Emily Burkett

I attribute my success to grit, persistence, and the willingness to continue learning even when faced with unfamiliar challenges. Throughout my career, I have pushed myself to step into roles and responsibilities that were new to me, and I found fulfillment in mastering those challenges through determination and continuous growth.

What has motivated me most is the opportunity to conquer things that initially feel unfamiliar and turn them into strengths. I have always believed in sticking through difficult situations, learning from them, and never giving up.

I also carry with me the encouragement I received from a previous leader who consistently reminded me to “just go for it” and trust my abilities. That mindset has helped me build confidence, embrace opportunities, and continue growing throughout my career.

The best career advice I have ever received was simple: “You can do this.” Those words came from a previous leader who consistently encouraged me to trust myself, take on challenges, and believe that I could figure things out along the way. Whenever I felt uncertain about a project or questioned whether I was ready for a new responsibility, that advice reminded me to move forward confidently rather than hold myself back. That guidance continues to influence how I approach opportunities today. It taught me that growth often comes from stepping outside of my comfort zone and trusting my ability to adapt and succeed.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to take opportunities even when they feel intimidating and not allow self-doubt to hold them back. If there is a challenge, a new role, or a project that stretches your abilities, go after it and trust yourself to learn along the way. I believe it is important to stay persistent, continue building knowledge, and remain open to learning from every experience. Supply chain and procurement are fields that reward resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving, so being willing to step into unfamiliar territory is incredibly valuable. Most importantly, believe in your own capabilities. If others can succeed in these roles, you can too. Confidence, perseverance, and the willingness to keep learning can create tremendous opportunities for growth and success.

One of the biggest challenges in supply chain and procurement right now is managing vendor-related disruptions while continuing to protect operational efficiency and maintain strong supplier relationships. Companies must constantly navigate sourcing challenges, inventory concerns, and changing market conditions while still meeting financial goals and customer expectations.

At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities to create value through strategic sourcing, supplier diversification, and cost-saving initiatives. I enjoy identifying alternative sourcing strategies and presenting diversification options that strengthen supply continuity while positively impacting the company’s bottom line.

The ability to improve operational resilience, reduce risk, and create measurable financial impact makes this field both challenging and rewarding.

The values that are most important to me are curiosity, confidence, and continuous growth. I believe in pushing through challenges, staying committed to improvement, and approaching obstacles with determination rather than giving up. Professionally, I value accountability, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments to achieve shared goals. I take pride in contributing meaningful results through strategic thinking, problem-solving, and operational support. Personally, I value family, personal growth, and finding joy in everyday experiences. Maintaining balance and continuing to learn both professionally and personally are very important to me.