Gorgeous Girls In Supply Chain: Lila Landis

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. Lila Landis is our next feature.

LILA LANDIS

Lila Landis is the kind of woman you want involved early, when smart planning can prevent expensive problems later.

Currently Global Head of Compliance at JAS Worldwide, Lila found her way into supply chain through languages, international business, and a genuine love of figuring out how global trade actually works. Her favourite part of the job is finding pragmatic, unexpected solutions. Her least favourite? Yet another AI vendor promising to “revolutionize” classification. Girl, same.

Lila believes that trade compliance belongs in the boardroom from the start of a project, not just the inbox after a problem explodes. She’s a firm believer in boundaries, direct communication, and leaders having lives outside of work.

With commitment and a sharp perspective, Lila is exactly the kind of energy this industry needs more of.

  1. What is your current role and company?

  2. How did you end up in the world of supply chain?

    • I studied Spanish and French and majored in international business because I wanted to use my language skills and travel. I started working in international customer service and learned about export documents, INCOTERMS, and export licensing, and felt I’d found my niche. I studied the careers of senior leaders in trade compliance and decided to pursue my LCB, MBA, and CUSECO. And the rest is history!

  3. What is your favourite part of your work day?

    • Finding pragmatic solutions when the team expected it to be hard, I love a quick win!

  4. What is the least favourite part of your work day?

    • Responding to yet another AI vendor that wants to sell me classification tools.

  5. What is a systemic issue in your part of the supply chain that concerns you currently?

    • Trade compliance still struggles to get in the board room, unless there is a major problem, but it deserves a dedicated executive.

  6. How would you address it if you had the power, money, or influence?

    • I would evangelize the role of a Chief Trade Compliance Officer as a key executive team member in medium and large organizations.

  7. What is one piece of advice you have for young women entering your field?

    • Set boundaries early! Not everything is an emergency and you don’t have to available 24/7 to be successful. I didn’t think I would want to be at the executive level because of the need for crazy work hours, but that’s not the norm at every company. I’ve seen executives, men and women, that leave the office at 4 to make it to their kids soccer game. Find a company that respects that you have a life outside of work.

  8. What are your top 3 podcasts? (do not have to be industry related)

    • I’m more of a reader than a video or podcast person, so I like Apple News, Google News, International Trade Today, the Daily Bugle, ST&R, and my LinkedIn feed for staying updated.

  9. Who are your top 5 women in supply chain to follow on LinkedIn?

  10. How do you deal with creeps you encounter in your work day?

    • For bullies, I find that directness with boundaries is the best method. I calmly state that their behavior is unacceptable, and if it continues I end the call or the meeting. For passive aggressiveness, I ask them if they’re ok. For discrimination, I call it out directly.

  11. What is your favourite way to unwind?

    • Music! I’m currently loving Teddy Swims and Sombr. My favorite bands are Florence + the machine and The Black Keys.

  12. What have you recently changed your mind about?

    • Multitasking. I’ve realized that I need to focus on one task at a time, so I’m making priority lists and blocking my calendar for project work. Focus is a key word for me for 2026.

  13. Must haves to get you thru the day?

    • Iced coffee

    • protein shake

    • post-its

    • pictures of my kids

    • good tunes

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