Moving the World

For decades, warehouse innovation has focused on what happens inside the four walls. Robotics move inventory. Automated systems pick, sort and increasingly unload freight.

But a warehouse operation doesn't really begin at the dock door. It begins the moment a truck enters the property.

In this episode of Moving the World, Darin Brannan, CEO of Terminal Industries, and Mike Plasencia, VP of Product at Prologis, explore the next frontier of warehouse automation: the yard. They discuss how computer vision, AI, automation and security are connecting what's happening outside the building with increasingly sophisticated operations inside it. From identifying arriving trucks and orchestrating yard traffic to automated unloading and real-time risk detection, the conversation looks at what happens when the gate, yard, dock and warehouse begin operating as one connected system.

Chapters

00:45 – Meet Darin Brannan

02:32 – Why the modern warehouse starts at the gate

05:33 – Inside the yard: Clipboards, radios and sticky notes

08:34 – The ripple effect of a yard delay

12:20 – Why yard technology lagged—and how AI changes that

17:34 – From minutes to seconds: The payoff of automation

20:00 – The TSA pre-check of the warehouse yard

22:16 – Rethinking cargo security and yard safety

27:18 – Connecting security, operations and shared data

31:35 – What it takes to digitize a yard

Today’s Experts

Darin Brannan, CEO, Terminal Industries Darin is a technology entrepreneur and executive with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling companies across transportation, healthcare, construction and retail. Over his career, he has founded three companies that grew from startup to significant scale, led two IPOs, raised more than $1.25 billion in venture and debt financing, and held roles spanning founder, CEO, venture investor and board member. His work has focused on transforming industries reliant on outdated technologies and workflows through software, data and automation. Today, as CEO of Terminal Industries, Darin is applying that experience to logistics, using AI and intelligent technology to modernize yard operations and connect the physical and digital sides of the supply chain.

Mike Plasencia, VP of Product, Prologis EssentialsMike is a supply chain and technology leader with deep experience spanning logistics operations, product strategy, data analytics and venture investing. Before joining Prologis, Mike spent more than 15 years at Ryder, where he helped develop and bring new products to market and led operations for RyderVentures, the company’s corporate venture capital fund focused on technologies transforming transportation and supply chains. His career has also included operational leadership, advanced analytics and industrial engineering, giving him a unique perspective on how emerging technologies translate from promising ideas into real-world logistics operations. At Prologis, Mike leads product for Prologis Essentials, helping shape solutions that make warehouse operations more connected, automated and efficient.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prologis.

Legacy companies are built for scale. Startups are built for speed.

Corporate venture capital sits at the intersection of both.

In this episode of Moving the World, Will O’Donnell of Prologis Ventures sits down with Jim Adler, founder and general partner of Toyota Ventures, to talk what makes corporate venture capital different from traditional venture capital, how venture teams balance financial discipline with strategic value, and why the strongest startup-corporate partnerships are grounded in trust and real business problems.

The conversation also explores where innovation is moving across the physical world, from logistics and mobility to energy, automation and AI, and what it takes for established companies to turn outside ideas into practical progress.

Because the next decade of innovation will not be shaped by technology alone. It will depend on whether large companies can identify the right signals, connect them to real business problems and help startups tap into scale without being encumbered by it.

In this episode:

00:00 – Intro

01:05 –Meet Jim & Toyota Ventures

02:20 – Corporate Venture vs. Traditional Venture Capital 

04:30 – The Financial vs. Strategic Investor Continuum 

07:00 – Marrying Startup Speed with Corporate Scale

13:05 – Physical AI, Robotics and Real-World Adoption 

19:00 – Mobility Beyond Cars: Toyota in Space 

23:00 – Company Culture, Friction of Innovation and Change Management 

32:07 – How Startups Best Work with Big Companies 

36:02 – Venture Teams as a Telescope into the Future 

Today’s experts:

Will O’Donnell is managing director, global head of corporate development and growth at Prologis, as well as the founder of Prologis Ventures. With more than 20 years of experience in real estate and technology, Will helps identify and invest in technologies shaping the future of supply chain logistics, real estate and the built environment.

Jim Adler is founder and general partner of Toyota Ventures, where he sets the firm’s strategic direction and leads investment activities. He also serves as an executive advisor at Toyota Research Institute. Jim brings experience as an investor, operator, entrepreneur and engineer, with previous roles at Toyota Research Institute, Metanautix, Intelius, VoteHere and Lockheed Martin.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prologis.

Retail is one of the most complex decision environments in the world. Millions of transactions. More than a million active SKUs. Shifting customer expectations. Tight margins. Fresh products that have to move quickly. And supply chains where small disruptions can show up on the shelf.

AI is becoming part of how retailers manage that complexity. 

In this episode of Moving the World, Sineesh Keshav of Prologis talks with Albertsons’ Anuj Dhanda about how one of the nation’s largest food and drug retailers is using artificial intelligence to improve retail operations, customer experience and supply chain performance.

In this episode: 

00:40 – Intro

01:35 – AI Hype Versus Enterprise Value

06:03 – Agentic Commerce and Customer Experience

09:45 – Merchandising and Better Business Decisions at Scale

13:00 – AI, Labor and Employee Adoption

17:00 – Designing AI Tools for Adoption

19:27 – Making Data AI-Ready

23:20 – Source to Table: AI in the Supply Chain

27:57 – The Future of Retail Operations

Today’s experts:

Sineesh Keshav, Chief Technology Officer, Prologis
Sineesh leads global technology strategy across Prologis, focused on digital transformation, AI, and the integration of intelligent systems into logistics infrastructure. His work sits at the intersection of physical operations and advanced technology, shaping how supply chains evolve in an AI-driven world.

Anuj Dhanda, EVP, Chief Technology & Transformation Officer, Albertsons
Anuj leads Albertsons’ enterprise-wide technology and transformation strategy, including its AI roadmap. He is responsible for advancing the company’s “4 Big Bets” in AI, focused on reinventing customer experience, merchandising, labor, and supply chain operations.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prologis.

We use data centers every day. They have been around for decades. But most people couldn’t tell you what is inside of them or what they actually do. 

Lately, they’ve become one of the most debated pieces of infrastructure in the world. 

In this episode, Chris Curtis of Prologis and Josh Levi of the Data Center Coalition break down the important role data centers play in our world.  

With decades of experience between them, the two talk about how data centers are built, why there are misconceptions around their use of resources and the significant economic impact they can have on local communities.  

What’s hype? What does smart growth look like as we all rely on the services supported by AI? 

Because data centers are central to our modern economy, it’s time to better understand them. 

In this episode: 

00:38 - Intro: Meet Josh Levi 
01:57 - Data centers in space and the future of digital infrastructure 
02:48 - What data centers are and why demand is growing 
07:59 - How data centers support daily life, business and AI 
14:04 - Energy demand, grid investment and power costs 
22:04 - Community concerns, misinformation and the need for facts 
26:30 - Local impact: Jobs, tax revenue and community opportunity 
32:04 - The next decade of data center growth 
33:40 - Why the industry needs to tell its story better 
34:41 - Closing thoughts 

Today’s experts: 

Chris Curtis serves as global head of data centers at Prologis. In addition, Chris serves on the Data Center Coalition Board and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Data Center Product Council. A seasoned data center expert, Chris brings more than 5 gigawatts of data center development experience across the U.S., Canada and Europe. Before Prologis, Chris co-founded Compass Datacenters, where he led all development projects from 2011 to 2023. Prior to that, he spent a decade developing high-security, build-to-suit projects for U.S. Federal Government agencies.   

Josh Levi is president and CEO of the Data Center Coalition (DCC), the membership association for the U.S. data center industry focused on empowering and championing the data center community through public policy advocacy, education, thought leadership and community engagement. Before DCC, Josh was vice president for policy at the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), a nationally recognized regional trade association, where he spent nearly 20 years supporting Northern Virginia’s vibrant technology community.  

Additional Resources:  

• Understanding the Drivers of Rising Electricity Rates and the Role of Data Centers, May 2026, Energy + Environmental Economics 
• Economic Contributions of Data Centers in the United States, 2023-2024, May 2026, PwC 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prologis.

How is the logistics real estate market shaping up in 2026 — and how is CBRE creatively using AI in its business? 

In this episode of Moving the World, Prologis’ Chris Burns sits down with CBRE Managing Director Darla Longo, one of the most experienced dealmakers in logistics real estate. With more than four decades in the business and over $91.5 billion in closed transactions, Darla shares where she’s seeing real momentum, how AI is changing decision-making on the ground, and what leaders often get wrong as technology reshapes the industry. 

The conversation goes beyond market forecasts to explore how Darla has built and led teams across cycles — and why culture, judgment and relationships still matter just as much as data in an increasingly digital, global business. 

In this episode:  

00:00 - Intro 

00:59 - Early Days in Logistics Real Estate and Market Growth 

05:09 - Transition from Leasing to Capital Markets 

07:40 - 2026 Logistics Real Estate Market Outlook and Demand Trends 

10:30 - Global Logistics Momentum and Emerging Markets 

12:08 - U.S. Logistics Capital Markets and Investment Trends 

20:02 - Role of AI in Logistics Real Estate 

22:10 - Human Element and Future of AI in Business 

26:25 - Nurturing Corporate Culture in a Digital Age 

29:44 - Leadership, Mentorship and Building High-Performance Teams 

Today’s experts: 

Chris Burns is head of deployment for North America at Prologis. He oversees deployment forecasting, portfolio strategy, multi-market acquisitions and dispositions, and manages the company’s investment services group and Investment Analyst Program. Prior to joining Prologis, Burns spent more than two decades at Duke Realty, where he served as executive vice president of real estate operations and helped expand the company’s West Coast portfolio to nearly 30 million square feet. 

Darla Longo is vice chairman and managing director with CBRE’s West Coast Institutional Group and one of the most accomplished industrial real estate brokers in the country. Over a 47-plus-year career, she has been involved in more than $91.5 billion in real estate transactions, including investment sales totaling more than 1.5 billion square feet. Longo is the first woman elected to CBRE’s board of directors and has ranked among the firm’s top producers for more than four decades. In 2021, CBRE named the Darla Longo Award in her honor, recognizing the next generation of outstanding producers. 

At the center of every warehouse operation is one metric: throughput. How much product can move through a building — accurately, efficiently and profitably — in a given period of time? 

In this episode of Moving the World, Prologis’ Marv Cunningham sits down with Ninaad Acharya, CEO of Fulfillment IQ, to talk about the biggest challenges facing fulfillment centers and what it takes to scale AI logistics solutions that deliver real results for brands, retailers and 3PLs. 

What’s hype and what can be deployed at scale? What must be true before an operator greenlights an AI rollout? And why is scaling from one successful building to a full network still so difficult? 

The conversation dives into data readiness, operational discipline, workforce realities and the hidden barriers that stall innovation. It’s a candid, operator-level discussion about what it really takes to deploy AI at scale to increase throughput, maximize space and optimize operational efficiency.  

In this episode: 

• Why scaling AI across a network is exponentially harder than proving ROI in one facility 
• The prerequisites to AI success: clean data, strong governance and usable systems 
• The human side of automation: trust, change management and workforce adoption 
• Why most warehouses still have very little automation—and what that means for opportunity 
• How digital twins and simulation can reduce risk before investing real dollars 

Today’s experts: 

Marv Cunningham is the global head of Operating Essentials and Workforce Solutions at Prologis, overseeing the company’s workforce and community programs, as well as its Essentials platform, which delivers solutions for some of the most critical challenges fulfillment centers face today. Marv brings more than 15 years of experience in supply chain and logistics, including senior leadership roles at GXO Logistics, Saks Off 5th & Hudson Bay, Rent the Runway, Target and Amazon. 

Ninaad Acharya is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Fulfillment IQ, an ecommerce fulfillment product studio that supports brands, retailers and 3PLs with bespoke solutions. He also hosts the eCom Logistics Podcast, where he brings together industry leaders to share insights on the future of supply chain and logistics. With over 16 years of experience in the supply chain and logistics industry, including serving as supply chain product executive at FedEx Supply Chain, Ninaad has a proven track record of delivering innovative and impactful solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. 

The Orange Bowl is a South Florida institution, a national spotlight moment and a logistical marvel. And, this year, the home of the Orange Bowl, Hard Rock Stadium, is also hosting the College Football Playoff National Game. For the first time, we’re giving you a look behind the scenes. 

In this episode of Moving the World, Jason Tenenbaum from Prologis sits down with Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms to discuss what it takes to pull off one of the biggest games in football.  

In this episode:  

• What it takes to deliver one of the nation’s most iconic bowl game—from citywide operations to the community mission powering youth sports, education and civic partnerships across South Florida. 
• How the Orange Bowl fuels the region’s economy and how its role in the College Football Playoff continues to evolve. 
• The surprising connections between sports and logistics—including how partners like Prologis help make championship moments possible. 

Today’s experts: 

Jason Tenenbaum is senior vice president and market officer for South Florida at Prologis, where he leads a team managing over 32 million square feet across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Jason is actively involved in the industry, serving as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, the Board of Directors for NAIOP South Florida and as an advisor for Florida International University's MS in Logistics Engineering Industry Advisory Board. 

Eric Poms is the chief executive officer of the Orange Bowl Committee (OBC). Since joining the OBC in 1993, and becoming CEO in 2006, Poms has led major milestones including the Orange Bowl’s integration into the College Football Playoff and hosting multiple national championships. Beyond football, he has expanded the OBC’s community impact across youth sports, education, engagement and legacy programs—positioning it as one of South Florida’s leading civic organizations. 

Every product you touch today has crossed a border: your phone, your shoes, the coffee that started your morning. Behind each journey is a policy decision that shapes how quickly, affordably and reliably that product reaches you. 

Trade doesn’t just move through ports. It moves through policy. 

In this episode of Moving the World, Steven Hussain, senior vice president and head of government affairs at Prologis, and Safiya Ghori-Ahmad, senior director of global public affairs at APCO Worldwide, unpack how a new era of geopolitics is reshaping trade—and what it means for companies operating across borders. 

In this episode:  

• Why today’s tariffs and industrial policies aren’t a temporary blip, but a long-term, bipartisan shift in how countries approach trade. 
• How India’s rapid rise, digital infrastructure and “strategic autonomy” are reshaping global power dynamics and the role of the Global South. 
• How companies are rethinking supply chains from “China + 1” to “China + many,” building resilience across multiple regions and markets. 
• Why long-term relationship building with governments is essential in a world of regional blocs, shifting alliances and emerging technologies like AI. 

Today’s experts: 

Steven Hussain is senior vice president and head of government affairs at Prologis. In that capacity, he leads the organization's efforts to engage the public sector to deepen relationships and advance Prologis' business objectives. Before joining Prologis, Steven served in various senior leadership roles in the public and nonprofit sectors focused on economic development, education and municipal policy.  

Safiya Ghori-Ahmad is senior director of global public affairs at APCO Worldwide, where she helps companies navigate the intersection of business, policy and international markets. Based in Washington, D.C., she brings a decade of U.S. government experience, including roles at the State Department and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and deep expertise in South and Central Asia. Before joining APCO, Ghori-Ahmad was a senior managing director at McLarty Associates, advising global investors and multinational companies on government affairs and market-entry strategy. Ghori-Ahmad is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a founding member of Chief D.C. and serves on several advisory boards, including the Clinton School of Public Service.  

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prologis.   

The global supply chain is entering a new era—defined by scarcity of space, of power and time. From tariffs to trade shifts to AI-driven energy demand and a coming trucking crunch, 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for logistics real estate worldwide. 

In this episode of Moving the World, Justin Meng, head of investor relations for Prologis, sits down with Prologis’ Head of Research, Melinda McLaughlin, to unpack Prologis Research’s 2026 Predictions paper—a data-driven look at what’s next for warehousing, e-commerce, trade routes and energy infrastructure. 

Together, they revisit the surprises of 2025 and look ahead to how logistics operators, investors and communities can prepare for a reshaped landscape.   

In this episode: 

• How tariffs and supply chain diversification are redrawing global trade maps 
• What’s driving the return of coastal gateway markets in the U.S. 
• Why energy capacity and “power-ready” locations will define the next decade of logistics 
• Why trucking capacity is tightening—and how it will reshape last-mile strategy 

Read the full Prologis Research paper — Bold Predictions 2026: Supply Chain Trends to Watch. 

Today’s experts: 

Justin Meng is senior vice president and head of investor relations for Prologis. Justin brings more than two decades of investment experience across real estate, public markets and alternative asset management. Previously, he was co-founder and managing partner of V3 Capital Management L.P., a boutique investment firm focused on publicly traded REITs. Earlier in his career, Justin served as partner and head of REIT research at High Rise Capital Management.  

Melinda McLaughlin is senior vice president and global head of Prologis Research, where she focuses on tracking, analyzing and forecasting logistics real estate fundamentals and structural industry trends, and translating insights into strategic decision-making for Prologis and its customers. Previously, Melinda was a vice president at Rosen Consulting Group, where she advised major clients on economic, housing and commercial real estate strategy.  

In this episode of Moving the World, Jeremiah Kane, senior vice president at Prologis, sits down with Andrew Kimball, president and CEO at the New York City Economic Development Corporation to discuss Blue Highways—urban waterways—as an overlooked but powerful lane in the future freight network. With road congestion at record levels and delivery demand still rising, is it time to put the waterfront back to work?

In this episode:

• How waterborne freight could reshape urban logistics—and why now is the moment
• What it takes to turn aging waterfront infrastructure into a modern supply chain asset
• Why public-private partnerships are essential to scaling solutions that work for both commerce and communities

Today’s experts:

Jeremiah Kane is senior vice president of Value-Added Investments at Prologis. He leads the New York team for Prologis developing and acquiring industrial properties in a market at the forefront of innovation in dense urban logistics. He also spearheads the Prologis Blue Highway initiative.  

Andrew Kimball is the president and chief executive officer of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Previously, Andrew served as the chief executive officer of Industry City, where he directed the transformation of the long-underutilized industrial facility in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Prior to that, he served as president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, overseeing the transformation of the 300-acre former Naval ship-building facility into a national model for the creation of innovation-economy jobs, sustainability and community partnerships. He also served as director of operations for NYC2012, the privately funded bid to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to New York City, and as vice president of the New York Public Library.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prologis.