Agenda
Monday, Nov. 3
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM and 4:00 PM - 4:45 PMDesign That Works: How GEP is Transforming the User Experience
Join GEP’s UX design team for a hands-on walkthrough of the latest user experience innovations across our software suite. From streamlined navigation to intuitive task flows, discover how great design is eliminating friction and empowering users across procurement, supply chain and category management. You’ll get an exclusive look at what’s coming next and a chance to shape it with your input.
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM and 4:00 PM - 4:45 PMWhat’s New, What’s Next: Product Innovation & Roadmap Showcase
Take a guided tour of the most impactful innovations launched in GEP software in 2025 and get a first look at what’s on the roadmap for 2026. This session spotlights real enhancements making teams faster, smarter and more agile — including powerful new features driven by agentic AI. Bring your questions, curiosity and wish list — this is your front-row seat to the future of GEP software.
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM and 4:00 PM - 4:45 PMTrusted Data, Smarter Decisions: Data Governance and AI in Procurement
As procurement teams race to embrace digital transformation, success increasingly depends on how well they collaborate with IT and data leaders. This session explores the new frontier of data governance and responsible AI and how it’s shaping the future of source-to-contract and procure-to-pay operations.
Join a practical discussion on how leading organizations are building trust in their data, aligning infrastructure with innovation and embedding responsible AI practices that meet evolving compliance, privacy and regulatory requirements. You’ll hear lessons learned from companies scaling AI from pilot to production, improving data quality and accelerating decision-making while staying in control. If you're serious about sustainable, intelligent operations, this session is your blueprint.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PMWelcome Reception - Antoine's: 713 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Antoine's: 713 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Tuesday, Nov. 4
8:30 AM – 8:45 AMWelcome and Kick-Off - Paul Blake, Senior Director, GEP
Welcome and Kick-Off - Paul Blake, Senior Director, GEP
9:00 AM – 09:45 AMGeopolitics Reshaping Global Supply Chains - Fareed Zakaria, World’s #1 Speaker on Global Affairs
Fareed Zakaria, World’s #1 Speaker on Global Affairs, Author, CNN Host
09:45 AM – 10:15 AMSimpler, Faster, Better: Driving Procurement Transformation in the Digital Era - Sopan Shah, Global Chief Procurement Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Discover how IHG’s Global Procurement team is redefining procurement as a strategic enabler. Digital transformation is powering this shift by redefining roles across a digital ecosystem, treating data as a product and empowering people to lead change. In this session, gain practical insights and real-world examples to accelerate your digital journey.
10:45 AM – 11:30 AMInnovations in Tech - Karim Jumma, Head of Product Management, GEP and Pooja Patel, Senior Director, GEP
To kick off the technology agenda for GEP INNOVATE 2025, GEP's VP of Product, Karim Jumma, will explore the innovations set to reshape procurement and supply chain. From breakthrough capabilities to the next wave of digital transformation, he’ll highlight what’s coming and why it matters now.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PMTransformation Doesn’t Start With Technology—It Starts With How We Think About Procurement - John Gordon, SVP, U.S. Steel
John Gordon, U.S. Steel’s senior vice president of raw materials and sustainable resources, explains why innovation, talent management, technology and agility are key to building an effective, high-performing procurement organization.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PMNuclear Growth and Supply Chain Resilience – Paul Lorskulsint, Chief Nuclear Officer, Urenco
Urenco’s chief nuclear officer discusses the vital role of power generation in an AI-driven future and the impact on procurement operations around the world.
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM How to Create Financial Value Amid Tariffs, Volatility and AI - Paula Glickenhaus, Chief Procurement Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb
In this fireside chat, CPO Paula Glickenhaus joins GEP President Roopa Makhija to share how BMS is using AI, master data management and bold decision-making to protect margins, elevate procurement’s profile and deliver results that resonate in the C-suite. Expect candid insights, lessons learned and practical takeaways you can apply in your own organization.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PMInnovation in Action: Whatfix, Mastercard, GEP COSTDRIVERS and EcoVadis Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Breakout A | Unlocking S2P Potential: Boost User Experience, Adoption & Quantum ROI with Whatfix
Speaker: Raghav Mehta, Whatfix
Procurement transformation hinges on seamless user adoption as S2P platforms evolve into AI-native powerhouses. Whatfix, GEP’s Technology Partner of the Year, solves this challenge with its AI-powered Context and Intent Engine. It delivers intelligent, in-app guidance that understands user needs and responds in the moment. Learn how Fortune 500 leaders use Whatfix AI agents to reduce cycle times, improve compliance, and accelerate time-to-value across complex S2P workflows.
Breakout B | Embedded Virtual Cards in GEP SMART: Driving Efficiency, Enhancing Control and Security, Unlocking Value with Mastercard
Speaker: Sameer Aggarwal, Mastercard
Embedded virtual card solutions are transforming procurement by eliminating the need to onboard low-volume suppliers, raising procurement’s profile, and strengthening payment controls while reducing fraud.
In this session with Mastercard’s Sameer Aggarwal and GEP, you’ll learn how this integrated approach delivers faster, more reliable payments, frees up working capital, and creates new revenue opportunities through rebates. See how leading organizations are applying virtual cards to improve efficiency, compliance and financial impact, and finally solving the long-standing challenge of tail-end supplier onboarding.
Breakout C | All the Data. One Place. One Prompt.
Speaker: Erick Boano, CEO, GEP COSTDRIVERS
Read the global context, spot the trends, seize the opportunities. This session, hosted by GEP COSTDRIVERS CEO Erick Boano, takes you inside GEP SMART and COSTDRIVERS, the latest in market intelligence solutions.
Breakout D | From ESG Fatigue to Business Transformation: What’s Really on the CPO Agenda?
Speaker: Chloé D'aillaud de Caseneuve, Director of Global Alliances, EcoVadis
As companies move past ESG fatigue, procurement leaders are pivoting from labels to action — focusing on measurable decarbonization, regulatory reality and resilient business model transformation.
3:30 PM – 4:30 PMInnovation in Action: Whatfix, Mastercard, GEP COSTDRIVERS and EcoVadis Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Breakout A | Unlocking S2P Potential: Boost User Experience, Adoption & Quantum ROI with Whatfix
Speaker: Raghav Mehta, Whatfix
Procurement transformation hinges on seamless user adoption as S2P platforms evolve into AI-native powerhouses. Whatfix, GEP’s Technology Partner of the Year, solves this challenge with its AI-powered Context and Intent Engine. It delivers intelligent, in-app guidance that understands user needs and responds in the moment. Learn how Fortune 500 leaders use Whatfix AI agents to reduce cycle times, improve compliance, and accelerate time-to-value across complex S2P workflows.
Breakout B | Embedded Virtual Cards in GEP SMART: Driving Efficiency, Enhancing Control and Security, Unlocking Value with Mastercard
Speaker: Sameer Aggarwal, Mastercard
Embedded virtual card solutions are transforming procurement by eliminating the need to onboard low-volume suppliers, raising procurement’s profile, and strengthening payment controls while reducing fraud.
In this session with Mastercard’s Sameer Aggarwal and GEP, you’ll learn how this integrated approach delivers faster, more reliable payments, frees up working capital, and creates new revenue opportunities through rebates. See how leading organizations are applying virtual cards to improve efficiency, compliance and financial impact, and finally solving the long-standing challenge of tail-end supplier onboarding.
Breakout C | All the Data. One Place. One Prompt.
Speaker: Erick Boano, CEO, GEP COSTDRIVERS
Read the global context, spot the trends, seize the opportunities. This session, hosted by GEP COSTDRIVERS CEO Erick Boano, takes you inside GEP SMART and COSTDRIVERS, the latest in market intelligence solutions.
Breakout D | From ESG Fatigue to Business Transformation: What’s Really on the CPO Agenda?
Speaker: Chloé D'aillaud de Caseneuve, Director of Global Alliances, EcoVadis
As companies move past ESG fatigue, procurement leaders are pivoting from labels to action — focusing on measurable decarbonization, regulatory reality and resilient business model transformation.
6:00 PM Gala Dinner - Galeriè de Galatoire: 211 Royal Street, New Orleans LA 70130
Galeriè de Galatoire: 211 Royal Street, New Orleans LA 70130
Wednesday, Nov. 5
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM Welcome and Kick-Off
The event MC, Paul Blake, kicks off Day Two with opening remarks.
8:45 AM – 9:15 AM Agentic AI: The Next Wave of Intelligent Automation – Micky Keck, Director Analyst, Gartner
Micky Keck, director analyst at Gartner, shares the latest developments in procurement technology and how emerging innovations are shaping the future of procurement and supply chain management.
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Leading in the C-Suite Through Uncertainty - Oscar Munoz, Former CEO of United Airlines
Oscar Munoz, former CEO & Executive Chairman, United Airlines
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM Driving Circular Value: How Honda Is Rethinking the Lifecycle of Indirect Procurement - Matt Daniel, Director of Procurement Sustainability, Honda
Honda’s groundbreaking Resource Circulation program is a bold initiative to redesign, reclaim, dismantle and reuse materials from unused car parts, MRO goods and equipment. Developed in collaboration with GEP, the program redefines procurement’s role, proving how supply teams can drive sustainability, innovation and value creation far beyond traditional sourcing.
Matt Daniel, director of procurement sustainability at Honda, will highlight the insights behind its development and what it signals for the future of procurement-led transformation.
10:20 AM – 10:40 AM Standing Up Indirect Procurement From Virtually Nothing - Jason Dean, Global Category Manager, GrafTech International
Jason Dean, global category manager at GrafTech International, will share how he and the team built a state-of-the-art indirect procurement operation from scratch at the leading edge of materials innovation.
10:40 AM - 11:00 AMHow to Deliver Savings in a Business That Is Constantly Merging - Aaron Lieto, Sourcing Director, Center of Excellence, and Ashley Meeks, Senior Product Manager, Acuity Brands
Join Aaron Lieto and Ashley Meeks from Acuity Brands as they reveal how their team consistently delivers significant savings in the midst of ongoing M&A activity — no small feat. Discover the strategies behind their success and how you can apply them.
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM What’s Next From AI and Quantum Computing - Michio Kaku, Renowned Physicist
Michio Kaku, Renowned physicist, futurist and best-selling author of "Quantum Supremacy"
12:15 PM - 12:45 PMThe Roadmap for AI-Powered Procurement - Santosh Nair, Global Head of Growth, GEP
AI is going to dominate everything. Or so we're told. But what does the roadmap look like, and what should we expect, when? How can we best deploy agents into the process, and what will that mean for us? GEP’s Global Head of Growth, Santosh Nair, will answer these critical questions and outline what the future of AI-powered procurement means for leaders today.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PMReal-World Insights: Roundtables With Caterpillar, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Mattress Firm
Roundtable Sessions: Where Real Conversations Happen
Join one of three concurrent roundtable discussions, each led by a senior procurement executive from a GEP customer and supported by GEP facilitators. These hour-long interactive sessions go beyond presentations, offering a candid, peer-to-peer exchange of ideas, challenges and solutions across industries.
For many attendees, the roundtables are the highlight of GEP INNOVATE, providing a chance to connect directly with senior practitioners, share experiences and gain insights you will not find in any keynote or webinar.
Innovations in Direct Materials Procurement
Speakers:
Scott Kellogg, Director Digital Products – Caterpillar Inc.
Cassie Osborne, Director Digital Process – Caterpillar Inc.
Join this focused discussion on how one of the world’s most iconic manufacturers is modernizing and optimizing direct materials procurement. Explore strategies to manage supply complexity, balance global sourcing with local responsiveness, and drive end-to-end visibility in high-stakes environments. Gain insights into how leading companies are innovating across direct spend categories and building resilient supply bases — with practical takeaways for any large-scale manufacturing operation.
Applying Analytics and Integration
Speaker: Nathan Fernandez, Director, Procurement Operations – Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
This roundtable explores how advanced analytics, system integration, and data visibility are transforming procurement’s role in healthcare and beyond. Learn how procurement teams can align with IT and finance to unlock better decision-making, supplier intelligence, and performance tracking. With a focus on scalability and usability, the session offers insights for organizations navigating siloed systems or building a more connected procurement ecosystem.
Navigating Challenges Implementing S2P Automation
Speaker: Joe Torres, Senior Manager, Indirect Procurement – Mattress Firm
This candid, experience-rich roundtable explores the real challenges and triumphs of implementing source-to-pay (S2P) automation. Hear what it takes to drive change across teams, overcome adoption hurdles, and turn digital investments into lasting value. From early resistance to sustained impact, this session offers practical lessons in stakeholder alignment, process redesign, and the human side of transformation — essential for anyone planning or refining their automation journey.
