How Karolina’s Participation in the 1st US Global Women in Leadership Summit Strengthens Rudolph & Hellmann
In an industry historically defined by its operational intensity and male-dominated environments, Rudolph & Hellmann stands out as a company that champions talent, diversity, and leadership development. This commitment was exemplified when Karolina Skaskiewicz, Business Management Executive and one of the organisation’s most senior leaders, represented the company at the prestigious 1st US Global Women in Leadership Summit in New York.
Karolina’s journey from a temporary warehouse operative to an executive within ten years reflects not only her personal tenacity but also Rudolph & Hellmann’s belief that leadership potential can come from anywhere. Her attendance at the summit provided both personal growth and significant organisational value—strengthening the company’s strategic leadership, global perspective, and commitment to inclusive culture.
A Career Shaped by Determination—and the Opportunities R&H Makes Possible
Karolina’s story is emblematic of the many people who “stumble into logistics” only to discover a field rich with international opportunity, growth, and innovation.
Originally a teacher in Poland and Germany, equipped with a Master’s Degree, she began her UK career in 2015 as a temporary warehouse operative with Rudolph & Hellmann. Her capabilities were quickly recognised, leading to her becoming Executive Assistant in 2017, supporting three successive CEOs and contributing to international operations, including high-profile client onboardings for the company’s parent group.
Today, as Business Management Executive, Karolina plays a central role in organisational leadership and global operational strategy.
Her rise is proof that diversity in background, perspective, and experience is not only valuable but essential in modern logistics.
The Summit: A Gathering of Global Influence and Shared Purpose
Hosted in New York, the Global Women in Leadership Summit brought together some of the most influential female leaders from multiple countries and industries. The programme, led by Laura Edwards and Lindiwe Msiza, created an intimate, reflective space to examine the most pressing challenges facing women in leadership today.
Laura Edwards is an experienced executive in enterprise technology and customer transformation, serving as an Enterprise Customer Success Partner at SAP. With a career focused on enabling global organisations to optimise performance, innovate, and lead through change, she brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, organisational alignment, and empowering high-performing teams. As US Chairwoman and key host of the Global Women in Leadership Summit, she leverages her background in corporate transformation and stakeholder engagement to guide meaningful dialogue and inspire leaders from around the world.
Lindiwe Msiza is an internationally recognised Leadership and Change Management Coach, specialising in human-centred leadership, emotional intelligence, and inclusive organisational culture. With a long track record of coaching senior leaders, developing talent pipelines, and designing leadership programmes, she is known for her ability to guide transformational conversations and build confidence in emerging leaders. As Co-Host and Summit Facilitator, Lindiwe brings expert insight into leadership development, mindset growth, and supporting women in navigating complex leadership environments.
For Karolina, this was more than a conference—it was a transformational experience. She described it as a moment to:
- Connect with women from “all different walks of life,” united by the pursuit of global progress.
- Engage in discussion about the structural and cultural barriers women still face.
- Understand the critical role of allies in fostering workplace equity—emphasising that supporting women is not about excluding men, but about enabling talent to thrive fairly.
- Absorb inspiration from peers, mentors, and shared stories—moments she described as “pinch me” experiences that shape a lifetime of leadership.
The summit reinforced a powerful reminder: “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” For Karolina, it affirmed the value of focusing on steady, authentic growth—an ethos she brings back to the organisation.
Why Karolina’s Attendance Matters for Rudolph & Hellmann
1. Elevating Leadership Capability and Global Mindset
The summit exposed Karolina to cutting-edge thinking, international leadership styles, and diverse perspectives. She returns with strengthened strategic insight—crucial for a company operating across borders and serving global clients.
This expands R&H’s leadership capacity and enhances organisational adaptability in an evolving logistics landscape.
2. Strengthening Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Efforts
Karolina’s advocacy for allyship supports a critical business priority: building a culture where diverse talent can grow, contribute, and lead.
Her learnings help R&H:
- Identify and challenge bias.
- Promote equitable pathways for career progression.
- Reinforce a culture where differences in background are seen as assets, not obstacles.
This directly contributes to talent retention and organisational resilience.
3. Enhancing Employer Brand in a Competitive Sector
Logistics, especially operations and warehouse-based environments, can struggle to attract diverse talent. Karolina’s story—and the company’s support of her global leadership development—sends a compelling message:
Rudolph & Hellmann invests in people. Rudolph & Hellmann promotes from within. Rudolph & Hellmann supports women in leadership.
This positions the organisation as an employer of choice in a challenging market.
4. Reinforcing Client Confidence and Global Credibility
Clients in logistics increasingly prioritise partnerships with socially responsible, forward-thinking suppliers. Having senior leaders who participate in global summits demonstrates:
- Commitment to innovation in leadership.
- Engagement with international best practices.
- A modern, progressive approach to operational excellence.
Karolina’s expanded global network and insight enhances R&H’s ability to anticipate client needs and bring world-class standards to its operations.
5. Inspiring the Next Generation of R&H Leaders
Karolina’s journey—from temporary operative to senior executive—is inspirational on its own. But her participation in the summit amplifies that impact.
She now returns as a role model equipped with new tools to mentor and uplift others. Her story encourages employees at every level to envision their own leadership potential—and motivates them to build their future within the company.
A Shared Achievement
Karolina’s closing words reflect what makes this story so powerful:
“These opportunities are only possible when leadership invests in people with sincerity, trust, and belief.”
Rudolph & Hellmann supported her attendance, and in return, she brings back global insight, renewed drive, and an even stronger commitment to building an inclusive, high-performance culture.
This is the type of leadership development that pays dividends— for the business, for the industry, and for the future leaders watching.
Raising Each Other Up
The 1st US Global Women in Leadership Summit was not just an event; it was a catalyst. For Karolina, it strengthened conviction, broadened perspective, and affirmed her role as an advocate for inclusive leadership. For Rudolph & Hellmann, the value is long-term and strategic—enhancing leadership capacity, strengthening culture, and elevating the brand in a competitive industry.
Karolina is now an active role model for all employees, particularly women and those in operational roles, who may feel that a Master’s degree or non-traditional background limits their potential in logistics. Her experience validates R&H’s existing career paths and inspires the next generation of leaders.
As Karolina beautifully summarised: “The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up.”
And through leaders like her, Rudolph & Hellmann continues to do exactly that.
