A rough ride – but worth the sacrifice

Self-confessed chocaholic, a cheerful granny and lover of dogs and gardening, Cargocare operations director, Sue Wood, has been active in the freighting industry for 33 years. She is currently studying towards her MSc in Business Science with the Da Vinci Institute. Getting to this high point professionally wasn’t easy for Wood. “When my sons were small, as a divorced mum, it was critical to put them ahead of my career ambitions, to be able to share time together that kept us close as a family, which we still are. And the sacrifice was worth it in the long-term, as I stand back and admire the life-choices that these two men are making with their partners and families. When it became possible to expand my career challenges, I never hesitated, and can gladly say that I’ve never looked back.” Wood says she learnt that as human beings, we are in control of our own responses to all circumstances. “You can therefore determine your choices, and through them, your future.” Which is why, despite it initially being a challenge to be noticed in a largely malerun industry, for her the solution has always been to find the critical gaps where others were not performing, then work like mad in those areas. “Obviously these challenges change as your career and life progress, which is why it’s important to continue evaluating your circumstances on a regular basis,” she says. CAPTION Sue Wood ... Still learning.