Thoughtful Thursdays: Interview A Top 50 Powerful Woman in Technology Jeanine Charlton

Jeanine Charlton serves as Senior Vice President & Chief Technology & Digital Officer at Merchant's Fleet.  A leader in her field she has was recently named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council and has even been featured in a book focusing on Women Executives. 

She joined Merchant’s Fleet in 2018 and provides strategic leadership to all of the company’s technology initiatives while creating a culture that celebrates innovation and collaboration.

Jeanine has an extensive Fortune 100 technology leadership background in the automotive, transportation, supply chain and manufacturing industries. She has worked at prestigious companies such as DXC Technology, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Electronic Data Systems (EDS).

She has served on several boards as a technology advisor including Michigan Women in Technology and Forbes Technology Council and has been a mentor in the Menttium Global Leadership Development Program for over 15 years. In 2020, she was named one of the National Diversity Council’s Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology and was a 2020 Chicago CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Award winner.

Jeanine attended Central Michigan University and has received training from the Arizona State University Thunderbird School of Business, Columbia University and Harvard University in executive leadership.

Quick recap

The Benefits of Diverse Career Paths

Jeanine and Michael, both with extensive careers in technology leadership across various industries including automotive and transportation supply chain, manufacturing, and digital sectors, discussed the value of their diverse experiences. Jeanine highlighted how her broad skill set, gained from her roles at Eds, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Dx technology, Merchant E Suite, and her expat assignment in the UK, has been transferable across industries and beneficial in her current role. Michael concurred, emphasizing the advantages of a diverse career path, such as a broader understanding of how different systems work and the ability to adapt to various situations. They both agreed that such experiences enable individuals to bring more value to new roles or companies.

Jeanine's Company's Growth Amid Pandemic

Michael and Jeanine discussed Jeanine's experiences during the 2018-2019 period and particularly during the pandemic. Jeanine shared how her company, a 60-year-old firm, navigated the challenges of growth and the pandemic by leaning into their innovative culture and supply chain expertise. Despite initial hesitation from investors, Jeanine's team committed to investing and using technology to adapt to changing client demands, resulting in exponential growth. Michael praised Jeanine's bravery and strategic thinking during a time of uncertainty, highlighting the value of her diverse skillset in supply chain, logistics, production, and manufacturing.

Challenges in Industries Amidst Macroeconomic Factors

Michael and Jeanine discussed the ongoing challenges in their respective industries, particularly due to the impact of macroeconomic factors like rising interest rates and declining residual vehicle values. Jeanine, representing a heavy asset management company, highlighted the difficulties in managing their portfolio of assets while also ensuring fair prices for their clients and covering company costs. Michael acknowledged similar issues in the fleet management sector, including the problem of procuring parts and managing costs amidst rising inflation. Both expressed uncertainty about the future but remained hopeful that things would eventually settle into a new normal.

Global Conflicts, Supply Chains, and Technology

Michael and Jeanine discussed the impact of global conflicts on supply chains and logistics, noting the challenges and costs associated with acquiring parts from war-torn areas. They also discussed the need for domestic infrastructure to support production and the difficulties in retooling factories. Jeanine emphasized the importance of maintaining an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit amidst these challenges. They agreed on the potential of advanced analytics, AI, and other technologies to improve efficiency, customer experience, and personalized service. Jeanine's company's focus on technology advancements, connected vehicle solutions, and enhancing the ordering process for clients was highlighted.