Celebrating Women's History Month: Meet Yeonjoo Lee

For the second installment of our “Women in Supply Chain Spotlight” series, we are thrilled to feature Yeonjoo Lee, assistant professor of supply chain management at the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Lee’s research sits at the intersection of behavioral science and operations management, exploring how small shifts in human decision-making can create more sustainable and socially beneficial supply chain systems.

From examining how to nudge customers toward slower, greener shipping options to designing grocery delivery systems that support healthier food choices, Lee’s work demonstrates the power of combining behavioral insights with operational excellence.

What drives your research, and how do you hope it changes the world?

I am motivated by the idea of creating win-win-win outcomes for companies, for people, and for society. In particular, I am interested in how individual behavior shapes outcomes along the supply chain, and in identifying where small changes in human decision-making can help operations create better outcomes for society. In the online retail context, for example, I have been interested in questions like: can we encourage customers to choose slower shipping or store pickup to reduce carbon emissions? Can grocery delivery systems be designed in ways that support healthier food choices?I hope my research contributes to a better understanding of how behavioral insights can complement new technologies like AI in operations and help organizations build systems that are not only efficient, but also more sustainable and socially beneficial.

What advice would you give young women considering a career in supply chain – either academia or industry?

At least from my perspective, it has been encouraging to see more young women showing interest in supply chain careers, even though there is still more progress to be made. My advice would be not to feel like you need to fit a single mold to belong in this field. Supply chain needs many kinds of thinkers and problem-solvers, and different perspectives make the field stronger. I also think it is important to build strong technical and analytical skills, because they give you confidence and open doors. At the same time, finding mentors, peers, and collaborators who support your growth can make a real difference. For me, that sense of community has been incredibly valuable.For those considering academia, I have found it especially helpful to pay attention to the questions that genuinely stay with you. You do not need to have everything figured out early on, but having a sense of what you care about can help you build a path that feels both distinctive and meaningful.

What’s a breakthrough moment in your research journey you’re most proud of?

One moment I look back on with a lot of gratitude is when, during my PhD, my projects began to come together into a research direction that felt genuinely my own. Instead of seeing them as separate papers, I started to see a common set of questions I cared deeply about. That clarity gave me a stronger sense of purpose and helped me communicate who I was as a scholar. It also made me more confident in pursuing opportunities that aligned with that direction. That sense of direction shaped everything that followed, from winning competitive research support to navigating the academic job market, and it ultimately led me to Smeal, where I feel truly excited to do this work every day.