Celebrating the Women in Spring GDS
International Women's Day 2026
Logistics has long been viewed as a male‑dominated sector, with figures continuing to reinforce a heavily male focused reality. Women make up only 12% of the global transport and storage workforce, as found in the International Transport Forum’s research, reflecting a persistent gender imbalance in areas such as warehousing, transport, maritime operations, and other frontline roles.
When logistics is broadened to include the full supply chain, women account for around 40–41% of the global workforce (Gartner’s 2023–2024 Women in Supply Chain). Yet this higher representation is driven largely by planning, procurement, and administrative functions, rather than the operational core sector which remains predominantly male.
At Spring GDS, we recognise that addressing these imbalances requires more than just statistics. It requires a sustained commitment of inclusion, visibility, and equality. We believe in a culture that supports women across all areas of the business, including traditionally male‑dominated fields such as operations, finance, and logistics management.
Today, 46% of our colleagues are women, representing a near‑balanced workforce, with some Spring GDS countries having an even greater female split. At leadership level, women hold 27% of top management positions; a sign of meaningful progress, but also a reminder that further growth is not only possible but essential.
Throughout Spring GDS, women are increasingly taking on management positions across both our office-based and operational environments. Spring Spain, Poland, UK and Canada all having female management in Operations or stereotypically male roles; as well as Spring Netherlands who are already showing expansion of their female representatives across their operational team in 2026.
To mark International Women’s Day, we asked six of our colleagues a simple but powerful question; “As a woman in a leadership position, what are you doing to empower other women in our company?”.
Their answers reveal the everyday actions, commitments, and examples that shape a more inclusive Spring GDS, not just in words, but in practice. From mentoring emerging talent, to challenging outdated stereotypes, we are creating a safer, more supportive spaces for women throughout the logistics industry.
Amber Kapaan - Head of Cross Border Operations (Spring GDS Europe, Netherlands):
“I always strive to highlight the achievements of my female colleagues in Operations within this male-dominated industry. I make it a point to recognize and celebrate their contributions, showcasing them to inspire others. With a growing percentage of female supervisors and operations managers within Spring GDS, I believe we are moving in the right direction!”
Anna Holod - HR Project Manager (Spring GDS Europe):
“As an HR Project Manager, I have the opportunity to collaborate with talented (mostly) female HR managers across our Spring GDS geographies. My focus is on projects that directly contribute to employee growth, such as e-learnings and talent development initiatives.
One of the ways I empower women in our company is by ensuring that our learning and development programs are accessible, inclusive, and designed to support personal development. I work closely with our teams to create training opportunities that help women build the skills and confidence they need to grow in their current roles, which will help them advance further in their careers. I can proudly share that our Spring GDS Connect horizontal development program (an internal initiative for talent development) has a 50/50 balance of female and male participants.
Additionally, through my collaboration with female HR leaders in different geographies, I aim to foster a supportive network where we can share best practices, exchange insights, and encourage each other in our professional journeys. By strengthening these connections and championing initiatives that promote growth and leadership opportunities, I hope to contribute to a workplace where women feel empowered to reach their full potential.”
Lenny Quito- Director of Finance (Spring GDS Canada):
"I'm so excited to be part of a global organization that champions female representation in leadership roles. It is one of the key factors that I considered when I joined Spring GDS and PostNL."
Nina Widlewski - Commercial Manager (Spring GDS Germany):
“I would like to emphasize how important it is to take responsibility, support and to empower. Through my own actions I try to set an example for others to raise their voices and realize their potential. I strive to create a surrounding in which every woman can fully develop her strengths and be heard. Empowered women change the world.”
Lucie Pechackova – Operations and Implementation Manager (Spring GDS Poland & Czech Republic):
"International Women’s Day should not be reduced to flowers, polite recognition, or symbolic gestures. It is a moment to ask a more important question, are equal opportunities truly embedded in how we operate, or are they simply well-phrased statements?
I work in a predominantly male environment, and I value the professional respect and support I experience. I am trusted with responsibility, evaluated on performance, and given space to grow. That matters.
International Women’s Day should not be about celebration alone. It should be about standards that ensure fairness is measurable, transparent, and consistent. Because equality is not a benefit granted. It is a principle upheld."
Maria del Mar Torrecilla - Administration Manager (Spring GDS Southern Europe):
“My own experience with my team, which is mostly made up of women, is allowing us to integrate new generations who participate in work groups to unify criteria and ideas and improve Spring GDS. We celebrate women who fully participating in society with their own criteria and using the tools at their disposal, without gender being a stumbling block. I proposed that young women from our team participate in the CBS Young Board, which shows the change that is taking place not only generationally but also with the strategic positioning of capable individuals beyond gender segregation.”
Thank you to our colleagues for sharing their views and values. Together, their insights honour the women powering our business and the colleagues advancing gender equity across Spring GDS, not just today, but every day.
