A Tale of Passion, Tenacity, and Leadership
Alex Ovandososa, a luminary in her own right, is someone whose journey is a living example of the power of ambition, hard work, and leadership. Her unyielding dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence carve a path that shines as a beacon others follow.
Every remarkable journey commences with a vision. Upon graduating from college, she held a clear image of her future self. In this vision, she saw herself in an office, donning a professional attire, making impactful decisions for an organization, all while using her expertise in a foreign language and operating outside her native land. This vision was more than a mere career goal; it was a profound aspiration intertwined with her father’s wisdom, who had instilled in her the importance of determination and the resolve never to let anyone deter her from her path.
From a tender age, Alex was acutely aware of her ‘business’ – a purpose that would shape her life’s journey. Her ‘business’ comprised ensuring her family’s well-being and happiness, fostering intellectual growth, and financially advancing while remaining steadfast in supporting others in achieving their goals. Every step she took was a conscious stride towards realizing this vision.
“The idea was to become one of the best integrative thinking professionals in North America, and for that, I knew I would require to educate and train myself from both leadership and business expertise perspectives,” she reflects. Her leadership journey started at the end of her first year in college when her father pointed out that, out of the skills needed to succeed in business, Leadership was perhaps the most critical. It would allow her not only to protect her human side but also understand what motivates individuals and thus multiply the quality, speed, and impact of her results through the art of managing and caring for people.
With this in mind, Alex became a volunteer, collaborator, and organizer of elderly, orphans, and battered women supporting activities for her alma mater, the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, from 2000 to 2005. These early experiences were among the most eye-opening of her life. Additionally, she engaged in extracurricular activities and student societies, such as the Addiction Awareness Organization (CAT), the Accounting and Finance Student Association (AELCPF), in which she directly contributed to the materialization of five national symposiums upon graduation, and the Tabasco State Student Association (AETAB). Through hard work and commitment, Alex was also selected with the distinction of becoming a Resident Assistant in both Mexico and the United States. In this role, she helped build residential communities through the mentorship and counseling of large student groups, representing the professional and personal accountability expected by recognized academic institutions.
However, Alex’s career took an unexpected turn when she started collaborating with CEMEX, working with the billing department of one of CEMEX’s freight service subsidiaries. A twist of fate led her to explore logistics analytics, catapulting her professional journey to new heights.
Her ability to adapt and embrace change played a pivotal role in her rapid ascent within the organization. In the face of adversity, she demonstrated that one can choose to either be a victim of circumstances or take charge of one’s destiny. For Alex, the choice was clear – to maintain focus on her life goals, enrich her path, and persist in the face of challenges.
Throughout her almost two-decade-long professional journey, Alex remained committed to her vision while being open to seizing opportunities that arose. Her career path was meticulously designed to gain hands-on experience in vital areas of supply chain management across diverse industries, including Logistics, Inventory Optimization, Transportation, Fulfilment Operations, and Supply Chain Strategy.
This commitment to growth laid the foundation for Alex’s remarkable achievements. She became the first female family member to pursue college education outside her home state, the first to embark on exchange programs to Canada and the USA, and the first to graduate from an MBA program at a recognized Canadian university. Her impact extended beyond her own journey; she inspired family and friends to pursue higher education abroad, offering them access to knowledge and opportunities they might not have otherwise had.
In addition to her educational feats, Alex’s professional accomplishments speak volumes about her dedication and expertise. She made history as the first external professional hired by Amazon Canada at a Senior Manager level to lead the outbound operations of the largest sortable fulfillment center in Canada. She spearheaded transformational changes, from turning around inbound operations to optimizing network operations, always achieving excellence in operational execution.
She has consistently added lasting value to the organizations she has collaborated with. Alex’s accolades include “Making a Difference Award” for the Best-In-Class implementation of Canada Walmart Fulfillment Services (CA WFS), “Polaris Star” for the successful launch of CA WFS, and “Leading the Way Award” at Walmart in 2020 for driving innovation to serve customers better and reimagine the future of retail. Alex was honored with the “Transformer of The Year 2020” award for leading the Omnichannel Network Optimization Initiative, changing asset approaches, and building new strategies for future supply chain capabilities. In 2021, she was recognized as the “eCommerce Shining Star” for various strategic assessments and the outstanding launch of Top Priority Initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But ask her, and she’ll say, “One of my biggest achievements in life has been securing my family’s quality of life.”
In the face of life’s challenges and adversities, Alex’s perspective on success is crystal clear. She firmly believes that “luck” merely provides the opportunity, while “hard work” is the driving force behind progress and success. Her own journey is a testament to this belief, from working multiple jobs to securing scholarships and pursuing educational opportunities abroad.
Alex views her challenging experiences as catalysts for personal and professional growth, propelling her toward her short- and long-term objectives at an accelerated pace. Her dedication to her family’s well-being, commitment to self-improvement, and passion for making a difference have been the cornerstones of her journey.
As Alex Ovandososa’s story unfolds, it becomes evident that her definition of leadership is rooted in a profound commitment to enabling others to grow professionally and achieve their goals. She recognizes the importance of leading and following, understanding that the real power of leadership lies in creating trust within a team and caring about individual development.
Alex’s story is a reminder that success is not just about personal achievements but also about the impact one can have on others’ lives. As she continues her journey, we can only anticipate more remarkable milestones and an enduring legacy of excellence. Alex Ovandososa is a luminary, a true leader, and an inspiration to all who aspire to reach their fullest potential.
