Pencils and Pistons

Hosted by Rashmeet Kaur

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Jan 2026

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Welcome to Pencils and Pistons 🎙️ Your school of sustainability and supply chain excellence, hosted by soon-to-be Dr. Rashmeet Kaur, whose research revolves around inspiring behaviours for sustainable transformation. Join inspiring conversations with industry pioneers and changemakers transforming supply chain management—from circular economy strategies to green logistics, ethical sourcing to carbon-neutral operations. Whether you're a supply chain professional, sustainability practitioner, or business leader, discover actionable insights driving meaningful behavioural change.

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January 13, 2026Episode 122 min

Beyond Good Intentions: Using Behavioural Science for Sustainable Impact

In this episode of Pencils and Pistons, I sit down with Julie Wojtanowski, a behavioural scientist and sustainability strategist who bridges research and practice to turn insights into tangible impact. With a background spanning psychology, behaviour change, sustainability, and gender equity, Julie brings an interdisciplinary lens to one of our most pressing challenges: how do we actually get individuals and organisations to adopt sustainable practices?We explore the psychology behind sustainable transformation, discussing why good intentions often fail to translate into action, and what behavioural science teaches us about designing interventions that stick. From her work at an architecture and spatial design firm to her research on urbanism, circular economy, and intersectionality, Julie shares practical insights on creating meaningful change at the intersection of environmental and social issues.Whether you're in consulting, research, or leading sustainability initiatives within your organisation, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how understanding human behaviour can unlock the path to a more equitable and sustainable future.Connect with Julie: LinkedIn

April 10, 2024Episode 1930 min

Outliers : Engineering to Supply Chain - A Journey of Passion and Purpose

Join us as we talk with a mechanical engineer who discovered her true calling in supply chain management after three years in the field. Driven by her fascination with process improvements, she pursued an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, graduating with distinction.Now committed to growing as an engineering expert in emerging industries, she shares her experiences navigating career transitions, finding professional fulfillment, and supporting women in STEM. Her story showcases how technical expertise combined with supply chain knowledge creates unique professional opportunities.This episode offers valuable insights for engineers considering career pivots, professionals interested in supply chain optimization, and anyone passionate about increasing women's representation in technical fields.

February 7, 2024Episode 1829 min

Outliers : Tech Pioneer and Digital Advocate

Professor Sue Black OBE is a trailblazing figure in computer science and digital advocacy. Named among Forbes World's #Top50 Women in Tech, she serves as Professor of Computer Science at Durham University while actively seeking paid Non-Executive Director roles.Her extensive governance experience includes advisory positions with the UK Government Digital Service, the Fawcett Society Commission of Gender Stereotypes, and Comic Relief—a major UK charity committed to creating a just, poverty-free world.With over 20 years in academia, Professor Black brings substantial experience as an academic manager and research centre director, having authored more than 40 publications and earned a PhD in software engineering.As a passionate champion for women in technology, she founded BCSWomen—the UK's first online network for women in tech—and #techmums, a social enterprise empowering mothers and their families through technology education.Professor Black gained widespread recognition for her innovative digital campaigning, particularly her successful social media-driven effort to save Bletchley Park, the historic home of WW2 codebreakers.Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a proud mother of four children and grandmother to five.

January 2, 2024Episode 1726 min

Outliers : Driving Supply Chain Excellence

As a Technical Program Manager , Shimon Gowda leads cross-functional teams that deliver supply chain optimization and innovation projects across various products and services. She applies her deep expertise in supply chain network design, analytics, and software asset management to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate customer satisfaction.Shimon holds a Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering from Rutgers University-New Brunswick with a specialization in supply chain management and logistics. Her professional credentials are further strengthened by multiple certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Supply Chain Management Fundamentals, and Agile Project Management.Her exceptional contributions to the field earned her recognition as one of the Top Women in Supply Chain by SDCE in 2021, complemented by victories in several national-level business plan and consigliere competitions.Shimon is driven by her passion for solving complex problems, embracing new technologies, and creating meaningful value for both her organization and society at large.

September 11, 2023Episode 1627 min

Outliers : Supply Chain Excellence and Business Development at DHL

Nikitha Angela Fernandes is a dynamic Business Development & Program Management professional in Service Logistics at DHL Supply Chain. As a recent graduate of Indian School of Business's Advanced Management Program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (AMPOS Co'24), she combines industrial engineering fundamentals with strategic management principles to deliver effective supply chain solutions.With nearly 7 years at DHL Supply Chain, Nikitha has progressed through several roles, demonstrating her expertise in program management and business development. In her current manager position, she focuses on sales growth and business development within DHL's Service Logistics division.Nikitha holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Management from Dayananda Sagar Institutions and is a Certified Sales Specialist through DHL. Her educational foundation is complemented by specialized training, including Harvard Business Publishing's Mathematics for Management certification.Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nikitha is committed to community service as a long-term volunteer teacher with Teach For India since 2021. Her career achievements include recognition as "Employee of the Year" at DHL Supply Chain in 2020 and "Achiever of Quarter" in 2019.Nikitha is an advocate for women in logistics, having participated in podcasts and professional development programs focused on empowering women in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and bringing one's unique skills and talents to the table regardless of gender.Her professional interests include sustainable supply chain solutions, efficient logistics implementation, and mentoring in STEM fields.

April 1, 2023Episode 1534 min

Outliers : Award-Winning Business Sustainability Consultant

Rondi Allan is an award-winning Business Sustainability Consultant and Director at Sustainable X, a company she founded in August 2020. Based in St Albans, England, she helps businesses transform sustainability from a perceived cost or compliance burden into a strategic business advantage.As the leader of Sustainable X, Rondi works with organizations at all stages of their sustainability journey, from those just beginning to consider sustainability to those striving to become purpose-led, socially and environmentally responsible businesses. Her approach emphasizes practical, business-focused sustainability strategies that deliver measurable value.Rondi brings extensive corporate experience to her consultancy, having spent over 14 years at Henkel in various leadership roles, including Head of IT for UK, Ireland, and Nordics, and Beauty Care Retail executive responsible for field sales and key account teams.Her expertise has earned her multiple recognitions, including being named one of the Top 100 female entrepreneurs in the f:Entrepreneur #ialso community for 2023, winning the Gold Award for Sustainability at the National Business Women's Awards, and receiving an award at the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Herts awards.Beyond her consultancy, Rondi serves as an Advisory Council Member for Harvard Business Review, an Advisory Board Member for The Global Chamber, and an Associate at The Supply Chain Academy. She is also deeply committed to education, serving as Chair of Governors at Cunningham Hill Junior School since 2012 and as a mentor for The Institute of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability.Rondi's approach to sustainability consulting emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, practical examples, and awareness-building. Her work focuses on helping businesses build sustainable business cases, recognize existing sustainable practices, prioritize strategic next steps, and effectively communicate their impact through certification programs.

December 5, 2022Episode 1430 min

Outliers : Pioneering Sustainable Diet Research

Dr. Emma Garnett is a sustainability researcher at the University of Oxford, where she investigates approaches to reduce meat consumption and promote sustainable diets. Her research focuses on understanding and overcoming the economic, social, and political barriers to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural ecosystems.Currently working in the Health Behaviours Team at Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Dr. Garnett examines various interventions to reduce meat consumption across different contexts. Her previous role as Research Fellow in Sustainable Consumption at the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (2020-2022) involved working on sustainability in supermarket supply chains through a project funded by Sainsbury's.Dr. Garnett completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge (2016-2020), where she researched effective interventions to reduce the environmental impact of diets and change consumer behavior. Her doctoral work spanned natural and social sciences, public health, and behavioral psychology, with a particular focus on encouraging plant-based food choices.Her research has been published in prestigious journals including PNAS, Nature Food, and the Journal of Environmental Psychology, with notable papers examining strategies to increase vegetarian sales in cafeterias and reduce meat consumption. These publications have contributed valuable insights to the field of sustainable consumption.Dr. Garnett's academic background includes a European Master in Applied Ecology from Kiel University (with distinction) and a BA in Zoology/Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge (First Class). She has also gained practical experience through positions at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and The Nature Conservancy.Beyond her research, Dr. Garnett maintains an active interest in marine conservation, serving as a volunteer marine researcher at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre since 2010, where she monitors dolphin and seal populations.

December 5, 2022Episode 1343 min

Outliers : Global Procurement Leader and Supply Chain Innovator

Maryna Trepova is the CEO and Founder of IPSM Procurement, a consulting firm that specializes in optimizing procurement processes and supply chain management. Currently based in Portugal after relocating from Ukraine, she brings 16+ years of procurement and supply chain expertise to her role.With dual MBA degrees from Edinburgh Business School and Kyiv National Economics University, Maryna has built an impressive career focused on procurement transformation, cost reduction, and transparent business practices. Throughout her career, she has generated over $170 million in savings for clients through procurement audits, portfolio analysis, category management, and supplier relationship management strategies.As a recognised thought leader in her field, Maryna has founded or co-founded several influential initiatives in Ukraine, including the CPO Club, NGO "Transparent Procurement," and NGO "Procurement & Supply Chain Future." She also established CIPS educational programs in Ukraine as the CIPS Academic Leader and Approved Tutor, helping to elevate procurement standards across the country.Her extensive client portfolio includes major international companies such as Japan Tobacco International, Vodafone, SoftServe, and DTEK. Her work spans multiple countries including Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Singapore, UAE, USA, UK, Germany, and others across Africa and Asia.Beyond her consulting work, Maryna is an accomplished speaker and educator. She has organized three International Procurement and Supply Chain Conferences, presented at 15 industry conferences, authored 40 articles, and conducted 50+ webinars. In 2021, she was recognized as "The bravest entrepreneur in Kyiv region" by MC.Today.Despite the challenges faced by Ukrainian businesses during wartime, Maryna continues to advocate for procurement excellence and transparent business practices while sharing Ukraine's unique experiences with the global business community. She remains dedicated to rebuilding Ukraine's future and developing world-class procurement professionals.

November 13, 2022Episode 1228 min

Outliers : Analytics Leader & Sustainability Innovator

Meghana Patil serves as Vice President of analytics and Innovation at WebXpress Transportation Software and LogiCloud Supply Chain Visibility Platform, where she leverages her diverse expertise in supply chain management, sustainability, and technology to drive business transformation.With dual roles in analytics leadership and as a Visiting Professor at Thakur Institute of Management Studies & Research, Meghana brings a unique blend of practical industry experience and academic insight to her work. She is a certified PMP® (Project Management Professional) and CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), supplemented by her recent certification as a CII Certified Professional in Carbon Footprint.Meghana's career journey demonstrates impressive professional growth and versatility. Beginning as a business analyst at WebXpress in 2012, she quickly advanced through roles in customer relations before leading product development. Her experience expanded through positions at Aurionpro Solutions, where she consulted on software needs for logistics service providers across Southeast Asia, and Mahindra Logistics, where she managed strategic alliances and partnerships to enhance operations through value-added services.Throughout her career, Meghana has developed expertise across product development, analytics, sales, operations, and procurement. This multifaceted background enables her to analyze opportunities and design innovative solutions with a focus on business growth, customer expansion, and service enhancement. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes looking beyond routine operations to truly listen and address business challenges.In her current leadership role, Meghana approaches her work with an entrepreneurial mindset—developing new products, redesigning existing offerings, understanding client needs through direct interaction, and collaborating with partners to create customized solutions. Her stakeholder-centric approach aims to facilitate growth for all parties involved, including vendors, business partners, and customers.Meghana holds an MBA in Operations from the University of Mumbai and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering.

June 12, 2022Episode 1127 min

Outliers : FMCG Growth Leader & Strategic Business Manager

Isha Agarwal is a seasoned FMCG professional with over 10 years of experience at Unilever, where she currently leads business development as area sales & channel manager for Bangalore Metro. Her expertise spans P&L management, business growth strategy, product category management, and supply chain operations.In her current role, Isha manages a substantial $41M annual recurring revenue business for Bangalore, leading a team of 8 direct reports and overseeing 300+ sales and merchandising representatives across 16 B2B partnerships. She is responsible for the P&L management of distribution partners while directing the distribution network for 33,000 general trade outlets throughout Bangalore.Before her current position, Isha served as Business Development and Area Sales Manager for South Karnataka, where she successfully led a $29M ARR business, deployed sales strategies across multiple food and beverage brands, expanded distribution coverage, and executed "Winning in Channel" strategies to enhance Unilever's market presence. Her achievements include delivering 6.5% sales growth and improving delivery efficiency by 500 basis points across 1,400+ stakeholders.Earlier in her career at Unilever, Isha worked as the Asia Pacific Market Program Manager for Integrated Business Planning, where she led the design of a global process model integrating frontend promotion planning with demand and supply planning for APAC markets. This initiative unlocked $16M in potential value with a 3.5-year payback period in the Thailand market.Isha holds an MBA in Marketing & Strategy from the Indian School of Business, where she graduated on the Dean's List (top 10% of her class) and received the ISB PGPPro Brand Ambassador Award. She also completed the GrowthX® program focusing on acquisition, engagement, retention, onboarding, and monetization strategies. Her technical qualifications include APICS CPIM certification in Supply Chain Management.Beyond her professional achievements, Isha has demonstrated commitment to social responsibility through her volunteer work as a mentor for female farmers in Unilever's "Nayi Disha" Prabhat mentorship program and as a fundraising coordinator for children's causes at NIT Warangal.