Natasha Runwal

I attribute much of my success to my family and education. I come from a small village in India, where opportunities for women to pursue higher education or study abroad are often limited. My parents were always incredibly supportive of my ambitions and encouraged me to continue my education and pursue my master’s degree. What I value most is that they never pressured me into a specific career path; instead, they gave me the freedom to choose what I truly enjoyed, which ultimately led me to a career I am passionate about today.

Education has also played a major role in shaping who I am. My experience at the Thunderbird School of Global Management provided me with global exposure and the opportunity to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. These experiences strengthened my perspective, adaptability, and ability to collaborate across cultures, all of which have contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to choose a path you genuinely enjoy rather than pursuing something only because others expect it from you. Coming from a background where traditional career choices are often emphasized, having the freedom and encouragement to follow my own interests made a huge difference in my life. It helped me build a career in project management and process improvement that I truly enjoy and feel passionate about.

Another piece of advice that has stayed with me is to stay adaptable and keep learning. Every project, challenge, and interaction is an opportunity to grow. Whether it’s improving processes, managing stakeholders, or earning certifications like Lean Six Sigma, continuous learning and being open to change are what help you grow professionally and personally.

You don’t necessarily have to come from a transportation background to succeed in the industry, but once you enter it, you may find yourself genuinely enjoying it. Coming from my background, I never expected to build a career in the transportation and logistics industry, as I initially saw myself working in different sectors. However, once I joined the industry, I developed a strong appreciation for the entire logistics chain and the intermodal transportation space. It’s fascinating to see how everything connects and operates together.

One thing I would say is that, in the beginning, the terminology and processes can feel overwhelming because there are many industry-specific terms that may not make sense right away. But with time and experience, everything starts to come together, and you gain a much deeper understanding of how the industry functions as a whole.

The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are patience, honesty, and transparency. I believe in taking the time to fully understand situations before making decisions rather than acting impulsively. I like to evaluate the pros and cons carefully and ensure that decisions are thoughtful and well planned.

Honesty and open communication are also extremely important to me. In the workplace, I believe in keeping my team, managers, and stakeholders informed, whether it’s about project updates, challenges, or timelines. I value transparency because it builds trust, strengthens teamwork, and helps avoid misunderstandings.

Another value I strongly believe in is continuous learning and growth. From pursuing higher education abroad to working with people from different cultural backgrounds, I have always tried to learn from every experience and stay adaptable. I believe that being open to learning, improving processes, and embracing new challenges is essential for both professional success and personal development.