In Part 1 of this special She Leads Securely edition of the Mission Secure podcast, host Melanie Padron sits down with KJ Swaggert, the dynamic Head of Alliances at ProShip, Inc. . In an industry traditionally dominated by men, KJ shares her inspiring journey from elementary school teacher to enterprise tech leader . She breaks down the power of building a "cool girl gang" in logistics, leveraging a coachable spirit, and living by the transformative "50% Rule"—being willing to take bold steps before you think you are 100% ready . Tune in for a high-energy conversation packed with insights on expectations, lifelong learning, and thriving through authenticity !

Contact:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-jo-kj-swaggert-ba153553/

https://proshipinc.com/

• The 50% Rule for Career Growth: Women often hesitate to jump into new opportunities without full experience, but true advancement comes from being bold and willing when you are only 50% ready, letting the rest follow .

• Transitioning with Transferable Skills: Differentiating yourself through authentic, personal outreach—like writing a compelling narrative letter—can successfully bridge the gap when transitioning from an entirely different industry into tech and logistics .

• The "Three Es" of Balanced Leadership: Thriving as a leader while managing a busy personal life relies on three pillars: Empowerment (giving teams ownership), Expectations (establishing clear partnership standards), and Education (committing to lifelong learning) .

• Failing Fast and Forward: It is vital to recognize alignment early; if a corporate culture or environment is not the right fit, it is best to have an honest conversation, fail fast, and pivot forward into a better space .

• The Strength of Collaborative Networks: Moving away from a mindset of competition and instead linking arms to lift up other women creates an invaluable ecosystem of advocacy, mentorship, and professional support .

https://www.itarchiteks.com/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-padron

https://www.linkedin.com/company/itarchiteks

What Makes Us Unique:

For over 20 years, our team has delivered enterprise-grade IT and cybersecurity solutions to organizations across transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, and government sectors.

We operate as trusted advisors — not just technicians — offering a concierge approach that combines proactive risk management, infrastructure expertise, and responsive service.

As a Veteran-owned and operated company, we lead with accountability, discipline, and a mission-driven mindset.

Podcast Production provided by Blue Mic Studios, the podcast production arm of Visual Learning Solutions, LLC

Recorded at the Blue Mic Studios:

https://www.bluemicstudios.com/

#MissionSecurePodcast

#SheLeadsSecurely

#WomenInLogistics

#ProShip

#SupplyChain

#LogisticsTech

#EmpoweredWomen

#LeadershipTips

#FailForward

#AttitudeOfGratitude

#WomenInBusiness

KJ Swaggert, ProShip Inc, She Leads Securely, Women in Logistics, Enterprise Alliances, 50 Percent Rule, Multi Carrier Shipping, Career Transition, Fail Fast Fail Forward, Supply Chain Tech