Women’s leadership in logistics is progressing, although it still faces representation gaps, stereotypes and cultural challenges in a sector historically dominated by men, as pointed out by specialists during the webinar Women’s Leadership in Logistics , organized by #SoyLogístico Association .
During the meeting, the panelists shared experiences about their professional careers, the challenges women face in the industry , and the skills needed to lead increasingly complex supply chains.
Fabiola Rincón , Perform & Transform Operations at Danone Mexico , contextualized the discussion with figures on the presence of women in executive positions. According to data cited during the webinar , only 8% of Chief Operating Officer (COO) positions in the leading companies of the S&P 500 Index are held by women , while in Latin America the figure reaches 29 %.
These statistics reflect that, although there has been progress, female participation at the highest levels of leadership remains limited.
The moderator emphasized that diversity in management teams is not only a matter of fairness, but also of organizational performance. Studies show that diverse teams tend to improve the quality of decisions, strengthen corporate governance, and contribute to sustainability goals , including those related to gender equality.
The panelists agreed that many careers in logistics begin unexpectedly.
Brenda Hernández , Senior Director of Logistics for Latin America at Mattel , recounted that her interest arose while she was studying international trade during the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) era . After exploring different areas, from customs to the sale of logistics services, she found logistics to be a dynamic field where every day involves solving new challenges.
“For me, logistics is about solving a challenge every day with different circumstances,” he said.
In contrast, Karina Arenas , Supply Chain Planning & Execution Director at Schneider Electric , came to the sector by chance. Trained in industrial design, she began her career in manufacturing at Procter & Gamble and, almost two decades later, discovered that the supply chain was the space where she could apply skills in analysis, process design, and customer focus.
“A well-designed supply chain connects all the players in the business. Often, you don’t notice when it’s working well, but the day it’s not there, everyone notices,” he commented.
Laura Galdeano , Primary Logistics Manager at C&P in the Danone Group, explained that her connection to logistics has family roots. Although she initially focused on purchasing, today she recognizes the strategic role that logistics plays in the consumer experience, financial performance, and sustainability goals of companies.
One of the recurring themes was the importance of authenticity in environments where historically masculine leadership styles have predominated .
Hernández recalled that, at the beginning of her career, she tried to replicate behaviors she observed in other leaders, but discovered that doing so distanced her from her own way of working.
“When I decided to be myself and stop trying to fit into a mold, I felt free and was able to strengthen my own skills,” she explained.
Arenas emphasized that the lack of female role models has been one of the most significant barriers in the industry. Without visible role models, many women feel they must adopt leadership styles that don’t necessarily reflect their strengths. Therefore, she believes that spaces like this webinar are important for showcasing diverse career paths and demonstrating that there are multiple ways to lead.
Human skills become more important
The participants also highlighted that, in an environment marked by digitalization and the advancement of artificial intelligence, human skills acquire greater value.
Among the key skills they mentioned were strategic communication , to give visibility to one’s own and the team’s work ; networking , fundamental in a discipline that connects multiple actors in the supply chain ; in-depth knowledge of the operation , even at management levels ; and resilience and tolerance for frustration , indispensable in a sector characterized by uncertainty.
Arenas emphasized that learning to communicate achievements and results is especially important.
“No one is going to come and ask you what you did right. You have to learn to communicate the value you are generating,” he said.
Logistics: From Operational Function to Strategic Role
Another point of agreement was the evolution of logistics within organizations.
Brenda Hernández pointed out that the function has gone from being primarily operational to becoming a strategic area that influences decisions about plant location, sustainability, costs and taxes.
“Logistics is taking on a much more proactive role within organizations,” he stated.
In the coming years, the panelists anticipate that the industry will be marked by trends such as the automation and digitization of processes , greater visibility of real-time data, integration of planning and optimization technologies; and sustainability as the central focus of the business.
On this last point, Karina Arenas highlighted that sustainability will cease to be a differentiator and will become a requirement for operational continuity.
The panelists agreed that logistics offers broad career opportunities for new generations. The supply chain allows for the development of financial, commercial, technological, and leadership skills, as well as providing a comprehensive view of the business.
“It’s a career where no two days are ever the same,” Arenas emphasized.
For young women interested in the sector, the message was that choosing logistics involves facing constant challenges , but also participating in one of the functions that generates the most value within organizations.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) , women make up approximately 24% of the workforce in the logistics sector globally, which, although it represents progress, still reflects a significant gap in the industry.
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Jennifer Galindo / @GrupoT21
