Benesch Of Counsel Martha Payne Honored with 2026 Women in Supply Chain Award

Benesch is pleased to announce that Martha Payne, of counsel in the firm’s Transportation & Logistics and Litigation Practice Groups, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Women in Supply Chain Award in the Trailblazer category by Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. The award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and leadership serve as a foundation for women at all levels of the supply chain.

“Martha is a renowned advisor who has made a lasting impact on the industry through her strategic counsel and unwavering commitment to others,” said Benesch Transportation & Logistics Co-Lead Jonathan Todd. “She is a respected leader, an exceptional mentor and a tireless pioneer for advancing the industry.”

Martha represents North American transportation and logistics providers and users on a wide range of transportation-related matters. Her practice focuses on risk analysis, contract drafting and negotiation, helping clients understand, manage and appropriately allocate risk in complex transportation and supply chain transactions.

She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating domestic and international transportation, logistics and supply chain management agreements. Martha advises shippers, carriers and logistics companies of all sizes on cargo liability, risk management, contracting and collection matters. Throughout her career, she has gained a unique perspective on the industry through roles spanning claims management, in-house counsel and private practice, giving her insight into transportation issues from every vantage point.

A highly respected leader in the transportation and logistics sector, Martha regularly speaks at industry conferences and contributes thought leadership on emerging issues affecting the supply chain. She also represented U.S. carriers on the National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade’s Sub-Committee on Uniform Liability Regime, participating in negotiations with Canadian, Mexican and U.S. shippers, carriers and government representatives.

“This award isn’t just a way to honor females in supply chain. It’s a representation of progress, it’s a symbol of growth, and it’s a way to celebrate achievements of all women in the supply chain who continue to pave the way for the next generation,” says Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive and co-founder of the Women in Supply Chain Forum.

This year’s winners, including the Top 4 overall category winners, will be honored at the 2026 Women in Supply Chain Forum, taking place November 17-19 in Charleston, South Carolina.

To view the full list of winners, click here.