The role of young people in supply chains

Ramatu Abdulkadir holds a Ph.D. in Transport Logistics from Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. Before joining the Kühne Foundation, Ms. Abdulkadir made significant contributions to healthcare supply chain transformations in Nigeria, in collaboration with governments, donors, and private sector partners.

She led the transformation of the Kaduna State health supply chain systems, serving over 10 million people to save lives. She is recognised for her contribution to logistics and supply chain management as a policy analyst, development strategist, circular economy champion, and subject matter expert.

Ms. Abdulkadir is committed to assisting organisations and policymakers in resolving intricate supply chain problems by leveraging her knowledge and experience in creating impactful and sustainable solutions. Her collaborative and result-driven approach has made her a trusted partner in addressing the dynamic landscape of supply chain capacity development. She has been engaged in teaching and supply chain capacity building both locally and internationally.

Ade O'Neal works as the Assistant Manager, Business Development at Barbados Port Inc. He is a trade professional with a solid background in implementing diverse projects in the private and public sectors. He holds post-graduate qualifications in International Trade Policy, graduating with distinction and an Executive MBA.

In addition to his professional career, he has a keen interest in social development and youth advocacy, having spent more than a decade contributing to these fields. He is a former youth parliamentarian, having represented Barbados in the Americas & Europe, Former secretary of the Barbados Youth Development Council and up to 2023 served as Barbados' National Delegate to the Commonwealth Youth Council.

Ade currently serves as the Assistant District Administrator for the Caribbean Key Clubs, responsible for coordinating the activities and district service projects and events for 11 Caribbean nations.

Maria Bolotnikov is currently trade facilitation consultant at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Prior to joining UNCTAD, Maria was an economic analyst at the governmental agency Business France. There she specialized in enhancing foreign investments in France. 

She holds a Master's Degree in International Relations and Foreign Affairs from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, where she specialized in Development Economics.

Natnael Getachew Muluye is a dedicated and driven undergraduate student at Addis Ababa University School of Commerce, specializing in the field of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Hailing from the vibrant nation of Ethiopia, he is deeply passionate about utilizing his knowledge to contribute to his country's sustainable development. With a passion for sustainable solutions, Natnael is committed to making a positive impact in the world of international trade and development.

Throughout his academic journey, he has developed a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics and challenges within the logistics and supply chain industry. Natnael is particularly interested in exploring sustainable practices that promote economic growth while minimizing environmental impact. With his dedication to sustainable development and expertise in logistics and supply chain management, Natnael is well-equipped to address the complex challenges faced by Ethiopia and contribute to the global efforts in building a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Juan Salamanca is a visionary supply chain leader with over 9 years of experience in multicultural environments, specializing in generating customer-oriented results through the strategic use of technology and information systems.

His transformative approach to supply chain management, coupled with a humanitarian focus and expertise in implementing large-scale ERP systems, has significantly impacted organizational capabilities across 13 countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region in organizations such as ICRC.

Currently, Juan is completing his master's studies in Supply Chain Management at the University of the Andes in Colombia. Juan currently works for Plan International, a humanitarian and international development organization advocating for children's rights and girls' equality.