Thriving As A Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry: Jenny Perlitch Of Perlitch Transport On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry

An Interview With Kelly Reeves

Passion for your work beyond external validation. Letting my expertise speak for itself has proven to be a powerful tool in a male-dominated industry. Ultimately, my genuine love for what I do is what makes each day an exciting adventure. The dynamic team of strong women I work with daily adds to the fulfillment of this rewarding journey.

In the United States in 2024, fields such as Aircraft piloting, Agriculture, Architecture, Construction, Finance, and Information technology, are still male-dominated industries. For a woman who is working in a male-dominated environment, what exactly does it take to thrive and succeed? In this interview series, we are talking to successful women who work in a Male-Dominated Industry who can share their stories and experiences about navigating work and life as strong women in a male-dominated industry. As a part of this series, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jenny Perlitch.

Jenny Perlitch founded and has served as CEO of the Perlitch Group since 2011. With a background in software engineering and unwavering commitment to innovation, Jenny designed custom TMS (Transportation Management Software) solutions for Perlitch Transport, revolutionizing their operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood “backstory”?

I immigrated to Canada from Ukraine (via Germany) with my family when I was young. It was a difficult transition, but my parents worked tirelessly to build a new life for us. Their perseverance and dedication have been an inspiration that still motivates me today.

Can you tell us the story about what led you to this particular career path?

I’ve always been fascinated by logistics and technology, but I explored different careers before discovering transportation was the perfect outlet for my skills. After studying computer science at Concordia University, I worked in software development before eventually joining a transportation company. Once there, I could see clearly what processes could be improved, and set about creating the technology to meet that challenge. A few years later, in 2011, I became CEO of FutureTrans, now Perlitch Transport.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

Since we are talking about women in transport there are a few stories I can share.

When I first started my business, I concentrated on logistics. I wanted to get into the trucking industry and have my own fleet of trucks. I contacted a fellow CEO in the industry about my idea of expanding my assets, and his response was, and I’ll never forget, “Trucking is a real business… it is not like your logistics. It is not meant for women.” Well, let’s just say I replayed that conversation in my mind all night, and the very next morning, I went and bought 8 trucks.

Fast forward some years, and not much has changed. Comments like these are sadly still part of the landscape. Our team often gets the classic request to “talk to the boss.” It gets shuffled through various female superiors until it finally lands at my desk. And you know what the biggest surprise is? More often than not, the highest authority they’re looking for is another female. The times may change, but some scripts seem to remain the same.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Perseverance — I don’t give up when faced with obstacles, which there have been many as an immigrant and a woman in business. I turn challenges into motivation. Every obstacle turned into a chance or an opportunity to improve. Skepticism only fueled my determination. I flipped setbacks into stepping stones, showing that perseverance pays off.

Innovation — I’m always looking for ways to improve the business, for example, designing our proprietary TMS (transportation management system). I thrive on creating solutions. Navigating challenges in the technology side of the transport industry, I view obstacles not as roadblocks but as opportunities for innovation. I’ve embraced the mindset of not just seeking solutions but creating them.

Empathy — Understanding different perspectives has helped me connect and collaborate effectively. My immigrant experience gave me insight into relating across cultures and backgrounds, and motherhood has driven my empathy for and support of mothers in the workforce. Above all, I emphasize empathy for all fellow women in the industry. I’ve encountered both positive and challenging experiences with other women in the field. While business is business and gender shouldn’t dictate our interactions, fostering a sense of fellowship is crucial. It’s about ensuring we don’t become overly competitive or inadvertently create additional barriers to entry. I carry empathy for all women navigating this male-dominant industry, recognizing the importance of mutual empowerment.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you help articulate a few of the biggest obstacles or challenges you’ve had to overcome while working in a male-dominated industry?

Working in the predominantly male-dominated fields of logistics, trucking, and supply chain, I’ve faced a lot of obstacles, including having my expertise doubted. As a woman, I’ve had to work harder to prove my depth of knowledge on technological solutions, logistics processes, fleet operations, and more. I’ve frequently found myself having to validate my capabilities. Additionally, with few women in high-level supply chain roles, I didn’t have the same access to female guidance and encouragement as men often did via mentors sharing their experience.

Can you share a few of the things you have done to gain acceptance among your male peers and the general work community? What did your female co-workers do? Can you share some stories or examples?

Gaining acceptance in a male-dominated industry involves navigating various dynamics. To foster camaraderie, it’s essential to showcase a sense of humor and shared interests, breaking down stereotypes. Striking the right balance between assertiveness and kindness is key, ensuring respect without being perceived as pushy.

An illustrative example comes from my experience when I was parking our trucks in a lot. On top of the agreed monthly amount, we were charged an additional $100 per truck per month for truck connection to the power outlet. When we analyzed the numbers, realizing if the 1500-watt heater block unit (which they say this extra charge was for) were plugged in all day, every day for a month, it would cost less than $15 in electricity. Confronting the situation with data showcased our competence and they admitted they did not think we would know that kind of data, they lowered their cost reluctantly.

This mirrors instances where women in our industry face preconceived notions, like needing a male companion for a car oil change. Challenging these stereotypes with facts and assertiveness is crucial for breaking barriers and gaining acceptance.

I’ve focused on showcasing my expertise and dedication, emphasizing results over gender. Open communication and active listening have been crucial. Our female co-workers form a supportive network, fostering collaboration. In challenging situations, our united approach has earned respect from our male counterparts. It’s about authentic contribution, competence, and building meaningful connections to gain acceptance in the male-dominated trucking community. This is why I love numbers and metrics; they speak for themselves, reflecting the tangible impact of our efforts.

What do you think male-oriented organizations can do to enhance their recruiting efforts to attract more women?

Actively fostering an inclusive, equitable culture is key. Having diversity in leadership sets the tone. Implementing mentoring programs, highlighting women’s accomplishments internally, and ensuring equal opportunities to showcase skills helps retain and promote talented women. We still have progress to make, but the transportation industry is increasingly recognizing female leaders’ immense value.

Based on your opinion and experience, what are the “Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry?”

1. Confidence in your abilities even when doubted. It’s crucial to stay resolute in your capabilities, proving to yourself and others that you are more than capable of thriving in any professional setting.
2. A support network of other women to learn from and draw strength from. As I mentioned earlier, in an industry with numerous barriers for women, having a network to learn from and draw strength from is crucial. We must continue to build each other up, offering support, mentorship and encouragement along the way.
3. A thick skin. Be resilient when faced with setbacks or negativity. Whether it’s a male peer expressing doubt about your capabilities or instances of exclusion and exploitation, resilience becomes your armor. Instead of letting these challenges deter you, use them as fuel for personal and professional growth. The ability to bounce back from setbacks not only strengthens your character but also sets an example for other women facing similar obstacles.
4. A nurturing leadership style to empower those around you. Leading by example fosters a supportive work environment, breaking down gender barriers and inspiring a more inclusive and collaborative workplace. My approach aims to be a catalyst for positive change, encouraging a shift towards diversity and empowerment within the industry.
5. Passion for your work beyond external validation. Letting my expertise speak for itself has proven to be a powerful tool in a male-dominated industry. Ultimately, my genuine love for what I do is what makes each day an exciting adventure. The dynamic team of strong women I work with daily adds to the fulfillment of this rewarding journey.

If you had a close woman friend who came to you with a choice of entering a field that is male-dominated or female-dominated, what would you advise her? Would you advise a woman friend to start a career in a field or industry that’s traditionally been mostly men? Can you explain what you mean?

If I had a close female friend embarking on a career in the logistics and trucking world, I would encourage her wholeheartedly.

First, I would advise her to be confident and not allow others to make her question her capabilities. With passion and dedication, she can achieve anything she sets her mind to in this field. I would tell her to stand firm in the face of gender biases and lean on other women for support when needed.

I would let her know that times are changing. While trucking and logistics is still male-dominated, women are proving they are just as capable of excelling in these fields. I would tell her that with determination, she can help pave the way for more female leaders in the industry. Her unique talents and perspective will be valued, driving innovation.

Most importantly, I would cheer her on and say she has what it takes to thrive if she puts her mind to it. With women supporting each other, we can accomplish great things.

Have you seen things change for women working in male-dominated industries, over the past ten years? How do you anticipate that it might improve in the future? Can you please explain what you mean?

There are now more women in leadership and technical roles in transportation in the past two years than ever before. Diverse perspectives are increasingly valued, but there’s still room for growth in representation, inclusion and eliminating barriers. With more visible female leaders thriving, I expect coming years will inspire even more talented women to bring their talents to roles where they can make meaningful impacts. We must keep challenging assumptions and biases to keep progressing.

We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

This is always a hard question to answer. I have to go with Kim Jones, the CEO of Spanx. Her dedication and perseverance in building her brand have been truly inspiring. Kim’s tenacity to put her all into getting products on shelves and in front of people’s faces is remarkable. A meeting with her would be an incredible opportunity to gain insights and share experiences in navigating the business world.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.