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As we celebrate Women's History Month, and recognize International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on three of our Information Technology team leads, Linda Tallent, Irene Snyman, and Lizelle Britz, whose collective experiences personify resilience, determination, and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field. These three accomplished JAS women are breaking barriers and shaping the future of technology within the logistics industry.  

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At the Atlanta Worldwide headquarters, Linda Tallent champions the adage, "You can teach people anything, but you can't teach them to care." Linda knows firsthand the importance of a leader and a team that cares. "I ended up in IT; it was never a conscious decision. There have been times where I thought I was in over my head, but I stayed because of the people," she recounts how she grew her career at JAS. "I'm not a programmer. I'm not a coder. I'm not a developer. That's not how I see my role. My role is to build and empower the team and help everyone grow in their careers," she explains. At JAS, Linda has essentially done it all – she's served as an air import clerk, traffic manager, and customer broker; under her guidance, the global Helpdesk system was established – the list goes on. As JAS IT grew from the less-than-twenty-person team when she first started, so did Linda's capacity for management and leading teams to success. Her firm belief in the power of collaboration and inclusivity has propelled her to the forefront of initiatives, "you take the opportunities and take the chances. You're not always going to succeed, but even if you fail, you will still learn," she shares. For the last 26 years, Linda's journey has served as an inspiration for many women and will continue to prove invaluable to the next generation. 

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In South Africa, Irene Snyman's journey in technology began as an ERP consultant while completing her Master's degree in Computer Science. "I didn't grow up thinking that I wanted to be in IT; it was an opportunity that came my way," Irene recalls. When accepting her initial role at JAS, she dived in without fully understanding what the role entailed. "I had no idea what I was going to do, just that it revolved around integration and projects," she recounts. There have been many times where she had to learn to be confident with being the only woman or the youngest in a room. "I had to be comfortable and understand that I also had something of value to offer." Now, as a global leader in IT and in her dual role, she balances work-life integration. "I don't think of it as work-life balance because a scale is always going to lean one way more than the other. I think integration is a better term; it's more feasible in terms of long-term sustainability," Irene explains. She constantly strives to be present in every aspect of her life, from quality time with her family to working with her team. When liaising with the university students, she encourages them to follow their passion, regardless of preconceived stereotypes. "There was always a consensus that you need to be a developer, to be in IT and that is not the case. There are no rules, just follow your heart and work hard". Her leadership style revolves around servant leadership, nurturing each team member's growth with a unique approach. "My journey highlights the importance of breaking barriers with passion and dedication, proving that authenticity transcends stereotypes in the tech world."

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Meanwhile, within the same Port Elizabeth office, Lizelle Britz's career trajectory is marked by assertive and decisive ambition. She knew she enjoyed working with computers, and after a quick stint pursuing work in the education sector, she returned to earn a technology degree. She didn't care that she was often the oldest in her classroom – she knew she was where she belonged. This was even more apparent when she started her first role in IT the day after her final exam at university. What began as a developer role molded into a management role where she now can focus on what's important to her – mentorship and leading teams. "When someone from my team leaves for a new opportunity, my goal is for them to be a better version of themselves than when they first started. Whether that be a better coder, a better developer – I want them to be proud of that version of themselves," she explains her approach to leadership. There are also times when she needs to be transparent and honest with her team, knowing that this is what propels them to do better. "Working on your inner confidence is so important so that when someone does doubt you, you don't take it personally because you know within yourself that you are capable," she advises when asked if she's faced challenges from being a woman in a male-dominated industry. When asked about her proudest career accomplishment, she reflects, "I think where I am right now. It's a busy season in life, but it's so rewarding to see and feel the positive impact my team is making."

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As we honor the diverse journeys of Linda, Irene, and Lizelle, we are reminded that though we might not always have the answer, what's meant to be will always find us – that is, with a bit of hard work, passion, and commitment. Their collective stories serve as a reminder of the limitless potential that lies within each of us to effect positive change and drive innovation in an ever-changing world.