JAS Worldwide
6195 Barfield Rd.
Atlanta, GA, USA
Sonal Singhal never planned to work in freight forwarding. She had always aspired to be a doctor. Fate, however, had other plans for her when she stumbled upon a summer job in a freight forwarding company. Little did she know that this serendipitous opportunity would lay the foundation for her inspiring career in logistics.
Fast forward more than 20 years, and now a seasoned veteran in the industry, Sonal joined JAS in 2020, where her initial days were met with many challenges. With no time for doubt or hesitation, she faced them head-on. Stepping into the role of Director of Sales & Marketing for India, she embarked on a journey of building a team from scratch during a global pandemic, and leading sales – something she had never done before. "While I couldn't travel and meet teams and customers in person, I was able to use that extra time to double down on the behind-the-scenes work," she recounts.
Sonal's abilities and talents did not go unnoticed. In less than a year, she was named as Managing Director of India – making her one of just two female Managing Directors at JAS. Under her leadership, JAS India has experienced a change of culture coupled with remarkable growth and has become a pivotal player in the logistics space.
She is humble in all her accomplishments but recognizes there is still work to be done.
"I take pride in my role, but I also feel like I have a responsibility to mentor more women in this space, for leadership roles," she affirms, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, representation, and empowerment. As a woman navigating a predominantly male-dominated industry, Sonal acknowledges the challenges she's faced. "There are certain gender biases that still exist, it takes time to break those stigmas," she observes. Despite these obstacles, Sonal remains resilient, offering words of encouragement to aspiring women in the field. "Don't give up, and just keep doing your best," she advises, embodying perseverance and determination.
She is passionate about the powerful role of encouragement and mentorship, as she knows first-hand how it feels when someone believes in you more than you believe in yourself. She recalls what made her stay on at her first freight forwarding company, "I actually didn't want to stay, but the head of the organization loved my work and encouraged me that I could succeed. I think the faith and belief he showed in me then was something that influenced me to stay. And history repeated itself at JAS, where leadership has entrusted the same confidence in me and gave me an opportunity which I couldn't have dreamed for myself, at least not so soon. This is a great sign at JAS with male allies promoting inclusivity and driving the change."
Sonal remembers how that empowerment made her feel and now ingrains the same sentiment into her leadership philosophy. "Failures are yours, and success belongs to the team," she asserts, embodying a collaborative approach to leadership. She champions democratic decision-making and fosters a culture of open communication and feedback, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Sonal is a devoted mother of two teenage boys and is a loving daughter. Balancing her career with family responsibilities, she finds fulfillment in nurturing her children and maintaining strong ties with her parents – all with the support of her spouse, without which it would have been impossible. "I'm trying my best to raise them as men a society would like to see," Sonal lovingly shares.
Sonal's journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and dedication. As she continues to pave the way for women in logistics, her impact extends far beyond the boardroom, inspiring future generations of female leaders.
Meet Jenna Naylor, a luminary at JAS Charleston, whose journey from a customs entry writer to an award-winning business development manager represents the boundless opportunities for growth within JAS.
Jenna's path into logistics was more serendipitous than planned. Initially set on a career in journalism, envisioning herself as a frontline reporter or news anchor, she pursued this track through her college studies. However, a pivotal moment a month before graduation saw her reevaluating her aspirations. "I understood the communications industry, I had success in my work in college, but I didn't want to be a reporter anymore," she reflects. So, in what many can describe as "typical Jenna fashion," she embraced change and dared herself to explore new uncharted waters, literally.
As fate would have it, her first post-college interview landed her a role at a logistics company, where she started as an ocean import specialist. After mastering this role in 1 year, she eagerly transitioned to export, driven by her innate thirst for new challenges.
In 2014, Jenna joined JAS as a customs entry writer, eventually expanding her responsibilities to manage the Charleston branch's air imports while also diving into the intricacies of the quoting process. Her growing expertise across various domains fueled her hunger for growth. "I had worked in customs entry writing, ocean import, ocean export, air import, and quoting. So, I asked myself again, what can I do next?"
Fueled by her desire to tackle new challenges, Jenna set her sights on sales, leveraging her deep understanding of JAS's services. Her dedication was unmistakable as she pursued and earned her customs brokerage license, underscoring both her ambition and JAS's commitment to nurturing internal talent. She continued her path of success, earning new business and slowly growing her client base.
In a proactive sales approach, Jenna launched the #JavawithJenna series on LinkedIn, leveraging her communication background to attract new audiences and generate leads, flipping the traditional cold-calling approach on its head.
Now, in her newly acquired role as the Head of Country Sales for the Automotive Vertical, Jenna continues her quest for growth, always seeking the next challenge to conquer.
In her nearly ten years at JAS, Jenna has flourished in an environment that she describes as eclectic and welcoming—a true melting pot of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. She credits the unique culture of JAS for fostering an environment where collaboration and growth thrive.
Jenna's leadership style is marked by patience—a quality she believes is integral to navigating the complexities of the logistics industry. Her mentor, Brandon Miller, Vice President of Automotive Sales - Americas, has played a pivotal role in shaping her journey, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and passion in achieving success.
Looking ahead, Jenna's focus is on expanding the automotive vertical, a challenge she embraces with enthusiasm, of course. She finds fulfillment in the dynamic nature of logistics, a field that demands constant learning and adaptability. Her advice to aspiring salespeople echoes her own journey: always be closing, challenge yourself to grow, and find joy both in and outside of work.
Jenna Naylor's story embodies the spirit of Women@JAS, showcasing not just her individual achievements but also the collective strength and support that define the JAS culture. Congratulations, Jenna, on your well-deserved recognition as JAS USA's 2023 Salesperson of the Year and the #1 Global Business Development Manager Earner. Your journey inspires us all to reach greater heights and embrace every opportunity for growth.
As widely reported by various media outlets, the southern region of Brazil is currently facing a significant weather-related crisis in Rio Grande do Sul, leading to dire circumstances in the state's most severely affected cities.
The impact of this weather event extends beyond individual homes, affecting critical infrastructure and logistics. Major disruptions have been observed in transportation networks, with 85 sections of 38 highways either wholly or partially blocked.
Current updates are as follows:
We are commited to closely monitoring developments and sharing relevant information with everyone affected.
JAS Brazil proudly announces the appointment of Karin Schöner as its new Managing Director/President, effective May 2, 2024.
Karin Schöner is a native Brazilian executive recognized for her extensive expertise and leadership in the logistics industry. With a distinguished career , Karin has held key roles in sales, general management, and strategic leadership across various countries and sectors, including airlines, freight forwarding, contract logistics, and maritime operations. Prior to joining JAS Brazil, Karin served as the President for a company in the East Coast of South America, where she successfully led transformation initiatives.
Karin's track record is a testament to her exceptional capabilities in navigating complex challenges, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving innovation in supply chain management. Her deep understanding of market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and industry best practices positions her as a leader in the logistics landscape.
Throughout her career, Karin has demonstrated a commitment to developing and empowering her teams. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning, resulting in high-performing teams that consistently exceed expectations and deliver outstanding results. Karin's passion for nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence aligns seamlessly with JAS's core values and vision for sustainable growth.
"Karin's unparalleled expertise, strategic acumen, and commitment to excellence make her the ideal leader to propel JAS Brazil forward. We look forward to her transformative leadership and contributions to our continued growth and success in the region," Adrian Emmenegger, Executive Vice President of JAS Americas, expressed with confidence.
Karin Schöner's appointment as Managing Director/President reinforces JAS's commitment to delivering superior logistics solutions, driving innovation, and exceeding customer expectations across Brazil and beyond.
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