From Logistics Coordinator to COO: Daniella Harel’s Rapid Rise at USA Containers

When you ask Daniella Harel where she’s from, the answer is never simple. Born in Zimbabwe, raised between Africa and the Middle East, educated in South Africa and the UK, and now working in operations at a U.S.-based container company, Daniella’s life story reads more like a novel than a LinkedIn profile.

Today, she’s the Chief Operating Officer at USA Containers, managing one of the busiest logistics departments in the industry. But her journey here wasn’t straightforward—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring.

A Global Background and a Surprising New Chapter

Daniella moved from Zimbabwe to Dubai at the age of eight. Later, she attended boarding school in South Africa and then moved to London at 18 to study wellness. She spent three years working on a cruise ship, where she learned the value of customer service, patience, and presentation. While traveling the world, she met her partner and eventually relocated to Romania—a place she never imagined calling home.

New to the country, not speaking the language, and struggling to find work in her field, Daniella took a leap of faith. She applied for customer service jobs online and sent her resume directly to USA Containers.

"I got all dressed up for the interview, makeup and everything," she recalls. "Then it turned out to be a phone call."

It was the start of something much bigger.

Learning From the Ground Up

Daniella began as a Logistics Coordinator in 2020. She quickly immersed herself in the role, traveling for in-person training and taking on customer communication, delivery coordination, and container release logistics.

At the time, global supply chain issues were hitting hard. Ports were backed up. Containers were scarce. Customers were frustrated. But Daniella learned to stay calm and solve problems.

“At first, I would cry over some of the customers,” she admits. “Now, I know how to handle those situations."

She rose quickly. Within a year, she was managing operations across the entire U.S. Her calm demeanor and proactive communication style earned her the respect of drivers, agents, and leadership alike.

Leading With Grit and Grace

Daniella now oversees a team that schedules hundreds of deliveries each week. From assigning drivers and resolving reschedules to handling rush orders and depot issues, she is the voice behind much of what keeps the company running.

She also brings humanity to the role.

“I try to build relationships with the drivers,” she says. “I want them to enjoy working with us. It’s not just about moving containers. It’s about making the experience better for everyone.”

Her colleagues admire her calm voice on calls, even with the most upset customers. And she doesn’t forget the personal side of things either.

“It’s hard work,” she admits. “But it’s also rewarding. I really care about the people I work with."

Looking Ahead

Daniella has big dreams for the future that focus on continued growth in the company she helped shape.

“We all started from nothing,” she says. “Now we’re here, building something special. And I want to help it grow even more.”

When asked what advice she would give the entire company, she jokingly said, “Just make sure to include the full address and depot in your emails.”

Classic Daniella—always focused, always keeping the team on track.

She may not have expected to end up as COO of a shipping container company, but there’s no doubt that USA Containers is better because of her.