Donna Lemm – Leadership, Advocacy, and the Future of Global Logistics

In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, hosts Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with Donna Lemm, Chief Strategy Officer at IMC Logistics, to explore her decades-long career, leadership philosophy, and the evolving challenges and opportunities in the logistics industry.

Donna reflects on her early career at SeaLand, where she learned the value of teamwork, customer focus, and resilience while managing the Trans-Pacific trade lane and navigating global disruptions such as the Kobe earthquake and China’s rapid port expansions. These experiences laid the foundation for her leadership approach, blending operational excellence with strategic thinking.

At Mallory Alexander, Donna expanded her expertise across forwarding, warehousing, and intermodal services, championing U.S. exports—particularly cotton—and developing intermodal solutions into Canada and Mexico. She shares how these experiences prepared her to lead at IMC Logistics, particularly as the company grows its transloading and intermodal operations.

A key focus of the conversation is leadership and advocacy for women in logistics. Donna shares defining moments where she had to assert her professional value in a male-dominated industry, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one’s contributions, asking for recognition, and mentoring future leaders. She celebrates the progress women have made in supply chain leadership and encourages future leaders to embrace challenges, break silos, and contribute meaningfully to the industry.

The episode also dives into operational challenges facing logistics today. Donna discusses opportunities and risks across Canadian and Mexican trade lanes, port congestion, and the critical, but often overlooked, role of drayage drivers. She shares firsthand insights into the rise of organized cargo theft, explaining how IMC’s experiences led her to testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and advocate for federal intervention, coordinated reporting, and legislative solutions like the CORCA Bill.

Beyond logistics, Donna brings a personal dimension to the episode, sharing stories of her love for tennis, her new interest in pickleball, and early experiences with the New Orleans Ballet Theater. She also recounts some of her favorite meals—ranging from local New Orleans cuisine to international dining in Buenos Aires and Paris—adding a relatable, human touch to her professional story.

Key Takeaways:

·        Leadership is shaped by resilience, global perspective, and continuous learning.

·        Women in logistics should quantify their impact, advocate confidently, and mentor future leaders.

·        Operational excellence requires recognizing the full scope of the supply chain, including intermodal solutions and drayage operations.

·        Cargo theft is a growing concern that requires federal intervention, coordinated reporting, and legislative support.

·        Personal growth and professional success are intertwined; hobbies, passions, and personal stories enrich leadership.

Call to Action:

·        Learn more about the CORCA Bill and support legislative efforts addressing cargo theft.

·        Mentors and industry leaders: share your experiences and help guide the next generation of logistics professionals.

·        Explore opportunities to expand knowledge and networks through conferences and industry events.

·        Recognize and support the critical contributions of all supply chain professionals, including drayage operators.

This episode offers a compelling blend of leadership insights, operational expertise, and personal stories, inspiring listeners to lead with confidence, advocate for meaningful change, and embrace the future of global logistics.

This episode is sponsored by IMC Logistics.  More info @ www.imcc.com