Laurie Zalac, CTB
Laurie Zalac, CTB, is the Director of Sales at Descartes MacroPoint™, based in Greater Cleveland. With over 24 years of experience in transportation logistics and technology sales, Laurie has spent the past decade helping enterprise brokers, 3PLs, and 4PLs build technology stacks focused on real-time visibility. Known for her customer-first approach, she prioritizes listening over speaking and solving client challenges rather than simply making sales, fostering long-term relationships with customers who have remained loyal for 7–10 years.
Throughout her career, Laurie has demonstrated expertise in strategic negotiations, project management, and client consulting. She leads initiatives that drive impactful change management programs in large-scale organizations, focusing on collaboration, program success, and measurable outcomes. Laurie’s leadership style emphasizes building meaningful partnerships, leveraging customer feedback to refine solutions, and empowering teams to implement innovative technology that enhances operational efficiency and visibility across the supply chain.
Laurie’s professional journey includes significant tenures at FedEx Truckload Brokerage and Freight All Kinds, where she developed her skills in account management, carrier relations, and solution-based sales. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Liberty International University and is a Certified Transportation Broker (CTB). Beyond her professional achievements, Laurie is actively involved in community service, supporting organizations that assist underprivileged and homeless populations in Northeast Ohio. She continues to aspire toward a vice president of sales role, aiming to expand her impact on the logistics and technology industries.
• Certified Transportation Broker
• Liberty International University - B.S.
• Descartes Newcomer of the Year 2017
• Member of the Month - Women in Trucking
• President's Club 2014
• President's Club 2013
• Sr. Logistics Account Manager
• American Red Cross Summit/Portage Chapter
• Homeless Charity and Village
• Food Not Bombs
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is deeply tied to the leaders who shaped me and my willingness to remain coachable and open. I learn from the strengths I see in others, but I also pay attention to what doesn’t align with the kind of leader I want to be. Guided by curiosity, I’m always asking questions—why, how, what’s next—especially when I feel stagnant. That drive to keep learning has helped me evolve, stay adaptable, and continually elevate the value I bring.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stay coachable and teachable. By learning from the people around me and intentionally integrating their strengths into my own style, I’ve been able to grow consistently and refine the way I lead and contribute.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: listen with intention and lead with solutions. When you focus on understanding the real problem before you speak, you earn trust long before you ever make a pitch. Aim to create solutions that genuinely make someone’s work—or life—better. That mindset has allowed me to build client relationships that last 7 to 10 years, especially in technology, where needs evolve and collaboration never stops. Long-term success comes from being the person who solves, not the person who sells.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is the rapidly changing technology landscape in logistics. This creates an opportunity—and a necessity—for adaptable, customizable solutions and ongoing education to stay ahead and deliver meaningful value to clients.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that anchor me—listening, problem‑solving, coachability, continual learning, personalization, kindness, and strong organization—shape how I show up in every part of my life. They guide how I build meaningful relationships, craft thoughtful solutions, and stay adaptable in a world that never stops changing.