Supply Chain Queen: End the 48-Year Gender Parity Wait

Women represent 40% of the supply chain workforce, but achieving senior leadership parity could take another 48 years at present rates – a sobering statistic that Sheri R. Hinish, the 'Supply Chain Queen', confronts directly in her recent blog post "5 Leadership Essentials No One Tells You: The Playbook for Women in Supply Chain."

Building on insights from her presentation at a women's leadership summit, Sheri outlines non-technical capabilities designed to propel careers forward within complex organisational environments.

These fundamental principles prepare women to handle power dynamics, exercise influence strategically, obtain sponsorship, develop resilience and establish authentic professional identities.

Understanding power structures and influence

Organisations operate as social ecosystems that extend beyond official organisational charts, requiring women to assess actual power structures on a monthly basis – pinpointing influencers, gatekeepers and decision-makers, particularly within matrixed supply chain environments.

Sheri emphasises the importance of understanding influence currencies such as expertise, relationships and vision: "Anchor in data, frame in relationships. Be competent AND warm."

Transformational leadership, an area where women demonstrate particular strength, could utilise phrases like "I'm curious about..." to navigate double binds effectively.

Securing sponsorship and building resilience

Women experience a 54% sponsorship gap when compared to men, yet those who have advocates could be 27% more likely to pursue salary increases.

Sheri also draws a clear distinction: "Mentors ADVISE you... Sponsors ADVOCATE for you," encouraging early and explicit requests for sponsorship. With burnout impacting 50% of senior women, she promotes an Adaptability Quotient through micro-habits including curiosity and resilience.

She adds: "Boundaries are leadership competencies."

Embracing authentic leadership narratives

Authenticity serves as a foundation for professional power, as Sheri demonstrates through her own journey.

The question "What if I owned my narrative instead of letting others write it?" prompted the creation of her Supply Chain Queen brand and opened possibilities across both corporate and entrepreneurial trajectories. These interconnected essentials work together, potentially transforming obstacles into opportunities for transformative leadership within a rapidly evolving sector.

Behind The Supply Chain Queen

Sheri most recently served as Global Consulting Leader for Sustainability, Technology and Ecosystems at EY, where she launched and scaled offerings in ESG data, decarbonisation, AI, digital infrastructure and sustainable supply chains.

Prior to EY, she led IBM's Global Sustainability Services, shaping strategies in sustainable finance, circular economy, green IT and responsible compute.

Sheri operates as a trusted voice featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Economist, Forbes, ESG Today and MIT. She hosts the Supply Chain Revolution podcast and has represented IBM and EY as an executive delegate at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), AI for Good and multiple COPs.

She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Georgetown University's Graduate Supply Chain Programme and on the Board for Clean Energy and Sustainable Technology (CESAC).

As a passionate advocate for diversity and representation in sustainability and STEM, she remains committed to reshaping leadership pathways for the next generation.

Her honours include:

Top 250 Leaders in Sustainability (2025)
#1 Supply Chain Leader by Supply Chain Digital (2021)

Join Sheri at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE

Sheri has joined the line-up for Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit in Chicago, taking part in a panel discussion on Sustainable Supply Chains.

The session will concentrate on integrating sustainability into supply chain operations. Panellists will examine responsible sourcing, circular practices and strategies for minimising environmental impact whilst improving efficiency.

"Supply chains can change the world," she says.

"Every product in your hand, from your phone to your coffee cup, has a story of its making. With more than 40% of the global workforce involved in supply chain activities, the potential for transformation is nearly limitless."

Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit

Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit takes place on 21-22 April, bringing together senior procurement and supply chain leaders focused on innovation, strategy and transformation in their organisations.

Co-located with Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit, the event provides a comprehensive view of procurement and supply chain’s evolving role in driving business value and sustainability.

It will also feature the inaugural US awards, which will be presented during a black-tie gala dinner at Navy Pier, uniting the leaders driving procurement and supply chain excellence across the US and Canada.

The awards ceremony will take place following Day 1 of the US Summit.  

Early bird tickets are available here.