CONNIE AWARD SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

SAFETY SUPERVISOR, YUSEN LOGISTICS (AMERICAS), INC.

While in the Global Logistics Specialist (GLS) training program offered by the Center for International Trade and Transportation (CITT) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), Esmeralda Agredano-Salazar was identified by her professors as a rising star and was recommended to receive a CII scholarship in 2018. She attended the Connie Award dinner and scholarship reception, where she was recognized by industry leaders and awarded the CII/SSA scholarship.

Prior to engaging in the CITT program, Esmeralda graduated from CSULB with a double major in Management and Operations & Supply Chain Management. Esmeralda began her supply chain career as an intern with Yusen Logistics (Americas), Inc. Her hands-on experience at Yusen confirmed that this was the industry for her and she began the GLS program to elevate her education and refine her skillset.

“Receiving scholarships, such as the one from CII, not only provided me with the financial resources to pursue my dream career, but it also validated my decision that this was the right career path for me. Knowing that both my professors and the industry were recognizing my contributions gave me the confidence to continue to elevate my role within the supply chain.”

In January 2019, Esmeralda parlayed her internship into a position as Operations Support Analyst, whereby she was required to consistently look for efficiencies and improvements within operations.  In November 2019, she was promoted to her current role of Safety Supervisor for all operations in Yusen Logistics (Americas) across the United States. Shortly thereafter, she began pursuing her Master’s of Science in Global Supply Chain Management at USC Marshall School of Business.

“The CITT program was taught by industry leaders throughout the supply chain and provided an unmatched education about the nuts and bolts of operations. The USC Marshall program is giving me insight into the strategic side of the business, helping me to think more critically and keep an eye on the big picture.”

Working at Yusen has helped Esmeralda see the supply chain in action, which enables her to understand the strengths and weaknesses and plan for future challenges and opportunities. In her current role, which often requires her to wear steel-toed shoes and a vest, Esmeralda is responsible for developing and implementing safety protocols across over 40 Yusen Logistics (Americas) locations.

The management team at Yusen has not only provided growth opportunities for Esmeralda, they have also encouraged her to share her ideas and implement new programs, which further cements her passion for the industry. 

“My enthusiasm for this industry increases with each professional and educational experience, and the scholarships awarded to me were instrumental in allowing me to be successful in my career. I plan to give back to the logistics industry by doing the same for students looking to make their mark within the supply chain.”