An interview with new AWESOME Leader, DeAnna Harner…

I actually heard about the organization from one of your board members, Micaela with Clayton Dubilier & Rice. She said it was a great group of authentic leader and invited me to the conference in Arkansas.  The event was my first time being in person with the AWESOME community.  It was just what Micaela and Michelle had promised – it was an authentic group of women coming together to help each other, which isn’t always easy to find.

I attend a lot of networking events, but the AWESOME Symposium stands out as one of those events that will be top on my list in future years. The authenticity of the people I met, whether it was someone in the hall, at a table, or the panelists themselves, was remarkable. From Andrea at Walmart, who shared insights on leadership, to panels about diversity gaps, to an authentic conversation with Drew Barrymore. I loved that every speaker brought valuable perspectives. The whole theme touched on many topics related to supply chains and women leaders. It wasn’t just one session about authenticity…it was a thread throughout the entire event, even in casual coffee hour conversations.

Also, meeting the Scholars was an amazing experience as I am at a point in my career where I can give back. I’ve been in many different industries and roles in supply chain.  I’ve done a lot of things right in my career and I have had challenges to overcome. Through those experiences, I can lean into my knowledge and share what I’ve learned. Connecting with the Scholars was a great bonus.

I’ve worked in Airlines, Hotels, and Manufacturing industries and for large companies like Sysco Foods and Comcast, all within supply chain & operations function. My first Supply Chain role was at Continental Airlines, handling food and equipment sourcing, procurement, and logistics. This early career experience cemented my interest in supply chain.

I have led procurement and inventory of transmitters to large cable reels and managed the fleet for field technicians. I led sourcing of $1B categories, where I learned the importance of relationships and creating win-win situations. I also earned my Six Sigma Black Belt, which is rare for a woman in supply chain, while working at Friedkin Group (Toyota). Although the full Six Sigma approach isn’t always realistic, its concepts have helped me lead & transform organizations.

My last industry role was for a large residential and commercial building manufacturer. As Director of Supply Chain, I centralized supply chain processes and technology across sourcing, procurement and logistics. I was then asked by the CFO to create one source of truth in reporting for the entire organization. We had over 20 ERPs and we were in Excel chaos. My team built reports for all functional and business executives, which allowed leaders to know the number of orders, inventory per site, and more, without spending meetings arguing over data. In year two, we incorporated AI and process automation to our Center of Excellence to create a culture of automation.

When I transitioned into consulting, it was exciting, and challenging, but I utilized my superpowers; building strong relationships and not giving up!  I also realized the importance of leveraging my diverse industry background to advocate for clients by addressing their specific needs allowing their limited resources to work Smarter, not Harder.  Instead of offering massive transformation plans and not considering practical implementation, I focus breaking business challenges down into phases that ensure sustainable improvements.

I prefer to think of it as finding harmony rather than balance. Balance suggests an equal division of time, which, to me, feels unrealistic. Harmony means adjusting to the ebbs and flows of life. While certain periods may demand more focus on work, it’s important to still allocate time for health(mental, physical and spiritual), your hobbies, along with family & friends. I learned this lesson later in my career. Two years ago, I was unhealthy and overworked and now I prioritize all aspects of my life, ensuring none are neglected, even if some require more attention at times.

Network relentlessly. Accept all coffee chats. Always have three key points or questions for any networking session. Be clear about what you want to achieve but remain open to unexpected opportunities. Don’t shut the door on someone (in your mind or in your life) because today’s connection might be tomorrow’s valuable resource. Even if your current job seems perfect, networking can still provide insights and support for ongoing work-life challenges.

Networking, maintaining genuine connections, and being tenacious are crucial for success in any Supply Chain career.