Historically, supply chain management has been a male-dominated industry. In most countries with developed economies and markets, more than half of all professional jobs are held by women. Yet in the supply chain field, only 39% of the workforce is female—and at the executive level, only 17% of C-suite logistics positions belong to women, according to a 2020 report by Gartner, Inc., a global research and advisory firm.

Some have worked to shift that paradigm, though, and software leader HighJump—now a part of Körber AG—recently honored them. By writing about “5 Women Leaders Who Rocked the Supply Chain and Logistics Industry,” HighJump noted female logistics pioneers, executives, labor organizers, and technology innovators who have helped pave the way for more women to succeed in supply chain.

“At that moment I said to myself, ‘It’s time to do something for women in this field.’”

Among the honorees was Ann Drake, former CEO of DSC Logistics (now CJ Logistics America) and founder of AWESOME (Achieving Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education). AWESOME is the preeminent community for senior women in supply chain, with a mission to advance and transform the future of supply chain leadership by supporting women to excel in the field.

In honoring Ms. Drake, HighJump noted that she founded AWESOME in 2012, shortly after winning the Distinguished Service Award from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). Her achievement, she realized, marked the first time in 47 years that a woman had been chosen by the industry for this award.

“At that moment I said to myself, ‘It’s time to do something for women in this field,’” Ms. Drake recalls. “Because I was clearly in a position where I could and not many women get that.”

Since its founding, AWESOME has grown to include approximately 1,500 senior women involved in a wide range of supply chain roles. The 501c3 non-profit provides opportunities for collaboration, learning, recognition, and inspiration among its members and others in the field.

Other honorees noted by HighJump alongside Ms. Drake were Megan Smith, CEO of Symbia Logistics; Edwina Justus, the first Black female locomotive engineer to work for the Union Pacific Railroad; Ellen Voie, President and CEO of Women in Trucking Association; and Melanie Wise, CEO of Fetch Robotics.

HighJump is a provider of warehouse management solutions (WMS) software for third party logistics (TPL) enterprises. It also hosts industry gatherings focused on the opportunities and challenges women face in the industry. HighJump is part of Körber AG, an international technology holding company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. Learn more about Ann Drake’s journey to leadership and her investment in a future wherein women’s accomplishments and contributions in many fields are valued and supported. Click here.