Community, Career, and Showing Up Where It Matters with Briana Irwin

Jen sits down with Briana Irwin, Marketing Manager at TCW, to talk about building a career in logistics while staying grounded in community. From her day-to-day role in transportation marketing to her involvement with TMSA’s CSR subcommittee, Briana shares how getting involved early has shaped her growth. She also reflects on her 11-year commitment to delivering Christmas gifts to children in remote villages in Guatemala, and how both her personal experiences and TCW’s culture of giving back influence the way she shows up professionally. It’s a conversation about growth, involvement, and finding purpose alongside your profession.

Register for the 2026 TMSA ELEVATE Conference at events.tmsatoday.org

Check out the Transportation Sales and Marketing Association (TMSA) website or engage with us on LinkedIn.

Transcript

Meet Brianna And TCW

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 0:22

Hello, everyone, and welcome to On the Move, a show where we share transportation sales and marketing success stories. I am Jennifer Kurpis Romain, Executive Director of TMSA, A Trade Nonprofit, Educating and Connecting Marketing and Sales Professionals in Transportation and Logistics. And today on the show, I have Brianna Irwin, who is marketing manager at TCW. Welcome to the show.

SPEAKER_00 0:47

Thank you. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 0:50

I'm so excited to have you here. And just let's start off with the basics. Tell us about your role at TCW and how you found your way into transportation and logistics.

First Role And Marketing Path

SPEAKER_00 1:00

Yes. So this is actually my first job right out of college. I started as a marketing coordinator and then recently got promoted as the marketing manager. And now I am coming up on four years. So that's pretty exciting. And I am a one-person marketing department. So I have the opportunity to wear several different hats. And I kind of fell into this unexpectedly. I still remember sitting down when I was in my spring semester trying to apply to any and every job. And I was open to every single opportunity, despite having it, my undergrad in marketing and uh just finishing up my master's in marketing. I applied to TCW's Operations Management Development Program and got an interview. And I was a little nervous because that's not what uh I had studied. So somehow the stars aligned, and the first thing I was told is, hey, we're actually looking for someone in marketing, and the rest is history.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 2:08

I love that so much, and it's been so fun like watching you come into TMSA. Like um, Gary Cornelius at TCW obviously is a big TMSA member. He's like, hey, we're getting a marketing department, and like watching the growth has been really cool, and watching your growth and your promotion inside of your job and what you've been doing, it's been really cool. So, what does your day-to-day job look like as a marketing manager right

Owning Strategy And Execution

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 2:34

now? And where are you kind of focusing your stage of your career right now?

SPEAKER_00 2:40

So I do equal part of strategy and execution, and that can fall anywhere in between social media, email, content creation, sales enablement, material, website optimization. And for right now, my biggest focus is creating a sustainable marketing engine through our CRM platform that lives beyond me.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 3:02

Awesome.

TCW’s Community-Driven Culture

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 3:04

One of the things that I love about TCW is how much the company and you specifically inside the company really prioritizes that community impact piece. And so obviously, you do a lot of marketing stuff, you do CRM stuff, but then you have this whole like give back culture there. And I would love for you to talk about TCW and how it does that, and then kind of your piece of it.

SPEAKER_00 3:29

I mean, it is quite amazing, inspiring, quite admirable, honestly, and such a huge selling point when I first started working here. I mean, it shows up every single day. And one of our core values is that we're a unified team, and that is true and true. And I know the word family gets thrown around too, but we truly have a TCW family culture, and it's beautiful. And, you know, we are always looking how to help others make a positive difference in other people's lives. It could be our coworkers, it could be a stranger or even our customer, but always looking out, you know, how can I make a difference? How can I help? And so much so that we have actually created this program called TCW Community Driven, in which in which each of our locations actually own their community service project for the market that they serve. And that has been amazing to see. Some things that we've been able to do is a blanket drive for children in hospitals, um, a food drive, a school supply drive. Recently, I know our location here in Birmingham, we did Santa for a senior. So it is quite amazing that we do take time outside of our busy lives to give back to the uh the communities that we serve.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 4:57

And I think something that you said there was really important. And so you are a younger person in your career. And I love, we talked before we went live on this. Like, I love the show that we get to give those voices to those people that are younger in their career, are the marketing people, not like not always, not that we don't have like the presidents and things like that on here too, but like I want to make sure that we're giving voices to everybody in the sales and marketing

Why Purpose Attracts Talent

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 5:22

community. But I wanted to pause for a second because you said this was a differentiator for me coming into TCW. And I want people to understand because the older generations really do care about what a company cares about, and that's part of making those choices of picking a job. So can you elaborate on that a little bit?

SPEAKER_00 5:43

Absolutely. I mean, always giving back to my community as a priority to me. And when I was looking at other jobs uh during my spring semester of college, I always hovered over to the culture and benefits or the community service or CSR landing pages. And I was genuinely invested in how does my job go beyond the office.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 6:10

And I think that's so important. And then especially like on the marketing communication side of things, I think some companies get nervous to promote those because they don't see it with like they're only doing it to have that notoriety, but you still need to have those pages, so it is part of that prospect for new employees and things like that. It also humanizes the brand. It really does. And I know that community has been a big part of your journey so much. So we have a CSR subcommittee now at TMSA, and the reason why it's labeled that way. Now, I don't even know if you know this, was in part because of you. So originally it was a DEI committee and we had it standing on its own. And we started doing the community give back, and you reached out to me and you said, Hey, I want to help with that. And I was like, Oh, we don't have a community committee or subcommittee, we just have Vicky Powell running that program and giving her no assistance. And so you came in, I think it was like 2023, you started helping with the give back specifically,

Creating TMSA’s CSR Subcommittee

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 7:18

and then we restructure the DEI committee to become the CSR subcommittee so that A, it sits inside of education, so we're making sure that we have inclusive voices throughout our education program, and because between the community give back and our future forward volunteer program and these other things that TMSA is doing, that we actually give space to people to volunteer in those community spaces. And so that kind of came from you because you were like, I want to help. And I was like, That I love that. Yes, absolutely. Let's get you to help in the way that you want to contribute, but we have no place to do that. So we kind of restructure that because you were raising your hand. And so, what made you evolve the ways? And you also helped, you did like one-off projects with us, like through our hundred-year anniversary, helping with our video programs and things like that. But then we really wanted to find a good home for you to volunteer. What made that CSR subcommittee where you felt most at home in our community?

SPEAKER_00 8:14

Well, I did not know I had a part in that, and I am just so honored that I did, because now that I am in the subcommittee, I mean, I am sitting and talking to such amazing people that genuinely want to make a positive difference. And that was my biggest reason to raise my hand is I wanted to be with like-minded people and also find out what other things are being done within our industry from marketers and from other sales managers or salespeople, and just really get that insight and you know, extend my reach past TCW.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 8:53

And I think it is a really cool place because I feel like those marketing, those communication people are often those who are kind of leading the drive on those community aspects. So it is a really cool committee to be able to come together and share those ideas and how they were able to implement it at their own company. Do you feel like that's part of the experience for you?

SPEAKER_00 9:13

Oh, yes, a thousand percent.

Mentorship And Learning In TMSA

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 9:15

Awesome. And so I'm curious, like you said, you've been in your spot at TCW for almost four years now. You came into TMSA right away. Like I remember like your first show and like coming into that. What have you gained from being actively involved in an association beyond just like networking and meeting people, but forming those real connections and the educational components too?

SPEAKER_00 9:39

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I remember going to my first TMSA conference, and of course, I was nervous. It was my first conference in general, but walking through those doors and immediately feeling that I could approach anyone and everyone and have just a genuine conversation. And the part that was so awesome to wrap my head around is that I was in the same room as some of my biggest competitors. Yet everyone had a genuine interest in helping me succeed and teaching me what they what worked for them, what didn't work for them. And so that was beautiful, and that set things for having an amazing and supportive community within uh TMSA. And so I'm always given learning opportunities, uh, mentorship opportunities. So, and as I mentioned, you know, it is that sort of open door policy with anyone, and that's special.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 10:37

I like to think so too. That was my experience coming into TMSA as a member the first time. I was also that one-person marketing team, trying to find my footing, and I wanted to figure out how to create better sales enablement and things. And so I really befriended the sales side and like had those conversations and then met other one-person marketing teams. And you mentioned that too. Like you are a solo marketing team and you have your your sales support and your sales function, but I feel like this community allows those one-person marketing teams or two-person marketing teams have that space to find the people that can talk transportation and logistics and marketing, which is not what you find in your office place most often.

SPEAKER_00 11:23

Absolutely. And I appreciate that opportunity so much for exactly what

Power Of One-Person Marketing Teams

SPEAKER_00 11:30

you just said.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 11:31

And then do you find that kind of like serving on those committees then give you more opportunities to have that engagement rather than just going to the elevate? Not that the elevate isn't awesome and like the biggest place to do that, but do you feel like you get more regular touch points with other marketing?

SPEAKER_00 11:47

Absolutely. You get that one-on-one time. And then even when there's scenarios where you are helping out with the project and someone else wants to work with you, you do get that one-on-one opportunity and really get to ask any question, concerns, and know that you are going to have the best intentions coming back from that person.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 12:07

And you mentioned like a mentorship opportunity too. Like you get to connect with people that are at different stages of your career. And I think that's really special too, is that you're able to reach out. And I love that you feel comfortable doing that, like in an earlier stage of your career, like, oh, like I can reach out to this person and ask them questions and like get their advice on like the trajectory of my career.

SPEAKER_00 12:30

Yeah, I really do enjoy that aspect of it. And I'm always wanting to learn, and the fact that people are willing to teach me or mentor me is such a great opportunity at TMSA.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 12:42

I love that. And I love hearing that because that's what we try to create. So it's always great to hear those stories of that success of being able to push things forward and really use TMSA as like a professional development driver. Um, but I do kind of want to turn the tables a little bit. And part of why I wanted you to come on the show is because we're talking about the community aspects and things like that. But I

Passion Project In Guatemala

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 13:05

don't know if everybody knows that you have like a very, very strong passion project that you've been involved with for a long time. And so it makes sense to me that you are a driver of this community purpose at TCW and in our community at TMSA, but you have a Christmas gift initiative in Guatemala that you have actually done every year for more than a decade. So, how did this begin for you? And tell us about it.

SPEAKER_00 13:31

Yes. Uh so my mom is Guatemalan and grew up in San Andres Petén. And I had the opportunity and privilege to go my entire childhood twice a year, really see a different world. And I remember when I was about 15 years old, we have our long-standing family friend and actually a community leader, and his name is Ector, and he created this program and invited us to tag along, my dad and I. And I said yes. And as soon as I arrived in the village, I mean, you were driving in four hours into the jungle to come to these rural villages. And as soon as I arrived, I remember seeing these kids. And at first, you know, they're confused, they're not really sure what's going on. Again, this was very early stages of this program. And the moment they realized they got a toy, I thought to myself, this, you know, this is amazing. Uh, you're changing their life, and it's a toy for them, but this is their prized possession. And I realized it couldn't be a one-time thing for me. And then thought, how can I scale this up even more? How can I bring more joy to these kids? How can we deliver more toys to more villages? And now, you know, over a decade of doing this, we have such generous people that donate, and we can go to six villages now. That covers all of them. And we can expand from toys now that we can get shoes for these kids, and we can even get baby clothes too. So it is quite a special experience, and I never want to stop doing it.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 15:22

I love it, and I've known that you've done this for a few years, and I can't imagine that

Joy On The Soccer Field

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 15:30

feeling of arriving in those villages, doing that over Christmas, seeing them come running. And now, now that you are 10 years plus later into this, it's such joy. And I feel like it's so easy for us to get wrapped up in our lives and forget how privileged we are here. And so, what is that like arriving in those villages, kind of getting that reality check, and then being able to give that experience to them?

SPEAKER_00 15:59

Quite honestly, it's in awe of the pure joy that your arrival is creating. And now these children know and anticipate and waiting for us to arrive. And we come in pickup trucks. There's a caravan of probably five or six pickup trucks stuck stacked with boxes of toys. And we have a speakerphone, and we're, you know, announcing we're here, meet us on the soccer field, we'll start giving out the toys. And these children have these smiles, and they are tugging on their siblings, their friends, trying to get them to come running. And they do, they come running full sprint to meet us at the soccer field and line up to get this, get this Christmas gift. And what you said is so true is there's things that we take for granted, such as a toy, and for them, it is, you know, their most prized possession. And this year, I had such memorable moments in where kids would come up and hug me and start to sort of brag that they still have their last year gift, and you know, they're gonna add this to their collection. And sometimes they'll even, you know, can't wait for the anticipation to open their toy. So they are ripping it open and asking, can I play with you? Can you can you come play with me? Can you show me how this works? And oh, even talking about it just gets me so excited.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 17:20

Well, and I love it, and I think it it speaks to the volume of your character because you give up your holiday time to go do this

Company Support For Service

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 17:29

too. And so that's you're a world away from your everyday life to bring this joy to them. And I'm sure that has taught you about impact and perspective and and what taking those little moments out of your life can really make an impact on other people.

SPEAKER_00 17:45

Yes, and I wouldn't change it for the world now that I know what it's like.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 17:50

And then how does why does TCW like support this mission? Do they I'm assuming they give you the time off to go and things like that, but they are such a community forward company, I'm sure that like they embrace that you love to do this.

SPEAKER_00 18:04

Absolutely. Even Gary himself is always excited for me to go, checks in, you know, how are things going? I also have other coworkers that like to check in, and some even want to donate and make a difference too with their donations. So it's it's amazing that I have such a supportive uh work environment too for

TMSA Community Give Back In Denver

SPEAKER_00 18:24

it.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 18:24

I love that. And so, with that, and we talked a lot about your involvement in this passion project and what you do at TCW and what you do at TMSA. So, I want to actually talk a little bit about this year's TMSA community give back. So, for people that don't know, starting back in 2023, TMSA launched a community give back. Um, one of our board members, Whitney Cowell, launched this program because she really wanted to do something that gives back to the community. So we feel like TMSA crashes into these cities once a year and we have fun and we learn and we grow together, but what's a way to actually give back to that community? And so we pick a community group, and this year, while we're in Denver, which is June 7th through 9th, we are working with a precious child, and we will be making tie blankets, which is now like a TMSA specialty at this point. Um we did it two of the three years that we've done community give back. Um, but what what does it mean to you to be part of that, part of that engagement? And really, like I said earlier in this, like you you were the first person besides Whitney to really raise your hand specifically to be like, yes, the community aspects that's where I want to be.

SPEAKER_00 19:38

Well, Whitney's a rock star, first and foremost. I remember doing that first one in Savannah, and that was what really inspired me. Uh, is seeing that we are coming into these different cities, yet we are finding a way how to, you know, make a positive difference for their community. And immediately I just knew every single time I wanted to be involved. I wanted to be more than involved. I wanted to be a prop in the process of it. And I'm so excited for this next one coming up. And I can't wait for others to be able to give back. Um, I will say again, it's pretty cool that you're sitting with your biggest competitors, but they are at the end of the day, they're like-minded people who want to give back. And something that we're doing in just a few hours is really going to make a difference in someone else's life.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 20:33

And I'm really excited to share with that this year we have extended

Expanding Impact With A Community Hub

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 20:38

our community give back into including a community hub where we have invited nonprofits inside of transportation and logistics to come and showcase what they do as well. So um, we'll see, you know, who takes that call. But I'm really excited because we do this. We partner, you know, this year we're parting with the precious child, we partner with children's hospitals, we partnered with um STEM programs and homelessness. And but I there's so many projects that go inside of transportation and logistics that are also doing great work. Like when I was in Vegas for Manifest, I jumped for Move for Hunger and bringing back that way. And so there's so much going on in our other our other community, the transportation and logistics communities. We wanted to be able to give them space and voices to be able to showcase to our our attendees as well. And so I'm really excited about how far we're moving into these elements to give back to our communities.

SPEAKER_00 21:38

I'm very excited. And hey, by the way, that was awesome what you did.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 21:43

It was, I people were like, How did you um get picked to do that? I'm like, Oh, I didn't get picked. I found other people doing it and then reached out to move for hunger and was like, Can I please also jump? And um, it was really cool. I mean, I would have done it anyways, it was much more meaningful to do it. For a good cause. Um, my parents were definitely like, We'll donate if you do not jump in favor of it, but I did it. And um, it was really cool. And it was it was an experience. I think it was great um publicity and engagement for Move for Hunger, too. And they also had like tables set up so people could um package food while they were at manifest, things like that, which is really cool. Um, so I just I love the community aspects. Obviously,

How To Get Involved And Register

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 22:26

it's something near and dear to my heart as it becomes like a focus of TMSA too. And so if anyone is interested, a if you are a nonprofit listening right now and want to be part of the community, reach out to me, jennifer at tmsa today.org. And if you want to be a part of elevate, join us in Denver June 7th through 9th, and you can register events.tmsa.org. So I have one last question for you. It's the question I ask everybody who comes on the show. If you can go back in time and advise your guns or self anything, and this could be personally or professionally, when would you go back to and what would you say?

SPEAKER_00 23:03

I love this question, by the way. So after thinking long and hard about it, I think I would go back to my high school self. And this applies both professionally and personally, and it's something

Advice: Get Comfortable With Uncomfortable

SPEAKER_00 23:17

I recently learned, but I feel like my high school self would really, you know, take advantage of this is get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Try new things, you know, don't be afraid to fail. If you fail, that is a learning opportunity, and so it's something I'm still working on, but I know if I would have gone back in high school and done it, definitely applied it there. You know, the world is your oyster at that point. But that's definitely what I would recommend to my younger self.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 23:48

Well, I think that is great advice, and it's also advice that I've heard from people much more seniored in their career. So kudos to you for learning that now and embracing that now because so many of us are afraid to fail and to take that learning opportunity to move forward. And so I think it's great advice for

Closing Thanks And Sign-Off

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 24:10

everybody. So thank you.

SPEAKER_00 24:12

Still trying to embrace it, but yes.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 24:14

Absolutely. Well, thank you so much for coming on the show and sharing with us your your passion project and all that you do. Like I said, it's been great fun for me to watch your career grow and expand. And I love being a piece of the journey for you. So thank you so much for all that you do for us and for coming on the show today.

SPEAKER_00 24:33

Thank you for having me again. It's an honor to be here.

Jennifer Karpus-Romain 24:36

Awesome. Well, I will catch everyone next week on the movie.