Award Recognizes Top Female Leaders Driving Innovation and Excellence Across Supply Chain and Transportation Industries
FORT LAUDERDALE - (September 25, 2024) – Fleet Advantage, a leading innovator in specialty financing, fleet data analytics, fleet management services, and life cycle cost management, announced today that Chief Marketing Officer Katerina Jones and Fleet Procurement Manager Kirsten Babb, CTP., were recognized as recipients of the Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive 2024 Women in Supply Chain Award.
The Women in Supply Chain Award from Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive recognizes female leaders annually whose accomplishments, mentorship, and influence drive progress across all levels of a company’s supply chain. This year’s winners, spanning various industries like trucking and transportation, have played a key role in helping clients tackle challenges and innovate for the future. New award categories include Rising Stars, Trailblazers, DEI Pioneer, and Workforce Innovator. Jones was honored as a Trailblazer, paving the way for women in logistics, while Babb was recognized as a Rising Star for her achievements and vision shaping the supply chain.
Since joining Fleet Advantage in 2014, Jones has been instrumental in shaping Fleet Advantage’s strategic marketing initiatives and strengthening the company’s influence within the supply chain industry. Her leadership has driven Fleet Advantage’s success, positioning the company as a thought leader through industry reports, educational blogs, and expert commentary on issues such as AI in fleet operations, dynamic pricing, and regulatory challenges.
Additionally, Jones’s commitment to fostering a more equality-driven and collaborative workplace has made her a trailblazer for diversity within Fleet Advantage. Over her tenure, she has championed women in the workforce by encouraging their participation in award nominations, speaking engagements, and company leadership roles. Jones’s efforts to shape company culture and support professional development have been pivotal in making Fleet Advantage an industry leader in diversity and innovation, especially reflecting 48% of Fleet Advantage’s employees as female, and 32% as minorities. This marks her fourth recognition as a Women in Supply Chain award recipient, following previous honors in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
With over seven years of experience, Babb has made her mark in the transportation and supply chain industries through her technical expertise, leadership, and forward-thinking initiatives. As a Fleet Procurement Manager for Fleet Advantage since July 2023, Babb has overhauled key procurement processes, including reducing time-to-customer delivery by 30%, streamlining trailer OEM documentation, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Her technical proficiency in Class 8 tractor and trailer components, alongside her commitment to sustainability, has driven operational excellence at Fleet Advantage. Notably, Babb has played a vital role in supporting $500 million in lease originations and achieved her Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) accreditation in 2024.
Babb is also dedicated to promoting diversity within the industry, mentoring women in roles such as mechanics and drivers, and fostering a supportive work environment at Fleet Advantage. Her involvement in the Women In Trucking Association’s Mentor Match Program and her upcoming induction into the American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council’s Leaders of Tomorrow class of 2027 further underscore her commitment to leadership development.
“Katerina and Kirsten exemplify the leadership, expertise, and commitment that define Fleet Advantage,” said Brian Holland, President and CEO of Fleet Advantage. “Their dedication, vision, and innovative approaches not only drive Fleet Advantage forward but also set a powerful example for women across our industry. We are incredibly proud of their contributions and the impact they’ve made in advancing diversity, innovation, and excellence within our organization and the industry as a whole.”
To view the full list of 2024 Women in Supply Chain winners, please click here. Recipients will be honored at this year’s Women in Supply Chain Forum, set to take place Nov. 12-13, 2024, in Atlanta.
About Fleet Advantage
Fleet Advantage is the largest independent lessor for heavy-duty Class-8 trucks and has over $3 Billion in assets and over 30,000 units under its Life Cycle Cost Management program. This comprises a client portfolio of more than 50 of America’s top corporate fleets, including five (5) of the top 10 private fleets in the country. Fleet Advantage guarantees the absolute lowest cost of operation by providing fleet asset management, financing solutions, and fleet analytics, using the latest equipment technology to achieve optimum vehicle productivity and maximum safety. Our model of TCO, clean diesel, and safety-enhanced trucks with shorter life cycles complement our customers’ ESG goals. The accomplishments of Fleet Advantage and our leadership team continue to be recognized for tremendous growth and industry leadership with numerous awards, including Top Private Independent and Most Innovative Firm by the Monitor Daily, Top Software & Tech Awards, Top Women Associates in Finance, and Green Supply Chain Awards to name a few. The company has also been named to Inc. magazine’s 500|5000 list of fastest growing companies in the nation.