The supply chain symposium explores the transformative potential of Generative AI within supply chain management. Hosted by industry leaders and AI experts, the symposium convenes to explore how Generative AI technologies are reshaping traditional supply chain paradigms. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, participants dissect the implications of Generative AI on pivotal Supply Chain topic that may include inventory management, demand forecasting, and logistics optimization. Experts showcase cutting-edge applications where Generative AI algorithms enhance decision-making processes, streamline operations, and mitigate risks across the supply chain spectrum. Attendees engage in dynamic discourse, exchanging insights on harnessing Generative AI to drive agility, efficiency, and sustainability within global supply networks.
Who should attend?
- Supply Chain Professionals
- Senior Management
- Consultants and Tactical Leaders
- Alumni
- Students
- Faculty
Agenda
| Time | Event | Speaker/Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. –8:30 a.m. | Breakfast and Networking | Robert Ruggieri, Symposium Emcee |
| 8:30 a.m. –8:45 a.m. | Welcome Remarks | Dr. Nadira Singh, Associate Dean, School of Management, Centre for Business |
| 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Opening Keynote | Disruption by Design: Building Resilient Supply Chains with Generative AI Pranav Bhardwaj, Senior Manager, SCNO. Strategy & Supply Chain, Deloitte Canada |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Networking Break | |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | GBC supply chain programs | GBC's Approach to Shaping the Future of Supply Chain Robert Ruggieri, Program Coordinator |
| 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Panel Discussion | The Role of Generative AI in present day Supply Chain; its impact on process, people, and technology Moderator: Andaleeb Dobson, Head of Supply Chain and Program Delivery, Wild Fork Canada Panelists: Milena Kumurdjieva, AVP, Applied AI and Automation, Canadian Tire Corporation |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Graduate Panel Discussion | Identifying skill sets for students entering the AI influenced marketplace Moderator: YaeRam (Daniel) Yoo, GBC B162 Advanced Diploma SCM Candidate Coordinator: Zoe Ho, GBC B429 Postgraduate SCM Candidate Song Yoon, GBC B122 Advanced Diploma SCM Graduate Daniel Gergelj, GBC B122 Advanced Diploma & SCM Graduate Tanmay Patel, GBC B429 SCM Postgraduate Ajay Santhosh Muthukumar, Seneca SCM Graduate Abdullah Qamaruzzaman, Wilfrid Laurier BBA Graduate, Supply Chain Analyst, Toyota |
| 12:00 p.m. - 12:05 p.m. | Closing Remarks | Dr. Nadira Singh, Associate Dean, School of Management, Centre for Business |
| 12:05 p.m. | Networking |
Keynote Speaker
Pranav Bhardwaj
Senior Manager, SCNO. Strategy & Supply Chain
Deloitte Canada
About Pranav Bhardwaj
Pranav is an executive advisor to global CXOs for multi-billion-dollar companies. He has extensive global experience from Europe, Asia and North America as a management consultant to be at the forefront of providing cutting-edge advisory services in the domain of supply chain and operations, across multiple industries and sectors. Pranav, is currently a Senior Manager (Management Consulting) at Deloitte, and specializes in all things Gen-AI and AI in Supply Chain.
Panelists
Milena Kumurdjieva
AVP, Applied AI and Automation
Canadian Tire Corporation
About Milena Kumurdjieva
Milena Kumurdjieva is an accomplished business and technology leader with over 15 years of experience at Canadian Tire Corporation, currently serving as the Associate Vice President of Applied AI and Automation. With expertise in AI, intelligent automation, and data, Milena is responsible for developing and governing enterprise AI solutions. She has successfully delivered complex AI and data products that have driven sales and efficiencies across the organization. Milena leads the company's Community of Practice for AI Platforms and oversees the Automation COE. She has played a crucial role in enabling the company's AI strategy and has been instrumental in building a Responsible AI framework to ensure ethical and responsible AI development and deployment. Milena's dedication to harnessing AI's power in a conscious manner reflects her commitment to its broader impact on individuals, communities, and society at large.
Gary Newbury
Strategic Advisor and Delivery Executive and Founder
RetailAID Inc.
About Gary Newbury
With an international reputation earned through implementing supply chain agility, establishing innovative fulfillment operations and driving digitization across Manufacturing, Third Party Logistics, Wholesaling, Retail and The Last Mile, Gary has a track record of tackling mission critical issues and conquering disruption by aligning Process, Systems, Architecture, Culture and KPIs within retail supply chains.
Canya Salvakumar
Senior Program Manager of NPI
Kinaxis
About Canya Salvakumar
Canya leads the Project Management Office for the Advanced Analytics Services team which specializes in the implementation and deployment of Kinaxis' ground-breaking AI and ML forecasting solutions to new and existing Rapid Response customers. Before joining Kinaxis, she held various roles in project management and customer success at SaaS organizations in supply chain, inventory management, and retail ecommerce. The projects she's been involved in have been implementations with small mid-market firms to Fortune 500 corporations. Canya is also a Certified Scrum Master, working with teams on continuing to improve agile processes and methodologies in daily activities.
Andaleeb Dobson
Head of Supply Chain and Program Delivery
Wild Fork Canada
About Andaleeb Dobson
Andaleeb has held progressive roles in retail for the last 25 years, including Chief Merchandising Officer and VP of Supply Chain at The Source (Bell).
She has been ranked in the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain (Global) and the Top 100 Influential Women in Supply Chain (Canada).
She sits on Supply Chain Advisory Boards for both Wilfrid Laurier University and George Brown College.
Graduate Panelists
Moderator — YaeRam (Daniel) Yoo, GBC B162 Advnaced Diploma
SCM Candidate
About YaeRam (Daniel) Yoo
Daniel is currently in his third year pursuing an undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Business Administration, focusing on Supply Chain and Operations Management at George Brown College. Outside of school, he has gained practical experience during his co-op terms, successfully leading warehouse optimization projects, conducting financial inventory analysis, and streamlining logistics operations. His career goal is to innovate and improve supply chain efficiencies, contributing to sustainable and effective management practices.
Coordinator — Zoe Ho, B429 Postgraduate
SCM Candidate
About Zoe Ho
Zoe is a GBC B429 Postgraduate SCM candidate set to graduate in Winter 2024. She is actively engaged in SCM networking at both GBC and ASCM Toronto Chapter. Known for her exceptional insight, Zoe currently serves the GBC Supply Chain Program Advisory Committee “PAC” as Student Board Member.
With five (5) years of experience at Deloitte SEA, Zoe provided business process solutions services in HR & Payroll Outsourcing and Supply Chain Management to many MNCs clients across diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals, animal health, manufacturing, retail, and technology. Her expertise lies in optimizing operations, increasing transparency, and reducing costs. A passionate advocate for sustainable practices, Zoe continuously pushes for innovative and ethical supply chain solutions.
Song Yoon, GBC B122 Advanced Diploma
SCM Graduate
About Song Yoon
Song is a current technical sales specialist at Posco International, a leading South Korean trading company in the steel industry. With a professional logistics background from GBC, she excels in devising strategic sales and purchase plans for clients across North America. Formerly a PR Representative as one of the program board members, she coordinated events to unite SCM professionals with the students. Song also has hands-on experience from her co-op as a logistics coordinator at Barentz. Committed to student success, she served as a Career Peer Coach for two years, mentoring and guiding aspiring students on their career paths.
Ajay Santhosh Muthukumar, Seneca SCM Graduate
Intern Bombardier Procurement
About Ajay Santhosh Muthukumar
Ajay Santhosh is an accomplished graduate in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics with a perfect GPA from Seneca Polytechnic, celebrated on the President's Honour List. His expertise spans data analysis, operational optimization, and leadership across multinational landscapes. As a winner of the ASCM Toronto Case Study Competition, Ajay demonstrated excellence in inventory management strategies. With professional experience at Bombardier, Ford, and Renault-Nissan, he brings a rich background in compliance and efficiency to the table. Ajay is passionate about utilizing data-driven approaches and innovative solutions in supply chain optimization.
Abdullah Qamaruzzaman, Wilfrid Laurier BBA Graduate
Supply Chain Analyst, Toyota
About Abdullah Qamaruzzaman
Recent graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University where I pursued a Bachelors of Business Administration with a specialization in Supply Chain Management alongside a minor in Financial Mathematics. I completed 4 co-op terms during my university career, spanning 3 different industries. Upon completion of my degree in December 2023, I began my full-time career with Toyota as a Supply Chain Analyst; my current role entails inventory management and production control of direct raw materials. Additionally, I support special projects and continuous improvement initiatives - I very much enjoy conducting root cause investigations, identifying issues, and creating effective solutions. Wherever I go, I make sure to leave a positive impact!
Tanmay Patel, GBC B429
SCM Postgraduate
About Tanmay Patel
Tanmay Patel, a recent graduate, possesses a robust background in Supply Chain Management and retail operational optimization, demonstrating proficiency in lean methodologies and data analysis with practical experience in inventory streamlining at Loblaws. Holding degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management, he stands prepared to spearhead process efficiency initiatives and elevate operational excellence.
Daniel Gergelj, GBC B122 Advanced Diploma, SCM Graduate
TMU BComm Candidate
About Daniel Gergelj
Daniel Gergelj is a recent graduate of George Brown College’s Supply Chain and Operations Management Advanced Diploma program. With a background in warehouse operations starting in high school, he is passionate about optimizing processes to increase efficiency, successfully improving on time delivery metrics and implementing data driven inventory solutions. Daniel has begun his full-time career, currently working at a distribution company, and is planning to graduate from TMU in 2026 with a bachelor’s in Business Technology Management.
