Award honors female leaders helping shape the future of supply chain operations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Aug. 27, 2026 – Kenco, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, today announced team members Ainsley Williams and Jonna van Thiel have been named recipients of the 2026 Women in Supply Chain Forum™ Award. Presented by Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, this award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network.
Williams was recognized in the award’s “Trailblazer” category for her leadership in advancing practical, people-centric automation strategies across Kenco’s operations. As Vice President of Automation & Innovation, she leads Kenco’s Innovation Lab and oversees the company’s automation strategy, helping identify and deploy technologies that improve operational performance while supporting workforce engagement and long-term scalability. Drawing on experience evaluating emerging technologies at Walmart and leading the design of one of North America’s largest automated food distribution centers, Williams continues to help shape Kenco’s approach to automation and innovation.
“Being recognized as a ‘trailblazer’ is a testament to Kenco’s collective focus on advancing warehouse technologies,” said Williams. “This recognition means a great deal to me and emphasizes the importance of testing new ideas and turning emerging technologies into practical solutions for our customers and operations.”
Van Thiel was recognized in the award’s “Workforce Innovator” category for her contributions to workforce development and employee growth within the supply chain industry. As Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Development, she has expanded leadership development opportunities, elevated talent acquisition into a strategic business function and championed programs designed to strengthen employee engagement and retention. Through a holistic approach to the employee lifecycle, van Thiel has helped build a workforce equipped to support Kenco’s continued growth while preparing employees for future career opportunities.
“The most meaningful part of my work is seeing people discover opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves,” said van Thiel. “Building programs that support employee growth while helping Kenco succeed has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m honored to receive this recognition.”
Williams and van Thiel join a distinguished group of Kenco leaders previously recognized by Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive through the Women in Supply Chain Forum™ Award, including Shanon Weber, Rebecca Wilson, Kristi Montgomery and Paula Hise.
“Ainsley and Jonna each bring a thoughtful, practical approach to moving Kenco forward,” said Denis Reilly, President and CEO at Kenco. “Ainsley is helping us make automation more actionable across our operations, while Jonna is strengthening the way we support and develop our people. We’re proud to see their work recognized at the industry level and grateful for the leadership they bring to Kenco every day.”
To see a full list of the Women in Supply Chain Forum™ Award winners, visit https://foodl.me/2zm74ar1. This year’s winners will be honored at the 2026 Women in Supply Chain Forum ™ on Nov. 17-19 in Charleston, S.C.
About Kenco
Kenco is a leading North American 3PL delivering custom, integrated logistics solutions that maximize supply chain efficiency. For more than 75 years, they have partnered with customers to provide distribution, transportation, material handling and automation solutions. Kenco’s people set the organization apart—experienced, committed associates who bring agility and expertise to even the most complex supply chain challenges. Guided by its mission and vision, Kenco innovates relentlessly to deliver solutions on a national scale with the care of a local provider, building trusted partnerships that keep goods moving and businesses growing.