Gerald Verno is the CEO of Liminal Strategic Partners and Director of Supply Chain Planning & Analytics at WMATA, one of the nation’s largest transit systems. He brings deep experience in inventory optimization, analytics transformation, and disruption management across both consulting and public‑sector operations. As President of the DC Metro ASCM Chapter, Gerald is known for delivering clear, actionable insights that help organizations strengthen resilience, reduce cost, and improve decision‑making. His sessions blend real‑world case studies with practical frameworks that audiences can apply immediately.

Thiru is a seasoned professional in the CPG industry, specializing in advanced analytics, innovation, R&D, and commercialization. Currently serving as the data science lead for portfolio, innovation, and R&D analytics at Mars Wrigley, Thiru leverages his expertise to develop cutting-edge AI/ML solutions for application in forecasting, profitability optimization, and demand transference. Thiru holds a master’s degree in Biological Engineering from the University of Georgia and an MBA in Business Analytics from the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Devavrat successfully combines academia and entrepreneurship. He is a professor and a director of Statistics and Data Science Center at MIT. He co-founded Celect, a predictive analytics platform for retailers, which he sold to Nike. Devavrat holds a Bachelor and PhD in Computer Science from Indian Institute of Technology and Stanford University, respectively.

Marianna Vydrevich is a seasoned supply chain expert with a decade of global experience, specializing in Supply Chain Network Design and Data Science. She is currently the Manager of Operations Research & Network Optimization at GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. She has also contributed insightful articles to industry journals, enriching the discourse on supply chain network design.