednatives.org/https://www.instagram.com/united_nativesincLearn more about Logistics with Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenPowered by Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Subscribe for more conversations exploring supply chains, sustainability, humanitarian impact, and the people creating positive change around the world.This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter.#LogisticsWithPurpose #IndigenousLeadership #HealthEquity #CommunityImpact #UnitedNatives #HealthcareInnovation #SupplyChainLeadership #TechnologyForGood #SportsLeadership

What separates companies that thrive for decades from those that struggle to sustain success? According to Daryl Brewster, the answer often comes down to leadership, employee engagement, and a clear understanding of who the business serves.As CEO of CECP (Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose), Daryl works with hundreds of the world's largest companies to help executives create long-term value for employees, customers, communities, and shareholders. Throughout his career, he has seen firsthand how organizations achieve stronger performance when people understand the impact of their work and how it contributes to something bigger than themselves.In this episode of Logistics With Purpose®, host Enrique Alvarez sits down with Daryl Brewster for a conversation about leadership, employee engagement, business performance, stakeholder value, and the future of work.Daryl shares lessons from his leadership journey and explains why engaged employees often become the foundation for stronger customer experiences, how leaders can build trust during periods of uncertainty, and why long-term value creation requires looking beyond short-term results.The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence, technological disruption, and evolving workforce expectations are changing the way organizations operate. Daryl addresses what leaders need to do to remain effective in a rapidly changing business environment and why human connection continues to be a critical competitive advantage.Whether you're leading a global enterprise, managing a supply chain team, or navigating business transformation, this conversation provides practical lessons on creating lasting value in an increasingly complex world.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about CECP: https://cecp.co/Connect with Daryl Brewster on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darylbrewsterCECP data and resources: https://cecp.org/data-resources/Learn more about Mana Nutrition: https://mananutrition.org/Learn more about Logistics With Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/Subscribe to Logistics With Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez.

Across Asia, a growing number of businesses are challenging the idea that success should be measured by profit alone.Brian Selby, CEO of B Lab Singapore, and Sally Wren, Founder of Diversability Lab and Director of the B Community at B Corps China, are helping organizations rethink the role business can play in society. Through the B Corp movement, they are working with companies that seek to create value not only for shareholders, but also for employees, communities, customers, and the environment.In this episode of Logistics With Purpose®, host Enrique Alvarez and special host Nuria Sierra sit down with Brian Selby and Sally Wren for a conversation about how B Corps are redefining success in business, why purpose and profit can go hand in hand, and what it takes to build organizations that create lasting value for people, communities, and the planet.Brian and Sally share how the B Corp community is evolving across Singapore, China, and the broader region, why stakeholder-focused leadership is gaining momentum, and how purpose-driven businesses are building resilience in a rapidly changing world. Their insights challenge traditional assumptions about growth, performance, and long-term value creation.The conversation also explores the influence supply chains and logistics networks have on sustainability, inclusion, employee wellbeing, and environmental stewardship. From reducing waste to strengthening communities, business decisions made every day can create impacts that extend far beyond the bottom line.At its core, this is a conversation about leadership, responsibility, and the future of business.Explore this conversation through the lens of purpose-driven logistics, where business, people, partnership, and positive impact come together.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Logistics With Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/Subscribe to Logistics With Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Learn more about B Lab Singapore: https://www.blab.sg/Learn more about B Corps China: https://bcorporation.cn/Connect with Brian Selby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-selby/Connect with Sally Ren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-ren-she-her-hers-6a9256188/This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Nuria Sierra.

Delivering an appliance every ten seconds requires far more than an efficient supply chain. It takes thousands of people making decisions every day, staying connected to customers, and adapting to constant change. In this episode of Logistics With Purpose®, Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Marcia Brey, Vice President of Logistics at GE Appliances, for a conversation about the intersection of supply chain, leadership, innovation, and purpose.Marcia Brey, Vice President of Logistics at GE Appliances, has spent more than three decades leading teams through the complexities of manufacturing, distribution, customer delivery, and supply chain operations. Her approach is grounded in a simple idea: the closer an organization stays to its customers, employees, and communities, the better it can serve them.Marcia shares how GE Appliances' "Zero Distance" philosophy shapes the way teams operate, empowering frontline employees to solve problems, improve customer outcomes, and build resilience in an increasingly complex environment. She also discusses the importance of communication, trust, and execution in creating a culture where operational excellence becomes part of everyday decision-making.The conversation extends beyond business performance to the role logistics can play in supporting communities. Through partnerships such as GE Appliances' work with the American Red Cross, Marcia highlights how supply chain capabilities can help deliver critical support when it is needed most.From leadership and customer experience to resilience and community impact, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what it takes to build organizations that put people at the center of every decision.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Logistics With Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/Subscribe to Logistics With Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Learn more about GE Appliances: https://www.geappliancesco.com/Connect with Marcia Brey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-brey-1511451aThis episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter.

What happens when perfectly usable products become excess inventory?For businesses, surplus goods often mean rising costs, wasted resources, and sustainability challenges. But what if that inventory could create value instead of waste?In this episode of Logistics With Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and special co-host Nathan Chaney sit down with Abby Nawrocki, Founder and CEO of Stock, to explore how excess inventory can become an opportunity for social impact instead of ending up in landfills.Abby Nawrocki is helping companies rethink what happens to abandoned freight, overstocked products, and customer returns. By connecting excess inventory with nonprofit organizations, Stock helps brands and logistics providers reduce waste, support communities, and create measurable impact.Abby shares how technology, data, and stronger partnerships can transform inventory management while helping organizations align business objectives with sustainability goals. The conversation explores why excess inventory remains a persistent supply chain challenge and how purposeful decision-making can turn an operational burden into an opportunity for positive change.From reducing waste and improving efficiency to strengthening community impact, this conversation offers a different perspective on the role logistics can play beyond simply moving goods.Explore this conversation through the lens of purpose-driven logistics, where business, people, partnership, and positive impact come together.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Logistics With Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/Subscribe to Logistics With Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Learn more about Stock: https://www.stockitbetter.com/Connect with Abby Nawrocki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-nawrocki-6322015a/This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and special co-host Nathan Chaney.

Can businesses help solve one of the world's biggest environmental challenges?In this episode of Logistics with Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Jesse Langley, CEO of Lotus Sustainables, to explore how innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and supply chain collaboration are reducing our dependence on single-use plastic bags.Jesse shares his remarkable journey from serving in the U.S. Navy to leading a global sustainability company that has already diverted more than 6.5 billion plastic bags from landfills. Together, they discuss why changing consumer behavior is so difficult, the role legislation plays in accelerating sustainability, and how businesses can create products that are better for both people and the planet.The conversation also explores leadership during uncertainty, the power of B Corps and Conscious Capitalism, sustainable innovation, resilient supply chains, and why solving environmental problems starts with building better partnerships.Whether you're a supply chain professional, sustainability leader, entrepreneur, or simply passionate about creating positive impact, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring ideas for building a better future.In this episode you'll learn:Why legislation may be the biggest driver of reducing single-use plasticsHow Lotus Sustainables has diverted over 6.5 billion plastic bags from landfillsWhat purpose-driven leadership looks like during uncertain timesWhy innovation should focus on solving real customer problemsHow B Corps and stakeholder-focused businesses create lasting impactLessons from military leadership that translate into business successWhy Europe is leading the way in sustainability and what others can learnAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-langley/Learn more about Lotus Sustainables: https://lotus-sustainables.com/Learn more about Logistics with Purpose®: https://supplychainnow.com/brands/logistics-with-purpose/Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comThis episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter. For addtional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/how-why-retailers-replacing-billions-plastic-bags-lwp161

In this powerful episode of Logistics with Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too Movement and Chief Vision Officer of Me Too International, for an essential conversation about leadership, workplace culture, empathy, and creating safer organizations.While the Me Too Movement is often associated with social change, Tarana explains why conversations about sexual and gender-based violence belong in every industry—including logistics and supply chain. She shares how organizational culture, leadership, transparency, and accountability directly impact employee wellbeing, trust, and business performance.From the origins of the Me Too Movement to practical advice for executives, HR leaders, managers, and coworkers, this discussion challenges leaders to build workplaces where people feel seen, heard, valued, and safe.If you're passionate about leadership, organizational culture, employee engagement, or creating workplaces where everyone can thrive, this episode is one you won't want to miss.In this episode you'll learn:Why psychological safety is essential for high-performing organizationsHow silence becomes normalized in workplace cultureThe leadership behaviors that create trust and accountabilityWhy empathy is a competitive advantage—not a weaknessHow peers, managers, and executives all play a role in preventing harmful workplace culturesWhy Tarana Burke believes sexual and gender-based violence is a community problem that requires a community responsePractical steps leaders can take today to create safer, healthier workplacesAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Tarana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taranajburke/Learn more about me too. International: https://metoomvmt.org/Learn more about Logistics with Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter.View Transcript

In this classic episode of Logistics with Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter welcome former US Women's soccer team goalkeeper Hope Solo to the show! Hope discusses her career, her advocacy for women's rights and gender equality, and her involvement with the Homeless World Cup.Listen in as she shares her journey from a young girl with a passion for soccer to becoming one of the world's top goalkeepers, and discusses the challenges she faced in advocating for equal pay and better conditions for women in sports. Also learn more about the Homeless World Cup, an organization that Hope supports and has a personal connection to, that uses soccer to inspire homeless people to change their lives.Tune in to gain insight into Hope Solo's remarkable journey, filled with resilience, passion, and a profound commitment to making a difference in the world through the game of soccer.Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Hope: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-solo-9522065/Learn more about Hope: http://hopesolo.com/contact/Learn more about Logistics with Purpose®: https://supplychainnow.com/program/logistics-with-purposeLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenThis episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/logistics-purpose-classic-saving-goals-changing-lives-hope-solo-journey-soccer-star-social-advocate-lwp159