An Interview with New AWESOME Leader, Brooke Jones…

I’ve worked in supply chain for over 10 years now. It’s amazing to connect with so many professionals in the supply chain and logistics space, especially other women.

As a woman in this field, I’ve often worked in environments where there weren’t many women around. I’ve had success and incredible mentors along the way, but I’ve always wanted to connect more with women in this industry. That’s what excites me about AWESOME—the opportunity to be part of this large network of women who bring not just professional expertise but also personal experiences that can motivate and encourage each other. I’m looking forward to meeting more people and learning from them while also sharing my own experiences.

I believe Ann Drake is the founder of AWESOME, and I’m also a Northwestern Kellogg graduate. I’ve seen Ann speak at the university, and through researching her journey, I discovered AWESOME. I first found the community on LinkedIn and started following your social media channels. Since then, I’ve attended a few virtual sessions open to non-members.

I started my career in supply chain and logistics in customer service at FedEx while attending the University of Memphis. I’m a Memphis native, and I worked while earning my undergraduate degree in computer technology. That skill set helped me transition into a more analytical role at FedEx, where I became a pricing analyst in the brokerage division.

I learned a lot from my coworkers about running queries, and back then, we used Excel, VBA, and Microsoft Access—which I know no one wants to hear about anymore! But that was my introduction to analytics in supply chain.

One thing I love about this field is that you’re always learning. Every day brings a new challenge, a new disruption, or a new solution. That’s kept me engaged and driven to keep growing. Eventually, I moved into leadership, becoming a pricing manager at FedEx Trade Networks. With the support of mentors like the directors of air freight and engineering, I deepened my knowledge of supply chain, especially transportation.

I’ve always been passionate about every aspect of supply chain—financials, technology, customer service—so I decided to pursue my MBA at Northwestern. After graduating, I stayed in Chicago and worked in Amazon’s corporate logistics department. Now, I’m the Director of Strategy at Martin Brower. This is my first director-level role, and I’m looking for mentorship through AWESOME to learn from the incredible women I’ve seen in this network.

In addition to my corporate role, I’m also an adjunct professor at City Colleges of Chicago, teaching business logistics courses. I’m passionate about supporting students, especially those balancing work, school, and family, just like I did. Community colleges are particularly important to me because I understand the challenges students face, and I want to provide real-world insights that help them succeed.

Absolutely. My mentors provided real-life examples and scenarios that helped me bridge the gap between analytical skills and practical application.

Supply chain is both an art and a science. The science can be learned through school and structured programs, but the art—the industry knowledge, the lessons learned from past disruptions—that comes from experience.

My mentor, Jeff Euler, was intentional about taking time to guide me, sharing insights and answering any question I had, no matter how small. That kind of mentorship is invaluable in supply chain because the industry is constantly evolving. Learning from those who have navigated challenges before you can make all the difference.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating higher education as a first-generation college student from a low-income background. My mother was a single parent, and I didn’t have a clear roadmap for college or career planning.

Fortunately, my high school guidance counselor pushed me—literally forced me—to go to college. Once I was there, the support systems at my university and later at FedEx, like employee tuition assistance programs, helped me stay on track.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the power of exposure. Being in environments where education and professional growth were valued helped me see what was possible. That’s why I’m so passionate about mentoring and teaching—I want to help others who might not have those resources navigate their own journeys.

Work-life balance is a major challenge, especially as we transition back to in-person work after the pandemic. Women who are raising families while pursuing their careers have to juggle a lot. It’s not impossible, I see amazing women doing it every day, but it does take intentionality and support.

Absolutely. I’ve built a strong support system through my church in Chicago. They’ve been incredibly supportive, whether it’s helping out while I travel for work or just encouraging me along the way. Having that kind of community makes a huge difference.

I approach my life in sprints, kind of like an agile methodology. When I’m at work, I’m fully present. When I’m teaching, I’m fully present. And when I’m engaged in personal or social activities, I’m fully present there too.

I also set boundaries and am intentional about what I commit to. Right now, I teach one virtual class per semester because that fits my work schedule. And when I say no to something, I mean it. Prioritization and intentionality are key.

Never disqualify yourself based on where you started.

I came from a background where college wasn’t a given, and I carved my own path into leadership. Supply chain is a male-dominated industry, but I’ve never let that stop me from speaking up, being visible, and owning my expertise.

Titles don’t define leadership. You don’t have to be a director or VP to lead. If you’re a senior analyst, own your space and develop leadership qualities now. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be valid.