Guest: Kathy Fulton of the American Logistics Aid Network on 20 years of being there for others; Tariffs force changes in sourcing; New drivers of e-commerce

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Sep 26, 2025

Kathy Fulton, the executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), discusses the organization's vital role in humanitarian logistics, founded post-Hurricane Katrina. She shares inspiring stories of disaster relief and highlights ALAN's achievements over 20 years. Kathy sheds light on how tariffs are pushing companies to source from small U.S. suppliers and explains the growing influence of Gen Z on e-commerce trends, particularly in social-commerce and innovative delivery methods. Her insights underline the evolving landscape of logistics.

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INSIGHT

Logistics Skills Power Humanitarian Aid

ALAN leverages commercial logistics skills and assets to power humanitarian relief efforts.
The organization repurposes industry capabilities to deliver disaster aid faster and more efficiently.

ANECDOTE

Born From Katrina Failures

ALAN was born after logisticians at a CSCMP conference saw logistics failures during Hurricane Katrina.
They decided the industry could and should solve the problem of getting essential supplies to disaster survivors.

INSIGHT

Crisis Convening Became Lasting Collaboration

ALAN convened industry groups during COVID to address shared supply-chain challenges.
Those conversations evolved into ongoing collaboration and a Supply Chain Intelligence Center with Everstream Analytics.

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Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). Twenty years ago last month, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, leaving in its wake an estimated $125 billion dollars of damage and countless lives changed. It was during this catastrophe that a group logisticians had an idea - and ALAN, the American Logistics Aid Network, was born. Our guest shares the work of ALAN and reflects on the organization’s past 20 years of service to the world during times of crisis.

The changing trade landscape that supply chains have experienced this year are continuing to impact where around the world products are manufactured and then sourced into the United States. And now it seems that small businesses are playing a larger role when it comes to sourcing, as companies continue to deal with the ups and downs of tariffs. This is according to a report from sourcing solutions provider Supplier.io, released this week.

New research shows that e-commerce is swiftly becoming more complex than just the classic image of using your laptop to order from a website and have a product shipped to your home. Geopost, a large French last-mile and parcel delivery firm, surveyed customers across 22 European countries for an annual study on e-commerce trends. They found that sector is changing fast, in large part because of the influence of Gen Z consumers. We tell you what differences this generation is making on online shopping.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Duravant Integrated Solutions

Other links

Join the Logistics Matters team at CSCMP EDGE 2025, October 5-8 at the Gaylord in Washington, D.C. Go to CSCMP.org to find out more.