Stephanie Sparks
Chief of Staff | Zonos
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of building a life and career that once felt completely out of reach. I came to the United States at 17 without speaking English, with no roadmap and very limited resources. I worked multiple jobs while putting myself through college, graduated with honors and learned how to navigate systems that weren’t built for someone like me. That journey alone is something I carry a lot of pride in.
Professionally, I’m incredibly proud of the impact I’ve had both in the public and private sectors. During my time with the City of St. George, I had the opportunity to build and implement foundational HR systems from the ground up. When I started, there was little infrastructure in place, so I designed and developed systems that improved hiring, onboarding, training and the overall employee experience. Knowing that my work created long-term value for the community and improved how the city supports its employees is something I’m deeply proud of.
At Zonos, I’m proud of the role I’ve played in helping the company navigate complex, fast-moving changes in global trade, including recent shifts in tariffs and international regulations. I’ve worked cross-functionally to help our customers adapt quickly and continue operating, supporting the movement of millions of packages worldwide. I’m also proud to contribute to large, complex enterprise partnerships with global organizations, helping expand our reach and impact on international commerce.
Equally important, I’m incredibly proud of the life I’ve built with my husband, John. He has been a constant source of support, encouragement and partnership throughout my journey. Behind every milestone and accomplishment is a strong foundation at home, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
What unique strengths do you bring to your professional and other roles?
I bring a combination of resilience, adaptability and execution. I’m someone who can step into ambiguity, quickly create structure and move things forward. I’m comfortable operating in high-pressure environments where there isn’t always a clear path, and I take pride in figuring things out and delivering results.
One of my biggest strengths is my ability to connect strategy to execution. I don’t just think about ideas — I focus on how to make them real. Whether it’s building systems from scratch, aligning teams around a shared goal or helping drive complex global initiatives, I operate as a bridge between vision and outcomes.
I also bring a deep sense of passion to everything I do. I genuinely love life, and that carries into both my professional and personal worlds. I care deeply about my work, my team and the impact we’re creating, but I also care deeply about my family and my support circle. That passion fuels my energy and the way I show up every day. I don’t know how to do anything halfway. I show up fully, whether it’s at work or in life.
Finally, I bring a strong sense of ownership and perspective shaped by my background. I don’t take opportunities for granted, and I lead with grit, empathy and accountability. I care deeply about the work I do, and that shows up in how I deliver.
What’s your next big goal or project in your professional journey?
My next goal is to continue expanding my impact at Zonos, helping businesses navigate the global trade complexities and grow across borders. I work closely at the intersection of strategy and execution, and I’m excited to keep playing a role in turning big ideas into real, scalable outcomes that help companies grow across borders.
I’m also focused on increasing my leverage through AI. Over the past few months, I’ve seen how AI can dramatically expand my ability to build systems, automate processes and operate at a much higher level of output and efficiency. I’m excited to continue going deeper in this space and using those tools to create even more impact in how I work and what I’m able to deliver.
On a more personal level, one of my biggest goals is to write and publish a few books. It’s something I’ve felt called to do for a long time, and I have a few ideas for what I want to write. For a while, I told myself, “I’m not an author,” but someone once reframed that for me and said, “You’re not an author — yet.” That perspective stuck with me. I believe storytelling and sharing experiences have the power to inspire and create impact in a different way, and I’m excited to explore that.