The world of supply chain is traditionally dominated by men, with women representing only about 34% of the workforce in warehousing and storage. Less common still? Women in top leadership seats at distribution centers (DCs).

In recognition of Women’s History Month in March, here are three of Medline’s female DC leaders, each offering an inside look at what the company has meant to her and underscoring the opportunities that women have to be powerful voices in making healthcare run better:

Danielle Cornwell

Director of operations
B25 distribution center, Kansas City, Mo. (approx. 200 employees)
With Medline since 2014

“I’ve been in this role since 2022, after moving to Kansas City from California a little more than 11 years ago. The people are easily my favorite part of the job. As a director of operations at a DC, you communicate in person each day not just with the DC employees and other Medline colleagues in sales, but also directly with customers, third-party vendors and members of the local community. You’re the mayor of the facility – a vibe-setter. And you have opportunities all the time to see Medline’s impact. Last year, I had my family with me when I helped assist with an emergency order from a local hospital. My son, Connor, who was 6 at the time, thought it was amazing. We really are saving lives one pick at a time with the essential healthcare products we provide.

“Women are underrepresented in this field, but I see that as a challenge to conquer. We bring a totally different perspective. I’ve learned a lot from previous managers and mentors, allowing me to take their lessons and insight and keep growing on my own. I’ve had opportunities to learn at other facilities, which I now reciprocate by doing what I can to help our other branches across the U.S. There’s structure to what we do, but also the ability to operate freely, work hard and thrive in a fast-pasted environment built on continuous improvements.

“If you’re a woman like me with an appetite for challenge who loves leading by example and finding ways to inspire your team, Medline could be the fit you’re looking for.”

Angelica Chavez

Director of operations
B11 distribution center, Aurora, Colo. (approx. 250 employees)
With Medline since 2005

“When I started at Medline at just 20 years old at our distribution center in Fontana, Calif., I thought it was just going to be a temporary job. Instead, I fell in love with the process of what Medline does. I’ve had family members who were sick, and when I visited their hospital rooms and saw the relationship from the other side – with Medline products as part of the care they were receiving – that’s when I truly understood our reach and impact.

“The Rialto, Calif., facility’s support of Level I trauma centers on the West Coast taught me a lot as I moved into leadership roles – team lead, warehouse manager and more. I’ve traveled to multiple other Medline branches, helping to improve processes and establish new ones. I’ve seen the growth at so many of our facilities. My plan was always to lead a facility myself one day, but it was about finding the right home, which I did last year when I moved to Aurora. Every day here, I’m building new relationships in our building and community, working with enthusiastic and passionate team members and partners and maintaining daily touchpoints with our customers.

“My mother is a strong woman who also instilled a lot of strength in me. I’m fortunate to have been guided by strong female leaders at Medline as well. What I’ve learned is sometimes you have to be vocal or find a way to get your message across. And when you do that, this is a company where you can make your mark and be an inspiration for other women. You can take your career where you want it to be. Don’t be intimidated. If you have the skills, they will see you. If you want it, you can get it.”

Amy Huizinga

Senior director of operations
C09 distribution center, Rialto, Calif. (approx. 800 employees)
With Medline since 2024

“I went to school to be a teacher, but I found that teaching high schoolers wasn’t for me. So while my husband and I were moving around a lot for his career as a golfer, I took a job picking products for another medical products distributor and manufacturer. I tried other roles as well in customer service and transportation management. It was when I went back to get my MBA that I realized I could resume teaching in a different way: through leadership. Plus, I missed medical distribution and wanted to get back into it. And that’s what eventually led me to Medline.

“It’s good to be back in this field. Medline means something – we get to help people every day. There’s a lot of ‘organized chaos,’ where plans can change in an instant and you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and able to continually adapt. I spend lots of time walking the floor of the DC solving problems, really connecting with staff and taking care of the people who execute for our customers. They are the best part – our people. Everyone is committed to the cause of getting the right products to customers when they need them. Everyone wants everyone else to succeed. It’s more than just lip service. It makes you want to do more.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for women to make a bigger impact than we currently do, especially women with unconventional degrees who didn’t initially pursue careers in supply chain but did their stint at a distribution center and now want to go more ‘behind the scenes.’ The more women are brought into these roles and the more we can mentor them, share knowledge and encourage them to be authentically themselves, the easier it becomes. There are increasing paths to success for women in this industry.”

Medline can help launch and advance careers in a number of settings, including DCs and manufacturing plants, sales, transportation and corporate offices. Learn more in the Careers section of Medline.com.