Celebrating Female Supply Chain Game Changers
While women make up over 50% of the workforce in most developed markets, they only account for 6% of U.S. truck drivers — roughly 200,000 total.
Within supply chain organizations as a whole, only 39% of the workforce is female and that number drops even lower when you look at leadership positions.
Statistics like these lead many to view supply chain and logistics as traditionally male-driven industry; however, these stats only tell part of the story.
Only 6% of drivers and 39% of all supply chain professionals are women, but these stats are only part of the story.
Companies that embrace women in leadership roles recognize their significant contributions. For this reason, we've seen notable increases when it comes to women taking managerial roles. According to a 2019 report published by Gartner and Achieving Women's Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education (AWESOME), improvements have been made "at the first-line manager level, middle manager and director levels, and most notably at the VP level, which jumped from 20% to 28%."
From fleet managers to owner-operators, from 3PL executives to procurement directors at major companies, women play vital roles in every type of company across the entire industry.
To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we asked women across Coyote's global network to share their experience working in logistics. Here’s what they had to say.
Q: Why do you like working in logistics?
-Christina Bottis
Chief Marketing Officer at Coyote
"I am fascinated by the idea that everything we touch is available as a result of the logistics industry. It's an industry championing rapidly evolving solutions to root challenges that have existed since well before the term logistics was ever used.
Advances in logistics technology have provided economic and environmental efficiencies beyond what I ever could have imagined when I first joined this industry decades ago and it's exciting to be a part of the pack leading this charge!"
-Heidi Serwer
Sr. Manager, Business Analyst at Coyote
"It's an exciting time to be in logistics, a target rich industry for technology and innovation.
We’re well into the digital transformation and users have expectations for consumer like experiences with products.
Coupled with insights derived from the huge amount of data in supply chain, these products can deliver even more value."
-Wendy Dilliard
VP, Product Management at Coyote
"There are so many opportunities in the logistics industry. Initially, I started my logistics career in sales for a 3PL and worked my way up to Logistics Manager for a seafood importer that has been in business for over 60 years.”
-Debbie
Logistics Manager for a major seafood importer
Q: What’s it like being a woman in a majority male industry?
"Technology and logistics have traditionally been male-dominated industries, but strong, capable women have had a tremendous impact on the industry and this company in particular.
A great example is CoyoteGO®, a product that was not only driven by our shippers and carriers, but also heavily influenced by the women on the team.
Technology itself doesn’t have bias towards gender, it can be improved and evolved by collaboration and input from anyone.
While I think it’s important to recognize the imbalance in these historically male-dominated industries, it’s more important not to dwell on it.
I’m a firm believer that if you continue to challenge yourself by getting out of your comfort zone and you put in the work, the rest will fall into place!"
-Jenny Suick
Director, IT PMO at Coyote
"Honestly, I’ve been doing it so long that I don’t really notice it—transportation is just second nature.
I know it’s there, but I don’t really think about it. Though it isn’t always obvious, occasionally I hear things that really surprise me.
For instance, some drivers don’t want to work with me because I’m ‘just a woman.’ That said, I’ve had a lot of men really defend me, telling other drivers that I’ll hustle for them, get them a loaner truck, take care of them.”
-Monica Byers
Owner and President of Sugar Creek Transportation
"It can be hard, because everyone thinks this business is just for men. They're wrong. Any woman can succeed in the trucking business.
Some drivers don't like working with women, but many do. In fact, a lot of them prefer working with women."
-Marluh Izaguirre
Owner of M&I Truckers
Why is the logistics industry great for women?
"The logistics industry constantly asks that we serve others — carriers, shippers, and our employees. It asks us to power the American economy — delivering goods in times of emergency, in times of celebration and for everyday life.
Logistics is always changing, growing and developing; providing a platform for tremendous innovative energy.
It welcomes risk takers and creative thinkers; turning around and rewarding them with boundless opportunity for growth.
It demands emotional intelligence, relationship building skills and a solutions-oriented mindset. Our ability as women to contribute is limitless – not defined by gender, but by our ability to drive Coyote and the industry forward."
-Kendall Raymond
VP, Learning & Development at Coyote
"For women who have leadership career goals, I think there is so much opportunity in the logistics industry.
The logistics industry requires attention, drive, mental toughness and nearly perfect communication skills.
I’ve seen so many women succeed in this industry because they’ve been able to navigate the difficulties the job brings by remaining focused on those requirements.”
-Sara McQuilkin
VP, Sales Business Development at Coyote
What would you say to younger women interested in pursuing a career in logistics?
"What I’ve found throughout my career is women in logistics need to be assertive. In order to be assertive you have to have confidence and confidence comes from educating yourself.
Make sure you’re asking questions and leaning in."
-Jayme Clarke
VP, Carrier Network Solutions at Coyote
“Whether you’re pursuing a career in logistics or another industry, my advice to younger women remains the same: find your voice.
It’s not about speaking for the sake of speaking, but if you have something to say and opinions to add, never be afraid to share them. All industries progress because of forward-thinkers and people who aren’t afraid to share their ideas.
The best way to advance your career is the let yourself be known, and have the confidence in yourself to know that you are just as good (if not better) than any man.”
–Casey Bright
VP, Demand Generation at Coyote
"Look for a company and culture that you feel passionate about, use your voice and unique perspective whenever possible and never lose your desire to learn.”
-Tricia Dell
SVP, Customer Operations at Coyote
"My advice would be the same to any young woman pursuing a career in any industry: Go for it, find a company that want to invest in your future because they see talent and potential in you, and pursue the career you want!
What I have realized after working in logistics, is that here your achievements and growth are entirely depending on you and the work you put in, so ask questions, challenge yourself and have fun."
-Constance Reboul
Sr. Recruiter at Coyote Logistics Europe
"Lean in and speak up! In logistics you have the opportunity to wear multiple hats every day, impact a wide net of people and grow both personally and professionally.”
-Kate Van Dyke
SVP, Customer Operations at Coyote
We see logistics as a growing and changing industry with unlimited potential and opportunity for anyone and everyone who wants to work hard and forge their own path.
"The logistics industry has historically been dominated by men, and I’m happy to see more and more women in client meetings and at Coyote."
-Nikki Strassman
Director, Enterprise Operations at Coyote
Thank you to all the women who shared their stories and experiences. We are very fortunate to have so many smart, hardworking women in Coyote's network and we look forward to welcoming more to the team as we strive to achieve gender balance.