Meet Meredith Keeling, an IT Business Analyst at Ruan. With a background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Meredith plays a vital role on our technology team by helping drive innovation and progress for Ruan and our partners through the strategic application of information technology.
In recognition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re proud to highlight Meredith’s experience and extend our gratitude for the impactful contributions women in STEM make across our industry every day.
Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in technology?
From a very young age, I’ve always loved science and problem-solving. Much of that influence came from my grandpa, a chemical engineer, who made science a big part of my life growing up. From working through flashcards and visiting the Des Moines Science Center to learning biomechanics and applying it to running, he constantly encouraged my curiosity. Whether he was helping me memorize the periodic table or challenging me to think differently, he truly shaped how I think today.
That interest led me to study Kinesiology at Iowa State, with a minor in Health, where I continued to build on my love for science while developing strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
After college, I joined an insurance company where I spent about seven and a half years building my career and eventually worked my way into a Business Analyst position. It was there that I saw how technology could be used to solve complex business problems, which ultimately inspired me to pursue a career more focused on technology, and I joined Ruan’s technology team in October 2024.
What is your current role on Ruan’s technology team?
I am an IT Business Analyst for both the InSite and Shared Applications teams.
How does your work in technology support or impact the transportation and logistics industry?
My work in technology directly supports the transportation and logistics industry by improving visibility, communication, and efficiency across the shipment lifecycle. As a Business Analyst on the InSite team, I support our customer-facing portal, which provides freight visibility, tracking, and ETA notifications. These tools help customers and internal teams stay informed in real time and make better decisions when issues may arise.
I work closely with operations to understand their challenges and translate those needs into technical solutions, whether that’s improving tracking accuracy, enhancing notifications, or streamlining workflows. I also support our shared applications team, which provides multiple groups across the organization with consistent, scalable technology.
Why should shippers make technology a focal point when looking to source a third-party logistics company?
Technology directly impacts visibility, reliability, and overall performance. Having real-time access to shipment data, accurate tracking, and proactive notifications allows shippers to make informed decisions rather than reacting to issues after they occur.
Strong technology platforms improve communication and transparency between shippers, carriers, and operations teams, enabling better planning and customer experience with faster issue resolution.
Continuous Improvement is one of our Guiding Principles. What does it mean to you in your role?
To me, continuous improvement means never assuming that a process or system is “good enough”. In my role, it’s about consistently looking for ways to make our technology more efficient, reliable, and user-friendly for both customers and internal teams.
It includes listening to feedback from operations and customers, analyzing where friction or confusion exists, and turning those insights into actionable improvements. Whether it’s refining tracking accuracy, improving ETA notifications, or simplifying workflows within InSite, the goal is always to make the experience better and more intuitive for everyone who uses it.
What challenges do you think women and girls face in pursuing STEM careers? How can they overcome these barriers?
Women and girls pursuing STEM careers often face challenges such as limited early exposure to science and technology, lack of representation, and confidence gaps that can develop over time. When girls don’t consistently see women represented in technical or leadership roles, it can be harder to envision themselves in those spaces or feel encouraged to pursue them.
There can also be subtle barriers in the workplace, including stereotypes around technical ability or feeling the need to prove credibility more often. These challenges can discourage talented women from continuing in STEM fields, even when they’re highly capable.
Overcoming these barriers starts with early exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math, by making those subjects more engaging, accessible, and inclusive from a young age. Mentorship, visible role models, and supportive communities are critical in helping women build confidence and seeing what’s possible.
What advice would you give to encourage young girls to pursue careers in STEM?
I would encourage young girls to stay curious and not be afraid to ask questions or try things that feel challenging. Science and technology aren’t about having all the answers right away, they’re about experimenting, problem-solving, and learning.
I’d also tell them to explore a wide range of STEM subjects early on and not limit themselves based on stereotypes. Whether it’s coding, engineering, physics, or data analysis, exposure builds confidence.
It’s important to seek out mentors and role models and to believe that they belong in those spaces. Their perspectives are valuable, and STEM fields are stronger and more innovative when women are part of shaping the future.
Are there any emerging trends or opportunities in technology that excite you?
Quantum computing differs from traditional computing by using qubits, which can represent multiple possibilities simultaneously. This allows quantum computers to solve extremely complex problems far faster than conventional systems. I find this technology exciting because of its potential to transform entire industries, from optimizing supply chains and delivery routes in logistics to accelerating discovery in medicine, transforming agriculture, enhancing cryptography, and pushing breakthroughs in AI and finance. The idea of quantum computing to tackle problems that are currently too difficult for today’s computers, while advancing innovation across multiple fields, is very interesting.