Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Regeneron to highlight life sciences speakers at 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference

The 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference is bringing together a strong lineup of speakers in the life sciences and healthcare spaces as one of its four focus areas for this year’s conference.

Among the companies in the life sciences/healthcare space scheduled to speak are Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Kenvue, Regeneron, Imbed Biosciences, Guardian Drug Company, Medline Industries and KeyChain Consulting.

The 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference, taking place October 22–24 at the W Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee, will bring together more than 50 senior executives and thought leaders from across the supply chain ecosystem. This year’s program offers a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, awards recognition, and deep-dive breakout sessions designed to showcase how these leading companies are transforming their supply chains with AI, automation, data, and innovative strategies.

Other focus areas at the 2025 conference include speakers from the 3PL/logistics space, life sciences, and food and beverage space, as well as a number of speakers that will focus on broader strategy and optimization approaches.

The entire event kicks off with an evening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Life sciences/healthcare session speakers

Thursday, October 23

9:25 a.m. CT
Speaker: Victoria Wade, Associate Vice President, Global Supply Planning, Eli Lilly
Title: Transforming Supply Chain Planning with AI: Unlocking Agility in a High-Growth Incretin Portfolio
Description: This session explores how AI is revolutionizing planning for a high-growth incretin portfolio—where speed, precision, and adaptability are critical. Learn how advanced AI tools—whether developed internally or integrated with leading ERP technologies—are transforming forecasting, scenario modeling, and decision-making. Discover how AI is enabling real-time responsiveness, improving cross-functional collaboration, and accelerating adoption across global partner networks.

9:45 a.m. CT
Speaker: Derek Dalmolin, Director, R&D Procurement, Regeneron
Title: Regeneron’s Digital Transformation: Driving Procurement
Description: Regeneron will share its journey of digital transformation across its R&D procurement ecosystem, highlighted by the launch of Regeneron Marketplace, powered by Labviva. Learn how the platform creates a transparent, competitive, and user-friendly procurement experience that streamlines sourcing, delivers measurable cost and time savings, and strengthens Regeneron’s commitment to supplier diversity.

11:00 a.m. CT
Speaker: Dave Kordik, Vice President, Customer Technology Solutions, Medline Industries
Moderator: Michael Levans, Group Editorial Director, Peerless Media
Title: Intelligent Care: How AI Is Powering the Healthcare Supply Chain
Description: The healthcare industry is searching for new supply chain insights using inventory management and product utilization data from providers and manufacturers. Learn how Medline, in partnership with Microsoft, is leveraging AI-powered insights, predictive analytics, and automated workflows to streamline inventory, reduce inefficiencies, and free up providers to focus on patients.

Friday, October 24

9:30 a.m. CT 
Speaker: Sanjay Gupta, Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain, Imbed Biosciences Inc.
Title: AI in MedTech Supply Chains: From Spend Analytics to Issues Resolution
Description: MedTech supply chains face strict regulatory oversight, rising costs, and patient-critical delivery needs. This session highlights two high-impact AI applications:

• Spend Analytics with Microsoft Power BI – uncover hidden cost drivers, improve supplier negotiations, and strengthen compliance monitoring.
• Issues-to-Resolution (i2r) with Elementum.ai – consolidate fragmented incident data into collaborative workflows that accelerate root-cause resolution and resilience.
  Through case studies, Gupta will demonstrate how these tools deliver cost savings, strengthen governance, shorten issue-resolution cycles, and enhance patient outcomes.

9:50 a.m. CT
Speaker: Rosina Wickart, Vice President, J&J MedTech Supply Chain, Johnson & Johnson Procurement
Moderator: Michael Levans, Group Editorial Director, Peerless Media
Title: Digital Transformation in Procurement: Driving Efficiency, Resilience, and Strategic Value
Description: As demands grow and environments become more complex, digital transformation empowers procurement to move beyond routine execution toward strategic enablement. Learn how Johnson & Johnson leverages AI and digital tools to enhance efficiency, build agile supply networks, and deliver measurable long-term value in today’s global marketplace.

And Lucy Alexander, an advisor to KeyChain Consulting and a long-time life sciences industry veteran will moderate a Leaders in Supply Chain panel on Friday morning at 9 am CT. That panel will include Tatiana Freire, Senior Director NA Supply Chain Excellence at Kenvue, Liz Koziol, Senior Vice President Operations at FedEx Supply Chain, and Laura Wilkin, Board Director of GXO Logistics.

Which companies will be featured across all tracks?

In addition to life sciences and healthcare, the agenda includes speakers from:

• 3PL/Logistics: Uber Freight, C.H. Robinson, Maersk, Kenco
• Consumer goods & CPG: Dole Packaged Foods, Walmart, Kohler
• Technology & consulting: IBM Consulting, Moody’s, KeyChain Consulting, Guardian Drug Company

The full list of speakers and session titles and descriptions is available on the agenda, located here.

Conference registration is now ongoing. 

Who are the 2025 NextGen Award Winners?

• Visionary Award: Diageo
• End User Awards:
  • Artificial Intelligence: FedEx Supply Chain
  • Digital Transformation: Sysco
  • Robotics: GNC
• Solution Provider Awards:
  • Artificial Intelligence: Quickcode.ai
  • Digital Transformation: Easy Metrics
  • Robotics: Corvus Robotics
• Startup Award: Dexory
• Visionary Award: Diageo

To register, visit NextGen Supply Chain Conference

What keynotes are scheduled?

Thursday morning keynote:

Val Marchevsky, EVP & CTO, Uber Freight
Reimagining Logistics with AI: Turning Intelligence into Action

Thursday afternoon Visionary keynote:

Lisa Drane, director of procurement supply innovation at Diageo.

Friday morning keynote:

Todd Stillwell, VP Supply Chain & Manufacturing, Dole Packaged Foods
Scaling for Innovation and Growth with Flexible Manufacturing and Data-Driven Forecasting

Networking and sponsorship opportunities

The W Nashville is offering discounted group hotel rates (three days before and after the event, subject to availability). Networking highlights include rooftop receptions, entertainment and small-group discussions.

Sponsors include:

• Diamond (awards sponsor): Zion Solutions Group
• Gold: Shippeo
• Silver: Hai Robotics, TGW Logistics, Cycle Labs, GreyMatter by GreyOrange, AutoScheduler, Imaginnovate
• Bronze: Corvus Robotics, enVista, Gnosis Freight, Herowear
• Associate: Arvist, Loadsmart, Pelican Robotics, Made4Net, Third Wave Automation

Attendees will also hear from leaders at companies including Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Kenco, Kohler, Maersk, Medline, Blue Tiger International, IBM Consulting, Moody’s, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Gap, Kenvue, Imbed Biosciences, C.H. Robinson and more. A full list of speakers is available here. The agenda can be found here.

Now in its seventh year, the NextGen Supply Chain Conference brings together senior executives, thought leaders, and technology innovators to explore the future of supply chain management. With a program featuring keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and the annual NextGen Supply Chain Awards, the event spotlights the technologies and strategies shaping tomorrow’s supply chains.

Registration and the full agenda are available at NextGenSupplyChainConference.com.

Register to attend now

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