Celebrating International Women’s Day with Christina Zimmer-Sattaur

“Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.” - Margaret Thatcher

In honour of International Women’s Day, we would like to take the opportunity to celebrate the great accomplishments of women like Malala Yousafzai, whose tireless fight for the rights of girls to receive an education in Pakistan ignited an international movement.

We would also like to shine the spotlight on the accomplishments of women a little closer to home with our own Christina Sattaur, Go Logistics Vice-President Operations.

Christina has played an integral role at Go Logistics over the past six years. Her extensive background in transportation has enabled her to help grow the business to new heights, including establishing an effective and efficient sortation process that allows our clients to move more shipments, quickly.

We had the opportunity to ask Christina a few questions about her role and get her unique take on some of the challenges she has overcome on her road to success.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

When I think of International Women’s Day, three words come to mind, independence, equality, and recognition. It has taken many years and countless brave women to help us achieve these goals, and for many women, the fight is still an uphill one. We’ve come a long way, but there is still a lot of work to be done here. 

Who is the person that inspires you the most?

That one’s easy. My mom. She was a single mother raising a young girl at a time when it was still a relatively uncommon occurrence. She worked hard to improve our situation, always striving to do better with each new role. She inspired me to be strong and independent, qualities that have helped to shape the person that I am today.

What is an assumption or misconception about women you would like to see changed?

Despite all of the milestones women have achieved over the years, there is still one persistent stereotype that I find exasperating. The idea that cooking and housework are solely the domain of women. Not all women are great cooks! Some of us even dislike doing it—and that’s okay. I can’t wait for the day when we can all play to our strengths, free from societal or cultural judgment.

Has being a woman ever prevented you from pursuing a goal?

When I was a little girl, I loved airplanes. I especially loved jet fighters. My mother would take me to as many airshows as she could. I wanted to be a jet fighter pilot when I grew up. Unfortunately, women were not permitted to become fighter pilots at that time, so I was forced to squash that dream. It wasn’t until 1988 that Canada became the first western country where women could attain my dream. In 1989, Captain Dee Brasseur became one of the first female CF-18 Hornet fighter pilots in the world--just one more thing that makes me proud to be Canadian!

Do you feel supported by the efforts and attitudes of your male colleagues?

My male colleagues, both peers, and superiors, have been incredibly supportive. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing, for the business to succeed and thrive. They know that I’m driven to do my very best to achieve that end. I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong about something, and I’m more than willing to accept good advice when it’s offered.

What advice do you have for the young women of today?

This question hits close to home for me. I have a 14-year-year-old daughter and I’ve always encouraged her to be true to her convictions and to follow her passion. To be a leader and not a follower. I’m proud to say that she has taken my advice to heart and is a leader among her peers. It also means that when I least expect it, she will use that argument against me to great effect! All kidding aside, I would give the same advice to every young girl if I could. Strive to lead and not follow, in essence, be yourself, no one is better at being you!