The Thrill of Making the Impossible Possible

By Liesl Venter

From Issue 4, 2025 of Breakbulk Magazine

(6-minute read)

Diana Davila never set out to conquer the logistics sector — but somehow, it found her. As a teenager facing more obstacles than options, she stepped into the working world out of necessity rather than ambition.

Today, as senior VP of U.S. operations at UTC Overseas, she stands among the most respected women in an industry still largely led by men. Her journey to logistics may not have been planned, but it’s a space she has come to master, with resilience, grit and a deep understanding of what it takes to keep things moving, even when the road is anything but smooth.

Davila grew up in Central Illinois, a place she says instilled in her a strong work ethic and a deep sense of curiosity about the world. “That’s where my dream of becoming an international au pair started. I was drawn to the idea of bridging cultures,” she recalls.

After graduating from Charleston High School in the late 1980s, those ambitions remained, but financial realities meant college wasn’t an option. “Instead, I enrolled in what I call the ”University of Hard Knocks,” learning through real-world experience and the guidance of incredible mentors who crossed my path.”

Her first job came at the age of 15, when she began working at a local restaurant, serving tables, receiving stock, checking in goods and managing supplies. “Looking back, it was my first exposure to supply chain work. I just didn’t know it yet,” she says. It is also where she quickly learned the value of customer service and developed a drive to do more.

Laying Foundations

A “life-changing” trip to Mexico at the age of 19 would set Davila on the path to logistics. While there, she worked briefly as a teacher before joining a local exporter. “It was basically an apprenticeship,” she says. “I was learning every part of the process without realizing it was building the foundation for my future.”

Reflecting on the early days of her career, Davila is the first to admit that logistics did not feel like a calling at the time, and she certainly did not step into a top position. “I started at the bottom, and it didn’t matter what the role was, I had to succeed. Failure was not an option for me.”

It’s a mindset that has carried her throughout her career. “In every role I’ve had, I started at a lower level and worked my way up. Even when I took new opportunities that meant stepping back initially, I always ended up surpassing where I was before.”

For Davila, every challenge is an opening, not a setback. “What defines you is not the challenge itself, but your ability to figure it out and move beyond it. There are always going to be things you cannot control. The key is how you respond.”

It wasn’t until she joined a global logistics company, Fritz, that it all clicked. “That’s when it stopped being just a job. Fritz opened my eyes to how big this world really is: it’s not just about buying a pair of shoes, it’s about who made them, how they got here and everything in between. That’s when I realized: this is what I want to do.”

Her subsequent career progression, she says, was achieved not only by hard work, but also the people who believed in her along the way.

“My career wouldn’t be what it is without the mentors who recognized potential in me early on,” she says. “Jorge Trevino at La Reynera and Alice Dovey at Grocers Supply International taught me the basics of logistics and client relations. Paul and Tony Garcia at Fritz Companies sharpened my operational skills, while Pam Holdrup at WTS prepared me for leadership.”

For Davila, mentorship has been invaluable. “Even now in the position I hold it is important. At UTC Overseas, Marco Poisler has been my greatest supporter, giving me the confidence to lead boldly. Each mentor has given me a piece of the puzzle, encouraging me to grow and embrace new challenges.”

Empowering Others

The ongoing support from people around her has not only shaped Davila’s career, but inspired a deep commitment to pay it forward. “What keeps me going?” she asks. “It’s the thrill of making the impossible possible. Logistics is about solving complex challenges, but my true passion is empowering others.”

Driven by this purpose, she founded the Women in Logistics Leadership (WiLL) in 2016, a Houston-based non-profit that supports women in logistics, engineering and supply chain management. “This is my new season,” she says, “a time to grow the next generation of leaders alongside us.”

The journey hasn’t always been smooth. Like many organizations, WiLL faced significant setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed momentum. But the vision endured. Last year, more than 200 women attended WiLL’s annual conference and even more are expected at this year’s event, set for September.

Beyond WiLL, Davila remains deeply engaged in shaping the future of the industry. She is active with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Houston Roundtable and the Port of Houston’s Partners in Maritime Education program, where she works to nurture young talent.

She is also currently the chairperson of the Exporters Competitive Maritime Council (ECMC) and is leading the steering committee of the ISPM 15 Coalition where she helps shape policies that support U.S. exporters.

Our conversation inevitably turns to work and what’s happening in the industry right now. “The project cargo and breakbulk sectors are at a turning point,” says Davila. “Digitalization and sustainability are reshaping our industry, while political and trade pressures, including tariffs and shifting policies, are adding new layers of complexity. If you don’t embrace and adapt to these changes, you risk being left behind.”

At UTC Overseas, she’s leading a technology-first approach to improve transparency, boost efficiency and elevate the customer experience. “Customer service is at the heart of everything we do and technology is the key to delivering on that promise,” she explains.

Unprecedented Change

The logistics industry is no stranger to disruption. Recent trade barriers, from shifting tariffs to evolving Section 301 actions, have only added to the complexity. For Davila, these constant shifts demand more than agility, they require leadership rooted in clarity and calm.

“Being a leader today means bringing peace, patience and understanding to everyone involved, both to our teams navigating the chaos and to our clients grappling with rising costs,” she says. “Logistics is about more than moving cargo, it’s about connecting people and possibilities even amidst unprecedented change.”

The impact on business is real, she says. “We recently saw one of our key project’s timelines impacted by the tariffs. I brought my team together to calmly explore alternative routing options while being transparent with clients about costs. By empowering my team to innovate and keeping open communication, we delivered successfully. I’m so impressed by our UTC team’s ability to make it happen, balancing immediate needs with long-term planning.”

She says tariff and trade disruptions are forcing every stakeholder in logistics to rethink their approach, even though the crystal ball is pretty cloudy right now, and future expectations are hard to pin down.

“Much depends on where you sit in the supply chain, whether you’re a shipper navigating sourcing decisions in a volatile environment, or a carrier adjusting lead times and rerouting based on new compliance rules. Contingency plans are no longer static. They’re living strategies, evolving with shifting trade dynamics, changing regulations and geopolitical factors.”

She encourages industry to remain involved. The uncertainty surrounding proposed penalties on Chinese-linked vessels under Section 301 has left many importers unable to effectively plan or project future costs. Carriers, on the other hand, are struggling to strategize fleet planning long-term.

“By advocating for a balanced approach, we can bridge the gap between policy goals and industry readiness, fostering progress toward a stronger American maritime sector,” says Davila. “There is much uncertainty at the moment and these are challenges for everyone. It’s important for our industry to not only be involved, but to actively voice their comments.”

With such a full plate, it’s hard to imagine Davila ever slowing down. She laughs when I ask what she does in her free time. True to form, her answer is project-based: “I like to buy property and refurbish it. I enjoy the organization that goes into it, figuring out the what, who and when of each project,” she says. “My husband and I used to do everything ourselves, though I don’t as much these days, he is still very hands-on.”

Davila also dabbles in digital marketing when time allows. “I think I’m an IT person at heart,” she says, but her greatest joy comes from family. Davila and her husband of 36 years live near their daughter in Houston, while their son and his family are based in Dallas. “Family is so important to me,” she adds. “I’m a grandmother of four little ones under the age of five and I spend as much time as I can with them. They’re my foundation.”

Whether at work or at home, there is no doubt that Davila is a relentless force, driving forward with purpose, perspective and resilience, and she clearly has no plans to slow down any time soon.

Breakbulk Americas 2025 is taking place on Sep 30-2 Oct in Houston.

TOP PHOTO: Davila speaks on an “Ask the Experts” panel at Breakbulk Europe in May. CREDIT: Richard Theemling Photography.
SECOND: UTC Overseas handles project cargo at a U.S. port. CREDIT: UTC Overseas