JAS Worldwide
6195 Barfield Rd.
Atlanta, GA, USA
As we celebrate Women's History Month, and recognize International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on three of our Information Technology team leads, Linda Tallent, Irene Snyman, and Lizelle Britz, whose collective experiences personify resilience, determination, and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field. These three accomplished JAS women are breaking barriers and shaping the future of technology within the logistics industry.
At the Atlanta Worldwide headquarters, Linda Tallent champions the adage, "You can teach people anything, but you can't teach them to care." Linda knows firsthand the importance of a leader and a team that cares. "I ended up in IT; it was never a conscious decision. There have been times where I thought I was in over my head, but I stayed because of the people," she recounts how she grew her career at JAS. "I'm not a programmer. I'm not a coder. I'm not a developer. That's not how I see my role. My role is to build and empower the team and help everyone grow in their careers," she explains. At JAS, Linda has essentially done it all – she's served as an air import clerk, traffic manager, and customer broker; under her guidance, the global Helpdesk system was established – the list goes on. As JAS IT grew from the less-than-twenty-person team when she first started, so did Linda's capacity for management and leading teams to success. Her firm belief in the power of collaboration and inclusivity has propelled her to the forefront of initiatives, "you take the opportunities and take the chances. You're not always going to succeed, but even if you fail, you will still learn," she shares. For the last 26 years, Linda's journey has served as an inspiration for many women and will continue to prove invaluable to the next generation.
In South Africa, Irene Snyman's journey in technology began as an ERP consultant while completing her Master's degree in Computer Science. "I didn't grow up thinking that I wanted to be in IT; it was an opportunity that came my way," Irene recalls. When accepting her initial role at JAS, she dived in without fully understanding what the role entailed. "I had no idea what I was going to do, just that it revolved around integration and projects," she recounts. There have been many times where she had to learn to be confident with being the only woman or the youngest in a room. "I had to be comfortable and understand that I also had something of value to offer." Now, as a global leader in IT and in her dual role, she balances work-life integration. "I don't think of it as work-life balance because a scale is always going to lean one way more than the other. I think integration is a better term; it's more feasible in terms of long-term sustainability," Irene explains. She constantly strives to be present in every aspect of her life, from quality time with her family to working with her team. When liaising with the university students, she encourages them to follow their passion, regardless of preconceived stereotypes. "There was always a consensus that you need to be a developer, to be in IT and that is not the case. There are no rules, just follow your heart and work hard". Her leadership style revolves around servant leadership, nurturing each team member's growth with a unique approach. "My journey highlights the importance of breaking barriers with passion and dedication, proving that authenticity transcends stereotypes in the tech world."
Meanwhile, within the same Port Elizabeth office, Lizelle Britz's career trajectory is marked by assertive and decisive ambition. She knew she enjoyed working with computers, and after a quick stint pursuing work in the education sector, she returned to earn a technology degree. She didn't care that she was often the oldest in her classroom – she knew she was where she belonged. This was even more apparent when she started her first role in IT the day after her final exam at university. What began as a developer role molded into a management role where she now can focus on what's important to her – mentorship and leading teams. "When someone from my team leaves for a new opportunity, my goal is for them to be a better version of themselves than when they first started. Whether that be a better coder, a better developer – I want them to be proud of that version of themselves," she explains her approach to leadership. There are also times when she needs to be transparent and honest with her team, knowing that this is what propels them to do better. "Working on your inner confidence is so important so that when someone does doubt you, you don't take it personally because you know within yourself that you are capable," she advises when asked if she's faced challenges from being a woman in a male-dominated industry. When asked about her proudest career accomplishment, she reflects, "I think where I am right now. It's a busy season in life, but it's so rewarding to see and feel the positive impact my team is making."
As we honor the diverse journeys of Linda, Irene, and Lizelle, we are reminded that though we might not always have the answer, what's meant to be will always find us – that is, with a bit of hard work, passion, and commitment. Their collective stories serve as a reminder of the limitless potential that lies within each of us to effect positive change and drive innovation in an ever-changing world.
Every year, Golden Week marks one of China’s most significant national holidays. In 2025, the holiday will run from October 1–8, and during this time, most factories, government offices, and many businesses will close or operate at reduced capacity. While this week-long celebration is important for millions in China, it can create challenges for global supply chains if businesses don’t plan ahead.
What Is Golden Week?
Golden Week celebrates China’s National Day and typically involves an extended public holiday for workers across the region. For the logistics industry, it means a temporary slowdown in manufacturing and transportation as employees take time off.
How Does Golden Week Impact Supply Chains?
The impact of Golden Week goes beyond the week itself. Here’s what companies can expect:
How to Prepare for Golden Week
Proactive planning is key to minimizing disruptions. Here are three practical steps:
Don’t let Golden Week catch you off guard. Start planning today to keep your goods moving and your supply chain strong.
ATLANTA, August 20, 2025 – JAS is proud to announce that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has officially validated its near-term and net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. This validation confirms that JAS’s decarbonization strategy is aligned with the latest scientific guidance to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, the most ambitious pathway under the Paris Agreement.
The SBTi has classified JAS’s near-term scope 1 and 2 emissions targets as in line with a 1.5°C trajectory and confirmed that its long-term targets meet the SBTi Net-Zero Standard, which outlines science-based ways to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.
Approved Science-Based Targets
Strengthening Environmental Action Across the Network
As highlighted in the 2024 Sustainability Report, the company is taking action to reduce emissions across its global network. Initiatives include more efficient routing, network optimization, increased use of renewable energy and low-emission fuels, and strong supplier engagement to decarbonize freight operations.
JAS is also an active participant in global sustainability platforms, including the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Smart Freight Centre (SFC), which support knowledge-sharing and collaborative action across the logistics industry.
A Call for Collaboration
JAS recognizes that no single company can tackle the climate crisis alone. Achieving global climate goals will require rapid, deep emissions cuts across all sectors. JAS encourages customers, carriers, and supply chain partners to align with climate science by setting their own 1.5°C-aligned and net-zero targets.
“We are proud to have our climate targets validated by the SBTi, and even more proud of the work already underway across our global teams,” says Andrea Goeman, Senior Vice President QHSE & Sustainability, JAS. “We work closely with our customers to consult them on sustainable logistics solutions and support them in making more climate-conscious decisions. This milestone reflects our long-term commitment to sustainability, aligned with our company’s purpose of creating opportunities to thrive together.”
To learn more about our climate strategy and progress, read the full JAS Sustainability Report 2024.
Atlanta, GA – August 1, 2025 – JAS is pleased to announce two leadership updates that reflect the company's continued focus on global growth, innovation, and delivering value to its customers.
Manuele Mazzacurati, currently serving as Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, has been appointed Interim Chief Commercial Officer following David Bang’s departure to pursue another opportunity outside the organization. With nearly 18 years at JAS, Mazzacurati brings a wealth of experience spanning operations, regional leadership, and global commercial strategy.
With a strong customer focus and a proven track record of success in diverse markets, he is well-positioned to lead the commercial organization through this transition. In this expanded role, Mazzacurati will continue to steer global sales efforts while ensuring continuity and alignment across JAS’s commercial priorities.
Angus Haig has also joined JAS as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. With more than 30 years of international legal and corporate experience, Haig brings strong expertise in global business law, compliance, and strategic counsel. He previously served as SVP & General Counsel at Cox Automotive and held senior legal roles during a 19-year tenure at The Coca-Cola Company.
Leveraging his collaborative approach and international experience, Haig will oversee legal and compliance matters across JAS’s operations, helping JAS stay aligned with its values while navigating an increasingly complex business environment.
“These appointments reflect the strength and depth of talent across our global team,” said Marco Rebuffi, President & CEO of JAS. “We thank David for his leadership in strengthening JAS's global presence and laying the foundation for sustainable growth. We are confident that Manuele and Angus will play pivotal roles in driving JAS forward as we continue to stay focused on what matters most—our customers, our people, and our shared future."
With these appointments, JAS continues to strengthen its global leadership team and remains committed to developing innovative, sustainable logistics solutions that meet today's needs while preparing for tomorrow's challenges.
-------
About JAS
JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1978. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and supported by 7,000+ team members in more than 100 countries, it builds innovative and sustainable solutions that focus on customer needs and a better future for all. At the heart of JAS's success is its people, who deliver customer value. As one of the largest and fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, JAS is committed to creating opportunities for our communities, customers, and colleagues to thrive. Together.
Our Sites use cookies for analytics purposes. For more information about the cookies we use on our Sites or how you can disable them, please see our Cookie Policy.