Gorgeous Girls In Supply Chain: Sarah Barnes-Humphrey
Welcome to our series celebrating the incredible women in Supply Chain and Logistics! In a traditionally male-dominated field, it's important to shine a light on the inspiring women who are making a significant impact. Through a mix of insightful and fun questions, we’ll explore their journeys, challenges, and successes. While we acknowledge the contributions of everyone in this industry, this series aims to elevate the voices and stories of women who often get missed. Sarah Barnes-Humphrey is our next feature.
SARAH BARNES-HUMPHREY
Sarah is such a bright light in our industry. She doesn’t just talk, she takes action to champion women and diversity in the world of supply chain every day. I’ve been following and listening to Sarah for a long time, and I was so flattered when she had me on her Blended podcast. She doesn’t know this, but being on that episode helped me realize that this was the path I truly wanted to focus on. She’s a kind, intelligent, and wonderful woman who has inspired more women than she probably realizes. I’m so happy to call her my friend.
What is your current role and company?
Founder and Host of Let's Talk Supply Chain and Blended Podcast
Founder of Blended Pledge and Secret Society of Supply Chain
How did you end up in the world of supply chain?
Right out of high school I decided to join the family business and I started off as reception.
What is your favourite part of your work day?
Creating safe space for conversation and at the end of an interview the guest says "wow you made that so easy" or "thank you so much I feel seen and heard today".
What is the least favourite part of your work day?
Accounting
What is a systemic issue in your part of the supply chain that concerns you currently?
Women's advocacy of themelves and of each other. I have a Women in Supply Chain Series where we feature women on the podcast and the blog once a month. I have been doing this since Jan 2018 and we have featured so many incredible women and their incredible stories. What we have noticed is that most women don’t engage with our posts about their episode or blog, they don’t share it and when we ask them why they say they don’t want to look like they are bragging. I also think that we as women don’t collaborate enough, we pull each other in a variety of different directions and divide our time, money, energy, and resources instead of coming together and that pushes us back. We as women also don’t want to invest in ourselves and each other, we join free groups and that also hurts those who make a living for their families through these initiatives and it hurts the generation behind us who want to make a living making an impact.
How would you address it if you had the power, money, or influence?
I would bring all initiatives and incredible women together in one big community and make sure that everyone has the space to create, collaborate, and get paid.
What is one piece of advice you have for young women entering your field?
Be yourself, it's exhausting being anyone other than yourself.
Ask a lot of great questions.
Don’t be afraid of NO.
Try everything at least once to see what you like, what you don’t, what you are good at and what you are not so good at - this will show you where you need to up-skill, where you want to go with your career and so much more.
What are your top 3 podcasts? (do not have to be industry related)
Celebrity biographies on audiobook
Who are your top 5 women in supply chain to follow on LinkedIn?
How do you deal with creeps you encounter in your work day?
I don't get a lot of those, I do get men trying to bully me into refunds or accepting certain terms on a contract. I sleep on the email before I respond, talking it through is key, if they are relentless I push it out cause time helps everything.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
Reading a book on a beach or play softball.
What have you recently changed your mind about?
Politics and I will leave that there.
Must haves to get you thru the day?
Coffee
Afternoon Chai Tea
Water
Food
Morning workout
Social media for Sarah:
