52: Val Mack: Servant Leadership and the Heartbeat of the Supply Chain

She Supply Chains Podcast
Nov 10
2 min read

What if the most powerful tool for shaping your career isn’t a skill or a title — but the relationships you build along the way?

In this episode, we sit down with Val Mack, an accomplished supply chain leader known for her people-first mindset, commitment to mentorship, and ability to navigate major career transitions with grace and clarity. Val shares her journey from discovering supply chain to leading teams across industries, offering an honest look at the challenges, relationships, and defining moments that shaped her growth.

She dives into the human side of leadership — from providing meaningful feedback to supporting teams through plant closures — and explains why authentic connections are essential for understanding business culture, expectations, and long-term success. Val also shares her philosophy on coaching, succession planning, and the power of servant leadership, along with the mentors and family members who played pivotal roles in her career.

For anyone early in their supply chain journey, Val’s message is clear: your career is an open road. Embrace it, learn from it, and enjoy the ride.

In this episode, we discuss:

(02:40) Career Journey and Discovering Supply Chain
(05:42) Transitioning Into People Leadership
(08:35) Challenges and Rewards in Early Career
(11:30) Working in CPG & Transitioning to New Industries
(14:23) Staying Relevant as a Coach
(17:36) Building Authentic Relationships in Business
(20:09) Networking and Relationship Building
(23:25) The Importance of Personal Connections
(25:25) Creative Approaches to Networking

Listen in for an eye-opening conversation on what it really takes to support communities in crisis — and why logistics might just be the most powerful tool we have.