BSYA Series: Leading Ladies of Logistics & Supply Chain
Sue Coffey: Turning an Unexpected Start into a Pathway for Women in Maritime
Sue Coffey, Vice President, Key Accounts of The Pacific Companies, began her maritime and logistics career almost by accident, yet its impact has been profound. A simple tip about a temp job at Crowley Maritime set her on an unexpected path, one that expanded opportunities for women in a male-dominated industry and reflected her drive to inspire them to see themselves as future leaders.
Graduating from Baruch College in New York City while working full-time, Sue landed a temporary position at Crowley in the Puerto Rico trade, based out of the World Trade Center. Her responsibilities spanned bookings, customer service, and sales support. At the time, women in client-facing sales roles were virtually nonexistent. Sue recalls noticing the barriers around her but approached each challenge with curiosity and determination, often relying on informal networking to build a strong list of contacts and connections that became lifelong friends.
Her journey continued through Nedlloyd and then Sea-Land, where mentors like Mickey Kay, Nick Taro and supportive executives helped her flourish. Managing a large Manhattan sales territory, she was promoted to sales manager before moving into trade management, covering the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. It was a high-stakes world. During Operation Desert Storm, Sue collaborated with the U.S. military to ship critical supplies and equipment. Even as she tackled travel-heavy assignments, including three years in the Middle East, she made deliberate choices, prioritizing professional growth and learning over convenience or comfort and setting an example of how women can take on challenging roles and lead with resilience in traditionally male-dominated sectors. These experiences, she notes, were both daunting and formative, teaching her to navigate complexity with patience, diligence, and careful observation.
Through it all, Sue developed a quiet mastery of the soft skills that are often invisible but critical in leadership. She learned to “read the room,” to balance assertiveness with empathy, and to build credibility with colleagues across finance, operations, and customer-facing teams. She has long recognized that women’s natural strengths, including multitasking, listening, and relationship-building, can be powerful tools when paired with business acumen.
When Sea-Land was acquired by CSX, Sue intentionally broadened her expertise by moving into the rail industry, eventually managing regional operations in the Northeast.
Sue’s 17 years at the Port of Tacoma and The Northwest Seaport Alliance gave her an unparalleled vantage point. Working closely with carriers, importers, exporters, and industry associations, she witnessed the slow but steady rise of women in leadership. Her partnership with Tong Zhu, a pioneering female executive, offered both mentorship and collaboration, proving that women lifting each other up is as vital as individual talent.
Sue Coffey’s story is one of humility and impact. She did not start out aiming to leave a mark on the industry; she simply worked with diligence and care, and in doing so, she blazed a trail for women who followed. Her career proves that true leadership is about vision, perseverance, and the courage to navigate uncharted waters while lifting others along the way.
Throughout her career, mentors such as Mickey Kay, Nick Taro, Bob Szewczyk, Ken Gaulden and Tony Scioscia provided guidance at critical moments, shaping Sue’s approach to leadership. Her lessons are clear: success is built as much on understanding culture, reading people, and navigating organizational dynamics as it is on operational excellence.
Coming from a blue-collar family in New York, where her father was a union worker and business agent, Sue has always bridged the gap between labor and management, bringing respect, pragmatism, and strategy to every role. She has made a lasting impact on the maritime industry by demonstrating that persistence, integrity, and relational intelligence can open doors for others as well as oneself.
During the pandemic, Sue’s deep network and experience created an unexpected opportunity with Pacific Crane Maintenance Company (PCMC) in Long Beach. While introducing the company to major importers during a supply chain crunch, she demonstrated how relationships and strategic insight could create real impact. That collaboration soon led to a full-time role, where she continues to champion women in the workplace. She points to industry colleagues, whose contributions often surpass their title, as a reminder that women must sometimes advocate fiercely for recognition in industries slow to adjust.
