Barbara Venner

As the oldest daughter of immigrant parents, responsibility found me early. I often joke that I became the family manager long before I ever managed anything else. Whether it was helping navigate paperwork, translating, solving problems, or looking out for my younger siblings, I learned to step up when something needed to get done.

Those experiences gave me a level of confidence that comes from doing hard things repeatedly. I don't spend much time dwelling on obstacles. My mindset has always been identify the problem, find a solution, and move forward. That resilience has been one of the biggest contributors throughout my career.

The best career advice I’ve received is to get out of my comfort zone. I’ve realized that I naturally gravitate toward what I already know because it’s worked for me in the past. But every time I’ve been pushed or have chosen to step outside of that space, something better has come from it.

More recently, I’ve been consciously reminding myself of that lesson. Growth doesn’t really happen when things feel easy or familiar. It happens when you’re slightly uncomfortable, figuring things out as you go, and trusting yourself through the process.

Be confident. I don’t move through the world from a place of fear, I move through it from a place of trust in myself. That confidence allows me to travel, work, and navigate different environments without feeling limited by what could go wrong.

For young women, I think the most important is not to let fear define your boundaries. Stay aware, stay smart, but don’t shrink your life because of it. The world opens up when you do.

The biggest challenge in my field right now is the level of global uncertainty. With supply chains across Europe, China, and the U.S., shipping has become increasingly complex due to geopolitical tensions, disruptions, and changing trade conditions. On top of that, financial systems and credit environments can vary significantly across regions, adding another layer of complexity in certain markets.

Latin America also brings its own challenges, particularly the political landscape. Changes in government can quickly shift regulations, import conditions, and overall market dynamics, which means nothing stays predictable for long. In most of my markets, stability is never guaranteed.

But that complexity is also what makes the region so interesting. I thrive in environments where I have to solve problems, adapt quickly, and build growth from uncertainty. There’s a real satisfaction in navigating complexity and turning it into opportunity.

The values that matter most to me, both professionally and personally, are trust, kindness, and open-mindedness. Trust is the foundation of everything, being able to rely on people and knowing they can rely on me. Kindness is also non-negotiable. I don’t thrive in environments where people are not respectful or considerate, regardless of how strong they may be professionally. I believe how people treat others says everything about them. Open-mindedness is equally important, especially in my role. Working across so many countries and cultures requires a willingness to understand different perspectives, adapt, and stay curious rather than judgmental.