Global Supply Chains under Pressure: Navigating Geopolitical Disruptions

• The world is changing: geopolitical risks and chances
• Strategies for navigating disruptions
• Building Supply Chain resilience
• The future of Supply Chain Management

Sebastian Kummer started as Researcher and Lecturer at the WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar (1992 Dissertation (Phd), 1996 Habilitation). From 1996-2001 he had the Chair of business administration, esp. management of transport companies and logistics at the Dresden University of Technology.

Since 2001 he is the Head of the Institute of Transport and Logistics at Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU). He acts as President, Director and member of advisory boards of many scientific and industry associations. He has been a Co-Executive Director of the European section of the MIT Forum Supply Chain Innovation (2006-2011).

Sebastian Kummer has been a visiting professor at universities in Austria, China, Germany, Indonesia, Philippines, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine and Vietnam. He has written more than 150 publications. His research focuses on Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management as well as on Transport Management and economical analyses of transport infrastructure and services. He works as a consultant and management trainer for companies and government bodies.

From Hype to Impact: Supply Chain Transformation in the Era of AI

• The Evolution of AI: A Historical Perspective
• Why AI, Why Now?
• The Supply Chain Crossroads
• Smarter Chains: Efficient, Adaptive, and Resilient
• Building an AI-Ready Supply Chain
• The Leadership Imperative: Turning Hype into ROI

Nedaa Agami is an experienced Data Science and Advanced Analytics professional holding a Ph.D. in Operations Research and Decision Support. At present, she is a Global Data Science Director at PepsiCo, leading Supply Chain and Operations Analytics. Nedaa had also been a former professor of Modelling and Operations Research at the Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence in Cairo University. Over the course of 18 years working across various industries and different domains including but not limited to Telecommunications, Finance and Banking, Tourism, Pharma, and CPG, Nedaa’s ability to link academia to industry has resulted into building a highly diverse portfolio of analytics services; from offering consultancy and training programs, to delivering best in class projects for which industry giants collected global awards in their fields, and achieved significant improvement in performance.

Daimler Truck’s Award-Winning Electrify Inbound Logistics Project – Winner of the 2025 VDA Logistics Award for the Use of Electric Trucks in Inbound Logistics to Daimler Truck’s German Plants

• Strategic goals and scope of the Electrify Inbound Logistics project
• Integration of electric trucks into inbound logistics operations
• Strategic placement and planning of charging infrastructure
• Key results: CO₂ reduction, efficiency gains, and operational impact
• Challenges faced and lessons learned during implementation

Christoph Kattner holds a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management and brings broad international experience across the automotive, insurance, and chemical industries. He has held leadership roles in Japan, Austria, and Germany, developing deep expertise in logistics and operations management.

Currently working in logistics strategy at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Christoph leads initiatives focused on the electrification of inbound logistics and the strategic development of supply flows to German production sites.

Driven by a passion for innovation and sustainability, Christoph is committed to advancing efficient, future-ready logistics solutions within the dynamic landscape of the automotive industry.

From Vision to Reality: How to Make Digital Transformation a Success

• The elephant in the room
• Create a vision together
• Reality check

Bart Stegeman is the Director of Supply Chain at LTH Castings, a leading multinational supplier of aluminium die-cast components with production sites in Slovenia, Croatia, and North Macedonia.

In his current position he oversees global supply chain strategy, procurement, and logistics and leads efficiency, cost optimization, and risk management initiatives. Besides, Bart drives digital transformation and process innovation in supply chain operations and coordinates supply chain integration across multiple production facilities. Moreover, he also supports sustainability efforts and circular-economy practices in sourcing and materials management.

Before he joined LTH Casting, Bart was the Orchestrator for EIT Climate-KIC initiatives in Slovenia and Europe and worked on systems innovation, circular economy, and transformation of value chains to support climate-neutral industries. He advocates for sustainable business models and employee engagement in organizational change.

Previously Bart was the CEO and executive director at Skaza in Slovenia, where he also led supply chain, IT, sales, and marketing. In earlier roles at Danfoss and Big Bang, he was specializing in supply chain management, planning, and operational optimization.

He believes in transparency, communication, and involving employees in decision-making and promotes the integration of digitalization and sustainability as key drivers of modern supply chain and business excellence.

Fraunhofer Transformation Index – Key Success Factors for a Successful Transformation - How to Implement Change Successfully

• Why linking research and practice makes the difference
• Three decades of research distilled into a practice-ready Transformation Index
• The FORTE Model - a practical compass for successful transformation

Janna Bauknecht, M.Sc., is a Research Associate at Fraunhofer IAO (CeRRI) in Berlin, which focuses on designing future scenarios and developing transformation processes and innovation strategies.

Previously, she worked for several years in industry as a Project Manager, Global Process Owner for purchasing, and Product Manager.

Her international education in Industrial Management and her practical experience shape her work.

She deeply believes that it is increasingly important to link research and practice much more closely – the Fraunhofer Transformation Index is an example of how this can be achieved.

As part of the research team behind the Fraunhofer Transformation Index, she provides companies with a scientifically sound and practical compass to navigate change and strengthen their transformation capability in times of change.

People Fluctuation and Motivation in Logistics

• People fluctuation – Causes and impact on everyday business
• Motivation in Logistics – What are the motivation drivers for people in logistics – shop floor & office population
• How to build a loyal and dedicated team – Focus on WH workers and drivers
• Strategies for reducing fluctuation

Vladan Lukić is a results-driven logistics professional with extensive experience in logistics, customer service, and process optimization. Currently serving as Distribution and Transport Manager at Knjaz Miloš, overseeing primary and secondary transport across Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while leading logistics customer service teams with a focus on efficiency, simplification, and talent development.

Prior to this, he built a strong career at Coca-Cola HBC, progressing through several key roles including Logistics Back-Office Lead, Customer Logistics Specialist, Logistics Excellence Specialist, and Transportation Planner. In these positions, Vladan led transportation planning teams, managed budgets and tenders, optimized distribution routes, and drove cross-functional projects to improve service and reduce costs.

Earlier in his career, he gained international logistics experience working with MUV People and Love Freightways Inc., where he specialized in dispatch, quality control, and operations coordination within the U.S. and European markets.

Vladan is known for his commitment to people development, consistently investing in coaching, mentoring, and building high-performing teams, empowering colleagues to grow while delivering outstanding business results.

IKEA Supply Chain in Transformation

• How we create a modern & more resilient logistics network with focus on our people, the customers and the climate!

Claes is based with IKEA in Basel, Switzerland, is currently leading the global Category Area Logistics within IKEA Supply, bringing experience from previous roles at the Ingka Group, including country customer fulfilment manager, deputy area manager for Asia Pacific, and DC general manager.

Claes has more than 20 years of experience in senior management level in operations & project management, retail management, supply roles and board capacities in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. He holds a BA in business management and an MBA in Marketing Management.

Leadership in Supply Chain Management  – How to Empower People and Drive Growth 

• Mentorship programs
• Development of people in none-management positions
• Development of people in new technologies
• Change Management
• Mindset of Gen Z

Lana Herceg Gojević is an experienced Supply Chain professional with over 20 years in leading Croatian companies. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics. Lana began her carrier in Konzum, Croatia’s top retail chain, holding different roles in Supply Chain, such as Operations Planning Manager, Supply Relationship Manager and Inventory Manager, participating in various business and IT projects with strong focus on inventory optimization, process optimization and team development. She continued her career at Atlantic Grupa, a major distribution and manufacturing Croatian company which is operating in Adriatic area, as Head of Purchasing and Inventory Management. Currently, she serves as Group Logistics Project Manager at Orbico Grupa, a distribution company active in 55 European countries, where she leads strategic supply chain projects at the group level, coordinating across multiple countries with a strong focus on change management, transformation and optimization.