Dani Hasty brings a new perspective and a different way of thinking to her role.
Dani Hasty, Director of Permit and Licensing at Storage Solutions – A Jungheinrich Company, builds pathways in material handling.
By Nicole Needles
DANI HASTY NEVER set out to build a career in the material handling industry. Like many professionals who now call it home, she found her way in unexpectedly, and stayed because of the challenge, the people and the opportunity to grow.
Hasty has spent a decade with Storage Solutions, joining the company straight out of technical school with no prior industry experience. What began as a project management role quickly evolved into a long-term career marked by curiosity, confidence and a willingness to raise her hand.
“I came in with no industry knowledge, no experience whatsoever,” Hasty said. “I found myself in a project manager seat and just worked my way up from there.”
After spending roughly eight years in project management, Hasty was asked to take on a new challenge: leading Storage Solutions’ permitting and licensing department. The department, now about two years old, represents a shift not just for the company but for the industry as a whole, creating a single point of contact for permitting rather than leaving it solely in project managers’ hands.
Like many women in the material handling industry, Hasty didn’t intentionally seek out the industry. She describes her entry as “very much accidental,” drawn in by the familiar title of project manager before realizing how different and complex the work would be.
“Once you’re in it, it’s never boring,” she said. “There’s always something new to learn. You never get the same thing twice. It’s chaos, and I love it.”
As more women enter material handling and step into leadership roles, Hasty believes they bring essential new perspectives to an industry long dominated by men. One of the most important, she says, is vocalization.
“When it’s saturated with the same type of person, there’s no new perspective,” Hasty said. “Being outspoken and confident enough to sit in a room full of men and speak from your experience or your knowledge base is huge.”
She also points to women’s ability to view challenges from multiple angles by balancing customer needs with business goals while maintaining a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset.
“The fresh perspective comes from a different way of thinking,” she said. “A little softer sometimes, and that isn’t always a bad thing.”
For Hasty, one of the most rewarding aspects of her career has been the opportunity to trailblaze. When she entered the industry, women were few and far between, particularly in leadership, sales and project management roles. Being visible in those spaces now carries a responsibility she takes seriously.
“To help pave the way for those coming in, and to show you don’t have to pigeonhole yourself, has been my favorite part,” she said. “You don’t have to be in support roles. You can think bigger than that.”
When asked what advice she would give to women entering the industry, Hasty’s answer is simple and direct: raise your hand. “That’s how I got where I am,” she said. “Be willing to learn. Treat every step as a stepping stone. Get the experience, then move on to the next phase.”
One of the most impactful leadership lessons Hasty has received came recently, during a challenging day, when a mentor encouraged her to reflect on her “why.”
“I like helping people,” she said. “Sometimes that simple ’why’ is enough to recenter and push on to the next day.”
In an ever-evolving field, Hasty’s story reflects a growing truth in material handling: there is room, and a real need, for women willing to speak up, step forward and help shape what comes next.
