General Counsel and COO
DOWC
What is one of your proudest accomplishments of your career?
One of the greatest accomplishments of my career has been my ability to understand, adapt and shift my mindset. In my capacity as general counsel, I began my career with DOWC as “just” an attorney leading the regulatory and corporate charge for what was then a start-up. In order to grow into the role of COO and become a more versatile businesswoman, I needed to understand and honestly evaluate the challenges that resulted from taking a strictly legal approach to our business. I am proud of my adaptation and shift to a more solutions-focused mindset as it has generated substantial growth for our family of companies in recent years. In leveraging multiple perspectives to determine best courses of action, I am now able to drive business forward and contribute in many areas that an attorney would not normally have an impact on — from financial reporting, to marketing, support and claims, just to name a few. A positive, purpose-driven mindset with a focus on creating value for our clients has allowed me to take a more comprehensive and well-rounded approach to our business that ensures we are making meaningful progress toward our goals.
What is your best advice to other women who want to excel in the automotive industry?
Success takes stamina. The old adage of business being a marathon and not a sprint is true. The only way to stay at the top of your game and find your second wind when necessary is by caring for yourself, your family and your business in a balanced way that allows you to thrive by enjoying your day-to-day work. Celebrate the progress you and your team make each day to maintain your business momentum.