International Women's Day is celebrated every year on March 8th. “International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality,” (internationalwomensday.com).
In celebration of International Women’s Day, here are a few of Evenflo’s many amazing women in leadership. They’ve graciously shared some words of wisdom and inspiration for the future generations.
Name: Kelsey Johnson
Title at Evenflo: VP, Human Resources
Who is a woman who has inspired you throughout your life and/or professional career?
“From a professional standpoint, my former manager, Ann Schemmel, has been a source of inspiration throughout my career. She is a great example of how women can successfully balance a dynamic career with family responsibilities. Under her guidance I learned unique leadership skills, and I still often think about her, or ask her, how she would handle a situation. Our frequent conversations continue to motivate me as I admire her calm demeanor, her humor and confidence in handling various situations.
Moreover, my mother has always been an inspiration in my life. Motherhood is a significant aspect of my identity, and I aspire to meet the high bar she set in my everyday life as a mother. If I can embody even a fraction of the love and support she has shown me, I would consider it an incredible achievement.”
What advice can you pass along to the future/upcoming generations of women in leadership?
“It is easier to lead when you have passion for what you do. Find something that makes you happy, even if it is a niche area of what you do. This passion will come through in your leadership. Don’t stop learning. You are never at too high of a level to go back to the basics and get a refresher. Don’t let ego get in the way of learning a new way of doing things. Discover influence through collaboration, not coercion. Frequently, women feel compelled to compensate excessively for their gender, resorting to bullying tactics to assert themselves in male-dominated environments. However, this approach fails to garner genuine respect. By maintaining assertiveness without aggression, you can establish your presence and earn respect without resorting to intimidation.”
Name: Amy Magee
Title at Evenflo: VP - Integrated Marketing & Consumer Care
Who is a woman who has inspired you throughout your life and/or professional career?
“I don’t think there is just one woman who inspires me – there are so many. My mom, being the first. But not for the reasons most would think. My mom grew up in a time where there were more hurdles for women in career choice. She would often say my choices would be ‘limited’ to what I could achieve professionally – not because I wouldn’t be educated, ambitious, or qualified but because I was a woman. While there are still challenges for women professionally, my career choices and limits were not what she experienced in her early working years. I am grateful that my experiences were broader, and the experiences my daughter has ahead of her will be even broader when she selects her career in the future.
Professionally, I was fortunate to have found a great mentor early in my career, a fearless leader, Erin Quill-Keough. She is everything, all at the right time. Erin is an amazing sponsor, manager, and role model. Erin helps open doors, helps me be better, strives for more and is always there to listen when I simply need guidance. While there were moments when I could not see what was ahead, she helped show me the way. There has been no one more influential in my professional growth than Erin! Erin is the influence that has helped me continue to place people first as a sponsor and lead. It’s incredibly important as a leader to spend time creating more leaders and help others achieve their personal and professional goals.
If we are going to talk about famous role models, I can’t help but give a shout out to Martha Stewart. I mean, anyone who started her core business at age 50, and continues to reinvent herself repeatedly, even when she had a very public misstep some years ago, is truly inspiring! I highly recommend checking out her official insta (@marthastewart48) to better understand what I mean when I say ‘reinvent’. Oh, and it helps that she is a great marketer too!
Inspiration often comes day-to-day for me. Sometimes, it’s in my interactions with the amazing women of Evenflo. I had a bad week recently and it was one of them who offered me a hug. It made a difference in my day. I’m inspired by all of them to continue even on the more challenging days so I can be there for all of them when they need me.”
What advice can you pass along to the future/upcoming generations of women in leadership?
“Keep going! And be yourself! Authentic leadership is key. Being who you are really helps when you are guiding others. We still have a lot to do to create more women leaders including giving sponsor to those who need it, at times in their career when they need it the most.”
Name: Kristen Guy
Title at Evenflo: Director, Human Resources
Who is a woman who has inspired you throughout your life and/or professional career?
“Two women have served as profound sources of inspiration throughout my life, shaping not only my personal values but also influencing me professionally. These remarkable individuals are none other than my maternal and paternal grandmothers. My paternal grandmother, Alice Guy, dedicated herself to a lengthy tenure at the Allegheny County Health Department in Pittsburgh, PA, while my maternal grandmother, Delores Fuquay, held the esteemed position of head nutritionist at the Gulf Lab, also located in Pittsburgh. Both extraordinary women exemplified traits of resilience, determination, community spirit, and respect for all individuals. Their example greatly impacted the way I navigate life and pursue my career today, for which I am so grateful.”
What advice can you pass along to the future/upcoming generations of women in leadership?
“Reflecting on their legacies, I find myself compelled to offer advice to future generations of women in leadership roles. My counsel to them would be to prioritize leading with respect, even amidst conflict, and to consistently approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset. Embracing a philosophy of ‘yes’ when feasible and understanding that nothing beats failure but a try!”
Name: Tammy Baker
Title at Evenflo: ParentLink Consumer Care Manager
Who is a woman who has inspired you throughout your life and/or professional career?
“Throughout my life and my professional career, my daughter has been a constant source of inspiration. I knew I had to be the best version of myself from the moment she was born. I wanted to be her role model and pillar of strength that she could always rely on. I witnessed her grow into a remarkable mother of 3 and a dedicated wife, and through her determination, she also established her career as an R.N. Seeing her determination in pursuing her goals has fueled my own ambitions. She has been a driving force and a constant reminder of the importance of self-improvement and personal growth.”
What advice can you pass along to the future/upcoming generations of women in leadership?
“Understand that you are capable of accomplishing anything that you set your mind to. Do not let other’s expectations or opinions limit your potential. Never stop learning. In a world that is constantly evolving, continuous learning cannot be ignored as it is the key to staying relevant and engaged in a rapidly changing world. Remember to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Taking care of yourself is essential for your overall well-being and productivity. Lastly, do not burden yourself with things that are beyond your control but instead focus your energy on the positive impacts that you can accomplish and on what truly matters.”
Join Evenflo in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th. Learn more about International Women’s Day and this year’s theme: Inspire Inclusion.