Episode 118
How to Turn Industry Trends Into Actionable Supplier Strategies
Why Turning Trends Into Strategy Starts With Listening
Join host Sannah Vinding as she sits down with Heather Fulara, Vice President of Interconnect, Electromechanical & Industrial Automation at DigiKey, for a thoughtful conversation about how leaders can transform insights into action—and why trust, transparency, and curiosity are essential in today’s fast-paced industry.
In this episode, you’ll hear practical insights on:
- Translating Trends Into Strategic Supplier Action Learn how to take what’s happening in the industry and use it to align internal goals with supplier success.
- Building Trust Through Transparency and Follow-Through Discover how small actions, consistent communication, and accountability create strong partnerships over time.
- Using Data With Purpose Explore how leaders can cut through information overload and use the right data to drive smarter, faster decisions.
- Encouraging Curiosity and Adaptability Hear why embracing new tools like AI and leaning into what you don’t yet know helps teams grow and innovate.
- Leading With Empathy and Feedback Understand why being open to feedback—and giving it in the moment—can shape confident, resilient teams.
Whether you’re leading suppliers, managing change, or building a high-performing team, this episode offers powerful takeaways for turning leadership into lasting impact.
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“Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions and listening with intention.”
Key takeaways
Curiosity Drives Strategic Growth
Staying ahead of industry trends starts with asking the right questions—not just of your data, but of your people and partners. When leaders embrace curiosity, they open the door to deeper insights, faster adaptation, and more aligned supplier strategies that truly support long-term business goals.
Trust Builds Stronger Supplier Partnerships
Great partnerships don’t happen by accident—they’re built through transparency, consistent follow-through, and mutual respect. When trust becomes a core part of leadership, collaboration flows more easily, and suppliers become active contributors to innovation, not just vendors.
Data Is Powerful When It’s Actionable
Having more data is not the goal. The real impact comes from knowing how to interpret and apply it. Leaders who turn information into action create clarity for their teams and direction for their partners, leading to smarter decisions and better outcomes.
“Being yourself is your value—there’s a reason you’re in the room. Ask questions, share your perspective, and keep learning.”
“Leadership today isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about listening, adapting, and creating space for others to thrive.”
Show Notes
In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding sits down with Heather Fulara, Vice President of Interconnect, Electromechanical & Industrial Automation at DigiKey, to talk about the power of supplier partnerships, trend-driven strategy, and leading through change in the electronics industry.
Heather shares how her leadership approach has evolved, shaped by more than 15 years in distribution and a focus on learning, collaboration, and transparency. It is not just about reacting to change. It is about anticipating it and aligning your teams and suppliers around what is coming next.
One of the key themes in this conversation is using data with purpose. From managing high-velocity meetings to guiding long-term strategy, Heather explains how curiosity, clear communication, and follow-through help leaders make better decisions and build stronger teams.
Sannah and Heather also explore what separates good leaders from great ones and why being open, adaptable, and grounded in trust makes all the difference.
In this episode, you will learn:
- How to turn supplier conversations into strategic insights
- What makes trust and transparency essential in leadership
- How AI and data can streamline decision-making
- Why feedback and curiosity matter more than ever
This episode is full of real-world insights for leaders looking to grow, build smarter supplier relationships, and stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
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Guest
Heather Fulara
Vice President of Interconnect, Electromechanical and Industrial Automation at DigiKey
Heather Fulara is an accomplished leader in the electronics and technology industry, currently serving as Vice President of Interconnect, Electromechanical and Industrial Automation at DigiKey. With over 15 years of experience driving growth and transformation for global brands, Heather combines a deep technical background with a passion for building high-performing teams and launching breakthrough products.
Throughout her career, Heather has held key roles at industry-leading companies, where she has successfully bridged the gap between engineering and business to deliver impactful solutions. She is recognized for her ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business value and for championing cross-functional collaboration.
Heather is also a strong advocate for women in STEM and is committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new technologies, speaking at industry events, and sharing insights on leadership, innovation, and career development.
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This episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing podcast is created in partnership with oemsecrets.com.
If you need top-quality electronic components, oemsecrets.com is a comparison engine giving buyers and engineers access to over 50 million parts from 140+ authorised distributors. It’s fast and easy. Upload your Bill of Materials for instant price and availability comparisons – check it out today!
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