Episode 142: Sustainability by Design: Exploring AI, Supply Chain & Finance with Darcy MacClaren and Prathiba David

In this week’s episode Richard, Darcy MacClaren and Prathiba David explore sustainability by design, showing how AI, data and finance converge to cut Scope 3 emissions, boost resilience and turn green supply chains into core business strategy

Download the ⁠⁠episode transcript⁠

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This week we, together with supply chain leaders Darcy MacClaren and Prathiba David, unpack sustainability by design and why now is the moment to act. They explain how AI, digital twins and unified data models tackle Scope 3, break down silos and link carbon, cost and capital. Real‑world examples from consumer brands, retailers, manufacturers and technology providers show how sustainable supply chains become more resilient, efficient and financially attractive.

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Guest 1: Darcy MacClaren, Board Director and Senior Advisor

⁠ Darcy MacClaren is a board director and senior advisor with more than 30 years of global experience advancing supply chain technology and sustainability. A former supply chain revenue executive at SAP, she works at the intersection of AI, sustainable logistics, and enterprise transformation. Darcy serves on the board of 1LogTech, an iPaaS platform modernizing transportation integration, and advises PE/VC-backed SaaS companies on scaling and go-to-market strategy.

Guest 2: Prathiba David, Technology Executive

Prathiba David is a technology executive, multiple times Chief Operating Officer and thought leader at the intersection of sustainability, artificial intelligence, and supply chain transformation. She has led go-to-market and operational strategy across high-growth startups and global enterprises. Her career spans roles at Morgan Stanley, EY, and Dropbox, where she built deep expertise in supplier risk management, cybersecurity, and digital operations. Currently, she works with Fortune 500s on advancing sustainability through data-driven insights and emerging technologies.

Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP

⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Show Links:

Connect with Darcy on LinkedIn

Connect with Prathiba on LinkedIn

Supply Chain Management: 

SAP Supply Chain Management 

SAP Insights: Supply Chain  

Follow Us on Social Media  

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X  

SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn  

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Chapters: 

00:00:00: Intro

00:00:56: Guests' Introductions

00:02:37: What is “sustainability by design”?

00:05:53: Why now for sustainable supply chains?

00:09:29: Scope 3 and regulatory pressure

00:10:21: How AI transforms supply chains

00:15:23: Tackling Scope 3 data challenges

00:18:30: Measuring success beyond CO₂

00:23:37: Breaking silos and cultural barriers

00:26:23: What is the Future of Supply Chain?

00:38:03: Outro