An interview with new AWESOME Leader, Lara Kelly… 

Honestly, it’s funny—I actually stumbled across AWESOME’s website. I was searching for seminars and resources for the team I lead, and as soon as I found it, I immediately felt at home. Years ago, a woman helped me find my footing in supply chain. Back then, it was just a job to pay the bills; I started as a clamp truck driver moving dryers around a warehouse. But she encouraged me, opening doors to training opportunities that changed everything for me. Every promotion I get, I still reach out to her to share the news because she was the one who opened the door. AWESOME reminded me of that feeling—being surrounded by like-minded women who lift each other up. That’s what excites me the most.

I started about 30 years ago as a clamp truck operator in a warehouse. It was a job, just paying the bills. I’m naturally competitive, so I wanted to be the best driver I could be. I’d track how many moves I made each day. I remember someone telling me, “Oh, you’ll be back to manufacturing; warehouse work is too hard.” But I took that as a challenge. Then, a facility manager encouraged me to aim higher. I had entered a company contest on innovation, and after winning, she asked if I wanted more than driving a truck. I said, “Well, not for the rest of my life.” At the time, to move up even to a coordinator position, you needed a college degree. I didn’t have one, but she cross-trained me in inventory, receiving, and office work. That training was invaluable.

Eventually, the company outsourced its warehousing to a third party, and I had to decide: go back to manufacturing or join the third-party team, where my experience—not just a degree—would be valued. I went with the third party, became a coordinator, moved up to supervisor, and later worked on Lean Six Sigma projects. Since then, I’ve held various roles, including transportation manager and now VP of Business Excellence at Saddle Creek Logistics, where I lead four departments. It’s been a long journey—all without a college degree—but I’ve loved every moment.

My husband and I joke that life is like one of those “choose your own adventure” books—you make a choice, and the story goes in a new direction. My career has been just that, taking chances where they made sense and saying no when it didn’t.

One big challenge has been not having a college degree. Early on, it held me back from certain positions. But I focused on gaining experience and learning as much as I could from every role. Over time, I realized that I needed to let go of the stigma I felt internally. I was always self-conscious about being in rooms with college graduates, especially when they’d talk about their alma maters. I eventually grew past that. I’ll never forget when I interviewed for Saddle Creek, and after meeting with several leaders, the executive vice president told me that he also had a non-traditional background and that my experience spoke for itself. That conversation helped me truly see my worth in this industry.

It was! And today, he’s my direct leader. Building that internal confidence and self-trust has been crucial.

I think one big challenge that doesn’t get discussed enough is perimenopause and the impact it has on women’s careers. Supply chain is traditionally male-dominated, so topics around women’s health in the workplace are often overlooked. Around age 43, I started experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, and I was in a facility manager role at the time. Beyond just the hot flashes – which are awkward enough in a room full of men – the emotional ups and downs were tough, and there weren’t many resources out there. During those years, a lot of women are trying to advance in their careers, and these health changes can make it difficult.

Exactly. I even wrote a LinkedIn post about it, and many women reached out to say they were going through the same thing. I’ve started conversations with my daughters about it so that they can be prepared. I think employers need to be more aware and supportive as women navigate these challenges in their careers.

Communication has been key. Every time I’ve had a job change, promotion, or career shift, I’ve had open conversations with my husband and family. I’m incredibly lucky to have a supportive husband who has been there for me through it all. He’s not only my best friend but also my sounding board. The support of my family has been essential because career growth doesn’t happen in isolation – it affects everyone around you. And it’s also important to find a company that values work-life balance. When I joined Saddle Creek, I could tell that their family-focused culture would allow me to grow professionally without sacrificing my personal life.

Absolutely. And as a leader now, I try to offer the same understanding to my team. If someone on my team has a personal situation, like losing a pet or managing family needs, I want them to feel supported. I had a past leader who dismissed my own personal emergencies, and that experience taught me to lead with empathy and understanding.

My advice is to step outside of your comfort zone and say “yes” to new challenges, even if you don’t feel fully prepared. Throughout my career, I’ve taken on roles that stretched me, and those experiences have taught me so much. Recently, I was promoted to lead four departments, two of which are client-facing and unfamiliar territory for me. But I’m learning and growing, and it’s been a great opportunity. Also, find your support system – those people you can turn to for advice or just to vent. For me, that’s my husband, who listens and offers feedback. Having people you can lean on makes a world of difference.