Name and how long you have been in the industry:
Elizabeth Cook, a little over 7 years.
Short background bio – How did you get into the industry?
I was working in publishing when a former coworker reached out with a referral.It sounded like an exciting new opportunity with a fast-growing company.
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
Getting out in the industry and connecting with the HTM community at trade shows was truly pivotal in my career growth. I was working with an emerging company and attending these shows helped build brand recognition. On a personal level I felt tremendously supported by the community at these events.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
Several! Aside from product knowledge I think one of the biggest roadblocks was a lack of mentorship. When I started, I was the only woman in sales. I had 6 different managers within my first 18 months. It was like management didn’t quite know what to do with me. It took a lot of self-advocating and a few key individuals advocating on my behalf to really shift the perspective that what I brought to the table had value.
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
I think it is someone who takes the time to listen and assess the needs of an individual or business and jump in to help, even if it may not directly benefit them. I think that is one of the reasons I enjoy this HTM space. It’s the willingness to jump in and help wherever we can, however we can.
What advice to you have for the other women in HTM?
Keep your chin up and elbows up.