Nikki Burton

I attribute my success to loyalty, persistence, mentorship, and being in environments that allowed me to grow. I spent eight and a half years with Expeditors and have now been with JAS for four and a half years. In logistics and freight forwarding, there are so many moving pieces that it takes time, exposure, and commitment to truly understand the industry and how everything connects. Staying dedicated through challenges has helped me build the foundation, credibility, and confidence to continue growing.

Mentorship has been one of the most important factors in my career. At Expeditors, David encouraged me to interview for the Management Trainee Program, which became a major turning point for me, and Shannon Jackson helped me navigate the industry early on. At JAS, Jennifer McGuire has been incredibly impactful in helping me understand how to navigate the industry from a woman’s perspective, build a global internal network, and establish the reputation and relationships that ultimately helped me create the Inside Sales Support Team.

I also credit JAS for creating a culture where women are encouraged to connect, support one another, and grow. The Women at JAS program brings women together from across JAS worldwide to share ideas, build mentor and mentee relationships, and support one another personally and professionally. Being part of that type of women empowerment culture has had a tremendous impact on me, and I do not know that I would have flourished in the same way without it.

A piece of advice my brother gave me early in my career has always stayed with me: find a mentor, use them as a resource, and be vocal about what you want for your career. I have learned that when you clearly communicate your goals, work hard, and surround yourself with the right people, opportunities begin to open in ways you may not have expected.

The best career advice I have ever received was to find mentors early, use them as a resource, and be intentional about communicating what you want for your career. That advice originally came from my aunt, who has spent her career in the corporate finance world. When I first started at Expeditors, she told me not to try to figure everything out on my own. She encouraged me to find mentors I trusted, ideally people with different perspectives, and to learn from them as much as possible.

I took that advice seriously very early in my career. At Expeditors, I found mentors in David, who was my manager at the time, and Shannon Jackson, another leader in the branch who helped me navigate the industry and build confidence. Those relationships taught me the value of asking questions, seeking feedback, staying visible, and being open about where I wanted to grow.

When I joined JAS, I carried that same advice with me, and it has made an incredible impact on my career. JAS has been an environment where mentorship, connection, and internal networking are truly valued. I have been fortunate to work with leaders and colleagues who not only supported my goals, but also challenged me, advocated for me, and helped me understand how to grow within a global organization.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that you have to be vocal about your career goals. You cannot assume people know what you want to do next or where you hope to grow. Being proactive, setting up consistent conversations, asking for feedback, and communicating your ambitions can open doors in ways you may not expect. This is especially important as a young professional in a competitive industry like logistics and freight forwarding, where there are so many driven people working to move forward.

At JAS, I have seen firsthand how powerful it can be when a company creates space for people to connect, learn, and support one another. The encouragement I have received, combined with the mentorship and collaborative culture around me, has helped me grow in ways I am extremely grateful for. That advice to find mentors and be vocal about my goals has stayed with me throughout my career, and JAS has been a place where that advice has truly helped me flourish.

The advice I would give to young women entering the logistics and freight forwarding industry is to be patient, stay committed, find strong mentors, and be vocal about what you want for your career.

This industry has so many moving pieces — operations, sales, compliance, customs, international regulations, customer relationships, carrier relationships, technology, and global communication. It takes time and exposure to truly understand how everything connects. Because of that, I believe loyalty and long-term commitment can be incredibly valuable. I spent about eight and a half years with Expeditors, and I have now been with JAS for four and a half years. While everyone has to make the decisions that are best for their own career, I do believe there is tremendous value in sticking through challenges, continuing to learn, and proving your dedication to a company that values and supports you.

You may not see the rewards of that commitment immediately, but when you are in the right environment, your loyalty, work ethic, and consistency will speak volumes. At JAS, I have been fortunate to be part of a company that recognizes growth, supports career development, and creates opportunities for people who are willing to work hard and continue pushing forward. That has made a meaningful difference in my own career.

The other advice I would give is to find mentors as early as possible. I believe it is valuable to have mentors with different perspectives — both men and women — who can help you navigate the business, understand the industry, and see opportunities you may not see for yourself yet. Once you find those people, be intentional about building those relationships. Ask questions, request feedback, schedule consistent conversations, and use them as a resource.

Most importantly, be vocal about your goals. Do not assume people know that you want to grow, move up, expand your knowledge, or take on more responsibility. You have to communicate that clearly and consistently. The more people understand where you want to go, the more they can help guide you, advocate for you, and connect you with opportunities.

For young women especially, I would say: do not be afraid to take up space, ask for guidance, build your network, and make your goals known. The right company, the right mentors, and the right support system can make a tremendous impact. I have experienced that at JAS, and it has helped me grow in ways I am extremely grateful for.

One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is creating something new where a clear roadmap does not already exist. In my current role at JAS, I have had the opportunity to help build a sales support structure from the ground up, including new roles, processes, expectations, and ways for the team to support commercial growth.

Because this type of role and team structure is still new, there is not always an existing playbook to follow. That can be challenging, but it has also been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I have been given the creative space to identify needs, build solutions, and help shape something that can create long-term value for the company.

What has made the difference is having leadership at JAS that trusted me with that opportunity while still providing the support, guidance, and encouragement needed along the way. It has challenged me to think differently, lead with confidence, and continue building something meaningful for both my team and the business.

The values that are most important to me, both personally and professionally, are family, purpose, integrity, gratitude, and meaningful connection.

First and foremost, I am a mother to my three-year-old son, and he is the most important part of my life. Everything I do is for him. Having a career that I love, that challenges me, and that allows me to support my family and build a good life for us is incredibly important to me. My work matters to me not only because of my own professional goals, but because it helps me create stability, opportunity, and a future for my family.

In my work, I value integrity, strong relationships, and being part of a company where people are encouraged to grow. At JAS, I have been fortunate to find an environment where I can contribute in a meaningful way, build something new, and feel supported while doing it. I value the relationships I have built, the mentors who have helped guide me, and the opportunity to be part of a company that supports career growth and connection.

I also value staying grounded in the things that make me feel fulfilled outside of work. I have always loved the arts and music, and even though I transitioned out of the music industry professionally, that part of me is still very important. I sing on the praise team at my church, was previously part of the Charlotte Symphony Choir, and continue to support local arts organizations that have shaped me personally and professionally.

Wellness and balance are also important to me. As a certified yoga instructor, I value movement, mindfulness, and finding ways to stay centered through the demands of work and life. I believe those personal passions help me show up as a better mother, leader, colleague, and person.

At the center of it all is family. My son is my greatest motivation, and having a career at JAS that I genuinely care about allows me to support the life I want to build for him while continuing to grow as a professional and as a person.