Amid rising global supply chain vulnerabilities, the World Bank's Global Supply Chain Stress Index (GSCSI) indicates a significant increase in container shipping disruptions caused by extreme weather events.
Record-breaking temperatures and devastating floods across Europe and South Asia that have intensified delays and strained logistics networks worldwide.
Meanwhile, the New York Fed's Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) indicates ongoing strains from transportation and manufacturing bottlenecks. And pressures persist from the highs of 2024.
Risks, including climate change, geopolitical instability, cybercrime, and shortages of rare metals, have been highlighted by the world’s leading logistics company, DHL. Moreover, 62% of supply chain leaders anticipate labor shortages as a major short-term hurdle, per recent statistics.
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Amid these soaring challenges, Leyland Seto has emerged as a maverick, transforming Fortune 500 giants through cutting-edge technologies that build resilience and turn chaos into competitive advantage.
As the Director of Partnership and Strategy at Plug and Play Tech Center—North America's premier supply chain accelerator—and the youngest Executive Board Member at USC Marshall's Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute, Seto has earned his reputation as an innovator.
He says: “With these kinds of risks now at play, it is important for companies to be ahead of the curve when it comes to finding time sensitive solutions that can have a high impact on results. I've dedicated my work to transforming Fortune 500 giants through cutting-edge technologies that foster true resilience, turning these chaotic disruptions into opportunities for competitive advantage.”
Seto’s innovative strategies have not only helped Fortune 500 giants weather storms like geopolitical tensions, climate catastrophes, and labor shortages but have also propelled them into a future of efficiency and resilience through cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics, and predictive analytics.
Seto's journey into this high-stakes world began in Vancouver, British Columbia, rooted in a family legacy of logistics: "It's something that my family itself has done for a long time," he reflects.
His father ran a third-party logistics (3PL) company that was acquired by Sysco Foods and later Bunzl Distribution, immersing young Seto in the intricacies of supply chain operations from an early age. This foundation propelled him to study political science and history at the University of Victoria, equipping him with a broad perspective on global trade dynamics.
Transitioning from traditional roles, Seto founded Modern Vanguard Holdings, scaling it to $10 million in annual revenue through the implementation of just-in-time inventory strategies. By 2021, he joined Plug and Play, where his role evolved into curating ecosystems that bridge startups with corporate behemoths.
What drives Seto? It's the thrill of the unknown: "I'm excited by what I do because I don't know what the day might hold for me, necessarily. It's a major luxury that I have, which is that curiosity and excitement are integral to my role, and I like the job that I do," he explains.
This passion has fueled his efforts to overhaul supply chains for Fortune 500 companies, integrating technologies that address core frustrations, such as discerning viable innovations from hype.
Making The Change Ahead of the Curve
One prime example of Seto's transformative impact is his collaboration with Costco, a Fortune 500 staple ranked among the top 20 globally.
Through Plug and Play's innovation days, Seto has hosted sessions, including one for retail giant Costco, where he explored AI-driven automation for warehouse optimization.
Amid the 2025 labor shortages, where 38% of manufacturers planned to adopt more automation, Seto facilitated pilots that integrated robotics to handle repetitive tasks, freeing human workers for strategic roles.
The result? Costco reduced bottlenecks in yard management, achieving efficiency gains estimated at 20-30% through phased rollouts, aligning with McKinsey's projections that AI can cut logistics costs by 5-20%.
Seto's approach emphasizes that technology enhances rather than replaces human labor, a nuance often lost in broader discussions: "It offers companies the opportunity to have broader discussions about AI and robotics and allay any fears from the workforce that their jobs are endangered,” he says.
“AI is here to stay and businesses need to analyze how it can be integrated strategically to enhance on all operational levels while keeping real employees engaged and in mind.”
This philosophy was evident in his work with Maersk, the global shipping giant. Seto conducted executive workshops—twice for Maersk—focusing on AI for predictive scheduling and camera systems tracking parcel data codes.
Facing 2025's geopolitical hurdles, including tensions in key trade routes as outlined by Maersk's own forecasts, Seto helped implement blockchain for real-time visibility, mitigating delays from events like the Red Sea disruptions. Maersk, a Fortune Global 500 company, achieved improved resilience through the use of AI tools that forecast disruptions and proactively reroute shipments.
The Impact of Nearshoring on Supply Chains
Another cornerstone of Seto's strategy is nearshoring, a trend that accelerated in 2025 as companies sought to de-risk their supply chains. Nearly one in two U.S. businesses plans to increase nearshoring volumes this year, with Latin America emerging as a hotspot due to lower tariffs.
Seto has championed this shift in his advisory roles with economic councils like the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) and Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGA).
For Mitsubishi, another Fortune 500 entity, Seto led workshops on nearshoring AI applications for inventory management: ‘We discussed how to diversify suppliers across North and Latin America. It helped to reduce dependency on volatile Asian routes amid wildfires and floods that disrupted 2025 shipments.”
He has also worked with Yamato, and Maersk, discussing the importance of diversification, as well as giving talks to government bodies in Korea, for the city of Busan.
Yamato, Japan's logistics powerhouse with U.S. operations, provides a compelling case study of Seto's hands-on transformation.
Keiichi Matsumoto, Head of Yamato America's Silicon Valley Office for Innovation, credits Seto for pivotal support since 2020: “Leyland helped by providing detailed insights, identifying key industry problems, and recommending companies based on their solutions, founders’ backgrounds, and investor appeal, “ he says.
“His expertise in reviewing startups and innovation in the logistics sector became clear through these interactions. For instance, he recommended potential partner companies and tech startups with which we could collaborate, helping us build innovative business models. His ability to connect us with the right people has led to ongoing investment deals and partnerships, significantly enhancing our operations.”
This collaboration not only grew Yamato's partnerships but also addressed bottlenecks in manual processes, increasing yard and storage efficiency.
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Solving Problems That Change Global Reach
Seto's maverick style shines in his ability to solve clients' key frustrations: “I would tell you some of the key frustrations that I help my clients solve involve gaining buy-in from C-suite executive leadership,” he reveals.
“It’s also about discerning the truth in regards to what is actually viable technology and what isn't. I act as a third-party validator for projects," Seto adds.
This validation has been crucial for Geodis, a global logistics firm, where Seto conducted executive visits out of Paris. Amid rising cybercrime—a top 2025 risk per DHL—Seto introduced AI-driven cybersecurity tools, ensuring seamless integration with legacy systems. Geodis, partnering with Fortune 500 clients, benefited from Seto's phased approach, which avoided costly downtime that could have inflated expenses by 15%.
Drawing parallels to broader Fortune 500 adoptions, Seto's methods echo the successes of companies like Walmart and IBM, which utilize AI for predictive analytics and machine learning in product development. However, Seto's unique edge lies in his consultative brokerage during economic shifts: “I enjoyed overcoming challenges, especially recently, as in the first half of this decade, there have been so many moving pieces regarding economic stability, which has really shifted the priorities of how people approach the market," he says.
Those who have worked with Seto speak of his ability and impact in glowing terms. Jeff Spengler, a Supply Chain and Innovation Strategist, reveals: “Leyland works at a unique intersection of corporate partnerships, startups, and investment. He understands the problems Fortune 500 companies face and the emerging technologies that can solve them. His insights into industry trends and what to lean into have been valuable for me.”
Meanwhile, Paul Thompson, Director of Enterprise Sales for a Tech Unicorn, says Seto’s charisma and ability to make everyone feel valued foster collaboration: “At Plug and Play events, he creates an environment where supply chain leaders and startups can openly discuss challenges and solutions.
“For instance, during a California event, his welcoming approach led to productive conversations with enterprise executives about innovative logistics solutions, paving the way for potential collaborations that addressed supply chain inefficiencies.”
Seto's influence extends to judging and mentoring, shaping the next wave of innovations. At Manifest's global supply chain conference, he has the innovation stage, reviewing applicants and introducing up to 50 startups over three days.
This platform has connected startups with giants like Costco and Maersk, fostering deals that deploy humanoid robotics—projected to displace but also create jobs by 2025, per the World Economic Forum.
Internally at Plug and Play, Seto hosts hackathons and judges outcomes, pushing boundaries. His peer review of over 50 reports ensures rigorous diligence, while USC board duties involve selecting startups for annual summits—reviewing around 100 applicants: “I have selected the different startups that present every year, so I review around 100 different startups," he says.
This curatorial role has highlighted technologies like autonomous robots, which Deloitte emphasizes for stabilizing labor and reducing costs.
The Future of Supply Chain
Seto plans to redefine innovation norms: "I think what I would love to change is how the industry in general approaches innovation,” he says.
“I would love it to be understood that it's okay to fail fast and just iterate on things as opposed to taking a very measured approach," he advocates.
By motivating executives to step outside comfort zones through education, Seto envisions supply chains that leverage AI for radical reinvention, as CNBC reports on emerging tech's role.
In essence, Seto embodies the maverick spirit needed for 2025's turbulent landscape. Through collaborations with Costco, Maersk, Mitsubishi, Yamato, and Geodis, he has deployed cutting-edge tech to crush disruptions, saving billions in potential losses and fostering resilient ecosystems. As nearshoring surges—with trends like friendshoring in manufacturing reports—Seto's legacy pushes the envelope, ensuring Fortune 500 giants not only survive but thrive.
He concludes: "If I were being cheeky, I'd say I would like to be remembered as a rebel rouser and the type of person who always pushes companies to do things differently. Putting it more delicately, essentially, I like to push the envelope to encourage innovation and big results,” he quips, a fitting epitaph for a true supply chain pioneer.
