CIFFA announced the winner of the 2019 Donna Letterio Leadership Award: Sally Richardson of Overseas Container Forwarding Inc. Richardson is the Executive Vice President of OCF Inc. and has been in this role since 2008. She received the award at CIFFA’s Western FCA gala dinner September 27, 2019 in Vancouver.
CIFFA introduced the annual Donna Letterio Leadership Award in December 2015 to commemorate former CIFFA President Donna Letterio, who passed away in August 2013. The award recognizes a woman in the global freight logistics sector who has demonstrated, as Donna did, professionalism, commitment, leadership and a passion for excellence in her career and in her life.
Richardson came to OCF as an exchange employee from OCF’s Australian agent on a 6-month stint in 1994. After several extensions of the exchange position, she accepted a full-time position and quickly became part of OCF’s management team. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sally’s tenure with OCF.
A proficient trainer and a highly respected employee and industry associate, Richardson has been described by her colleagues as “a key part of OCF’s ongoing success and a credit to our industry.” She has a deep understanding of how to engage and motivate employees in order to reach company objectives. Richardson has been responsible for international agency development, the implementation of systems and IT solutions, and the engagement and training of new talent promoting a motivating and supportive culture. She was instrumental in developing the first dedicated direct LCL Consolidation service between Canada and Australia in the 1990s.
She also created a strategic partnership with Habitat for Humanity, contributing funds from every $100,000-plus LCL shipment handled in 2017-2018 towards simple, decent and affordable housing. Richardson also fundraises for and participates in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.