January 2020, Dallas TX
The scholarship committee at John Galt Solutions sat down in December to review 127 applications for their third Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders. One recipient was selected from an abundance of qualified applicants - a person who stood out not only for their dedication to their career in sustainable supply chain, but also for their great potential as a strong future leader in the supply chain industry.
John Galt Solutions congratulates Sara Wilson from The University of Utah. Sara will receive a $10,000 scholarship towards her tuition and John Galt Solutions will be curious to follow her career to see how her future in the supply chain industry unfolds. We look forward seeing her realize her goals of making a big difference in sustainability and helping to create a more environmentally-friendly world.
"As we went through applications this year Sara stood out as someone deeply committed to using their education to help make the world a better place," said Anne Omrod, CEO "Part of this scholarship is finding individuals who both showcase potential for supply chain leadership and putting those skills to use for the greater good - we couldn't have found a better fit than Sara Wilson."
John Galt Solutions launched this scholarship to support the next generation of expert forecasters and supply chain leaders who show a strong commitment to their career in one of these fields, as well as demonstrating a desire to make positive change in the world. We are proud that we have now made a difference in the lives and education of three committed students of supply chain. Sara is a worthy addition to our scholarship alumni and will go on to great things, standing out among the next generation of passionate change-makers in Supply Chain.
In response to winning the scholarship, Sara says:
"Receiving this generous scholarship will enable me to further immerse in my education and career, and ultimately achieve my goal to implement sustainability in supply chains and operations around the world. I can see this goal is now in the near future, thanks to John Galt Solutions. My gratitude for this scholarship cannot be expressed enough, as this is surely an upward turning point in my life."
Sara's passion for the environment stems from a 6-week cultural exchange she did in Panama during high school and she is cementing this interest into formal education by taking a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, which will help her to create and substantiate her specialization within her Supply Chain career. She also has a strong interest in helping charities, and her extracurricular activities include being a member of the Supply Chain Club at her University, which has already begun to open doors for her, and she is a member of the Marching Band which she says has helped to develop her leadership skills.
"After weeding through the hundreds of scholarships we receive each year, it's always a joy to read a submission like Sara's and know they embody the spirit of self-improvement and social conscience that our world needs more of," said John Galt's scholarship coordinator, "We couldn't be prouder to support Sara as she continues her education and quest to make meaningful change as a supply chain leader."
John Galt Solutions wishes Sara Wilson every success!
The John Galt Solutions Higher Education Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders has two open calls for applications each year - one in Spring/Summer and one in Fall/Winter, awarding $10,000 twice a year to two worthy individuals. More information is available via the John Galt Solutions Scholarship web page
PREVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Sep 2019: Lillian DeMarco
In September 2019, John Galt Solutions announced the second recipient of The John Galt Scholarship for Future Suply Chain Leaders - that person was Lillian DeMarco, from Rider University College of Business Administration - with a dual major in Global Supply Chain and Business Analytics. John Galt Solutions will be watching her career with great interest at what will certainly be a strong future as a leader in the supply chain industry.
Choosing Lillian as the second recipient of the scholarship cements a pride that their support of the up-and-coming generation of supply chain experts continues to reward motivated individuals who prove their passion and dedication to the field and to making a positive contribution to society through supply chain and business acumen. Lillian came to Rider University because it felt like home to her after visiting seven times before attending. As a biology student on the pre-medical track, she was headed towards a professional life as a dentist and orthodontist, but soon realized that her lifelong passion for statistics and analytical tendencies was begging to be utilized in a more concrete and practical way. When she switched to business, her enthusiasm found its place and she hasn't looked back. Her goals within the corporate world include becoming a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, or Head of Operations at a large company; promoting Corporate Social Responsibility in every aspect of her work; executing efficiency into forecasting and analytical processes; and creating an environment for equal opportunities of success among all demographics.
"I chose Rider University because of its community-centric atmosphere that is perfect for attaining real world, meaningful experiences that you wouldn't necessarily get an opportunity to indulge in at a larger public university. I am extremely grateful to be part of the Rider community."
Lillian's altruistic nature shines as she speaks about her ambitions to change the world, both within and outside of the office. She believes that life is more than just the mix of our personal and professional "daily grind" - it's about extending help to those that need it. She plans on reaching a stage where she will be able to channel her supply chain expertise to help produce clean irrigation systems in deprived areas of the United States and developing countries, spreading awareness about prevalent issues plaguing our world, and economically empowering and fighting for justice for underrepresented groups and minorities.
“Being chosen as the recipient of this scholarship means more opportunities for professional and personal growth are possible, and I can focus on my schoolwork and greater purpose in life: to be a resource for all. Thank you to John Galt Solutions for fueling my dedication and commitment to being a supply chain leader.”
As CEO Anne Omrod put it: “Her commitment to her studies and personal growth already has her well on her way to becoming a supply chain leader of the future. I look forward to seeing where her career takes her and in what way her commendable goals to create positive sustainable change in disadvantaged communities manifest."
Manager of Student Relations at John Galt Solutions added: "I'm so proud to be part of an organization that values paying it forward - especially when we can help people like Lillian take one step closer toward achieving such great ambitions for making the world a better place."
Feb 2019: Marie Ozenua
Late 2018, John Galt Solutions announced they were accepting applications for their bi-annual scholarship. After receiving an overwhelming number of applications it was narrowed down to a select few, which were presented to the John Galt Staff who chose Marie Ozenua as the winner.
This $10,000 scholarship is aimed at supporting the next generation of expert forecasters and supply chain leaders who show a strong commitment to their career in one of these fields and Ms. Ozenua met those qualifications with admirable ease.
Sibling to two brothers, Marie is a Nigerian born demand planner in the making. While in the 10th grade, her father persuaded her to chose sciences over her first love, the arts, and she has not looked back. After contemplating several American universities Marie chose Georgia Tech.
“I chose Georgia Tech because I had heard about it's reputation for being one of the best engineering schools in the country,” Marie Ozenua said. “And at the time, I wanted to be a Computer Engineer.”
She later goes on to admit, “The artist in me couldn’t help but love the black and gold of Georgia Tech.” After a brief stint in what she thought would be her major, Marie decided to go in a different direction, switching to Industrial Engineering. This proved to be an easier decision that she thought, expressing, “I picked Industrial engineering because of its focus on math and efficiency. As a young girl, I always knew I wanted to help people, but I wasn't sure how. As an industrial engineer, I can help make systems and designs more efficient so work can be done faster and easier.”
Having the dream as a young girl of helping people having not left her mind, she began finding a way to implement that desire in her new field.
“As a supply chain engineer, I can design supply chain systems that would get essential products to consumers faster. This was a dream come true for me because it allowed me to see how I could use my skills to solve one of the most pressing problems facing those back home in Nigeria and in so many countries around the world - How do we get essential products (food, medicine, clothes, etc.) to people that need them the most, and in the fastest and most efficient way possible?”
It was statements such as this that cemented the decision of the John Galt staff; Marie Ozenua was, without a doubt, the correct recipient of the scholarship. “Her dedication to improving herself as person was obvious from the start, but it was her dedication to improving the world that drew us to her,” said one staff member. “It was very obvious to all of us that she had a plan to use her education, and soon to be influence, to better the lives of others.”
When asked about her goals, Marie did not disappoint reinforcing what the John Galt staff told us, saying, “My goal as a supply chain engineer is to design networks and systems that developing countries around the world can use to better understand their resources and capacity and provide more for the people that live in those countries.” If was very clear from start to finish that this year’s scholarship was going to someone who not only deserved it, but was going to use it in a manner that could truly change the world.
