They say if logistics is doing its job perfectly, you never even notice it’s there. But behind every seamless delivery and every "arrived on time" notification is a leader who keeps everything moving smoothly (even when the pressure is on!). 

Each year for International Women’s Day, we pull back the curtain — from celebrating our 2023 industry leaders to sharing the stories of women shaping logistics in 2024 and 2025.

This year, we’re shining a light on three women from the CartonCloud community who are doing exactly that — leading with confidence, clarity, and serious grit.

Meet the women who share what drew them into the "puzzle" of logistics, the lessons that shaped them, and the advice they’d give to the next generation of women ready to pull up a chair at the table.

• Leah Adams, General Manager at Drink Distribution.
• Alex Mathis, Production Director at C&C Warehouse.
• Ruth Minchew, 3PL Operations Manager – Services at Dicker Data.

TL;DR: To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, join three industry leaders as they share their tips for calm leadership, resilience and confidence they bring to the industry every day.

Q: What’s a moment at work that made you think, ‘This is why I love this industry’?

Drink Distribution’s General Manager Leah Adams says: Growing up, I used to watch weather and road reports with my dad. Now I check those same reports regularly to make sure our drivers have safe routes. Moments like that remind me why I love logistics it’s meaningful, it matters, and every day is different.

C&C Warehouse’s Production Director Alex Mathis says: Any time the team pulls together to solve something that looked impossible the night before. There's a culture of grit in logistics that you don't find everywhere — when things go sideways, people show up.

Dicker Data’s 3PL Operations Manager Ruth Minchew says: Moments where the team pulls together to solve something complex under pressure. When a customer has a critical requirement and we find a way to deliver, not because it’s easy but because we’re great at working together and building solutions to meet our customer’s needs.

Q: What’s something only someone in logistics would understand?

Leah: No two days are ever the same and that’s exactly what makes it both challenging and rewarding.

Alex: Almost everything you touch in a single day — your coffee, your clothes, your phone — moved through a supply chain that someone like us managed. We keep the world running and most people never think about it once, which is the goal.

Ruth: The feeling when a delivery arrives on time after everything that could have gone wrong did try to go wrong. Or the quiet satisfaction of a new customer account or project running smoothly after weeks of planning.

Q: What drew you to logistics — and what’s kept you here?

Leah: What drew me to logistics is how many moving parts there are to manage. I’ve always loved solving puzzles, and logistics is exactly that — every day brings a new challenge to work through. What’s kept me here is the problem-solving, the pace, and the satisfaction of making everything come together.

Alex: Honestly, I fell into it — but I stayed because no two days are ever the same. Logistics keeps you sharp, keeps you humble, and every problem solved feels like a real win.

Q: What’s a challenge you’ve faced in your career that shaped you as a leader?

Leah: One of the biggest challenges has been balancing on-time shipments while adapting quickly to unexpected disruptions, like highway closures or route delays. That experience taught me how important it is to stay calm under pressure, think on my feet, and make fast decisions that keep both the team and the customer moving forward.

Alex: Learning to make confident decisions with incomplete information. Logistics doesn't wait for perfect data. That pressure taught me to trust my instincts, lean on my team, and own the outcome either way.

Q: Logistics is often described as fast, complex and high-pressure. What leadership qualities do you believe the industry needs more of?

Leah: I believe the industry needs more leaders who are adaptable, organized, and strong communicators. Logistics professionals need to manage multiple priorities at once, support their team, and stay responsive to clients often all at the same time. The ability to multitask is important, but so is staying steady and clear-headed under pressure.

Alex: Adaptability. AI and automation are reshaping logistics faster than most organizations are ready for. The leaders who will thrive are the ones who embrace the technology, invest in their people's ability to use it, and aren't precious about the way things have always been done.

Q: What would you tell your younger self on day one?

Leah: Buckle up! Logistics changes every day. Stay flexible, keep learning, and trust that your ability to problem-solve will take you far.

Alex: Your instincts are good — trust them earlier. You'll second guess yourself more than anyone else ever will, and most of the time you were right the first time.

Ruth: Back yourself earlier. Have the difficult conversation sooner. And don’t wait until you feel completely ready before stepping into bigger responsibility. Growth in this industry comes from saying yes to challenge

Q: What’s changing in logistics right now and what excites you most about the future?

Leah: Technology is changing logistics in exciting ways. We’re seeing more automation, AI tools, and equipment innovations that improve efficiency and reduce strain on teams. What excites me most is how these tools can support better decision-making, improve accuracy, and help us work smarter while still keeping service at the center.

Alex: Automation and data visibility are completely reshaping how we operate. What excites me most is the shift toward smarter, leaner supply chains — doing more with less waste, less guesswork, and more intention. The industry is finally catching up to the technology.

Q: When you tell someone at a BBQ what you do, what’s the reaction — what are the most common questions you get asked about logistics?

Leah: I usually get a laugh and then people ask, “Isn’t that a really hard job?” or “Does your brain ever slow down?” A lot of people are surprised by how much planning, coordination, and quick decision-making goes into logistics behind the scenes.

Alex: “So what does that actually mean day to day?" Which is honestly a fair question — even people inside the industry sometimes struggle to explain it at a cookout.

Q: What advice would you give to women considering a career in logistics today?

Leah: Be confident, be assertive, and trust your instincts. Logistics moves fast, so it helps to stay prepared and always have a backup plan. Things don’t always go as expected, but if you stay adaptable and think ahead, you can thrive in this industry.

Alex:

1. Don't wait to be invited — pull up a chair and stay curious.
   
   
2. Learn operations from the ground up.

Ruth: Don’t underestimate the value that you can bring. Logistics needs commercially minded, organised and decisive leaders.

Ask questions. Understand the numbers. Walk the floor. You don’t need to fit a stereotype to succeed in this industry.

Discover more inspiring stories

Feeling inspired? Explore our International Women’s Day features from 2025, 2024 and 2023 to hear even more stories of the incredible women driving logistics forward in the industry.