DHL Supply Chain exec highlights what distinguishes the best teams

The best teams are made up of people with diversity of thought, DHL Supply Chain CIO of North America Sally Miller told Supply Chain Dive in an interview. Enabling that means dedicating the time to reach out to diverse populations by going to schools, speaking at events or looking at clubs, to name a few.

“It’s not just race or gender, but it’s people you know who were born elsewhere and grew up in a different environment (and) how their experiences have molded them into how they think,” Miller said. Leaders must see the value in diversity, she added.

Miller reached her 20th anniversary at DHL Supply Chain in October 2025, and like many, started her supply chain career somewhat by accident, she told Supply Chain Dive. As a computer programmer, Miller held a variety of IT roles. After living abroad in Germany for a few years, Miller came back to the U.S. and got a job as a programmer analyst in the IT department that supported a company’s supply chain.

“So that was my first exposure to a company’s supply chain, and I really enjoyed the physical movement of goods … that supports industry and commerce,” the CIO said. “I just was attracted to it.”

At the time, the IT support of the industry was “fairly disjointed and not mature,” which created a lot of opportunities to develop and deploy technology.

Once Miller joined the DHL team, she worked her way up, starting as an analyst, then project leader and varying project management positions before eventually moving to director.

Now, as CIO, Miller manages and supports more than 2,000 associates around the world who select and deploy technology solutions, such as warehouse management systems or robotics, for customers.

“So, I just kept working on projects, gaining experience, gaining expertise and knowledge and just broadening the scope of what I was responsible for until I was put in this role,” Miller said. And learning new things has been a constant at DHL Supply Chain, she added, noting that no two days are alike.

The supply chain industry — a traditionally very male-dominated field — has come a long way, Miller said.

“It took a lot of time, but I think it’s a great place for women to have a career,” the CIO said. “I think the options in supply chain are very broad, and the ability to contribute is great, and just the ability to move around in the field, you know, if you’re willing to put the effort in, you’re rewarded.”

With more women showcasing their ability to be great leaders and teammates, it opens the door for more women to step in, Miller said. But recruiting people into an inclusive environment is the first step.

“And I don’t think you get to become a leader unless you’re good at encouraging diverse teams,” Miller said. “Attracting, retaining and promoting people — you have to be good at that to get where you are.”

Miller added that even starting as early as elementary school is a way to draw interest in the field, noting DHL Supply Chain and Girl Scouts of the USA’s Solutions Superstar program which aims to support the next generation of supply chain leaders through activities such as planning cookie delivery routes.

Looking back at the course of her expansive career, Miller said that her main takeaway is to keep looking forward and not spend as much time worrying. It will all work out in the end.

“I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity growing with the industry and seeing it evolve and change,” Miller said. “Just the career opportunities that it’s brought me, personally, have been wonderful.”