Sawsan Shami

Sawsan Shami has always loved to travel. Today, she channels that passion into helping others relocate their lives and careers across the globe.

Shami serves as the Director of Global Business Development & Client Solutions at Suddath, a Jacksonville-based company with more than 100 years of experience helping individuals, families and businesses move locally, nationally and globally. Though rooted in Northeast Florida, Suddath’s reach extends worldwide, positioning it as a leading force in residential and employee relocation.

“I always had a passion for traveling,” said Shami. “That’s one of the reasons why I decided to pursue an international business degree, in hopes that I would get to travel in my career.”

Jacksonville remains home base for Shami, who grew up in the city and started her working life at her family’s various restaurant businesses. She earned her international business degree from the University of North Florida, where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Dubai for a semester, which energized her interest in global commerce.

“I knew I wanted to work with an organization that operated on a global scale. Growing up in Jacksonville, I used to see the Suddath trucks at homes and on highways, so I knew it would be a nice opportunity to begin my career”, Shami explained.

Her journey at Suddath began with humble responsibilities, including filing paperwork and updating spreadsheets. Over time, she embraced a variety of roles within Suddath, including international operations, move coordination and customer service management. With eight years of experience under her belt, Shami was promoted to the global business development team. She was tapped for the elevated role as a result of her in-depth knowledge of international move management.

“One of the really amazing things about working for an international moving company is that your day is never the same,” said Shami. “I could be traveling to meet with clients, hosting networking and educational events, or conducting quality control visits during the move process for our transferees and our clients.”

When Shami first started at Suddath, she didn’t realize how complex relocations could be. Over time, she came to appreciate the challenges, finding the work deeply rewarding because she gets to support people through what can be a stressful process at a pivotal moment in their lives.

“In the mobility industry, we’re supporting people through one of the most important times in their lives, whether their retiring to a dream destination or starting an exciting new job. We do everything we can to make sure it’s as seamless and successful as possible.” said Shami.

For those interested in global mobility, transportation and logistics or international business, Shami encourages humility and curiosity. The key is to be present and visible — and be a sponge, absorbing the knowledge and guidance of others.

Shami shared that “never being afraid to ask questions, challenging the norms and having access to a mentor/mentee partnership are some of the biggest impacts that helped generate success in my career. It is incredibly valuable to have a trusted confidante throughout your career journey.”

From filing paperwork to sitting with key decision-makers at Fortune 500 companies today, Shami now helps executives design relocation programs that attract top talent. Her story is a testament to how passion, dedication and a willingness to learn can lead from humble beginnings to global success.