Find out how to Succeed as a Girl in Distribution: Recommendation from High Trade Leaders 

The distribution business presents huge alternatives for professionals searching for dynamic profession paths with vital progress potential — made obvious by the array of experience, business sectors and titles represented by MDM’s 2025 Girls in Distribution honorees.  

As up-and-coming leaders take distinguished roles throughout the sector and newcomers discover their entrance into the business, they’ll eye alternatives. And there will probably be no scarcity of them, defined Robin McGuire, the Chief Data Officer of Wisconsin-based industrial inexperienced business distributor Reinders Inc. 

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“Don’t underestimate the alternatives on this business,” she informed MDM. “Distribution is the spine of commerce, and whereas it might not at all times be the primary business that involves thoughts, it presents unbelievable profession paths in management, expertise, operations, gross sales and past. There may be a lot room for innovation, problem-solving and strategic affect, and we want extra numerous views to assist form the way forward for distribution.” 

The notion of the business should be one dominated by males, however the panorama has been dramatically evolving, in response to Sheila Hernandez, Vice President of Advertising and marketing and Provider Relations at electrical provide distributor Summit Electrical Provide, who has been in distribution for 38 years. 

 “After I started attending … business conferences a few years again, there have been only a few girls, particularly in any sort of management function,” Hernandez shared. “It was commonplace for folks to suppose I used to be somebody’s spouse or daughter as a result of there have been so few of us attending in knowledgeable capability. Immediately, it’s thrilling to see so many ladies in vital management roles on this business. A lot has modified however there’s nonetheless a lot to be completed.” 

“As girls, now we have the distinctive alternative to contribute to this mission whereas additionally paving the way in which for future generations.” — Aggressive Selection CEO

The breadth of alternative continues to increase because the business transforms.  

Jerusha Coffin, the Methods Integration Supervisor of contact lens distributor ABB Optical Group, known as the business “huge, important and continuously evolving,” and Aundrea Younger — President and CEO of Texas-based industrial provide distributor Aggressive Selection — characterised the business as one “pivotal in shaping a extra sustainable, environment friendly and resilient world.” 

“As girls, now we have the distinctive alternative to contribute to this mission whereas additionally paving the way in which for future generations,” 25-year distribution business veteran Younger informed MDM. “By embracing each your strengths and areas for progress, one can find immense success and alternative on this discipline.” 

On MDM Premium: Meet MDM’s 2025 Girls in Distribution

To share a little bit of collective knowledge and provide a useful useful resource for the following era, MDM requested 20 girls leaders throughout varied distribution sectors to share their recommendation for these contemplating coming into the business. A few of their insights are offered right here and arranged into 4 frequent themes.  

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4 Levers for Success in Distribution 

Primarily based on the frequent thread all through every lady’s greatest recommendation, the important traits for fulfillment in distribution boil all the way down to 4 levers: confidence and initiative; mentorship and networking; perspective; and dedication to progress. 

1. Construct Confidence and Take Initiative 

One of the constant themes that emerged from the 2025 MDM Girls in Distribution was the essential significance of confidence. In an business that continues to evolve from its historically male-dominated roots, the braveness to say your house could make all of the distinction, they shared. 

“This has historically been a male-dominated discipline, however that has developed — and it’s as a result of extra girls are getting into management roles, bringing recent concepts, and proving their worth in each space of the enterprise,” Reinders’ McGuire stated. Her recommendation is simple: “Embrace confidence and take up house. Don’t be afraid to talk up, ask questions and push for alternatives. Your voice and perspective are wanted.” 

This sentiment was echoed by Sonia Timmons, Chief Monetary Officer of MRO merchandise distributor Vallen Distribution, who emphasizes that ladies shouldn’t wait till they really feel utterly ready earlier than pursuing new challenges.  

“I’d encourage different girls to be constant, ask for the laborious tasks, don’t be afraid to make use of your voice and converse up respectfully,” Timmons, who has spent 18 years in distribution, stated. “It’s important that you just don’t wait till you are feeling you’re 100% certified for the following alternative earlier than taking an opportunity.” 

“Don’t be afraid to talk up, ask questions and push for alternatives. Your voice and perspective are wanted.” — Reinders Inc. CIO

For these hesitant about technical features of the business, Birte von Schwarzenfeld, Senior Vice President of Business Options at Beacon Constructing Merchandise, presents reassurance.  

“The persons are very good and welcoming and if you’re prepared to be taught, you possibly can decide up the technical features shortly,” she stated. “It’s been a whole lot of enjoyable.” 

Whereas confidence is essential, Aundrea Younger, President and CEO of specialty chemical distributor Aggressive Selection, factors out that genuine confidence in your capabilities consists of recognizing when to hunt assist. 

 “Don’t be afraid to confess what you don’t know and ask for assist — it’s via collaboration and studying from others that we develop,” she shared. 

This balanced method — combining self-assurance with laborious work and steady enchancment — creates a basis for lasting success.  

As Summit Electrical Provide’s Hernandez places it: “Roll up your sleeves, dig in, work laborious and sensible … so that you earn each job/promotion as a result of you’re the greatest and most certified individual for it. By doing this, you’ll earn the credibility and respect it’s essential achieve success not solely in your present function, however in future roles as effectively.”

And a phrase of recommendation for these struggling from Sarah Weiss, former CEO & President of Elite Roofing Provide, who offered her enterprise to Gulfeagle Provide in 2024: “Notice that when folks gaslight you, say you’re intimidating or converse over you in conferences or don’t embrace you in social actions, that could be a reflection on their self-confidence and character, it has nothing to do with you.” 

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2. Discover Mentors and Strengthen Networks 

A number of of the 2025 Girls in Distribution Honorees are related to varied commerce associations and women-specific cohorts which maintain occasions to construct skilled networks, provide assist and supply profession sources. Some, like SRS Chief Data Officer and Senior Vice President of IT Sonya Wells, additionally lead worker useful resource teams at their firms and advise leaders to not solely build relationships throughout the group, but additionally with the client base. 

Under is a (not exhaustive) listing of a few of the organizations the 2025 Girls in Distribution are part of:

For Jenna Hoertz, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Mission Administration at APR Provide Co., she notes that the business “presents distinctive alternatives for skilled improvement. Whereas historically male-dominated, this creates vital development potential for ladies, together with a supportive group of feminine professionals who actively champion each other.” 

Different feedback:  

• “A lot of my profession has been pushed by the robust girls I’m surrounded by. Being round different girls who assist your objectives and encourage your successes has been so impactful in feeling assured in my function and with my place on the desk. It’s also vital to be that advocate for individuals who come after you to encourage others in the identical method that you just as soon as had been.” — Kathryn Poehling Seymour, CEO & President of First Provide
• “Search out robust mentors who see your expertise and potential and who root for you. And do the identical for one more individual, be the mentor who helps the following era inside the business.” — Sarah Weiss, former CEO & President of Elite Roofing Provide
• “Encompass your self with mentors, friends and business connections who can assist you, provide steerage and assist you to develop. Discover these areas, lean into steady studying, and know that you just belong on this business simply as a lot as anybody else.” — Robin McGuire, CIO of Reinders 

3. Embrace Your Perspective 

One sentiment rang true for a number of honorees: Don’t overlook that your point-of-view and variations are your superpower. 

“Don’t hesitate! Girls are a few of the most profitable sellers I’ve labored with as a result of their mindfulness, their capacity to hear for understanding, and construct collaboration amongst their sources,” defined Melissa Shute, a 37-year veteran of distribution and the Director of Regional Gross sales at MSC Industrial Provide. “They’ve a real need to drawback resolve and carry others up alongside the way in which. Industrial distribution is at all times attention-grabbing, difficult and has huge alternatives to achieve expertise and develop.”

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Comparable feedback made by different honorees:

• “Be dedicated to your beliefs and don’t be afraid to talk out when your opinion differs from the room.” — Lauren Lanter, Co-CEO at B&D Industrial. 
• “Embrace your minority as your superpower. That is an business the place girls can amplify our affect and convey a much-needed totally different perspective.” — Katy Vu, CFO of Bunzl North America

4. Decide to Progress and Excellence 

Within the fast-evolving distribution business, a dedication to steady skilled improvement and excellence emerges as a defining issue for long-term success.  

For Melissa Gordon, President and CEO of beverage distributor MGX Beverage Group, progress requires embracing slightly than avoiding challenges.  

“Remind your self usually to embrace discomfort and have a look at challenges as alternatives for progress,” the 29-year business veteran informed MDM. “Don’t draw back from setbacks — lean into them as alternatives to be taught and remodel.”  

“Remind your self usually to embrace discomfort and have a look at challenges as alternatives for progress.” — MGX Beverage Group CEO

Coffin of ABB Optical Group, agreed: “I encourage girls to embrace developments in expertise, develop their management abilities and foster a robust community. Moreover, regularly deepening their business information will distinguish them and place them for fulfillment.” 

Teesee Murray, Group President of Turtle and 25-year business veteran, presents a complete method to skilled progress centered on delivering distinctive worth.  

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“Construct your story. Deal with being a stellar contributor, going above and past working together with your group to ship outcomes that profit your organization. It is going to in the end profit you too,” she stated. “Be curious and be taught what’s new. It could appear intimidating at first. Create assist community with others who additionally need to be taught, be an important group participant and ask for a sponsor who will acknowledge your efforts to facilitate your improvement.”

Collective Knowledge

Mixed, the perception from these leaders reveals that excellence in distribution isn’t about avoiding errors or taking part in it secure, however slightly persistently pushing past consolation zones, buying new abilities and constructing a fame for distinctive contribution.  

Recognition at SHIFT 

We’re excited to acknowledge these honorees at MDM’s marquee occasion of the yr, SHIFT, to be held Might 13-15 in Denver. There, we are going to host a Girls in Distribution discussion board on the evening of Might 14, emceed by one in all our 2021 honorees, Allie Copeland of ADI World Distribution, with particular visitor Teesee Murray. Pre-registration is required and is finished when registering for SHIFT. Please direct any questions on the discussion board to [email protected].