Every successful warehouse needs organization, teamwork, and strong leadership. And at Power Path Logistics, we believe it also needs something else: fun. Nobody embodies that combination quite like our Warehouse Manager, Colleen Ryan. As part of our People of Power Path series, we’re excited to introduce you to the woman helping keep our warehouse moving, our team working together, and—most importantly—making sure we have a good time along the way.
Colleen has been with Power Path Logistics since 2019. She lives with her boyfriend, Joe, her son, David, and her dog, Racer. And in a house with three boys, Colleen is proud to be the only girl! When she’s not managing the warehouse, Colleen likes to stay active. She works out, teaches kickboxing, plays softball, and is currently learning how to play pickleball. She’s never played pickleball before, but there’s one thing that already has her sold: the outfits!
Colleen also has a hobby that’s a little more unusual—she drives demolition derby cars. In fact, she’s getting ready to race again next month. If you know Colleen, that probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise. She’s always up for a good time, is competitive and she puts her heart and soul into everything she does and everyone she loves. When asked to describe herself in three words, the words her family chose were: Loud. Silly. In charge. We think that’s a pretty accurate description of our warehouse manager.
There are a lot of things Colleen enjoys, but one thing is guaranteed to make her smile: her dog, Racer. Colleen’s other favorites include pepperoni pizza, Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Grease, and the Chicago Bears. Her favorite holiday is St. Paddy’s Day, and one of her favorite places she’s ever visited is the Grand Canyon. When she has a weekend away from the warehouse, Colleen likes to slow down and spend time with the people she loves. That might mean relaxing with Joe, riding his motorcycle, going out for breakfast, or spending time with her best friend.
Colleen started working at Power Path Logistics in March 2019. Her path here started in a rather unexpected place: kickboxing class. Colleen met Maria at kickboxing and learned that Maria was looking for help in the warehouse. At the time, Colleen was looking for a second job to help pay for her dog’s veterinary bills. Maria offered her a challenge: “If you’re as tough on the warehouse floor as you are on the mat, you’ll have a job with me forever.” More than seven years later, it looks like Colleen passed the test…and then some.
When Colleen first started, she couldn’t have known just how much she would learn or how much her role would grow. Today, when asked what she does during a typical workday, her answer is:“Anything and everything that I’m asked to do—and a little more.” Over the years, Colleen has learned how to operate a pallet jack and drive a forklift. But the skills she’s most proud of aren’t necessarily the ones that involve equipment. She’s learned management skills and soft people skills. And those skills have become some of the most important tools in her toolbox.
When asked what accomplishment at work she’s most proud of, Colleen gave an answer that perfectly captures her approach to leadership: “Peopling.” For Colleen, “peopling” means putting her team together, figuring out what puzzle piece each person fits into, and finding ways for everyone to contribute. It means looking at each person’s skills and strengths and figuring out how those strengths can benefit the team. Most importantly, it means including everyone, no matter what their skill set is. That’s a philosophy that matters deeply at Power Path Logistics. Our workforce is made up of people with different abilities, experiences, personalities, and strengths. Colleen’s job isn’t to make everyone fit the same mold; i’s to figure out where each person fits best.
One of the things Colleen is particularly proud of is the work that went into moving into our new warehouse space. The transition wasn’t just about moving inventory from one building to another. The team used the opportunity to rethink how they work. They organized programs, created new workflows, and found ways to operate more efficiently. The result? A warehouse that is more organized, more efficient, and working better than ever. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that customers may never see—but it’s a huge part of what makes Power Path Logistics successful.
Ask Colleen what she likes most about working at Power Path and her answer is immediate: The people. “We have a good time here,” she says. Colleen appreciates that Power Path Logisticsallows employees to have fun, express themselves, and even dress how they want. And she believes that matters. Not every workplace makes fun part of its culture. At Power Path, it’s something we believe is so important, it’s one of our core values. After all, people spend a huge portion of their lives at work. Why shouldn’t they enjoy being there?
Colleen says she’s inspired by the Power Path Logistics management team, particularly the strong women around her. She believes the management team is made up of women who are all great at what they do—and that they complement one another well. That sense of collaboration is important to Colleen. Leadership isn’t about one person having all the answers. It’s about bringing different strengths together and building something better as a team.
If Colleen could try any job for one day, she’d take to the skies as a pilot. And if she could have any superpower? To fly. If she won a million dollars, though, she’d come back down to earth long enough to buy a house—and then she’d add three more dogs to the family. And when it comes to travel, Colleen doesn’t need a complicated itinerary. Just give her a beach. Anywhere with a beach will do.
For someone starting their first job, Colleen has some very practical advice: Take notes. It’s simple, but it’s something that has served her well throughout her own career. Listen. Learn. Write things down. Ask questions. Keep improving. That’s how you grow. For Colleen, being a good teammate comes down to one essential skill: The ability to listen—and actually hear what people are saying. Listening isn’t just waiting for your turn to talk. It’s understanding what someone is trying to tell you, paying attention to what they need, and taking their perspective seriously. It’s a skill that Colleen uses every day as a leader, and it’s one of the reasons she’s been able to build such a strong team. Oh, and… DA BEARS! When asked what she’s most excited about this year, Colleen didn’t hesitate: DA BEARS!
Thank you, Colleen, for everything you do for Power Path—and for being exactly the kind of loud, silly, “in charge” leader that our team needs. We’re lucky to have you.
People of Power Path is our employee spotlight series celebrating the people who make Power Path Logistics what it is. We believe everyone has a story, unique talents, and something valuable to contribute—and we’re proud to share those stories with our customers, partners, and community. Your Path. Our Priority.