We recently connected with Anna Levchuk and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, thank you so much for making time for us today. We’re excited to discuss a handful of topics with you, but perhaps the most important one is around decision making. The ability to make decisions is a key requirement for anyone who wants to make a difference and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your decision-making skills.
I don’t think I’ve always made great decisions in my life — especially when I was younger, and honestly, even now sometimes. During my teenage years, I used to second-guess almost every move: choosing my university, my major, my career path, even the people I spent time with. And I definitely can’t say I developed strong decision-making skills overnight.
Everything started to shift when the full-scale war began in Ukraine. Suddenly, everyone was faced with intense choices: stay in your home country and hope for the best, or leave everything behind and seek safety abroad — becoming a refugee in a foreign country where you have nothing and know no one. My family and I were no different. We spent days discussing our options, weighing every possible outcome.
Eventually, we made the decision that I would take my mom and younger brother to Spain, while my dad stayed behind with my grandparents, who weren’t able to travel. That was, without a doubt, the hardest decision I’ve ever made — leaving our home and loved ones behind, not knowing if we’d see them again or if we’d ever come back. But it was also the moment I realized I had to take full responsibility — not just for myself, but for my family too. I was the only one who spoke English, so a lot of the logistics and communication fell on me.
As we started to rebuild our lives in Spain, I found myself facing new decisions every day. Around the same time, I was promoted to Product Manager at one job and also started a new position as a Logistics Operations Manager at a Dutch freight forwarding company. Both roles come with a lot of responsibility, requiring analytical thinking, quick problem-solving, and a steady mindset — especially when you’re under pressure to find the best solution for both the company and the clients.
Decision-making is a huge part of any management role. If you want to grow professionally, you need to become someone who can make confident, independent choices — even when there’s some risk involved. And to be independent, you have to trust yourself. That’s something I’ve learned day by day.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Right now, my professional focus is split between two dynamic and challenging roles. On one hand, I work as a Logistics Operations Manager at V&S Freight Management, a Dutch freight forwarding company, where I manage international shipments across road, air, and ocean. On the other hand, I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a Product Manager, where I help develop internal tools and systems that improve efficiency and workflow for both our team and our clients.
What I love most about both roles is the constant problem-solving. In logistics, you’re always navigating unexpected changes — accidents, delays, customs issues, pricing challenges, and urgent shipments. It’s like playing a game of Tetris with real-world consequences. The work carries a lot of responsibility and requires constant communication, which can be a challenge in itself. Sometimes, what seems like a small issue can disrupt the entire chain — like a house of cards falling down. That’s when decision-making becomes crucial.
In logistics, when a problem arises, you don’t always have time to think it through or ask your supervisor for advice — you need to act, and fast. Of course, there’s risk involved. Your decision might work out perfectly in 9 out of 10 cases, but there’s always that one exception. Still, one thing I’ve learned is this: no matter how difficult a situation may look, there’s always a solution. You just need to stay calm and focused until you find it. And when everything finally comes together — a shipment arrives on time, a crisis is averted, or a client hears the words “No worries, it’s all sorted” — that’s when the sense of accomplishment kicks in.
As a Product Manager, I get to zoom out and think more strategically about long-term improvements. I work closely with the internal team, which often feels like conducting an orchestra. You need to understand each person’s strengths and find the best way to bring everyone together in harmony. I enjoy experimenting with new tools and strategies and seeing how they shift the dynamic — sometimes in surprising but still positive ways. For someone who loves both structure and creativity, this blend of logic and innovation feels like the perfect fit.
What’s special to me is that both roles are built on trust. Clients rely on me to find the best solutions for their shipments. My team relies on me to lead projects that genuinely make their work easier. That sense of responsibility is what keeps me motivated. I know what it means to adapt quickly, solve problems under pressure, and do it all with care.
Looking ahead, I want to keep growing at the intersection of logistics and product — building smarter systems that support global operations while also bringing a more human-centered approach to the industry. To me, it’s not just about getting goods from point A to point B — it’s about doing it sustainably, efficiently, and transparently. And that’s exactly what V&S Freight Management’s customers love about us.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are adaptability, communication, and resilience.
1. Adaptability
Working in logistics — especially during times of global instability — has taught me that change is constant. Plans fall through, shipments get delayed, and new challenges pop up daily. The faster you learn to adapt without panicking, the more valuable you become to your team and clients. My advice: put yourself in situations where you’re just a little uncomfortable. Take on a task you’ve never done before. Risk a bit and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more you train that “adaptability muscle,” the easier it gets to navigate uncertainty.
2. Communication
Whether it’s coordinating a shipment across three countries or explaining a new product tool to a team member, clear and timely communication is everything. It’s not just about what you say, but how well you listen and respond. I’ve learned that being transparent — even when the news isn’t great — builds far more trust than trying to be perfect. For anyone starting out, I’d say: learn to communicate simply and effectively. Write clearly, speak with confidence, and most importantly, listen with intention.
3. Resilience
There have been plenty of moments when I felt overwhelmed or uncertain — especially after relocating during the war and rebuilding both my life and career from scratch. But over time, I realized that resilience isn’t about being fearless; it’s about taking the next step even when fear is present. You keep showing up. My advice is: don’t be afraid to fail. Just learn from it and keep going. The people who grow the most aren’t the ones who never make mistakes — they’re the ones who don’t give up.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed — which definitely happens more often than I’d hoped it would, I try to pause and take a mental step back. It’s so easy to get caught up in urgency and let stress take over, especially in logistics where everything feels like it’s needed yesterday or like everything is falling apart. But I’ve learned that reacting in panic mode usually makes things worse. So never make a big decision when you are feeling like your anxiety is gonna eat you alive. Trust me, I had that issue before, and it never turned out well.
What helps me most is taking a deep breath. I know this might sound basic, but I usually just step back from my computer, go to another room and just start deep breathing while trying to ground myself. I take as long time as possible and then when I feel calmer I get back to my work.
Another thing that helps me is breaking things down. I ask myself: “What needs to be done right now, and what can wait?” Prioritizing even two or three small, manageable tasks gives me back a sense of control. I’m also a big believer in writing things out — whether it’s a to-do list or just getting the clutter out of my head and onto paper. Because during stressful overflow, no matter how good your memory is, there is still a pretty big chance that you will forget about something.
What also helps me is changing the environment. When I feel like I don’t have any energy in me left, I just take my dog and we go for a long walk in a calm park to reconnect with nature. It’s like a small meditation, which never fails.
And finally, I remind myself that it’s okay to ask for help. In high-pressure roles, we sometimes put too much weight on our own shoulders. But sharing the load — even just talking it out with someone — can bring a surprising amount of relief.
So my advice would be: don’t ignore the feeling of being overwhelmed. Acknowledge it, slow things down, break it into pieces, and lean on your tools — or your people. You’re not meant to carry it all alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vsfreightmanagement.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ann.levchukk/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-levchuk-088231204/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
