“Technology is not just about digitization; it’s about humanization: making businesses more resilient, communities stronger, and the planet better.”
Shanthi Chandrasekar, CEO of BCT Supply Chain Consulting, is a seasoned leader in technology and consulting with over three decades of global experience. Prior to joining BCT, she served about 14-years at KPMG Advisory, across the Middle East and Singapore. A transformative leader, she drives digital innovation, sustainability, Supply Chain transformation and strategic growth across dynamic global markets. Shanthi is known for her sharp execution, forward-thinking approach, and strong advocacy for innovation and inclusivity.
Leading with Purpose, Driving with Impact
At Bahwan CyberTek (BCT), we believe the future belongs to enterprises that innovate boldly, transform intelligently, and lead with purpose. As CEO of BCT Supply Chain Consulting, I’ve had the privilege of driving our supply chain consulting practice, delivering data-driven, sustainable, and customer-centric solutions that create lasting value.
In an era where operational excellence and environmental stewardship must coexist, my leadership journey has been cantered on a simple but powerful philosophy: lead with strategy, inspire with heart, and deliver with purpose.
Q1. Please tell us more about your organisation – “Bahwan CyberTek Supply Chain Consulting” – what you do, and what your focus areas are?
Bahwan CyberTek (BCT) is a global provider of innovative digital transformation solutions. Our journey started with a simple but profound belief: that companies from the emerging corners of the world can rise to global prominence. Today, 25 years later, BCT has built a footprint in over 50 countries, becoming a trusted digital transformation partner across sectors like Oil & Gas, Telecom, Power, Government, BFSI, Retail, and Logistics.
BCT Supply Chain Consulting operates across five strategic pillars: Procurement Transformation Advisory, Digital Procurement Enablement, Supply Chain Design and Planning, Supply Chain Collaboration and Intelligence, and Outsourced Supply Chain Operations. These pillars define our comprehensive approach to building intelligent, resilient, agile, and digitally empowered sustainable supply chains for the future.
As CEO, I drive strategy and execution across the five core areas, and lead the firm’s mission to help enterprises transform and future-proof their supply chains. My focus in on delivering measurable business outcomes through a blend of strategic advisory and partnerships, digital innovation, and operational excellence.
Forging high-value, enduring partnerships is central to our leadership philosophy. We have built strategic alliances with global technology giants like IBM, Coupa, GEP, and AWS, positioning BCT as a preferred system integrator.
Sustainability is now a core dimension of business transformation. Through our Center of Excellence in Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) & Supply Chain Innovation, we are embedding sustainability into the very fabric of our clients' operations, leveraging AI, cloud, and IoT to build intelligent, resilient, and future-forward enterprises.
Q2. You mentioned that with digital transformation, sustainability is a key focus for your organisation, what are the key motivations driving this focus?
Over the past few years, the world has witnessed a profound shift in how businesses view Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) imperatives. Sustainability has moved from a “good-to-have” to a “must-have” for organizations aspiring to leadership and longevity.
The IBM State of Sustainability Readiness 2024 report highlights that companies embedding sustainability are 52% more likely to outperform their peers in profitability, and we see this borne out every day with our clients.
Asset-intensive sectors like manufacturing, power, oil & gas, and logistics, are rethinking operations, not just to reduce carbon footprints, but to optimize resource use, minimize wastage, and build operational & supply chain resilience.
Globally, supply chain complexity is a reality. This is especially true for businesses operating across countries with different regulations, infrastructure maturity, and supplier capabilities. But I’ve seen several organisations respond not by simplifying, but by building smarter and more adaptive structures. At BCT, we are at the forefront of enabling this shift. With our strong expertise in Industry 4.0 transformations, we have advised some of our global customers to implement a centralized digital supply chain control tower. This gave them real-time visibility into supplier performance, weather risks, and logistics delays. They used this data to dynamically shift sourcing, improve traceability, drive measurable sustainability gains and stay compliant with regulatory requirements.
Our Fit for Future strategy is a blueprint for future-resilient, sustainable, and high-performing enterprises, closely aligned with the twin megatrends of Industry 4.0 and climate-positive business transformation.
Q3. Please tell us more about your product “Fit for Future Strategy” and how it helps organisations in meeting their sustainability goals and deriving value?
BCT’s ‘Fit for Future’ Strategy is a commitment to helping organizations embrace transformation, whether it's adapting to AI, scaling sustainable business models, or unlocking the true value of digital innovation.
In today’s hyperdynamic world, operational excellence and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand, and we've been proud to lead the charge, especially across manufacturing, logistics, and energy sectors.
BCT’s Fit for Future Strategy is a proven playbook for future-proofing organizations. Our approach doesn’t just deliver ESG compliance; it drives operational advantage, brand trust, and bottom-line results, thus leading into a future where purpose and profit coexist.
As I often say, "Sustainability is no longer an initiative. It is the new metric for operational excellence and future viability."
We help clients embed sustainability and operational agility through AI, IoT, and predictive analytics.
- In Singapore, we helped a semiconductor giant digitize asset maintenance, reducing carbon emissions while boosting compliance.
- In maritime logistics, we enabled holistic asset visibility for a global port operator, leading to leaner inventories and improved energy efficiency.
- For a logistics major, we optimized fleet management, reducing fuel consumption, slashing emissions, and saving millions annually.
Our future plans are deeply aligned with the emerging priorities of our customers and the broader global trends, including sustainability, Industry 4.0, and advanced AI enabled supply chain solutions to enable a sustainable and resilient business model innovation.
Q4. Great to know about how you have led this charter. Being a leader in the women in tech space, curious to know more about your successful journey in the technology industry.
My journey in the technology industry has been one of discovery, grit, and relentless growth.
From starting in dynamic markets to leading BCT’s Supply Chain Consulting as CEO today, every chapter has been defined by transformative opportunity.
My leadership philosophy — rooted in ‘land, expand, and grow’ — has enabled BCT to significantly strengthen our presence across Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Philippines, even as we substantially grew revenues and deepened client impact.
But beyond business metrics, what fulfills me most is the purpose we drive. To me, technology is not just about digitization — it’s about humanization: making businesses more resilient, making communities stronger, and making the planet better.
Through initiatives like our Women’s Advancement, Transformation, Empowerment and Recognition (WATER) platform, I have sought to champion women in tech — fostering mentorship, sponsorship, and creating an ecosystem where talent, regardless of gender, can thrive.
As I often remind young leaders, "True leadership is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge."
Recognition from Singapore Business Review Executive of the Year – Sustainability, Stevie Award and being featured in prominent publications are humbling milestones. But my real reward lies in the opportunity to learn, unlearn, and stay curious — whether through continuous education or through the incredible teams I collaborate with.
My journey is a blend of strategy, heart, and purpose, and my message to every woman in tech is simple: Dream bigger, move faster, and lead with conviction. The world needs more of your voice, your ideas, and your impact.
Q5. Lastly what are your suggestions for fellow women folks who are aspiring to make a mark in the tech industry which continues to evolve.
Leadership demands remarkable willpower — but it also offers an extraordinary journey of discovery, resilience, and impact.
My advice to aspiring women in tech is simple yet powerful:
- Seize opportunities, even when they come disguised as challenges. The greatest growth often lies on the other side of discomfort.
- Lean in boldly, prioritize fearlessly, and trust the long-term process. Small compromises today will not diminish your big dreams.
- Embrace a growth mindset. Stay curious, stay hungry. Learning is not a phase; it’s a lifelong superpower that helps in your evolution.
Even while leading APAC business operations in my previous role as COO of the APAC region, I pursued the LEAD Executive Business Program from Stanford GSB and AI Strategy course at Kellogg— a transformative experience that reaffirmed my belief in continuous learning.
And above all, nurture the child within you: Stay joyful, resilient, and fearless. Laugh, take risks, and keep moving forward.
"Leadership is not a destination. It is a continuous, courageous journey — and the journey is yours to define."
