International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time to honor the achievements of women around the world. At Overhaul, we’re proud to work with so many women leaders who are leaving their mark on the industry. To celebrate them, we asked a few questions about their work backgrounds and experience at Overhaul. We also asked if they had any advice for other women in the supply chain ecosystem.
Here’s what they had to say:
Andrea Huang: Sr Director, Supply Chain
Andrea Huang was first exposed to end-to-end supply chain operations through a UK fashion design firm.
“I was hired to run their China representative office and manage customer base in the APAC region,” she said. “Later, I expanded my responsibilities to source fashion accessories, plan and oversee assembly production, and arrange logistics and transportation of finished products.”
Huang joined Overhaul in September 2020, a time of rapid company growth. “It was a fast-paced environment with constant change and challenges,” she said. “Today, I’m surrounded by motivational leaders and passionate team members who are working together to achieve a common goal. I feel proud being a supply chain professional of a leading SAAS solution provider.”
Huang believes that women have the power to influence the supply chain, not just in the industrial world, but also in daily life. “For example,” she said, “consider grocery management. There are so many questions, like where to source food, what to buy, when and how much to buy, and how meals are prepared for the family within budget. Supply chain is everywhere and full of opportunities.”
Mary Kelledy: Chief of Staff, Overhaul Ireland
Mary Kelledy joined the supply chain ecosystem thanks to an engineering graduate program in Mainland China. “This propelled me into mass market manufacturing for a variety of goods,” she said, “and introduced me to global supply chains.”
Kelledy, who recently celebrated her three-year anniversary at Overhaul, believes her coworkers’ diverse perspectives are critical to Overhaul’s mission and success.
“The teams are amazing, passionate, and energetic,” she said. “Everyone wants the best for the company. It is a very special energy.”
When asked to give advice to women interested in entering the supply chain ecosystem, Kelledy responded, “Just do it, you won’t regret it! The area of supply chain is so wide, there is something for everyone.”
Frankie Mossman: Chief Customer Officer
Frankie Mossman’s career started and grew in the semiconductor industry, where she learned manufacturing operations from the ground up.
“It was in manufacturing that I developed as a leader and learned the importance of advocacy and maintaining your authentic self,” she said. “An amazing mentor recommended me for a senior position in our supply chain organization. This is where I got to cut my teeth in setting up logistics networks, developing supplier partnerships, and servicing customers.”
Mossman joined the Overhaul Executive team in 2019 as the Vice President of Operations. “It was incredible to be on the ground floor of an exciting technology that not only enabled visibility but allowed for real action to mitigate risk,” she said. “Our Supply Chain and Logistics teams expanded from a few hundred domestic US shipments a month to over 16,000 shipments world-wide at a 99.8% OTIF rate.”
In order to find similar success, Mossman encourages women to seek out mentors, both within their network and in fields they want to grow into. They should also be willing to guide others around them and strive to be fearless, not flawless.
“If we want to foster the next generation of leaders,” she said, “we have to have more examples of what can be, not what has been. When you can bring in a new style of thinking and additional lenses, you enable completely different approaches to solving a problem and renewing engagement.”
Barbara Velazquez: Director, Service Operations
Barbara Velazquez entered the supply chain industry 25 years ago via a Mexican Maritime Industry (TMM). “Immediately, I fell in love with the feeling of learning every day,” she said. “But moreover, I loved the feeling of taking immediate actions to minimize problematic situations.”
Velazquez began working for Overhaul after the acquisition of SensiGuard security services. “My experience (at Overhaul) has been very good,” she said. “From day one, they have made us feel part of the company.”
For other women entering the field, Velazquez had this to say: “My advice is to be organized and focused on processes. Have KPIs that help decision making. In this way, stress levels generated in daily operations will be more controlled. Most importantly, always speak up, make your voice be heard. “
Amy Campbell: Chief People Officer
Amy Campbell has always been interested in the supply chain industry. “Supply chain is such an important part of the lives of people across the globe,” she said. “Our access to food, medicines, and essential materials are brought to us by the supply chain. It is critical for our health and well-being and overall quality of life.”
Campbell has been working with Overhaul since its launch in 2016. “It has been an amazing journey full of pushing through challenges to create positive change,” she said, “working as genuine partners with our teammates and clients, and learning so, so much!”
Campbell values authenticity in the workplace, and she encourages women not to be afraid to use their voice. “Women bring incredibly important and unique perspectives and approaches to the industry,” she said. “We have an important call to challenge the way that ‘things have always been done,’ and when we show up, things improve in big ways. Step into your unique ability to foster positive change.”
Embrace Equity
A bird’s-eye view can help the supply chain industry understand both the obstacles presented by sexism and the triumphs accomplished in spite of it. IWD is a good reminder of the continued need for gender equality. But the battle continues long after Women’s History Month comes to an end.
Women and girls deserve to have the same opportunities in supply chain management — and other industries — as boys and men. And as we continue to spend the day celebrating women, we encourage you to uplift women’s voices. Embrace equity. And help the supply chain industry be a driver of change.
