Gorgeous Girls In Supply Chain: Jessie Merritt
Welcome to our series celebrating the incredible women in Supply Chain and Logistics! In a traditionally male-dominated field, it's important to shine a light on the inspiring women who are making a significant impact. Through a mix of insightful and fun questions, we’ll explore their journeys, challenges, and successes. While we acknowledge the contributions of everyone in this industry, this series aims to elevate the voices and stories of women who often get missed. Jessie Merritt is our next feature.
JESSIE MERRITT
Jessie Merritt is the EVP of Sales at Reliance Partners, and somehow makes trucking insurance feel less like a headache and more like a partnership. Based in Nashville, she’s a third-gen insurance pro and second-gen in transportation specifically, it’s in her blood. After a stint at Dell, she followed the family path and hasn’t looked back. Jessie helped launch Reliance’s Nashville office and has built a rep for making insurance not just accessible, but actually understandable. She’s vocal about industry issues like cargo theft, a growing concern for her clients, and pushes for better freight data security across the board. When she’s not leading sales strategies or mentoring young professionals, she’s probably on a beach with a fiction book, or waking up early for a run (yes, really).
What is your current role and company?
Executive Vice President of Sales @ Reliance Partners
How did you end up in the world of supply chain?
I am fortunate to have found the world of supply chain through family in a couple of different ways. I'm a third gen woman in insurance, second gen in transportation insurance. Plus, my grandfather was an owner operator. I started my career at Dell, then finally (and happily) answered the recruiting call to join my mom as a trucking insurance agent.
What is your favourite part of your work day?
That's easy - talking to my clients or soon-to-be clients.
What is the least favourite part of your work day?
Expense report day - it only comes once a month, mercifully.
What is a systemic issue in your part of the supply chain that concerns you currently?
Cargo theft - it's impacting my clients, my market partners, and our claims team.
How would you address it if you had the power, money, or influence?
Is it too late for me to change my answer to a different, more easily solved problem? I would further restrict who has access to freight and load details. There are a couple of companies that are making great strides in that kind of restriction and security.
What is one piece of advice you have for young women entering your field?
Play golf - most people who play in scrambles aren't awesome golfers and they don't let it stop them. Industry scrambles are a great place to build connection, network, and spend concentrated time with your partners/clients.
What are your top 3 podcasts? (do not have to be industry related)
Who are your top 5 women in supply chain to follow on LinkedIn?
How do you deal with creeps you encounter in your work day?
Post about them on LinkedIn. Just kidding! It depends on the situation - if we're at a conference and someone is intentionally getting too close to me, I'll show them a family photo and shame them a little or just walk away. If it happens again, I let one of my male teammates (leadership) know what's going on and they've stepped in on my behalf many times. Having the support of my Reliance Partners brothers is critical - they always have my back.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
Reading fiction - preferably on a beach
What have you recently changed your mind about?
Sleep. I used to say I thrived on 6 hours a night and that just isn't enough anymore. I need 8 hours.
Must haves to get you thru the day?
Morning run
coffee (with collagen added)
a quiet workspace
some social interaction
quality time with my family at the end.
Social media for Jessie:
