Name and how long you have been in the industry?
My name is Lauren Hryshchuk and I’ve been working in this industry for a little over 3 years.
How did you get into the industry? Anything that drew you in?
I grew up in this industry and have been around it pretty much my whole life. I’ve always been fascinated with how things come apart and how they work.
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
Working with great coworkers and amazing leaders who have had the patience in teaching me everything I know and pushing me to go out of my comfort zone has made me better in many ways that I never knew possible.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
I’ve had to overcome not only being a very shy and quiet person, but also pregnancy, being a mother to 5, and the typical stereo type of my position and it being more of a career for men. Being the daughter of a CEO in the same industry has made me put a lot of pressure on myself to live up to my own expectations of being just as great as he is and to prove that I belong here and that I’ve earned my way to where I am now, not because of who I am, but because of what I am capable of.
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
I believe what makes a great leader is someone who has patience and vision. It’s great to have someone who believes in your success and motivates you towards your goals but also understands that it can take time to get where you want to be and is willing to help you anyway they can.
What advice to you have for the other women in HTM?
My advice for other women is don’t be afraid to show people what you’re made of. Always do more than what is expected and when you don’t feel like doing something, do it anyway. It gets tiring but it’s rewarding in the end.