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Leyland Seto: The Thought Lead...~David Martin
Global supply chains, once plagued by massive disruptions that cost businesses hundreds of billions of dollars, have entered a new era of resilience.
International trade interruptions are predicted to drop to an estimated $184 billion this year alone, a startling 88% decrease from previous peak levels. That decrease stands in stark contrast to the over $1.533 trillion in damages sustained during the height of recent disruptions.
Leyland Seto, the youngest Executive Board Member of USC Marshall's Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute and Director of Partnership and Strategy at Plug and Play Tech Center, the most significant supply chain accelerator in North America, is at the heart of this change.
Seto remarks on this pivotal shift: “Seeing losses drop so dramatically, from over $1.5 trillion to just under $200 billion, underscores the impact of the advanced technologies and operational strategies we’ve helped implement,” he says.
“It’s incredibly motivating to know our work is playing a role in reshaping the resilience of global supply chains.”
By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics with conventional procedures, Seto has focused his career on helping companies leverage resilience as a competitive advantage.
Because of his expertise, he claims to have a fresh view on things: "Coming from the traditional corporate side and now blending that with technology gives me a unique perspective on how to navigate bureaucracy inside a corporation,” he says.
“And I believe it is possible to do this while still pushing innovation to implementation."
Born and raised in Canada, Seto has a unique perspective on global trade and economic systems due to his studies in political science and history at the University of Victoria.
On this basis, together with real-world experience in high-stakes scenarios, he is enabled to manage the difficulties presented by international regulations, geopolitical considerations, and technological disruptions.
With over 15 years of experience in operations, technology, and sustainability, Seto is recognized as a pioneer in global logistics. By combining cutting-edge technology with existing infrastructures, he has led Fortune 500 firms, government organizations, and startups through significant transformations from his headquarters in San Francisco.
Seto reflects on this journey: “Blending traditional supply chain systems with new technologies has been the most rewarding part of my work.” He says.
“It’s not just about efficiency, it’s about creating resilient, future-ready networks that benefit businesses and the people behind them.”
Jeff Spengler, a supply chain and innovation strategist, first met Seto in 2023 while working at Columbia Sportswear in a role focused on insights and innovation. Through partnerships between Plug and Play and Columbia Sportswear, their relationship expanded after starting at the Manifest conference in Las Vegas.
When considering Seto's experience in the field, he emphasized his ability to connect large businesses with innovative technology: “Seto works at a unique intersection of corporate partnerships, startups, and investment,” Spengler says.
“He understands the problems Fortune 500 companies face and the emerging technologies that can solve them. I have benefited much from his insights about market patterns and what to rely on.”
His specialty is developing high-impact initiatives that ensure adherence to changing laws, such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), while streamlining procedures, reducing expenses, and increasing efficiency.
Seto stands out in an area frequently dominated by specialized professionals due to his adaptability. His description of his job demonstrates his ability to span several disciplines:
“I’ve never been narrowly specialized,” he says.“I’ve always been more of a jack-of-all-trades, with a strong enough understanding of technology to work across various areas. For me, it’s driven not just by passion but by curiosity—exploring how a technology can be applied in new categories.”
Seto's professional path demonstrates his unique proficiency. After beginning operations at Bunzl Canada, where he utilized tailored logistics solutions to increase territorial revenue by $25 million over three years, he went on to establish Modern Vanguard Holdings, growing it to $10 million in annual revenue through supplier consolidation and just-in-time inventory management.
Seto explains the mindset behind these results: “For me, success has always come from looking at inefficiencies and asking how we can do things smarter.” He says.
“Whether it’s optimizing inventory or consolidating suppliers, the goal is to create systems that drive both growth and resilience.”
Transitioning to Plug and Play in 2021, Seto has curated programs for public entities, including ports and railroads, with a focus on digital transformation. He advises on trends such as AI integration and cybersecurity, key elements in the top supply chain priorities for 2025, including connectivity and digital tech.
What sets Seto apart is his prescriptive approach to innovation: "When evaluating startups for investment, look for clear signals like validated pilots in real-world environments and robust data on integration timelines," Seto advises.
"Diligence should prioritize scalability, assess how the tech handles edge cases, such as regulatory shifts like FSMA 204, to avoid deployment risks that could inflate costs by 20-30%."
One of the voices who has worked closely with Seto is Robert Ferrig, an economic development leader at the Metro Atlanta Chamber. He first connected with Seto at the Manifest conference in Las Vegas, where Plug and Play was highly active. Over the years, their collaboration expanded to bringing delegations of Georgia-based businesses to innovation programs and global supply chain events.
“He’s generous, kind, and incredibly energetic,” Ferrig recalls. “The way he followed up with us after that first conference and helped bring a much larger Georgia delegation to Manifest showed his commitment. He secured hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of support and passes, and he did it not for himself, but to make sure our companies had access to innovation.”
In addition to his executive responsibilities, Seto contributes his knowledge in advisory and board capacities, assisting in the development of global supply chain leadership.
He joined the USC Marshall Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute's Executive Board in 2025. In this capacity, he oversees curriculum development, cultivates industry connections, supervises graduate students, and actively promotes the yearly USC Global Supply Chain Summit.
Seto reflects on this responsibility: “Being part of the board allows me to shape not only the conversations happening in the industry today.” He says.
“But also the next generation of leaders who will drive it forward. It’s gratifying to mentor students and see their ideas push the boundaries of what’s possible in the supply chain.”
His judgment at events like Manifest Vegas 2025, where he hosted the Innovation Stage and evaluated over 50 firms for feasibility in topics such as sustainability and traceability, is informed by this approach.
“I sit on the USC Marshall Global Supply Chain Institute’s executive board, where I review hundreds of startups each year,” he says.
“At the same time, I host innovation stages at global conferences like Manifest, allowing me to introduce dozens of startups to industry leaders and decision-makers.”
In hypothetical scenarios, Seto might guide a maritime client through ocean carrier strategy shifts amid the global trade changes of 2025, recommending blockchain for end-to-end visibility to reduce dispute resolution times.
Or, for a retailer, he'd stress integration risks: "Pairing AI with legacy systems demands phased rollouts; overlook compatibility, and you face downtime equaling 15% of operational capacity."
Seto's influence extends to mentoring at USC, where he shapes curricula on economic development, and workshops for bodies like Geodis and Maersk on adopting novel tech. He peer-reviews strategies, having evaluated around 50 reports to ensure diligence readiness.
Seto also serves as a Strategic Advisor to regional development bodies, including GPEC, SEDA, Atlanta Metro Chamber, and LVGA. In these roles, he gives recommendations on economic strategies that harness supply chain innovation for regional prosperity.
He has, for instance, offered guidance on initiatives to modernize ports and logistics hubs, aiming to attract investments that enhance competitiveness and create jobs. His ability to manage stakeholders and collaborate strategically is evident in his advising work, as he builds partnerships that develop the organization.
"We host executive education delegations where we spend a day working closely with participants," Seto says.
"I've held meetings with many government agencies, including the Korean city of Busan, as well as businesses like GE, IRS, Mitsubishi, and Maersk. These seminars provide us the chance to interact closely with executives and exchange useful knowledge about supply chain innovation.”
Paul Thompson, Director of Enterprise Sales at a Tech Unicorn, has known Seto for nearly a decade, first connecting through their shared roots in Vancouver and later collaborating at Plug and Play events in California. Over the years, Thompson has seen firsthand how Seto leverages his expertise in innovation and supply chain to foster high-value partnerships.
“Seto is an exceptionally hard worker with strong business acumen, particularly in innovation and supply chain,” Thompson says.
“He delves deeply into comprehending businesses at both the micro and macro levels, evaluating their supply chain requirements and coming up with creative answers. His interpersonal skills enable him to link startups with businesses, guaranteeing profitable collaborations successfully.”
Seto's contributions to industry forums and speaking engagements have cemented his image as a thought leader. He judged the Startup Pavilion and served as Master of Ceremonies for the Innovation Stage at Manifest Vegas in 2025.
Seto was responsible for moderating talks on themes including automation and sustainability at this high-profile event that featured state-of-the-art supply chain and logistics technology.
"From 2024 to 2025, I co-chaired summit content and curated the Innovation Track at the USC Global Supply Chain Excellence Summit," Seto says.
"I concentrated on cutting-edge technologies and their useful applications, such as utilizing blockchain for FSMA compliance or artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance last-mile deliveries. Along with adding to international conversations on environmentally friendly supply chains and methods, I also offered views on ecosystem alliances and process improvement.”
Seto is transforming his arena of business by curating environments that mitigate risks ranging from labor strikes to geopolitical concerns. His emphasis on prescriptive, investor-aligned innovation positions him to be a crucial curator for a resilient future as supply chains adapt in accordance with Gartner's 2025 Top 25 rankings. And his techniques are already being adopted at a national and global level, becoming part of the fabric of the supply chain industry.
In addition to carefully assessing companies and technologies for scalability and strategic fit, Seto is an expert in creating and enhancing supply chain ecosystems. While his focus on traceability and FSMA 204 compliance reduces risk in the food and logistics industries, he also helps firms anticipate future disruptions through technology scouting and investment preparation.
“I work within the city’s tech ecosystem to support collaboration from Silicon Valley to global ports,” Seto says.
“That means connecting startups with major retailers, transportation providers, and government agencies, and making sure new technologies aren’t just theoretical but actually deployed in real supply chain environments. By bridging those worlds, I help create partnerships that move ideas from pilot projects into large-scale solutions.”
Keiichi Matsumoto, Head of the Silicon Valley Office for Innovation at Yamato America, has known Seto since 2020 through Yamato’s logistics operations and corporate venture fund. He recalls how Seto’s support made a difference both personally and professionally.
“Seto has deep knowledge of supply chain logistics,” Matsumoto explains. “He suggested new business development ideas tailored to our company, introduced us to partner companies and tech startups, and helped us build innovative business models. His ability to connect us with the right people has already led to ongoing investment deals and partnerships that have strengthened our operations.”
By engaging in government affairs and economic development, Seto shapes policy, and his strategic partnerships foster collaborative networks that drive innovation. Combined with executive engagement and thought leadership, Seto bridges the gap between vision and execution across the entire ecosystem.
He says: "My role is to help them understand how to approach innovation and implement new technologies, whether it’s a camera system to track parcel data or an application to improve scheduling. I assist them in modifying their perspective to realize how new technology might affect their operations and bring about significant change, while also offering concrete examples and direction on various avenues they can pursue."
Seto is a valuable asset to companies and governmental organizations due to his experience bridging technology, operations, and strategic understanding. Through his efforts in ecosystem development, CEO mentoring, and supply chain innovation, he not only promotes resilience and efficiency but also equips communities with the tools they need to adopt innovative solutions that will endure.
“My goal is to help organizations and communities navigate change, adopt innovative solutions, and build resilient systems that have a lasting impact,” Seto says.
It’s a vision that reflects not only his professional achievements but also his commitment to shaping a stronger, more connected global supply chain for years to come.