By: Natalie Johnson

Global trade is often described in numbers: shipping volumes, container rates, and quarterly margins. Yet for Vincent Iacopella, Executive Vice President of Growth and Strategy at Alba Wheels Up, the story of logistics is not primarily about profit. His career reflects a conviction that commerce should be measured by the opportunities it creates for people, the fairness it enforces in supply chains, and the trust it builds between businesses and communities.

Rooted in Resilience

Early lessons in adaptability have shaped Iacopella’s professional journey. Rather than following a predictable corporate path, he pursued opportunities that required him to take calculated risks and accept challenges that many of his peers avoided. Those decisions demanded long hours and personal sacrifice, but they also honed his ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence. This combination of boldness and discipline became the foundation for his career in an industry defined by complexity and constant change.

Balancing Vision with Execution

As he rose through the ranks, Iacopella discovered that the biggest challenge wasn’t coming up with innovative ideas; it was finding ways to implement them within the constraints of large organizations. He learned to marry entrepreneurial creativity with the operational rigor necessary for logistics and compliance. This ability to translate vision into action is what ultimately positioned him as a leader capable of driving growth while managing risk.

Leadership with a Broader Purpose

What distinguishes Iacopella is not just his expertise in customs, compliance, or trade policy, but his belief that leadership must serve a larger mission. He views logistics as more than the movement of goods; to him, it is a mechanism for uplifting people, safeguarding workers, and fostering economic opportunity.

This philosophy drives his nonprofit and advisory work, where he collaborates with industry peers and policymakers to increase transparency in supply chains, address forced labor, and align commerce with community impact. He views these efforts not as separate from his corporate role, but as complementary: evidence that ethical practices and commercial success can and should reinforce each other.

A Human-Centered Approach to Growth

At Alba Wheels Up, Iacopella brings this philosophy to life by strategically integrating technology in ways that go beyond mere improvements in speed and efficiency. He believes that technology can offer companies much-needed transparency, providing them with a clearer view of their sourcing practices and compliance levels. By adopting cutting-edge solutions, businesses gain real-time insights into their supply chain operations, which empowers them to make data-driven decisions, reduce risks, and strengthen their overall performance.

Furthermore, Iacopella is a staunch advocate for diversification strategies. He understands that the rapidly changing global market landscape requires businesses to remain adaptable and responsive. By fostering a robust and diverse supply chain, companies can better protect themselves from unforeseen disruptions—whether they come from political shifts, natural disasters, or economic changes. This approach not only secures business continuity but also ensures that the communities dependent on global trade are shielded from the ripple effects of these disruptions.

For Iacopella, growth isn’t just about numbers or market expansion—it’s about purpose. He believes that actual progress is achieved when growth is aligned with positive societal impact. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a willingness to take calculated risks, a dedication to lifelong learning, and an unwavering focus on improving systems and processes. His leadership journey serves as a roadmap for a new kind of leadership—one that doesn’t shy away from challenges but instead embraces them as opportunities for innovation and improvement.

In today’s world, where supply chains face unprecedented scrutiny, Iacopella’s story stands as a potent reminder that success isn’t just about moving products; it’s about creating lasting value. His approach to leadership reflects a deep understanding that sustainable, forward-thinking trade practices have the potential to move not just goods, but also people—driving progress, empowering communities, and helping ensure a more equitable global economy.