The 2026 Women in Supply Chain Forum™ Award shines a spotlight on leaders who are reshaping how global networks operate, and this year’s Trailblazer honor goes to Edona Kurtolli, Enterprise Customer Success Director at Exiger. Her recognition marks a second consecutive win for Kurtolli, following her earlier Rising Stars accolade, underscoring a trajectory of consistent impact and growing influence within the sector. Awards like these serve not only as personal milestones but also as barometers of broader industry shifts, highlighting where innovation, mentorship, and strategic leadership are converging to create more resilient and transparent supply chains. For professionals watching the space, Kurtolli’s achievement offers a concrete example of how combining deep domain expertise with a customer‑centric mindset can accelerate the adoption of cutting‑edge technologies such as agentic AI.
Kurtolli’s career at Exiger illustrates the power of aligning customer success with technological advancement. In her role, she works directly with Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies, and defense organizations to help them navigate complex challenges ranging from trade compliance to operational readiness. Her approach treats every client engagement as a learning opportunity, feeding real‑world insights back into Exiger’s product development cycle. This closed‑loop model ensures that the AI‑driven 1Exiger platform evolves in response to actual pain points rather than theoretical use cases, thereby increasing relevance and return on investment for users. Such a methodology is increasingly vital as supply chains grow more volatile and organizations demand solutions that can adapt quickly to emerging risks.
At the heart of Exiger’s value proposition lies the 1Exiger platform, a single pane of glass that delivers instant visibility across vast supplier ecosystems. By leveraging proprietary data and advanced agentic AI, the system proactively surfaces risks, automates compliance checks, accelerates procurement cycles, and uncovers efficiency gains that translate into cost savings. Kurtolli’s emphasis on customer success helps ensure that these capabilities are not merely theoretical but are applied in ways that meet specific organizational goals. For instance, a manufacturer might use the platform to monitor geopolitical flashpoints affecting Tier‑2 suppliers, while a federal agency could rely on it to enforce stringent cybersecurity standards across its contractor base. The ability to tailor AI outputs to mission‑critical objectives is what differentiates a tool from a true strategic advantage.
Erika Peters, Head of Customer Success for Strategic Accounts at Exiger, highlighted how Kurtolli has been instrumental in building the feedback loops that drive innovation. By maintaining open channels between product teams and end‑users, Kurtolli helps translate frontline experiences into concrete feature enhancements and usability improvements. This practice not only accelerates the pace of innovation but also fosters a sense of ownership among customers, who see their challenges reflected in the platform’s evolution. In an era where AI solutions can sometimes feel like black boxes, such transparency builds trust and encourages broader adoption. Moreover, it creates a virtuous cycle: better products lead to happier customers, which in turn generates more valuable data for further refinement.
The practical implications of AI‑enabled supply chain management extend far beyond operational efficiency. Today’s businesses face a confluence of pressures—climate‑related disruptions, shifting trade regulations, heightened expectations for ethical sourcing, and the need for rapid scenario planning. AI excels at processing vast amounts of structured and unstructured data to identify patterns that humans might miss, such as early warning signs of supplier financial distress or emerging bottlenecks in logistics networks. By automating routine compliance tasks, organizations free up skilled professionals to focus on strategic decision‑making, risk mitigation, and relationship building. Kurtolli’s work exemplifies how enabling this shift requires not just powerful technology but also a deep understanding of the human processes that technology aims to support.
Beyond technological contributions, Kurtolli’s recognition underscores the vital role of mentorship and visible leadership in advancing women within supply chain professions. Historically, the field has been male‑dominated, particularly in senior technical and operational roles. Awards that celebrate female achievements help to counteract stereotypes and provide role models for the next generation. Kurtolli’s repeated recognition signals that sustained excellence is noticed and rewarded, encouraging other women to pursue ambitious goals, seek stretch assignments, and advocate for their own professional development. Moreover, her visibility helps to normalize the idea that leadership in supply chain is not confined to any single gender, thereby enriching the talent pool with diverse perspectives that drive better outcomes.
The statistics surrounding this year’s award submissions reveal encouraging cultural shifts within the industry. Over 300 nominations were received, with 70 coming from self‑nominations—the highest number ever recorded. This surge suggests that more professionals, regardless of gender, are feeling confident enough to put their own achievements forward for consideration. Simultaneously, 44 nominations were submitted by male colleagues, also a record high, indicating growing allyship and recognition of women’s contributions from peers. These trends point to a broader movement toward inclusive recognition practices, where merit is increasingly acknowledged irrespective of gender, and where individuals feel empowered to advocate for themselves and others.
The Women in Supply Chain Forum™ itself serves as a critical platform for education, networking, and mentorship. Held annually, the forum brings together thousands of professionals to share best practices, discuss emerging trends, and build supportive communities. For award winners like Kurtolli, the event offers an opportunity to amplify their messages, connect with potential mentees, and learn from fellow innovators. The upcoming November 2026 gathering in Charleston, South Carolina, promises to be especially significant, featuring the Top 4 overall category winners and providing a venue for substantive discussions on topics such as AI ethics, supply chain resilience, and workforce development. Participation in such forums can be a career‑accelerating move, offering exposure to thought leaders and potential collaborators.
From a market perspective, the demand for AI‑driven supply chain solutions is accelerating rapidly. Analysts project double‑digit growth in the procurement automation and supplier risk management segments over the next five years, fueled by the need for greater agility in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and climate volatility. Companies that invest in these technologies early stand to gain competitive advantages through lower operating costs, faster time‑to‑market, and enhanced regulatory compliance. Exiger’s repeated placement as a Leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Supplier Risk Management validates the effectiveness of its approach and signals to the market that AI integration is no longer optional but a strategic imperative for forward‑thinking organizations.
For professionals seeking to emulate Kurtolli’s trajectory, several actionable insights emerge. First, cultivate a habit of linking day‑to‑day problem solving to strategic outcomes—ask how each challenge you tackle contributes to broader organizational goals such as cost reduction, risk mitigation, or sustainability. Second, actively seek feedback loops: share your observations with product or process teams, and be open to incorporating their suggestions into your work. Third, invest in continuous learning, particularly in emerging areas like AI, data analytics, and ESG (environmental, social, governance) frameworks, as these domains are increasingly intersecting with supply chain functions. Finally, build and nurture a professional network both inside and outside your organization; mentorship, sponsorship, and peer support are often decisive factors in career advancement.
Organizations looking to foster more leaders like Kurtolli should consider implementing structured programs that promote equity and visibility. Establish formal mentorship initiatives that pair emerging talent with experienced leaders, ensuring that women and underrepresented groups have access to guidance and advocacy. Create transparent criteria for recognition and promotion, and encourage self‑nomination for awards and speaking opportunities to build confidence. Additionally, invest in upskilling programs that focus on both technical competencies—such as AI literacy—and soft skills like stakeholder management and strategic communication. By making these investments, companies not only enhance their talent pipeline but also drive better business outcomes through diverse, innovative teams.
In closing, Edona Kurtolli’s second Women in Supply Chain Forum™ Award is more than a personal accolade; it reflects a maturing industry where AI‑powered solutions, customer‑centric innovation, and inclusive leadership are becoming intertwined imperatives. Her story offers a roadmap for professionals aiming to make a meaningful impact: stay curious, prioritize real‑world feedback, champion mentorship, and leverage technology as an enabler of strategic value. As supply chains continue to evolve amid global uncertainty, leaders who can bridge the gap between cutting‑edge AI and practical human needs will be the ones shaping the next era of resilience, efficiency, and growth. Take the first step today—identify one area where you can close the feedback loop, seek a mentor or become one, and commit to continuous learning in the AI‑driven supply chain landscape.