Leeds' Supply Chain and Business Analytics Master's Programs Celebrate a Decade of Distinction
Five alumni returned to share insights from their career paths during the Leeds MS in Supply Chain and MS in Business Analytics 10-year anniversary.Ìý
On April 10, 2025, members of the Leeds community—including faculty, alumni and current students—gathered to celebrate a milestone: Ten years of innovation, impact and excellence in the Leeds Master’s in Supply Chain Management and Master’s in Business Analytics programs.
These graduate programs were launched a decade ago in response to rapidly evolving industry needs and strong input from business partners, who forecasted growing talent gaps in data and operations. Since then, the programs have continued to evolve, meeting rising demand for professionals equipped with advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
That spirit of evolution remains at the core of Leeds’ mission. This July, the MS in Supply Chain Management will transition to the new MS in Supply Chain Analytics, while an MS in Marketing Analytics will also debut—both designed to meet the shifting demands of a data-driven economy.
The celebration featured research presentations from Leeds faculty, illustrating the real-world application of analytics across industries and in society. Leeds’ reputation for research excellence continues to grow and gain recognition, as reflected in recent leaps in UTD rankings.
A highlight of the event was a dynamic alumni panel featuring five graduates who shared insights from their professional journeys. While artificial intelligence was a major theme of the discussion, panelists also emphasized the lasting relevance of core business concepts, known as the First Principles of Business.
Tanner Ryan (Mgmt’14, MSupCha’15), now a senior category activation manager at Danone, and Ziyi Zhong (MBusAn’18), a senior manager of performance reporting and analytics for Pfizer, spoke candidly about the importance of adaptability. Ryan, for example, joined Danone just as the pandemic disrupted global supply chains, requiring quick thinking, flexibility and resilience.
Navigating crises and unpredictable events is part of the job. To that end, the panelists unanimously agreed on one often-overlooked trait essential to long-term success: a great sense of humor.
Experience the Celebration
The Leeds community celebrated the shared purpose that defines Leeds’ forward-thinking vision in offering world-class master's programs.Ìý