From a team of forty to transforming an industry: Angela Gadaev on building product with purpose

When Angela Gadaev joined WiseTech Global in 2005, the company was a 40-person startup with a bold vision to transform global logistics. Despite its small size, it had already laid the foundations for what would become a world-leading software platform.

Angela came in with a decade of experience in logistics and IT and a drive to be part of something bigger.

“There was so much happening, and so much potential,” she recalls. “I wasn’t just interested in managing projects, I wanted to solve problems that really mattered. It was a shift from being a technical expert in a logistics company to becoming a logistics expert in a tech company.”

Now Head of the International Logistics Product Portfolio, Angela guides product strategy and leads global teams focused on solving complex logistics challenges. She’s proof that with the right experience and a passion for change, logistics professionals can have a lasting impact on technology without needing to write a line of code.

A product built by industry, for industry

Angela’s early days at WiseTech were hands-on in every sense. Every customer request, every defect, every design decision, she was in the thick of it. She worked across the full product spectrum — from forwarding and shipping lines to rates, schedules, cargo visibility, compliance, sustainability, and more. Acting as the bridge between logistics operations and software engineering, she helped turn complex industry needs into practical, scalable solutions.

“CargoWise has undergone significant evolution. In the past, one person could reasonably understand the entire system. Now, it has grown into something incredibly deep and sophisticated,” she says. “But despite the industry's fragmented nature and the increasing complexity of supply chains, our mission remains unchanged. We are here to solve real, persistent problems in logistics. And there are still plenty of challenges to address."

It’s that customer-driven mission that continues to fuel Angela’s work and the innovation happening across her team today.

Leading at scale, without losing sight of the why

Today, Angela drives the product strategy for WiseTech’s international logistics portfolio, a global team of more than 300 product and engineering specialists across 13 countries. It’s a huge operation, but her approach remains grounded in domain expertise and close collaboration.

“We’re often making changes on a live system, it has to keep running while we evolve it. That’s why we stay incredibly close to our customers and the day-to-day challenges they face. The stakes are high, but so is the impact.”

Part of scaling successfully, she says, is knowing when to stay close and when to let go.

“One of the hardest lessons was learning to delegate,” she says. “But that’s how we scale. I focus on building teams with complementary strengths, introverts and extroverts, deep thinkers and great communicators. It’s like conducting a jazz orchestra. Every instrument has its solo, and every voice matters.”

You don’t need to code to build great products

Angela is quick to challenge the idea that product management is only for the technically trained.

“You absolutely don’t need a technical background to thrive in product at WiseTech. What we’re solving are logistics problems, real, complex, operational problems. And deep industry knowledge isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.”

She points to logistics professionals, freight forwarders, and operations leaders who bring insight, empathy, and practical problem-solving to the product team.

When hiring product managers, Angela looks for curiosity, pattern recognition, and the ability to connect the dots, not just between teams, but across entire supply chains. This way, they can uncover underlying problems and solve for the cause, not just the symptoms.

“Every ticket, every customer request, every industry and regulatory change is an opportunity. If it’s a defect, it’s a chance to improve quality. If it’s a training issue, it’s a chance to improve the experience. That mindset is what makes the difference.”

Looking ahead: Complexity, compliance and connection

Angela sees huge potential still untapped in the logistics industry, especially when it comes to using data to anticipate and solve problems.

“We’ve built a platform that connects every part of the supply chain. We track every container, every shipment, every movement. That gives us a goldmine of intelligence, on carrier performance, market trends, even sustainability. And we’re only just beginning to turn that into predictive tools for our customers.”

But with innovation comes new challenges.

“I often tell my team it’s like working with a living system. Things are always moving, compliance changes, customer go-lives, new product launches. The key is knowing what to focus on, and building with clarity and purpose.”

A vision for the future of the logistics industry

Nearly two decades in, Angela’s energy hasn’t faded.

“I stay inspired by the impact we can make. We’re not just building software, we’re reshaping how the world moves goods. There’s always more to solve. And as long as that’s true, I’m here for it.”

With technology evolving, customer needs shifting, and supply chains becoming even more interconnected, Angela sees limitless opportunity ahead.

“The challenges are complex, but so are the possibilities. When you put productivity at the center, every solution becomes a springboard for what’s next.”

Explore careers at WiseTech Global

Want to help build technology that’s reshaping global logistics? Whether your background is in logistics, tech, or somewhere in between, there could be a place for you at WiseTech.

Explore our career opportunities today. If you don’t see an open role that connects with you or your experience and you’re still curious about what you could achieve, reach out to our Talent Team at talent@wisetechglobal.com.