Women in Breakbulk Luncheon 2025: From Chaos to Collaboration

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

A record 276 women filled the room at the Women in Breakbulk Luncheon during Breakbulk Americas 2025. More than a pre-conference meal, the gathering set a tone for the week—direct, practical, and intentional.

The first panel went straight into the industry’s most pressing challenges: procurement, tariffs, and large-scale project complexity.

One panelist described sourcing parts only to have tariffs shift mid-transit, forcing her team to rethink delivery costs and schedules overnight. Another recalled scrambling for storage when policy confusion left cargo stuck in limbo.

Instead of frustration, their tone was pragmatic. “Most times our companies are absorbing these tariffs. It’s a huge impact. But at the end of the day… we thrive in chaos,” one speaker said, summing up the mindset that keeps logistics moving despite unpredictable policy and market shifts.

Plan. Adapt. Repeat. In this business, there’s rarely another option.

The second panel drew from outside the logistics world, with three Houston leaders in sports operations: Holly Kesner of the Houston Sports Authority, Leah Fagnio of Toyota Center, and Rachel Wan of the Houston Astros.

They shared how high-stakes events—Final Fours, Super Bowls, stadium conversions—hinge on trust and teamwork. One example stood out: turning a rodeo arena into a basketball court in just 24 hours. It required a minute-by-minute timeline and hundreds of people in sync.

Or consider adjusting a stadium roof mid-performance during Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl halftime show. That wasn’t just logistics; it was a split-second call under enormous pressure.

The parallels to shipping and project cargo were unmistakable. Rachel pointed out that collaboration “works when it’s rooted in trust, not just surface-level networking.” Leah added, “Owning it when you can’t deliver is just as important as keeping promises.” And Holly reminded the room that surrounding yourself with the best people—rather than being the smartest in the room—drives growth.

Whether moving a superstar or a superload, relationships and clear communication keep things on track.

The program ended on a lighter, but still intentional, note. A “Blend & Bond” session had participants create custom essential oil mixes—part icebreaker, part recharge moment. The afternoon closed with a cake cutting to mark the 35th anniversary of Breakbulk Americas.

But what stood out most wasn’t the cake. It was the way women pulled each other into conversations, making sure no one stood alone. The sense of inclusion felt deliberate, as if the room itself had been designed to remind everyone: connection is also strategy.