Recognizing the many contributions to society by women is an important facet of March, officially known as Women’s History Month.
As of October 2018, women make up 50.8 percent of the U.S. population. So why isn’t this number reflected by leadership roles in the workplace?
According to the Center for American Progress in 2018, they said, “In a broad range of fields, their [womens’] presence in top leadership positions—as equity law partners, medical school deans, and corporate executive officers—remains stuck at five percent to 20 percent.”
We’re proud to say that the team at Corporate Essentials doesn’t share this same disparity. Of the 14 people in leadership positions at the company, six are women and eight are men. In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked these six remarkable women about the responsibilities they hold as leaders.
Lori Puri
Director of Marketing
Kara Vazquez
Human Resources Manager
Maura Martin
Executive Chef
Lisa Damore
VP of Business Development
Jenn Polino
Director, TopBrewer Business Unit
Maritza Castro
Customer Service Manager
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Kara: “Women’s History Month inspires me to never give up on my hopes and dreams. It’s a time to reflect on how hard women have worked to get to where we are today and to continue to fight to get the equality that we deserve. Women’s History Month is a month of empowerment, reminding women everywhere that hard work and perseverance pays off.”
Maura: “To all the incredibly courageous women who have gone before me with grit, determination and foresight, I thank you! With women like Susan B Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Sally Ride, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and so many more I’ve been able to move forward in my life and career. Being a chef, which is a very male-oriented career, I have great admiration for Julia Child, Alice Waters, and Edna Lewis. All three of these women were brilliant, fearless and ahead of their time. I am in awe. To end, I will quote Coco Chanel, “A girl should be two things, who and what she wants.”
Jenn: “Women’s History Month is an important reminder of how far women have come in striving to attain the same rights as men in both the workplace and society as a whole. Being out of college for almost 20 years, I have had the opportunity to see, in such a short period of time, the increase in the number of women in leadership roles. I have had the opportunity to work for a handful of strong women and have utilized the skills learned from them to continue to push myself to be better. Some of the best advice I was given early on in my career was to fight to advance within the company, and when you achieve that promotion, to turn around and help the next woman get ahead too.”
What inspires you to be a better leader each day?
Lori: “I was a lucky intern who got paired with an incredible manager that gave me big shoes to fill in my own career. I saw firsthand the benefit a great leader can have on a team – motivation, creativity, career advancement, problem-solving… the list goes on. My inspiration today for being a better leader is hands down my team and the trust they place in me to guide them when they need guidance and to allow them to be the best versions of themselves at work.”
Jenn: “I look at the beginning of each day as an opportunity to present the best version of myself. I am hopeful that this approach, accepting challenges with a smile… inspires others to strive to be the best version of themselves, and to challenge themselves in areas where before they might have held back. Optimism is contagious.”
Maritza: “The future – nothing is given. Together is the only way we can accomplish anything. Nothing great was done alone. We must be consistent, persistent and believe in every step that is taken. Also, my family (blood, work, friendships). It is a great responsibility that must not be taken lightly. We are all leaders in life. Every action affects someone. I strive to inspire, teach, give hope and support.”
What life experience lead you to this field of work?
Maura: “I was raised by strong independent women who all happen to be really great cooks! I cooked with my Mom and my Grandmother when I was a little girl and found my calling. There weren’t a lot of female chefs when I was deciding what my path in life would be, so I followed my heart and my passion into a career that gives me joy every day.”
Lisa: “I was raised by two parents who were both educators. Everything was a lesson. Some good… Some, not so good. However, through my life experiences, I learned that my ability to explain, train, provide information, ask lots of questions and help find solutions – were all highly valuable skills in a business environment. Through lots of formal business training and sales experience, I have been able to train others to have their natural talents deliver them lucrative lifestyles.”
Maritza: “I started as a Business Administrator and went on to learn and love accounting. I then started at Corporate Essentials where I learned the underlying reason why I love what I do and it’s us, ‘Humans.’ I thrive on the success and happiness of those around me. I am still trying to figure out what I am truly meant to do, but what stands true to this day is that I want to be of service and help others grow and succeed.”
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned during your time in this role?
Lori: “Don’t overthink things. I have a tendency to over-analyze, but I have learned during my time in this role that often times the best way to analyze is to do, and then correct and adjust along the way. Sometimes, making calculated mistakes is the fastest and most efficient way to learn and to be better, and creativity can thrive in a culture that is not afraid of trying new things.”
Kara: “The most valuable thing I have learned is to adjust my approach to conversations depending on the emotions in the room. I can only be effective in my position if the information I am trying to deliver is received and understood. Learning how to approach people to get the best possible outcome is something I have learned over time.”
Lisa: “There are many things that I have learned through the years in my leadership roles. The most valuable thing I have learned is the importance of people. The people I work with, the people I work for, and all of the people I meet. No one is just an employee or a colleague, no one is just your boss or subordinate… Everyone is a person. It is so important to genuinely know your people. Knowing how they think, feel and what is important to them is the most valuable aspect at work, home and at play!”
Encouraging a diverse workforce has a number of benefits that improve both employees’ lives and business as a whole, as proven by a number of online studies.
One such study was conducted by analysts at Morgan Stanley, who reached a simple conclusion. “More gender diversity, particularly in corporate settings, can translate to increased productivity, greater innovation, better decision-making, and higher employee retention and satisfaction.” We are so thankful for the women who contribute to our leadership team every day.
