The preeminent organization for women leaders in supply chain management and logistics has new leadership of its own. Effective July 20, 2020, Michelle Dilley is CEO of AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education). As CEO, Ms. Dilley succeeds Heather Sheehan, AWESOME’s Executive Director since 2018, and Nancy Nix, who served as Executive Director from 2014–18.

AWESOME was founded in 2012 to support women in supply chain senior management by providing opportunities for learning, mentoring, and professional growth. The organization has grown to include more than 1,500 women today as members, representing a broad array of companies and industries. 

“After seven years of driving change, AWESOME is ready for a fulltime leader to carry the mission and strategies to new levels of impact,” said Ann Drake, AWESOME’s founder and former CEO of DSC Logistics (now CJ Logistics America). “There has never been a more important time for senior women leaders in supply chain to inspire, lead, and accelerate transformation. Michelle is exactly the right person to lead that charge.”

“I think the gifts that women bring to leadership are what we really need right now.”

Ms. Dilley comes to her new role at AWESOME from CJ Logistics America (formerly DSC Logistics), where she was Chief Operating Officer (COO) from 2019-20. Before her promotion to COO, Ms. Dilley was DSC Logistics’ Chief Supply Chain Transformation Officer from 2017-2019, helping the company define its future operating platform and implement strategic initiatives focused on delivering continuous improvement.

Prior to joining DSC Logistics, Ms. Dilley held significant leadership roles in multiple industries. She also serves on the Board of Directors of STAG Industrial, a REIT (real estate investment trust) in Boston.

“Michelle’s breadth of experience uniquely positions her to lead AWESOME’s continued growth and enhance our impact in the future,” said Ms. Drake.   

Ms. Dilley comes to AWESOME’s helm at a unique time. The challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and changing political and social dynamics call for gifted leadership. Ms. Dilley’s experiences as a woman working in a male-dominated industry as well as dealing with the uncertainties of a global health crisis are her preparation for supporting other women as they lead in their enterprises.

“I think the gifts that women bring to leadership are what we really need right now,” she says. “There are so many studies that say we get better teams, stronger business results, a more positive work environment, and more personal job satisfaction when women are involved. The other good news is that supply chain has been highlighted now as such an essential part of society and the world—more so than it ever has. All of that makes this the right time for AWESOME to thrive.” Learn more about Ms. Dilley’s own leadership journey and the experiences that shaped her here. Then read about the lessons she’s gathered from facing down the greatest health and business crisis of a generation here.