Poonam Datta

Chief Commercial Officer, Globe Express Services

Poonam Datta is an accomplished business leader with over 25 years of experience in the global supply chain and logistics industry.

She has worked with some of the biggest companies in the industry and is currently the Chief Commercial Officer for the US-based Globe Express Services, a global logistics provider with offices in 100 countries.

Coming from an aristocratic and illustrious family in India, she grew up always hungry for knowledge with great compassion to others.

Her father, Anand Datta, is a successful writer/filmmaker while her mother, Sneh Datta, is a linguist professor. Her grandfather, Dr. G.L. Datta, was a great academician and physicist who founded the DAV colleges in India, and also served as the Vice Chancellor of Ujjain University.

A world-class consultant with a post-graduate degree in business management, Poonam is an avid reader and enjoys writing and listening to music.

As for her favorite song, movie and book, she says, “It is difficult to label one as the best, just as a garden is beautiful because of the mix of colors and fragrances of each flower. All are important and have their own place and so it is the same in songs, movies and books.”

Read on the rest of Air Cargo Update’s interview with this woman of substance.

If you had a week of free time, where would you like to go and why?

I prefer to go places where I can enjoy nature. Spending time in nature boosts happiness. Communing with nature can be a spiritual practice. Being in nature inspires creativity. Breathing in the fresh air of nature can be regenerative.

What keeps you busy when you’re not working?

While I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, especially my mother, I do treasure moments to myself too. It is my way to disconnect with the distractions around me, while also giving me a moment to tune into and reconnect with myself. Reading books. Reading is a lifelong skill, books help give you a greater understanding of the world around you. They introduce you to new environments, new cultures, new philosophies, new ideas and might even help you build new skills.

What is your favorite song and why?

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor inspires me because it reminds me that even in the hardest of times, you have to believe in yourself and your ability to get through whatever difficulties are in your path.

“With My Own Two Hands” by Jack Johnson is also my favorite. The song speaks to the notion that we can change the world but we have to take action. We can make the world better, brighter and safer if we all take accountability for the energy we put into the world. My career and purpose for being is to inspire people to create the life they want to lead, and this song inspires me to do so.

What is your favorite movie of all time?

“The Peaceful Warrior.” It’s a wonderful movie about an athlete, his mentor, a temporal defeat and living in the present. It is a philosophical movie and will be appreciated more by those that have already been in contact with self-development and oriental philosophy.

“Pursuit of Happyness.” It has excellent messages about the importance of keeping your cool in the face of incredible disappointment or provocation and fighting for your passions and for what you love despite your own hardships.

If you were given a chance to meet someone famous, who would you choose and why?

The Dalai Lama-Strong spiritual leader. He stands for achieving peace by way of peace. He’s been saddled with the responsibility of shouldering the hopes and dreams of millions of Tibetan people. He lives his values.

Warren Buffett–Successful businessperson, smart investor, and still a man who believes in living simply. He believes and shares his values and principles. Well known philanthropist.

What is your favorite book?

Illusions by Richard Bach – Bach takes to the air to discover the ageless truths that give our souls wings: that people don’t need airplanes to soar…that even the darkest clouds have meanings once we lift ourselves above them and that messiahs can be found in the unlikeliest places—like hay fields, one-traffic-light Midwestern towns, and most of all, deep within ourselves.

Mastery by George Leonard. He explains that mastership never ends – you will never have perfect technique and be able to stop. Instead you’ll keep learning, improving, and hitting plateaus. The big point in Mastery is that plateaus are vital for improving your skills and that you therefore must start enjoying them instead of getting impatient or quitting like most guys do.

What do you enjoy spending money on?

Family and Charity. I believe in spending generously on things I love and cutting costs on things I do not.

Where would you want to retire and why?

Home is where the heart is and I would like to be close to where my family would be. It could be between Dubai and India.