Her Story
About Angela
I've been in the transportation industry for 24 years, and I guess you can say it runs in the blood since I followed in my mother's footsteps. I've always had a knack for it because it's very analytical, and I've always been really good at putting puzzle pieces together, so this industry has just been a natural fit for me. I started at 18 as a data entry clerk for United Arab steamship line, and when they went out of business, I joined the Army National Guard as a logistics specialist. After my training, I did warehousing work and then moved into the trucking industry doing dispatch. They made me a terminal manager when I was only 29, which was unheard of for a young woman at that time. After that company moved to New Jersey and laid off my whole office, I started working for Zim America steamship line, where I did everything from import and export customer service to vessel tracing. Because I had been in so many different positions, I eventually got hired as the training and development specialist, where I wrote all of the training guides and did all the training. They're still using those guides today, four years later, which makes me so happy. After my mom passed away, I moved to Mechanicsville, Virginia to be close to my sister, and that's when I started working with KSI Auto Parts as their ocean import manager. My team is responsible for tracking about 3,000 containers a year coming from Taiwan into the United States. We handle everything from booking them with the steamship line, tracking them across the water, making sure customs are cleared, and working with truckers to get them delivered to the warehouses.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Angela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have to answer that question in two parts. First, I attribute my success to my daughter and pure determination. It can be difficult as a woman to navigate a male dominated industry. However, I worked hard, learned all I can, and now I let my experience speak for itself. There were times I struggled but I look at my daughter‘s face and find all the courage I need. Secondly, I would be remiss if I said I got here by myself. Over the years I have had the privilege to work with some really great people. Without the support and guidance of coworkers and business partners I wouldn’t be half the manager I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
As cheesy as it may sound the best career advice I’ve received came from my father. He said “Work to live not live to work”. I think it’s so important to be grateful and mindful of all the beautiful things in your life. Especially in a world where burnout is the number one career killer. Taking time for yourself renews your energy and spirit which ultimately makes you a more productive employee. It also makes you someone people want to be around.
So yeah, stop and smell the flowers.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell any young woman entering this industry to find inspiration from the women that have came before, the women that have used their determination to break down the door of the Boys Club. Learn all you can. Think outside the box, don't be afraid to speak up. And most importantly, to know your worth, and to use that like armor, and remember that you are forging a path for young women that will come after you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The transportation industry is always changing, and just when you think that you have a handle on it, you are thrown new challenges, especially now in the current geopolitical climate that we're in. Even with that said, I think opportunities in this industry are abundant. You have to remain flexible. Creative thinking will always be rewarded. And I also believe that AI will have a big role to play in the future of this industry. It is a data-driven industry, and that can either be a challenge or an opportunity, depending on how you look at it.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, it’s integrity and humility. I feel like we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect but perfection is an unattainable goal. We are human and will make mistakes. When mistakes happen, it is important to have the integrity to take responsibility and the humility to learn.
I believe it’s so important to understand growth either personal or professional happens because we are imperfect.
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