Not all heroes wear capes and not all rockstars carry guitars. At ShipMonk, we’re honored to have tons of talented, intelligent, creative, passionate women working to make our corner of the ecommerce world shine bright. In celebration of International Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting the ladies dominating the logistics industry across our international ecommerce fulfillment centers. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to a few shining stars in our IT, Executive Assistance, and Operations departments. Say hello to Lucie Zavřelová, Leila Khabbazeh, and Carmen Esquivel. And if you want to be a part of our powerful team, visit our Careers page today! 

Lucie Zavřelová – Technical Product Manager

1.) Tell us a little about the responsibilities of your position.

As a Technical Product Manager I take care of planning and organizing work for engineers. I usually work on task specification, and together with engineers we turn an idea into an actual working feature or new process. I talk to the end users quite often to understand how said features should work to ease their jobs as much as possible.

2.) What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy two things about my job: coming up with solutions with my team to solve problems, and when new ShipMonk features (which were once just words or thoughts) go live as real, usable things that make people’s lives easier.

3.) Did you always want to work in this kind of role? What led you to be here?

No, I was brought to this role by accident. I didn’t study IT nor did I have experience with it before I started working in that area. A few years ago when I applied for an Account Manager position in a small company I was accepted and in just a few months I was offered the job of IT Project Manager. I learnt everything while doing it. Later I got the opportunity to specialize more in the Product Management field in another company, and I learned things about development by working closely with engineers. I am still learning every day, but now bring a lot of experience to the ShipMonk R&D team.

4.) What is it like working for ShipMonk?

Working for ShipMonk is exciting! It is also challenging because processes and priorities are often changing, so I need to be flexible and positive as much as possible. The team I work with is great too, so it’s also fun to come to the office. 

5.) What is a favorite quote from an awesome woman you admire?

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey

6.) If you could give advice to “you” 10 years ago, what would it be?

Ten years ago I was studying Economics, which I enjoyed, however it was not my passion, which I don’t think I knew back then. With everything I know now about myself, I would advise my past self to study programming instead, since I know I enjoy it and it would probably be easier for me when I was younger and had more time to learn it. 

7.) Outside of work, where else do you dedicate your time and passion?

Outside of work I enjoy traveling a lot, more to cities than mountains. I do vinyasa yoga and swimming regularly, and it is somehow part of my everyday life – a no-brainer. I enjoy going to theaters too (both movies and plays), concerts, and cafés. Occasionally I enjoy vintage and secondhand shopping. 

Leila Khabbazeh – Jr. Chief of Staff/Executive Assistant

1.) Tell us a little about the responsibilities of your position.

I manage founder and CEO Jan Bednar’s calendar and other tasks as his executive assistant so he can make the most of his time.

2.) What do you enjoy most about your job?

You never know what’s next!

3.) Did you always want to work in this kind of role? What led you to be here?

No, but my organization and management skills brought me this opportunity.

4.) What is it like working for ShipMonk?

Working for ShipMonk is pretty fun. I feel very proud to share where I work. 

5.) What is a favorite quote from an awesome woman you admire?

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou

6.) If you could give advice to “you” 10 years ago, what would it be?

Ten years ago I would have told myself to do more things that scared me. 

7.) Outside of work, where else do you dedicate your time and passion?

Outside of work I love to cook, create art, and do anything physically active. 

Carmen Esquivel – Operations Supervisor

1.) Tell us a little about the responsibilities of your position.

My position is supervisor for replenishment and ecommerce batches. I ensure that we are targeting Service Level Agreements by making sure that everyone is on task.

2.) What do you enjoy most about your job?

My coworkers.

3.) Did you always want to work in this kind of role? What led you to be here?

I am dedicated and hard working, which is what led me to this position. I don’t like to be in the same role for long. I enjoy pushing myself to do more.

4.) What is it like working for ShipMonk?

Working for ShipMonk is challenging.

5.) What is a favorite quote from an awesome woman you admire?

“If you can dance and be free and not embarrassed, you can rule the world.” – Amy Poehler

6.) If you could give advice to “you” 10 years ago, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to learn new things; it’s okay to fail.

7.) Outside of work, where else do you dedicate your time and passion?

My children and my grandbabby are my life outside of ShipMonk.