Vision
The Women in Cold Chain initiative is for women in the temperature-controlled warehousing, logistics, transportation, and international development. The purpose of this initiative is to celebrate, encourage, and promote talent and success of women in the cold chain industry.
How To Apply
Recognizing Women in the Cold Chain
Do you know a woman in the cold chain industry who you believe performs exceptional work and deserves special recognition? We are highlighting women in cold chain, from temperature-controlled warehousing, logistics, transportation, and international development and their achievements on social media. Nominate your colleague for a chance to be spotlighted as #WomenInColdChain
Submit nominations, a short explanation, and a photo to learning@gcca.org
Women In the Cold Chain Recipients
2024
The Global Cold Chain Alliance is proud to announce Vivianne Leite as the Women in the Cold Chain Recipient for this month. With a remarkable career at CAP Logística Frigorifica, Vivianne has been a trailblazer in food safety, mentoring other cold chain leaders and actively engaging in industry initiatives. We could not be more excited to recognize such an exceptional cold chain leader.
More About Vivianne:
Vivianne Leite, a specialist in Food Safety, has made significant contributions to the food industry with her extensive experience and specialized knowledge.
Serving as the head of quality control at CAP Logística Frigorificada in Paraná and as president of the GCCA Brazil Food Safety and Regulation Committee, Vivianne excels in developing and implementing food safety policies and procedures, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supervising quality teams.
Her dedication to the sector is evident in her leadership of studies and bills presented to the Ministry of Agriculture, along with GCCA Brazil. Vivianne's commitment to knowledge sharing is reflected in her conference talks and collaborations in specialized publications. With certifications in GMP and HACCP, and over a decade of industry experience, Vivianne Leite brings a strong track record of leadership and innovation.
Her academic background in Veterinary Medicine, coupled with an MBA in Business Management from FGV and a master's degree in Integrated Process Management from Universidad del Atlantico-Spain, underscores her substantial contributions to the field.
Let's congratulate Vivianne for her outstanding contributions to the cold chain!
The Global Cold Chain Alliance continues to celebrate women’s exceptional contributions to the cold chain industry! Meet Lauren Wilson from J.B. Hunt Transport, our March recipient for Women in the Cold Chain Industry. Her dedication and expertise have been instrumental in raising standards and service excellence of J.B. Hunt's special initiatives. We couldn't be prouder of her achievements and the role she plays in the cold chain!
Lauren Wilson has been with J.B. Hunt Transport for nearly 11 years. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Agriculture Business in 2013. In her role as Sr. Regional Safety Manager, Lauren has been essential to the success of J.B. Hunt’s food safety, health science and animal welfare programs.
Lauren works closely with all J.B. Hunt business units, including Operations, Sales, Legal, Safety & Compliance, and has led the charge on a variety of projects. Lauren helped build and fine-tune an elaborate food safety network that today reaches across the J.B. Hunt Transport enterprise and impacts the U.S. supply chain from coast to coast. She currently oversees the scope of its operation and ensures that J.B. Hunt continues to meet all regulation standards. One of her most recent projects was the development and implementation of a food safety program for the J.B. Hunt Transload facilities and aligning it with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmark expectations.
She manages the company’s Global Cold Chain Alliance – Cold Carrier Certification and trains both drivers and managers on Pork CheckOff TQA (Transport Quality Assurance) and U.S. Poultry PHT (Poultry Handling and Transportation) certifications. Lauren also has responsibility for maintaining BRC/SQF (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards/Safe Quality Foods) requirements in addition to building customer specific Standard Operating Procedures to align with minimum customer requirements and FDA standards.
Lauren is also involved in several internal organizations. She serves on the J.B. Hunt Truck Driving Championship Committee and is a Board Member for J.B. Hunt’s Growing and Retaining Outstanding Women Employee Resource Group. The GROW ERG connects employees to professional development opportunities as members collaborate with one another and engage their local communities. Since its founding, the GROW ERG has matured to include more than 1600 male and female members. Lauren is proud of GROW’s efforts and is honored to serve on the GROW Board.
Let’s take a moment to recognize Lauren’s journey and outstanding performance at J.B. Hunt, elevating standards and service excellence in the cold chain industry!
To learn more about this initiative, click here: https://lnkd.in/ebqjnVd6
If you know a woman who meets these requirements, submit a nomination that includes a photo and a short explanation to learning@gcca.org
We're thrilled to announce Cindy Parker, Director of Operations at Americold Logistics, as our February recipient of the Women in the Cold Chain initiative! Cindy's dedication and exceptional work ethic make her a true standout in the industry. Congratulations, Cindy!
After 30 years in temperature-controlled warehousing, Cindy Parker currently holds the position of Director of Operations at Americold Logistics. She brings her expertise in supply chain, logistics, operations, people management, and customer service to this position. Cindy started her journey as a part-time shipping / receiving clerk at Zero Mountain, Inc. in Russellville, AR while earning her bachelor's degree in Economics/Finance and Marketing at Arkansas Tech University. After earning her degrees, Cindy stayed on at Zero Mountain and was promoted to office manager and then operations manager. In 2012, she became the first female general manager for Zero Mountain. Five years later, she led the facility in Russellville to its most profitable year since it opened in 1993. When Zero Mountain was acquired by Americold Logistics in 2019, Cindy seamlessly transitioned to Americold and continued to successfully manage the Russellville site. Showcasing her expertise in cold chain logistics and operations led to her promotion to Director of Operations in March of 2023.
Cindy’s commitment to the cold chain extends beyond her day-to-day responsibilities. She has been involved with GCCA since she graduated from WFLO Institute in 2012. Over the last 12 years, she has served on the Supply Chain Operations and Government Affairs Committees. She was also IARW Southwest Chapter President in 2017. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. She has helped with Cold Chain Institute for the last 2 years as an advisor.
Concerning further education and development, Cindy is set to receive her MBA with an emphasis in Supply Chain Management from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas this summer. Her dedication and hard work will undoubtedly serve her well as she continues her career in cold chain and operations.
Let’s take a moment to recognize Cindy’s exceptional ongoing commitment to the cold chain industry!
The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) is kicking off the 2024 Women in the Cold Chain initiative, showcasing the remarkable achievements of Dawn Sapp, Director of Project Management Office (PMO) at Vertical Cold Storage! With a wealth of experience gained from prestigious companies in the United States, Dawn brings a unique perspective to the industry. We are excited to commence the year by highlighting the contributions of this distinguished leader in the cold chain sector!
Dawn Sapp: A Trailblazer in the Cold Chain Industry
Dawn Sapp currently holds the position of Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) at Vertical Cold Storage. With a supply chain career spanning twelve years, she has firmly established herself as a strategic leader in the cold chain industry. As a creative problem-solver, Dawn has designed a holistic project management strategy, fostering enhanced team collaboration, providing stakeholders with clear project insights, and consistently driving top-tier project outcomes. Dawn’s leadership has resulted in marked improvements throughout the global cold chain.
Her diverse supply chain expertise is a testament to her versatility. Prior to her tenure at Vertical Cold Storage, Dawn held leadership roles at several supply chain companies, including experience at three additional cold storage companies. She also provided consultancy services to MARTA and Norfolk Southern Railroad, acquiring an increased understanding of the intricate nuances of supply chain dynamics.
Dawn's cold storage experience began in 2011 with Americold Logistics, where she excelled as a Project Manager. Following her time at Americold Logistics, she joined Agro Merchants Group as a Senior Project Manager. At NewCold, she drove the delivery of highly complex automated warehouse projects. Throughout her career, Dawn's leadership acumen has been consistently evident, and she has a remarkable ability to lead cross-functional teams towards achieving project milestones.
Dawn holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School and a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute. On a personal note, Dawn's roots trace back to Colorado, where she grew up riding horses at her father's ranch, The Jazz Horse Ranch. Having called Atlanta home for over 20 years, she now identifies as a Georgia Peach.
Join us in acknowledging Dawn's outstanding leadership, creativity, and unwavering dedication to the cold chain industry.
2023
The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) is thrilled to announce Dr. Anna Johnson, VP, Corporate Development, Marketing & PMO from United States Cold Storage as the November Women in the Cold Chain recipient! Anna's exceptional leadership within the cold chain industry has been instrumental in driving innovative strides in brand development at United States Cold Storage while her impactful podcast, 'The ColdCast,' stands as a catalyst for meaningful industry dialogues."
Dr. Anna Johnson is a recognized leader in cold chain logistics, currently serving as the VP of Marketing, PMO, and Corporate Development at United States Cold Storage. Through her experience and strategic approach, Anna has contributed significantly to the growth and company's success in the cold chain industry.
With over seventeen years of expertise in Strategy, Business Development, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Innovation, Anna implements a balanced method of combining creativity with precision in brand positioning and solution execution.
Anna hosts USCS’ monthly podcast "The ColdCast,” where she explores contemporary trends and innovations in cold chain logistics. Through this platform, she provides valuable insights and ignites conversations that redefine industry standards in cold chain management.
On the academic front, Anna recently earned her Doctorate in Business (DBA), reflecting her dedication to supply chain knowledge and expanding thought leadership in the industry. Anna's unwavering dedication to the industry is evident in her strategic efforts to advance the cold chain, ensuring that it remains innovative and responsive to the changing needs of the cold chain market.
As an industry voice with a solid track record and the influence of her thought leadership, Dr. Anna Johnson plays an integral role in strategically shaping the cold chain landscape.
Let’s take a moment to recognize Anna’s exceptional leadership, creativity, and ongoing commitment to the cold chain industry!
The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) continues celebrating women in the cold chain! This month, we are pleased to announce Catherine Lambert from Congebec as this month’s recipient! Catherine has had a remarkable impact at her company, developing effective communication strategies, navigating complex regulatory compliance procedures, and being a beacon of optimism for food waste initiatives in the industry!
Catherine Lambert is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience in employer branding and government affairs. She currently serves as a strategist at Congebec. In this role, Catherine is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies that help to build and strengthen the company's brand, attract top talent, and navigate complex government regulations. Catherine's strategic communication skills have strengthened relationships within the industry while promoting Congebec's values and commitment to excellence. Her influence extends to the company's employer branding, where she has cultivated a dynamic and inclusive workplace all while rallying teams with inspiring leadership.
Furthermore, Catherine's involvement in government affairs has ensured regulatory compliance and advocacy for industry-related policies, cementing Congebec's reputation as a responsible and influential player in logistics. A valuable asset to Congebec, she has proven to be a respected voice in the logistics community and her diverse contributions make her an essential pillar of the company’s success as well as the industry’s.
Catherine has also made a significant impact in addressing food waste within the food industry. She has championed initiatives aimed at optimizing sustainability, and her innovative approach is leading to more efficient handling of food throughout the supply chain. By creating valuable partnerships and working on sustainable practices, Catherine is playing a vital role that aims at reducing the environmental footprint of the food industry while ensuring that quality and safety standards are upheld. Catherine’s dedication to minimizing food waste underscores her role as a forward-thinking leader, promoting not only the success of Congebec but also the broader responsibility of the food industry in preserving our resources and safeguarding our planet. Her holistic contributions make her an invaluable asset, inspiring positive change at the intersection of logistics, sustainability, and food security.
Join us in congratulating Catherine for her outstanding leadership and ongoing commitment to developing the cold chain.
The Global Cold Chain Alliance is launching on the 132nd GCCA Convention the new Women in the Cold Chain initiative. We are delighted to announce our first recipient: Paula Lafferty, CEO of SnoTemp.
Paula is a third generation shareholder and CEO at SnoTemp Cold Storage. She was born and raised around the family business in Eugene, Oregon. Paula left home to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder finishing with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and History. After graduation she returned for a period of project work at SnoTemp before traveling around Asia and South America and returning to live and work in Los Angeles. The time spent away from SnoTemp helped Paula recognize her passion for the business and interest in the industry.
In 2010 Paula joined SnoTemp full time and has been dedicated to the business ever since - working in most departments, adding value wherever she could, and helping double the size of the company over the next 12 years. Through attendance at the North Pacific Chapter meetings, Paula became active in the association from early on. She was nominated to the first group of Don Schlimme Future Leaders in 2014 and graduated from GCCF in Atlanta. In 2020 she began teaching at GCCF alongside industry mentors she learned from as a student. Paula was promoted to CEO of SnoTemp in 2021, her focus is on developing a team that provides exemplary service to its partners and continued growth of the business.
Join us in congratulating Paula for her outstanding leadership and ongoing commitment to develop the cold chain.