SOM Women in Supply Chain -10 Questions with 5 Experts

Sonali Gosain ’20, Manufacturing Partner Manager, Google

Sonali is a Manufacturing Partner Manager at Google, where she combines her engineering background with sharp business acumen to forge strategic manufacturing partnerships for Google Cloud's ML infrastructure. She excels at aligning complex technical requirements with the capabilities of a global supply network, ensuring the success of Google Hardware. Previously, she managed supply operations at Apple, where she developed strong commercial negotiation expertise. With 10+ years in the Consumer Electronics, Cloud Service Provider and O&G industries, she brings a deep understanding of customer & infrastructure needs, and significant experience in successfully navigating market shifts and mitigating supply chain risks. Sonali believes in the power of education to transform lives. She actively mentors women in STEM and advocates for greater access to educational opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Q1: What are key factors in your impressive career 5 years post SOM and what are some highlights in your current role?

My journey to success has been fueled by a combination of strong foundational learning and real-world experience. My time at SOM was pivotal in equipping me with the analytical rigor and strategic thinking needed to excel in the business world. The emphasis on leadership development, coupled with the strong relationships I built with my cohort, faculty, and mentors, provided invaluable support, and opened doors to exciting opportunities.

My hands-on experience at Apple and Google truly accelerated my growth. At Apple, I was thrown into the deep end, streamlining global supply chains for new product launches amidst the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience honed my ability to navigate complexity, manage operations under pressure, and make critical decisions with limited resources.

At Google, I gained a deeper understanding of strategic leadership and change management, working alongside some of the industry's best. I learned how to motivate teams, foster collaboration, and drive impactful initiatives with a long-term vision.

These experiences not only sharpened my problem-solving skills but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The lessons I learned and the relationships I formed during this time will undoubtedly continue to shape my career for years to come.

I am passionate about working at the forefront of technology and collaborating with a network of partners to produce cutting-edge ML hardware. I find the industry and my role to be fast-paced and innovative, providing me with opportunities to constantly learn and grow. I'm particularly drawn to the strategic aspect of my role; I get to learn the macroeconomic and commercial drivers of the industry and translate that knowledge into impactful manufacturing roadmaps.

Q2: What’s a favorite SOM class, faculty member or community experience that made your SOM and post SOM experience special?

"Global Macro Economics" with Professor Lorenzo Caliendo was a revelation! As an engineer with no formal economics background, I was initially intimidated, but Professor Caliendo had a way of making complex concepts like GDP, inflation, and unemployment come alive. To date, whenever I pick an article from The Wall Street Journal to read, I am transported straight into the world of Prof Caliendo’s economics class magic.

What made the class truly special was how it connected to the real world. We explored the tools governments and central banks use, and my classmates, who came from diverse countries and industries, shared incredible insights into how these economic forces played out in their own regions and sectors. It was an eye-opening experience that broadened my global perspective and equipped me to navigate today's interconnected economy. My SOM classmates came from various industries – tech, healthcare, finance, entertainment, non-profit – and different roles - from engineers to marketers to entrepreneurs. This meant that every case study and every group project was enriched by a multitude of viewpoints.

• Fun Fact: From stilettos to steel toe, I was the 'lady in orange' on the oil rigs! Turns out, you can rock orange coveralls & steel-toed boots and still make a statement! ;) I worked as one of the few women engineers in the Oil & Gas industry in India, prior to venturing into the world of tech!

• Favorite Book: The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

• Favorite Show: Ted Lasso (particularly season 1)

• How to Reach Me: Linkedin

Marisa Li ’24, Senior Program Manager, Amazon

Marisa is an expert in digital transformation and innovation. As a Senior Program Manager at Amazon, she develops and launches technology products to optimize the company’s delivery network. Previously, Marisa worked at Goldman Sachs, leading M&A integration efforts focused on vendor management-related policies, processes, and technology platforms. Marisa is a long-time mentor and volunteer with a focus on education and social action. She received the Forté Fellowship for her contributions to advancing women in business, the UC Berkeley Leadership Award, and an impact award from Project by Project, a non-profit that develops leaders in the Asian American community.

Q1: What are key factors in your impressive pivot to Big Tech during and post SOM?

Good storytelling was a key factor. SOM offers many courses focused on tech, but I decided to take several marketing classes to branch out and learn about other areas. While not directly related to my recruiting, classes like Marketing Strategy with Professor Jiwoong Shin developed my ability to connect different pieces together into a cohesive strategy and message. This was important for behavioral interviews, where I had to show how my past experiences at Goldman Sachs were tied to my post-MBA goals in tech. I also think storytelling is a differentiator in supply chain roles. We have huge amounts of data available at Amazon, considering the billions of packages we deliver every year. My ability to interpret that data and present my recommendations in a way that convinces stakeholders and leadership is critical. With different teams owning different parts of the supply chain, I frequently need to influence others.

Another important factor (and one you will hear about often!) was the SOM community. When I was recruiting for an internship, the 2Y students reviewed my resume and shared their experiences from the previous summer. I also talked to alumni who made a similar industry pivot from financial services into tech. Thanks to those conversations, I started my internship at Amazon with a good idea of what to expect and how to set myself up for success, ultimately leading to a full-time return offer. I changed locations from the Bay Area to Seattle for my full-time role. I am thankful to have been warmly welcomed by the local SOM alumni chapter - I have found wonderful lunch buddies, mentors, and friends here!

Q2: What are some highlights from Day One and Year One at Amazon?

When I joined Amazon, I was amazed by the scale of our impact. I led the launch of a new forecasting model across our middle mile delivery network. By improving the accuracy of our truck scheduling, we reduced our annualized costs by over $17 million. It was exciting to own such a large program from Day 1, with our initial pilot starting in my first month! My colleagues are very smart and driven, and I continue to learn from them every day.

Transportation, as well as supply chain in general, is a complex space. There are numerous variables, such as the type of truck used, the length of the delivery route, and more. My team works closely with software developers and research scientists to create and enhance our algorithms and machine learning models. I have really enjoyed participating in these discussions and identifying opportunities for our technology products to solve business problems.

I also represented Amazon at an MBA recruiting conference earlier this year. It was so energizing to meet with current students, including members of our SOM Class of 2026! I loved having the opportunity to pay it forward and share advice after having received so much support during my own recruiting journey.

• Fun Fact: I’m in the top 10% of readers on Goodreads - I read over a book per week on average!

• Favorite Trip: Peru. I’m usually not a big fan of hiking, but I went with friends to Machu Picchu and Humantay Lake and was absolutely amazed by the views.

• How to Reach Me: LinkedIn or marisa.li@aya.yale.edu (email is preferred)

Gillian Lui ’21, Sustainability Manager, REI

Gillian is an interdisciplinary climate professional who’s advanced innovative, global climate solutions across the academic, philanthropic, non-profit, and private sectors. At REI, she leads enterprise carbon strategy for the nation’s largest consumer co-operative. Her responsibilities include tracking, forecasting, and reducing the carbon impacts of REI’s operations and supply chain and structuring international carbon investments focused on nature-based solutions and catalytic finance. Previously, Lui was an EDF Climate Corp Fellow at Lyft, a Switzer Environmental Fellow, and a Climate Research Fellow at The Packard Foundation.

Q1: What are you excited about in terms of careers in Sustainability & Supply Chain?
I’m really excited about the growing need for interdisciplinary professionals across nearly every functional area, including supply chain work. I don’t consider myself a supply chain professional, but as a climate professional at a retailer like REI that manufactures consumer goods, my work regularly intersects with supply chain concepts. For example, at REI we use carbon emissions as a metric for evaluating the performance of our logistics program and have targets to reduce our logistics emissions over time. Also, REI’s ability to meet our enterprise emissions reduction target relies on our suppliers setting reduction targets as well, so we integrate supplier engagement, capacity building, and technical assistance on climate topics into our supply chain strategy. On a recent trip to Vietnam to visit REI textile and apparel suppliers, I was really excited to have discussions with our suppliers on emissions management and reduction targets - right alongside my colleagues in sourcing and materials. We’re in an era where sustainability concepts are part and parcel with virtually every corner of an organization’s strategy, and those that fully embrace this integration will earn themselves a clear competitive advantage.

Q2: What’s an example of how your SOM experience informed your professional path?

Experiencing SOM during the pandemic (shoutout to the class of 2021!) really reinforced to me the importance of values. When everything around you appears to be crumbling, what remains is what is true - this is a concept from Pema Chödrön's book When Things Fall Apart that I often reflect on. Our core values are what drive us, guide us, and inspire us, especially when the path forward can be unclear. I’ve enjoyed the process of learning how the values and mission of an institution like SOM, with its focus on “educating leaders for business and society,” or a company like REI, that “fights for life outside,” can buoy us and offer direction in times of challenge and evolution. Advancing meaningful, positive outcomes for both people and the planet is a core value of mine, and my SOM experience underscored the importance of dedicating my time and energy to mission-driven organizations that align with this worldview.

• Fun Fact: My first marathon was on the Great Wall of China, and I was the first American woman finisher that year.

• Favorite Book: The Overstory by Richard Powers

• How to Reach Me: LinkedIn

Andrea Pacheco ’22, Senior Product Manager - Innovation & Automation, Walmart

Andrea Pacheco is an expert in supply chain innovation, AI & Data. She is a Senior Product Manager for Innovation & Automation at Walmart where she specializes in digital transformation and oversees innovation and automation projects. She is passionate about leveraging data and applying new technologies to automate complex processes, improve efficiency and enhance business outcomes. In addition to her Master's in Advanced Management (MAM) from the School of Management (SOM), she earned an MBA from EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico and has a bachelor's degree in Informatics Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. A passionate animal lover, Andrea has been a long-term volunteer at dog shelters. She is an advocate for girls' empowerment and serves as a mentor to fellow Peruvians in STEM who aspire to pursue careers in the US.

Q1: What are the key factors in your impressive career as a tech and supply chain leader, both prior to and following your time at SOM?

The key factors that have shaped my career as both tech and a supply chain leader span a combination of perseverance, continuous learning, and cross-functional team collaboration.

Perseverance has been a constant throughout my career. When I was younger, I was told I wasn’t smart enough to be an engineer, but I was fortunate to have a supportive family that always believed in me and my potential, I always kept going. Once I became an engineer, I had the opportunity to pivot into various technology roles—ranging from infrastructure and platform ownership to big data—each with significant responsibilities. In these roles, I learned to remain persistent in the face of high-impact challenges. Whether it was coordinating fixes across different teams, staying up late to identify root causes, or navigating complex issues, my ability to push through tough situations became key. It was this persistence that allowed me to keep moving forward and find solutions, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Continuous learning has played a significant role in my professional development. Technology is my passion, and because it constantly evolves, I challenge myself to constantly acquire new knowledge in emerging technologies and enhance my leadership skills. This commitment to growth ultimately led me to SOM. Before SOM, I never imagined working in the supply chain field, as I initially perceived it as less exciting due to its reliance on legacy systems. However, the pandemic revealed how crucial a robust and streamlined supply chain is, leading to a surge of interest and innovation in the field. During my time at SOM, I took “Supply Chain Management” class with Professor Sang Kim, which served as my introduction to supply chain. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic interactions in class, especially one session focused on how technology supports and automates these complex processes. That experience reshaped my perspective, I found it fascinating and inspiring!

Finally, cross-functional team collaboration has been crucial in driving success. It’s rare that any problem can be solved in isolation. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that collaboration across departments creates a stronger, more efficient approach to problem-solving. Effective teamwork and clear communication between different functions have been fundamental in delivering impactful results and driving projects forward.

Q2: What did you learn at SOM that you find yourself applying in your current position and what are the classes you would recommend?

I currently work as a Product Owner on emerging technology initiatives to automate complex processes and improve in-house platforms within Yard Operations. In this role, critical skills include data analytics, SQL for technical work, and soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving.

At SOM, the Supply Chain Management class with Professor Sang Kim was vital for me, as I had no prior knowledge of supply chain concepts. This course provided a solid introduction to supply chain processes and broadened my understanding of the field. I also significantly strengthened my skills through other impactful courses, including Social Media Analytics with Professor Tauhid Zaman, Big Data with Professor Vahideh Manshadi, and Product Management with Professor Alex Burnap. Each class offered valuable insights and practical knowledge:

• Social Media Analytics introduced me to transformers and how to leverage AI for extracting key data points and identifying frequent topics, which has been highly relevant to my work.
• Big Data reinforced my coding and large-scale data manipulation skills while fostering critical thinking through hands-on problem-solving.
• Product Management taught me how to measure product behavior and project metrics using KPIs. I apply these skills regularly to evaluate a product's performance.

If I had to recommend a single class, it would be Advanced Management of Software Development by Professor Kyle Jensen. This was my favorite class at SOM, as it provided a comprehensive overview of what you need for a role in tech. The sessions were dynamic and hands-on, and we even had Yale alumni join to share their professional experiences. Professor Kyle is truly amazing, and I would strongly recommend this class to anyone interested in technology and software development.

Lastly, I encourage everyone to choose classes that align with their interests and areas they want to strengthen, but also to step out of their comfort zones and explore something new. You never know where you’ll end up after school. For example, I never imagined working in supply chain, but staying open to learning and taking the Supply Chain Management class turned out to be an excellent decision. This new knowledge, combined with my tech background and critical thinking skills, has allowed me to thrive in my current position.

• Fun Fact: I have a twin sister and yes we used to have our secret language.

• Favorite Series, Book or Trip: Love Slow Horses and The Traitors. My favorite book is Little Women and my favorite trip will always be to anywhere in Perú.

• How to Reach Me: LinkedIn or andrea.pacheco@yale.edu

Shannon Yan ’21, Senior Business Intelligence Engineer, Amazon

Shannon joined Amazon Transportation Services as a Business Intelligence Engineer after Yale SOM, where she interprets billions of rows of data to reduce delivery delays and improve the speed, efficiency, and optimization of Amazon’s logistic network. Prior to SOM, she published research on mutual funds at Morningstar.

Q1: What are key factors in your successful career at Amazon post SOM?

Coming into SOM, I knew I wanted to pivot into tech, but I didn’t know what in tech. SOM gave me the mental space to reflect on what I enjoyed doing while not at work, who I was as an employee, and who I want to be as my best self. The flexible curriculum at SOM allowed me to take four computer science and statistics classes at Yale College, which gave me the confidence to pursue a non-traditional post-SOM career in data.

Q2: What’s a favorite community experience that made your post-SOM experience special?

Like Gillian, I was a part of the pandemic class during which we met our classmates and then didn’t see them for 18 months. But when I moved to a new city where I didn’t know a soul, I was surprised that my SOM experience picked up seamlessly and flourished beyond what I imagined was possible. The SOM community in the greater Seattle area welcomed me with such candor and helped me through life’s many ups and downs. They are some of the kindest people I know and shaped me into who I am today.

• Fun Fact: Amazon supply chain fun fact - Much like airlines, Amazon operates a hub-and-spoke logistic network. DJR3, one of the last-mile spokes, delivers packages under a day on e-bikes in Manhattan.

• Favorite Series, Book or Trip: Mad Men or Succession (horrible people, profound human nature)

• How to Reach Me: Linkedin