Logistics With Purpose® I Building Better Supply Chains

In this inspiring episode of Logistics With Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Marcia Brey, Vice President of Logistics at GE Appliances, to explore how one of America’s most recognized manufacturers delivers an appliance every ten seconds while keeping people, purpose, and customers at the center of every decision.
With more than 30 years of experience in supply chain and logistics leadership, Marcia shares how GE Appliances manages the complexity of serving millions of consumers through a vast network of factories, suppliers, distribution centers, and delivery partners. She explains why operational excellence begins with execution, communication, and empowering employees closest to the work to make decisions that improve customer outcomes.
The conversation also dives into GE Appliances’ “Zero Distance” philosophy, a leadership approach focused on staying closely connected to customers, communities, and frontline employees. Marsha discusses how this mindset helps the organization navigate disruption, respond to changing market conditions, and foster a culture where people feel engaged, respected, and empowered.
Beyond business performance, Marsha highlights how logistics can be a force for good. She shares the story behind GE Appliances’ partnership with the American Red Cross, including the creation of a mobile laundry trailer that provides clean clothing to families affected by disasters. Through this initiative and others, she demonstrates how logistics expertise can restore dignity, strengthen communities, and create meaningful impact far beyond the movement of products.
The episode also explores leadership lessons, the future of American manufacturing, innovation, resilience, and why purpose-driven organizations can create both business value and positive societal outcomes.
If you're passionate about supply chain leadership, logistics innovation, manufacturing, customer experience, employee engagement, operational excellence, or purpose-driven business, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How GE Appliances delivers an appliance every ten seconds while maintaining a customer-first approach
• The three leadership principles Marsha believes are essential for managing complex logistics operations
• Why empowering frontline employees leads to faster decisions and better business outcomes
• How the “Zero Distance” philosophy helps organizations stay connected to customers and communities
• What resilient supply chains look like in an era of constant disruption and uncertainty
• How logistics capabilities can be leveraged to support disaster relief and community impact initiatives
• Why bringing manufacturing closer to customers can drive innovation, responsiveness, and long-term competitiveness
• The leadership mindset required to build high-performing teams and purpose-driven cultures
Additional Links & Resources:
Learn more about Logistics With Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/
Subscribe to Logistics With Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listen
Learn 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-1511451a

This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter.

In this thought-provoking episode of Logistics With Purpose®, host Enrique Alvarez and special co-host Nathan Chaney sit down with Abby Nawrocki, Founder and CEO of Stock, to explore how excess inventory can move beyond warehouses and landfills to create value for businesses, nonprofit organisations, and communities.
Every year, businesses across industries face the challenge of managing surplus inventory, including abandoned goods, overstocked products, and customer returns. Abby shares how Stock is helping brands and logistics providers rethink inventory management by connecting excess goods with nonprofit organisations that can put those resources to meaningful use.
The conversation explores how technology, data, and intentional decision-making can transform inventory management while supporting sustainability and impact goals. Abby explains how brands can choose the nonprofit organisations they support, creating stronger connections between business operations, reduce costs, community impact, and corporate responsibility.
From evolving consumer expectations to emerging sustainability regulations, this conversation highlights why businesses are increasingly re-evaluating how they manage excess inventory and how purpose-driven logistics can create value for organisations, nonprofit partners, and the environment.
If you're passionate about supply chain innovation, inventory management, sustainability, reverse logistics, ESG initiatives, or creating positive impact through business, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why excess inventory remains one of the biggest challenges facing supply chains today
• The three major categories of excess inventory: abandoned goods, overstock, and returns
• How technology can connect surplus inventory with nonprofit organisations to reduce waste
• Why sustainable inventory management is becoming a strategic business priority
• How data, accountability, and intentional decision-making can help organisations create value beyond the movement of goods

Additional Links & Resources:
Learn more about Logistics With Purpose®: https://logisticswithpurpose.co/
Subscribe to Logistics With Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listen
Learn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/
Learn more about Stock: https://www.stockitbetter.com/

This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and 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 plastics
How Lotus Sustainables has diverted over 6.5 billion plastic bags from landfills
What purpose-driven leadership looks like during uncertain times
Why innovation should focus on solving real customer problems
How B Corps and stakeholder-focused businesses create lasting impact
Lessons from military leadership that translate into business success
Why Europe is leading the way in sustainability and what others can learn

Additional 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/listen
Learn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com

This 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 organizations
How silence becomes normalized in workplace culture
The leadership behaviors that create trust and accountability
Why empathy is a competitive advantage—not a weakness
How peers, managers, and executives all play a role in preventing harmful workplace cultures
Why Tarana Burke believes sexual and gender-based violence is a community problem that requires a community response
Practical steps leaders can take today to create safer, healthier workplaces

Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Tarana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taranajburke/
Learn more about Logistics with Purpose®: https://supplychainnow.com/brands/logistics-with-purpose/
Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listen
Learn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com

This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter. For addtional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/what-metoo-movement-revelaed-about-workplace-culture-lwp160
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-purpose
Learn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/
Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listen

This 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