Leadership Series
Discover what strategic thought leaders think about the trends and technology changing the way we work.
Leadership Series
Discover what strategic thought leaders think about the trends and technology changing the way we work.
About
The Leadership Series is a set of executive sessions that transcend product-level discussions, focusing instead on thought leadership and understanding the strategic context in which companies are operating in today, and tomorrow.
Why join?
Joining our Leadership Series at Insight will bring you:
- Strategic perspectives: Gain cross-functional expertise that defines the modern supply chain, from AI-driven strategy to regulatory complexities.
- Executive networking opportunities: Collaborate and innovate alongside leaders in a focused environment from across the industry, including carriers, shippers, brokers, consultants, technology partners and more.
- Ongoing engagement: Start your journey in this forum that will become a continuous platform for innovation and leadership development long after the final session at Insight.
Why join?
Joining our Leadership Series at Insight will bring you:
- Strategic perspectives: Gain cross-functional expertise that defines the modern supply chain, from AI-driven strategy to regulatory complexities.
- Executive networking opportunities: Collaborate and innovate alongside leaders in a focused environment from across the industry, including carriers, shippers, brokers, consultants, technology partners and more.
- Ongoing engagement: Start your journey in this forum that will become a continuous platform for innovation and leadership development long after the final session at Insight.
Sample topics
- Market economics
- Artificial intelligence
- Fuel volatility
- Supply chain risk
- Autonomous trucks
- Fraud & crime
Select participants
- Ashley Furniture
- Bloomberg Intelligence
- FreightWaves
- Lehigh University
- McLane Company, Inc.
- National Elite Carriers
2026 Sessions
Session #01 Fortifying the core: Domestic risk & resiliency Monday 28 Sep | 10:30am to 11:15am | 45 minutes
While global risks dominate headlines, domestic vulnerabilities -- from recent court rulings to localized extreme weather -- pose immediate threats. This panel discusses how to harden domestic supply chains and transportation networks to create "shock absorbers" within your network to maintain service levels.
Moderator
Zach Zacharia Director, Center for Supply Chain Research Lehigh University LinkedIn >
Moderator
Zach Zacharia Director, Center for Supply Chain Research Lehigh University LinkedIn >
Session #02 Navigating the US truckload market in a post-global economy Monday 28 Sep | 11:30am to 12:00PM | 30 minutes
While trade wars are fought in D.C., their moment of truth happens at inland rail ramps. This session analyzes the impact of the February 2026 IEEPA strike-down and the shift to Section 122 surcharges on domestic capacity. Join experts to decode how these shocks are raising TCO for fleets, tightening regional equipment availability and creating a new volatility premium that every North American executive must manage to sustain profitability.
Moderator
Lee Klaskow Sector Head & Senior Analyst - Freight Transportation and Logistics Bloomberg Intelligence LinkedIn >
Moderator
Lee Klaskow Sector Head & Senior Analyst - Freight Transportation and Logistics Bloomberg Intelligence LinkedIn >
Session #03 The agile executive: Leading through continuous change Monday 28 Sep | 11:30am to 12:00PM | 30 minutes
Rigid annual plans are becoming a liability in a volatile market. This session explores the transition to a continuous strategy model, where agility is baked into your corporate DNA. Learn how to build iterative frameworks that empower your organization to pivot instantly, ensuring your operations stay aligned with reality rather than a static 12-month forecast.
Moderator
Mark Baxa President & CEO Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) LinkedIn >
Moderator
Mark Baxa President & CEO Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) LinkedIn >
Session #04 The velocity engine: Operationalizing AI innovation Monday 28 Sep | 1:00PM to 1:45PM | 45 minutes
Most AI initiatives are just "AI Theater" -- flashy demos with zero operational lift. It’s time to move toward structural innovation. This session shows you how to build agile incubation labs designed to cut through bureaucracy and deploy agentic AI agents that kill bottlenecks in weeks, not years.
Moderator
Seth Clevenger Managing Editor Transport Topics LinkedIn >
Moderator
Seth Clevenger Managing Editor Transport Topics LinkedIn >
Session #05 The 28% challenge: Navigating fuel volatility Tuesday 29 Sep | 8:30AM to 9:15AM | 45 minutes
With diesel at $5.40/gal and rising, fuel management is a boardroom priority. This session analyzes 2026 industry benchmarks and details how leading fleets use AI-driven routing, real-time stop optimization and aerodynamics to preserve margins, with a closing eye on the horizon for alternative fuels.
Moderator
Kevin Linger Managing Editor & Producer Fleet Equipment LinkedIn >
Moderator
Kevin Linger Managing Editor & Producer Fleet Equipment LinkedIn >
Session #06 The near-shoring update: USA-Mexico freight Tuesday 29 Sep | 8:30AM to 9:15AM | 45 minutes
Navigating US-Mexico cross-border freight continues to offer immense potential, but also presents complex challenges. This session provides leaders an update and a practical roadmap to optimize operations and leverage new infrastructure, while addressing geopolitical trends, regulatory mandates, labor markets and other topics.
Moderator
Noi Mahoney Cross-Border Reporter FreightWaves LinkedIn >
Moderator
Noi Mahoney Cross-Border Reporter FreightWaves LinkedIn >
Session #07 The silent threat: Supply chain cyber resilience Tuesday 29 Sep | 11:00AM to 11:45AM | 45 minutes
Your software is now your most targeted piece of equipment. As the attack surface expands, logistics leaders must defend against a new breed of AI-driven ransomware that targets the heart of physical operations. Join us for a strategic briefing on building a resilient ecosystem capable of withstanding state-sponsored disruptions and sophisticated digital extortion.
Moderator
Angel Coker Senior Editor Commercial Carrier Journal LinkedIn >
Moderator
Angel Coker Senior Editor Commercial Carrier Journal LinkedIn >
Session #08 The power of open: Winning in a connected ecosystem Tuesday 29 Sep | 11:00AM to 11:45AM | 45 minutes
The era of the "closed system" is over. This closing session explores why radical collaboration and data transparency are essential for survival in 2026. Learn how to lead an organization that thrives on open standards and seamless integration across the entire supply chain.
Moderator
Rishi Mehra Sector VP / General Manager Trimble Inc. LinkedIn >
Moderator
Rishi Mehra Sector VP / General Manager Trimble Inc. LinkedIn >
Session #09 The trust deficit: Combating strategic fraud & crime Tuesday 29 Sep | 2:45PM to 3:30PM | 45 minutes
Fraud in the trucking market is now a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise. Leaders discuss the strategic response to double-brokering and identity theft, emphasizing how verified digital identities and the FMCSA’s new "Motus" system are being used to rebuild market trust.
Moderator
James Stevenson VP of Strategic Initiatives Trimble Inc. LinkedIn >
Moderator
James Stevenson VP of Strategic Initiatives Trimble Inc. LinkedIn >
Session #10 Safety 2.0: Leading a culture of driver well-being Tuesday 29 Sep | 4:15PM to 5:00PM | 45 minutes
Leading safety in 2026 means looking beyond the dashboard. This session examines the link between driver wellness, mental health, and safety outcomes, providing a blueprint for executives to reduce turnover and risk by prioritizing the "human" in the cab.
Moderator
Jeff Sibio SVP Customer Support & Success Trimble Inc. LinkedIn >
Moderator
Jeff Sibio SVP Customer Support & Success Trimble Inc. LinkedIn >
Program host
The Leadership Series is hosted by John Atherton, Global Lead, Market Strategy & Innovation, Trimble. John joined Trimble in October 2025 from Accenture, where he spent the last eight years in their global supply chain practice, and was aligned to Accenture’s joint business group with Amazon from 2019. John has extensive experience in the supply chain, with deep expertise in both technology and operations. After starting his career in the container shipping industry, John joined GT Nexus as an early employee until its acquisition by Infor in 2015. During his 25+ year career, he has advised dozens of Global 2000 clients in supply chain transformation programs such as Adidas, Caterpillar, DHL, Pfizer and many others. He is also a guest lecturer and visiting professor.
Learning more
Don't just react to the market – outmaneuver it. The Leadership Series is your chance to engage with the thinkers and tools that are moving the world forward.
Ready to join the conversation? Be sure to review the agenda for updates to the schedule.
Interested in being a panelist? Email insightconf@trimble.com.
© 2026 Trimble Inc.
Dedicated to the world’s tomorrow, Trimble is a technology company delivering solutions that enable our customers to work in new ways to measure, build, grow and move goods for a better quality of life. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products and enterprise lifecycle solutions to industry cloud services, Trimble is transforming critical industries such as construction, geospatial, agriculture and transportation to power an interconnected world of work.