Alumni Story with Timna Eckschmidt

Tell us about your current role at HELP Logistics?

 I have been with HELP Logistics Asia since August 2023, based in Singapore. HELP Logistics provides pro-bono technical assistance and training to humanitarian and development organizations, helping them strengthen their supply chains to deliver aid more efficiently and sustainably.

My role involves two main areas: Food Systems and Sustainability. Whether it’s working on strategies to minimize food losses, assessing supply chain inefficiencies, or helping organizations measure and reduce their carbon emissions, my work sits at the intersection of logistics, supply chains, sustainability, and social impact across a wide range of countries, like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and others.

Is there a project at HELP of which you are particularly proud?

I’m really proud of our partnership with IFAD in Nepal, which started in September 2023, that supports a government initiative to advance agroecological value chains. We focus on reducing post-harvest losses in vegetable and spice supply chains by improving logistics systems, which boosts smallholder farmers' economic return and resilience. This project also enhances food security, climate-smart agriculture, and rural economies.

Can you describe an experience during your time at KLU that significantly influenced your career path towards sustainability?

While I chose my master's program at KLU with the goal to transform food supply chains to be more sustainable, it was Prof. Dr. Maria Besiou's class and my following master's thesis with Maria that got me interested in the humanitarian and development sector. It showed me how impactful humanitarian and development aid can be and how food systems and sustainability can be addressed in the humanitarian sector. 

What is the future of sustainability in the logistics and operations industry, and what role do you hope to play in that future?

 Sustainability is no longer just an ethical consideration—it’s becoming a core operational requirement in both private sector and humanitarian logistics. Companies and organizations are facing increasing pressure from markets, regulatory bodies, and donor networks to reduce their environmental impact, particularly in areas such as carbon emissions, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing.

The challenge, however, is translating sustainability goals into tangible actions within supply chains—whether that’s through decarbonizing transport networks, optimizing resource use, or redesigning procurement strategies. My role in this evolving landscape is to help organizations bridge that gap by conducting sustainability assessments, identifying practical solutions, and integrating sustainability into their logistics strategies. I hope to continue supporting organizations in making meaningful, data-driven improvements that balance environmental, social, and economic priorities.

What advice would you give to current students at KLU who are interested in pursuing careers in sustainability within the logistics and operations field?

Sustainability in logistics is a rapidly growing field with plenty of opportunities, but it also requires a multidisciplinary mindset. My advice would be to build a strong foundation in supply chain fundamentals while also exploring areas like environmental impact assessment, circular economy models, and sustainable sourcing strategies.

Don’t be afraid to step outside traditional logistics roles—sustainability intersects with policy, finance, and technology, so staying open to different perspectives will make you a more effective problem-solver in this space.

You can connect with Timna and learn more about her work on LinkedIn.