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Traditional S&OP was built for a world where plans mostly held. That world doesn't exist anymore. In this session, Ashok Marla (Keansa) and Andrés (Board) sit down with moderator John Kelly to talk through what happens when the plan breaks — and what manufacturing and supply chain leaders are doing differently to stay ahead of disruption rather than just reacting to it.
The conversation will also explore the growing role of AI in supply chain planning and where it can deliver practical value today. From detecting exceptions and surfacing risks to evaluating scenarios and summarizing potential impacts, AI can help planners move from insight to action faster, while keeping human judgment at the center of decision-making.
Ashok Marla is a digital transformation leader with 23+ years architecting large-scale supply chain and connected planning programs across EMEA, North America, and APAC. He operates at the rare intersection of process consulting, enterprise architecture, and global program delivery — turning strategic intent into measurable outcomes for global brands including Nike, Dell, Philips, and Ajinomoto. As Founder & CEO of Keansa Solutions, Ashok built a multi-geography consultancy specializing in Enterprise Performance Management and connected planning, with delivery teams spanning the Netherlands, Singapore, India, ANZ, MEA, and North America. A proud BOARD partner, Keansa delivers BOARD EPM engagements where Ashok personally leads solution architecture and process consulting. Ashok holds a Master of Engineering from BITS Pilani and completed the Executive Program in Supply Chain Management at IIM Calcutta. He remains a hands-on practitioner, equally comfortable shaping executive roadmaps and designing the architecture that delivers them.
Andres Montes de Oca is the Global Solutions Leader for Supply Chain at Board and an internationally recognized expert in Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and supply chain transformation. He partners with global manufacturers and retailers to help them connect supply chain, finance, and commercial planning into a unified decision-making process powered by AI and advanced planning. A frequent keynote speaker at leading industry forums, including the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium, Andres combines deep consulting expertise with real-world operational experience. He earned his Global Executive Master's in Supply Chain Management & Operations from Politecnico di Milano, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and has received multiple academic honors throughout his engineering career.
John Kelley is the Americas Partner Lead and Microsoft Global Technology Alliance Lead at Board, where he helps drive strategic partnerships that enable organizations to transform planning and decision-making. Over the course of his career, John has held leadership roles with globally recognized companies including Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Monster Worldwide, The Princeton Review, and CoachUp. A graduate of Harvard University, he brings decades of experience spanning enterprise technology, go-to-market strategy, and business transformation, with a passion for building high-impact partner ecosystems that deliver customer success.
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