Place of Residence: CT, USA

Position: Director of Growth/General Manager

Please describe a day in your life:

My day starts early, around 6 am. I typically go for a run around my neighbourhood first thing in the morning. That helps me clear my head and prepare for a busy day ahead. Then, I’ll have my morning tea while making a list of the daily tasks to accomplish. I am a fan of lists and like to write everything down. That helps me stay focused on what matters most. Since I have two kids, the rest of the morning before I head out of the door at 8 am is spent getting them ready for school.

I am usually at the office by 8.15 am. The first thing is to check the statistics for the previous day and the current week and then have a quick morning meeting with my staff. I like to touch base with them and get their feedback on a daily basis, on top of the regular meetings we have weekly. They are a critical part of our success, and their voices matter.

Then, I spend an hour or so on Operations and Logistics, overseeing the overall activity and strategizing techniques to maximize productivity and efficiency. I typically organize the rest of the day depending on the priorities I have. Most often, I am out to meet customers, or they come to meet with me on-site. 

How many projects are you currently working on? Please describe them:

I am currently working on three main projects:

Staffing– is my number one priority right now as we expand and grow our business. Recruiting and interviewing is my most important task this month. I firmly believe that our people are our biggest assets and tools to grow.

Expanding into other manufacturing secondary operations is another project I’m currently working on.  Evaluating the current market conditions and where it makes sense to invest and expand.

Modernizing our ERP system is another big project I am working on. 

In your opinion, who is the most influential person or company in technology today, and if you could choose one app, product, or project to be involved in, which would it be and why?

In my opinion, Amazon is one of the most influential companies in the Technology and Logistics industry of our times. Coming from both sides, as a professional of supply chain but also a consumer perspective, I am always fascinated by what they have achieved so far and believe they have revolutionized the digital shopping experience. I would love to be a part of their future development in the supply chain field.

How do you see technology and your field evolving in the next ten years?

I think embracing cloud technology is more and more important. Businesses that have embraced cloud technology have a clear advantage over their competition. This is especially true in the area of supply chain management. Technology that is commonplace today was difficult for most people to believe possible just a few years ago.

By analyzing current supply chain trends that are driven by cloud technology, you can get an idea of industry changes yet to come and position your business to stay ahead of competitors. Optimizing manual processes with modern material handling equipment should be a part of every business plan.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is rapidly becoming commonplace in supply chain management. It allows people to better manage material handling equipment, warehouse inventory, and delivery truck routes. Cross-channel integration requires intra-organizational and inter-organizational reconfigurations along with a dedicated investment in the company’s IT department.

What is the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your career.

I would say I worked tirelessly under constant pressure for deadlines to open the door for a new facility last year. It was a work of art to organize, orchestrate and bring everything together.

What is your next goal?

My next goal is to bring the company I manage to the next level by increasing the diversity of services offered and overall revenue by 50%. This involves strengthening our core capabilities, exploring new opportunities, and continuing to build strong relationships with our clients and partners.

If you could speak to your younger self, what advice would you give, and how does it relate to the dreams you had as a child about creating?

If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her not to rush into anything and trust the process. Learn to let go of what you can’t control. Hard work always pays off. Life is a journey, and professional development is the same. Never compare yourself to anyone else; we all are different and have different talents and abilities. Learn as much as you can; knowledge is power. Also, invest time in building professional relationships. You never know when you might need them. Embrace change; adaptability is key.

Which famous person would you like to have dinner with and why?

I would like to deviate a bit from the question and rather than having dinner with a famous person, I’d like to have dinner with a few people that have influenced my career and sharpened my mind to become the person I am today. They might not be famous to the public, but they are certainly famous to me. I would like to sit down with them and have a trip down memory lane to see where I started and where I am today after 20 years of my career. There is still a lot to be learned from them.

Where would you like to travel next?

Next on my bucket list of places to travel would be Scotland and Ireland. I have wanted to go there for a long time. The emerald-green pastoral landscapes and their celebrated cultural traditions have always fascinated me. I’m a history nerd and would love to visit medieval castles.

What advice do you give to young girls who want to follow similar careers?

I would say dream big, don’t be afraid to shift gears. Trust your instinct and always do your due diligence. Also, make time for fun and relaxation; balance is essential to avoid burnout.