According to business management firm Gartner, women made up around 41% of the supply chain workforce in 2023, including 26% of c-suite and executive roles. This underrepresentation of women in the industry is what inspired Harshida Acharya, partner and chief strategy officer at Fulfillment IQ, Amy Dai, associate at Fontinalis Partners, and Tori Deems, manager and head of community at Prologis Ventures to start the Ladies Who Logistic (LWL) community. 

The group kicked off at the end of 2023, not exactly knowing what to expect — but certain that they were filling a gap and need. I’m Lisa Costello, proud member of Ladies Who Logistic and am delighted to report that we now have over 300 members, who come together on a regular basis to support one another in our logistics careers. As part of this year’s Women’s History Month, I had a conversation with the founders to highlight the important work the group is doing to empower women and encourage others to join.

Lisa: Harshida, in your words, what is Ladies Who Logistic?

Harshida: It is a community for women in supply chain and logistics, that provides a space to share, uplift and empower each other across various stages of our careers. We wanted to create a network that could champion successes, guide members through challenges, and encourage collaboration and insights-sharing. In our community, we don’t just open doors — we hold them wide for the newest members to walk through.

Lisa, I’m proud of the space we’ve created where open dialogue, heartfelt advice and genuine connections can flourish, all in a confidential and supportive environment. We’ve been very focused on creating a community-first mindset that ensures we evolve together, uplifting every member’s contribution to our future. Together, we've created a confidential space for candid conversations and honest advice, making it our unique "girls club" where growth and fun go hand in hand.

Lisa: Tori, why did you personally decide to invest time in starting this community? Why do you think it is important?

Tori: As a newcomer to the supply chain and logistics industry, I’ve been eager to connect with other women who have successfully flourished in their careers while navigating a mainly male-dominated space. While previously working with VCs and startups, I had seen various networking groups for professionals seeking connection and noticed the gap in support for women in supply chain and logistics roles. I was excited to build this network after connecting with Harshida and Amy, who saw eye to eye with me and agreed that women in this industry were keen to find community.

Broadly, the community is important for the future of inclusion in the supply chain industry. The more that younger generations see women existing in these spaces and growing in their roles, the more inspired they will be to join. What is equally important are the small moments that help women in this industry feel more connected to each other, such as seeing a fellow community member at a conference, receiving spot-on career advice from someone who’s been there or being able to ask for help when looking for a new position or introduction. Too often, we are left out of those conversations, so we are recentering the narrative to focus on women.

Lisa: Harshida, what are some of the activities LWL is focusing on in these early days? 

Harshida: We host workshops, monthly meetings, and networking events to cultivate community relationships, offer valuable industry insights and provide leadership development opportunities. Our events, shaped by our community’s shared interests, aim to address the challenges women face in logistics and supply chain, offering resources and support that empower them to advance their careers and make impactful contributions to the industry. We harness the collective insight and expertise of our community to shape the content of our workshops and webinars. This ensures that every event, whether it's a deep-dive workshop or an industry-wide webinar, is directly aligned with the interests and needs of our members.

I’m especially excited about our ambassador program that’s at the heart of our community-driven ethos. In that program, we spotlight and support women to lead events, share their expertise and curate content that enriches our collective knowledge base. It’s not just about putting on events, but about fostering a culture where every member can contribute, lead and inspire.

Lisa: Amy, as you think about the future of LWL, what do you hope the group can accomplish?

Amy: Our mission is bold yet straightforward. We want to create a world where women in the logistics industry are equally represented at all levels, from entry positions to top leadership roles. By working from within, we hope to meaningfully shift the industry by reducing barriers to entry and empowering women, thereby nurturing a supportive ecosystem. Our vision is building an inclusive and forward-thinking community shaping the future of supply-chain and logistics.

Now, our mission is to build out an engaging group and we’re bringing new initiatives such as mentorship matching programs, smaller informal coffee chats to enhancing our supply chain knowledge and more. We’ve had speakers lead discussions on building ones personal brand to staying updated on the evolving nature of the logistics industry. We are excited for new ways to make the logistics space smaller and more welcoming. Ladies Who Logistics embodies a spirit of unity — the biggest accomplishment is the ability to celebrate and empower everyone’s own voice in the industry.

Lisa: Tori, how do you think the work we’re doing now will change the logistics landscape? 

Tori: A more inclusive logistics landscape is the rising tide that lifts all boats. When diverse perspectives are brought to the table, they help organizations solve problems and identify opportunities in new ways. Such dynamic thinking can provide a material competitive advantage by broadening the talent pool, fostering creativity, promoting resilience and ultimately driving enhanced company performance.

Lisa: Who can join? How can women get involved?

Amy: The best way to get involved is by joining our LinkedIn group, Ladies Who Logistic, to receive updates, access resources and be part of our community. Also, subscribe to our monthly meeting calendar (https://lu.ma/calendar/manage/cal-mofHSVjdcNnnxs2) to see when upcoming calls are. We’re a community for women at all career stages and across all disciplines of the supply chain. The level of involvement is up to you. Depending on your time and schedule, you can tap into the various workshops, webinars and networking events we offer to learn and connect with like-minded ladies virtually or in person. Come join us!