MIAMI — Approximately 250 area high school and college students and industry professionals attended the Feb. 14 Be BOLD! Women In Transportation luncheon held at Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami.

The event, geared to women and minorities, highlighted career opportunities in the transportation logistics and supply chain industries.

MDC also announced two new degree programs: an Associate in Science in Transportation Logistics, which the college plans to debut in the fall of 2013; and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supply Chain Management, planned for the fall of 2014.

This is “an opportunity to explore a very promising area of our economy and a chance for women to have an important role in an
expanding industry,” said MDC Homestead Campus President Jeanne Jacobs during her welcoming address.

One of the event speakers, Natalie Putman, vice president of marketing for Ryder Systems Inc., shared professional and personal lessons learned during her career.

“I never in my life dreamt that I would be the VP of anything,” Putman told her audience. “If you stay determined I believe that you will be successful.”

Michelle Livingstone, The Home Depot vice president of transportation, was the keynote speaker.

Panelists included Jennifer Diaz, senior attorney and chair of Becker & Poliakoff’s Customs and International Trade Department; Monica Wooden, CEO and co-founder of MercuryGate International, Inc.; and Andy Funk, CFO and treasurer, Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC.

*Pictured above is atalie Putman, vice president of marketing for Ryder Systems Inc.