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?
I attribute my success to strong leadership throughout my career and a commitment to being coachable and teachable. I learn from the strengths of others while discerning what practices I don’t want to adopt, using both to shape my own approach. With a mindset of intellectual curiosity, I continually ask why and how, seeking new knowledge whenever I feel stagnant, which has allowed me to grow, adapt, and elevate my impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to remain coachable and teachable. By learning from others and thoughtfully incorporating their strengths into my own approach, I’ve been able to grow continuously 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 the industry is to listen more than you speak and focus on solving problems rather than selling. Approach every opportunity with the mindset of creating a solution that genuinely helps someone—this builds trust and often leads to long-term relationships. Over the past 10 years, this approach has helped me retain many clients for 7 to 10 years, especially in technology, where evolving solutions and continuous collaboration are key to lasting success.
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 guide me in both my work and personal life are listening, problem-solving, and coachability, paired with continual learning, personalization, kindness, and strong organization. These principles help me build meaningful relationships, deliver thoughtful solutions, and stay adaptable in an ever-changing environment.