Welcome to REAL Leadership, the podcast that takes you on a journey behind the scenes of some of the world’s most successful companies. Produced by The О̄nin Group and hosted by COO Jim Weaver, our show is dedicated to exploring what it truly means to be a leader in industries that make, move and process.
In each episode, Jim sits down with C-level executives to discuss their experiences and insights on leadership, as well as the challenges and opportunities that come with leading in dynamic environments. Our guests come from a range of industries, including logistics and manufacturing, and offer real stories and actionable advice to inspire you to take your leadership to the next level.
If you’re a seasoned executive or aspiring leader looking to sharpen your leadership skills and stay ahead of the game, then this is the podcast for you. Join us as we dive deep into the world of REAL Leadership.
All content for Real Leadership is the property of real-leadership and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Welcome to REAL Leadership, the podcast that takes you on a journey behind the scenes of some of the world’s most successful companies. Produced by The О̄nin Group and hosted by COO Jim Weaver, our show is dedicated to exploring what it truly means to be a leader in industries that make, move and process.
In each episode, Jim sits down with C-level executives to discuss their experiences and insights on leadership, as well as the challenges and opportunities that come with leading in dynamic environments. Our guests come from a range of industries, including logistics and manufacturing, and offer real stories and actionable advice to inspire you to take your leadership to the next level.
If you’re a seasoned executive or aspiring leader looking to sharpen your leadership skills and stay ahead of the game, then this is the podcast for you. Join us as we dive deep into the world of REAL Leadership.
Jessica Warnke, President & CEO of Carter Logistics
Real Leadership
36 minutes 9 seconds
6 months ago
Jessica Warnke, President & CEO of Carter Logistics
You don’t have to choose between legacy and innovation. Jessica Warnke is proof — she’s doing both—and doing it exceptionally well.
Jessica grew up in the logistics world—her grandfather started a truck dealership with poker winnings, her father scaled Carter Express from 13 trucks to a national logistics force.
Today, Jessica is the President & CEO of Carter Logistics, leading a 900-truck operation with global ties and deep family roots.
But taking the reins wasn’t guaranteed—and it wasn’t easy. Jessica had to carve her own path, earn trust, and step into leadership at the intersection of tradition, innovation, and transformation.
In this episode of Real Leadership, Jessica shares her real-world lessons on building culture, driving innovation in a male-dominated industry, and what it really means to lead when the stakes are personal and global.
In this episode, we cover:
🔥 Why chasing “balance” is a myth—and what to do instead 🔥 The hardest part of being a second (and third) generation leader 🔥 How Carter is staying agile amid tariffs, AI, and industry shakeups 🔥 Why women were built for logistics—and how she’s opening doors 🔥 How to protect your culture during growth, acquisition, and change
Time Stamps
06:10: Jessica's Journey into Trucking
12:47: Navigating Second Generation Leadership
14:49: Breaking Gender Barriers in Logistics
18:20: Challenges in the Automotive Supply Chain
22:30: Embracing Technology in Logistics
25:15: The Impact of Global Partnerships
29:01: Building a Strong Company Culture
30:34: Balancing Work and Family Life
Show Notes
Jessica’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-warnke-2863b614/
Carter Logistics: carter-logistics.com
Carter Logistics on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carter-logistics-llc/
Jim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418/
The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients
Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com
Real Leadership
Welcome to REAL Leadership, the podcast that takes you on a journey behind the scenes of some of the world’s most successful companies. Produced by The О̄nin Group and hosted by COO Jim Weaver, our show is dedicated to exploring what it truly means to be a leader in industries that make, move and process.
In each episode, Jim sits down with C-level executives to discuss their experiences and insights on leadership, as well as the challenges and opportunities that come with leading in dynamic environments. Our guests come from a range of industries, including logistics and manufacturing, and offer real stories and actionable advice to inspire you to take your leadership to the next level.
If you’re a seasoned executive or aspiring leader looking to sharpen your leadership skills and stay ahead of the game, then this is the podcast for you. Join us as we dive deep into the world of REAL Leadership.
