Kendra Tanner Hits The High Notes

     Kendra Tanner, a professional with over thirty-three years’ experience in the transportation industry, is the President of Allstates WorldCargo. Kendra began her transportation career with Consolidated Freightways in 1988. With her acquired experience in various areas of the business, in 2000 Kendra moved to a freight forwarding company, EXEL Global Logistics (now DHL), and served as a General Manager before joining the Allstates WorldCargo team in 2002. Kendra has an MBA Degree in Business Management from Chancellor University. This is how Geoffrey made acquaintances and induced her to talk to FT before she speaks at the Air Cargo Conference today.
     “Thanks for writing. I thought that your Dad reference (as a Dad of 2 girls and 2 boys) was wonderful. So my first question plays to that universal emotion. Inspiration as keynoter sure beats perspiration at Brandon’s gathering in February. My guess is that you will be great so as we say “break a leg” in Orlando!”
     Thus starts our interview with this Broadway-style slightly overconfident approach. This could make boys and girls uneasy, not the experienced business leader we have in front of us.

FT:  What inspired you to choose this business as a career?  
KT:  My dad is the reason I am in this industry today.  He was a truck driver for McLean Trucking and Consolidated Freightways.  I used to attend the Consolidated Freightways events with my dad, and one day his boss offered me a job.  I wanted to be a dentist, but I couldn't afford dental school.  My dad told me it was a brutal industry, and he didn't want me in it, but I told him he raised me to be able to handle whatever is thrown my way, and that was thirty-eight years ago.  I had the privilege of working alongside my dad for over a decade at Consolidated Freightways, an opportunity I am incredibly grateful for.

FT:  What is the most impactful challenge you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome it? Talk a bit about your company, please. What do you bring to the tables that assures a perspective business partner the job will be done correctly?   
KT:   Becoming President and CEO was the most impactful challenge I have experienced.  With that opportunity comes a lot of responsibility, and people depend on you to make the right decisions for them and the company. I had to have the confidence and backbone to make difficult decisions on behalf of the entire organization, ensuring we were all successful and moving in the right direction. From a personal perspective, I had to make a lot of sacrifices of my time. My husband has taken a back seat to my career often, but he understands and has been extremely supportive of me and my career.  

FT:  How do you define success? 
KT:  Being part of something where I can make a meaningful difference. Surrounding myself with good people working towards a common goal together! You cannot do it alone! It takes a team that is willing to experience the highs and lows together!

FT:  What advice would you give to women that either are just starting or thinking of entering logistics that is so overrun with men in charge and alongside? 
KT:  Believe in Yourself—Confidence is essential. Cultivate relationships with mentors and industry experts, both men and women. Ask for opportunities within our industry and celebrate your accomplishments.    

FT:   How do you balance life otherwise whilst managing your business?  
KT:  It's definitely challenging, but you have to try to lead a somewhat balanced life. Self-care is important because if you're not good, nothing else will be either.  I have a passion for animals, so when I am not working, I am spending time with my horses, donkeys, and dogs. They bring peace and tranquility to my life.

FT:  What role has/does mentorship play in your career? 
KT:  I have been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career.  I encourage everyone to have a mentor in their lives and to rely on others for guidance and support when needed.  You cannot do this alone!

FT:  How do you deal with chaos?  
KT:  Wine!  LOL!  

FT:   When things go wrong have you ever considered that maybe there should be the title, Chaos Manager
KT:  There will always be some sort of chaos or crisis that you have to deal with. I was always taught that cooler heads prevail and you should stay calm and assess the crisis before reacting. Taking ownership of the situation and being transparent about what happened are key to developing insights into what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again. It's a way to develop future crisis management strategies.

FT:  Looking ahead . . . with AI and robots and ultra-high-speed everything, what does the future look like? What about innovation and adaptability? 
KT:  You will always need to be innovative and adaptable. If you are not changing, you are dying. You have to embrace technology and learn to use it effectively in your career. Change is inevitable, but you need to identify specific challenges where AI can add value, such as improving efficiencies, enhancing customer experiences, or optimizing operational processes. Technology will never replace our industry, but it can enhance our service offerings.

FT:  What are some things that you would like the audience to exit the hall thinking and talking about, above all else?  
KT:  I would like the audience to know this industry can take you as far as you want to go, but it will demand hard work and commitment. You must be prepared to give your all and support the industry as a whole. I encourage anyone seeking an extraordinary opportunity in a remarkable industry to put yourself out there, surround yourself with talented people, and prepare for an incredible career path!  You got this!
Marco Sorgetti