Editor’s Note: This is the first in a four-part series. See Part 2 here, Part 3 here and Part 4 here.

We received a strong pool of nominations for the 2026 NAW Women in Distribution honor, presented by MDM.  This annual distinction continues to recognize women making a meaningful impact across the distribution industry — from leadership and innovation to operational excellence and mentorship.

This year, we are presenting our honorees as a four-part series, each spotlighting five leaders who exemplify the talent, dedication and leadership shaping today’s distribution landscape.

MDM received nominations from across the industry. To be eligible for recognition, nominees must: currently work in the distribution sector — or have done so recently — and 2) not have been featured in a prior MDM Women in Distribution class.

For the full list of 2026 Women in Distribution click here; and check out the 2025 Women in Distribution here.

From there, our editorial team evaluated the nominees to select those demonstrating significant contributions to their companies and the broader industry.

For this installment, we feature five honorees and their perspectives on their career paths, what drives them in their roles, their most rewarding experiences, and the initiatives they are most proud of.

Read on for this group’s profiles, and stay tuned for the remaining installments of NAW’s 2026 Women in Distribution series, presented by MDM in alphabetical order.

Recognition at SHIFT 

Besides publishing the 2026 NAW Women in Distribution honorees here on the MDM website, we’re also excited to recognize them at MDM’s marquee event of the year, SHIFT 2026 — The Future of Distribution taking place May 12–14, 2026 in Denver. Throughout SHIFT, we’ll spotlight these standout leaders — from rising stars to seasoned executives — whose vision and impact are shaping the future of the industry. Honorees will be featured on the main stage and recognized during a dedicated Women in Distribution reception, creating a powerful moment for connection, inspiration and industry-wide recognition.

Richelle Bishoff — VP of Industrial Solutions at Border States

“She is one of the most inspiring leaders, strategic thinkers and bold decision makers I have had the privilege of working with.” — Tony Serati, Border States’ VP of Supply Chain Strategy and Optimization

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 15

How did you get into this industry? I got into our industry completely by accident, but stayed because of the people, the purpose and the impact our work has on communities.

I joined Border States in 2011 and have had the opportunity to serve in several leadership roles across our supply chain organization, most recently as the Vice President of Procurement, and now stepping into our industrial core market leading the development and execution of our core market strategy. While my path into the industry wasn’t something that I planned, it quickly became clear that the work is incredibly meaningful. We sit at the center of how communities’ function and have the opportunity to be in an environment where every day involves solving real problems. What started as an unexpected, and not very intentional, career path has turned into a deeply meaningful one.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? What I enjoy most about my role is the combination of challenge, collaboration and problem solving. Having the opportunity to show up every day and work alongside talented people is incredibly rewarding. Our teams consistently turn challenges into results, take ownership of the work in front of them, and look for ways to make a meaningful difference for our customers. That commitment to improve the customer experience and support one another is something that continues to motivate me.

Being part of an employee-owned company adds another level of pride and accountability to the work we do. Every employee-owner has a personal stake in our success, which creates a culture where people truly care about each other and the outcomes that we deliver. Every day presents a new opportunity to solve problems, think creatively, and work alongside talented employee-owners who care deeply about doing the right thing. That shared sense of responsibility and pride in our work is what makes the industry, and this role, so fulfilling.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? There have been many rewarding moments throughout my career, but one of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing the impact our teams make during critical moments. Whether it’s helping a customer keep a project moving, navigating complex supply chain challenges, supporting customers and communities during storm events, or developing creative solutions to solve difficult problems, our team consistently step up when it matters most, which is something I take great pride in being a part of.

Equally meaningful is the opportunity to support our employee-owners. I’m deeply passionate about helping others grow and develop in their careers because I was fortunate to have leaders who invested in me. Watching people step up to challenges and figure things out, gain confidence, and realize their potential is one of the greatest gifts of leadership and one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? One initiative that stands out is the work we’ve done to support growth by delivering an experience that compels others (customers, vendors, employee-owners) to choose Border States. An example of how we drive growth can be found in how we approached multiple supply chain challenges, such as the pandemic and the recent tariff environment, with intentionality, transparency and proactive communication. While we didn’t always have all the answers, we made it a priority to curate information and share what we knew was important. A key example of this is the monthly supply chain update that we launched during the pandemic, and that remains a valuable resource for our industry and a point of pride for me, and the teams that contribute to the updates. It reflects our commitment to keeping stakeholders informed and navigating challenges thoughtfully.

Equally important is our focus on people. By dedicating time to employee-owner development, giving teams opportunities to step into meaningful work, responding thoughtfully to feedback, and supporting participating in mentorship, training and development programs, we’ve seen measurable improvements in our employee engagement scores. Part of the feedback we received throughout my time in Procurement was around the need to make the work of the team scalable and put people in a position to do their best. Through this feedback, we have embraced technology to not only improve the quality of work, but to also improve the output and impact of the work being done. Things like using AI and ML in our lead time predictions make a difference in how people can show up to work every day while also improving the quality of data that is feeding the supply chain. Creating an environment where people feel heard, can grow, and contribute while delivering results is something I am grateful to be a part of.

Any other info we should know about your industry impact? tED Magazine’s 30 under 35 award recipient; United Way 35 under 35 women’s leadership program; Border States’ Women’s Leadership Program executive sponsor; BIO Girls Board Member; YWCA Program Committee; Border States’ Leadership Council deputy chair

Jill Brady – VP of M&A Integration & Transformation at Rexel USA

“Jill was transforming our organization long before ‘transformation’ became a buzzword. She turns critical, complex processes into powerful playbooks that elevate how we deliver major projects and acquisitions.” — Michele Sauvadon, Rexel USA’s Director of M&A Integration & Value Capture

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 26

How did you get into this industry? I joined GE Supply — an electrical distributor — right after graduating from Clarkson University in a two-year rotational training program focused on sales and operations. I worked in the Reading and Harrisburg, PA branches, where I learned what makes a branch run — from customer relationships to inventory and order fulfillment — while shadowing exceptional sales and operations teammates. Moving to GE Supply’s Shelton headquarters broadened my view of cross-functional work and cemented my focus on operations and process improvement. GE Supply was acquired by Rexel in 2006, and I’ve remained with Rexel throughout my career. That continuity — plus later roles leading Northeast procurement, pricing and projects — gave me the operational, commercial, and integration experience that prepared me for my current role.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? I’m energized by solving complex problems, driving execution, and delivering measurable results for our teams and customers. My role is intensely people-focused — I work with sales, operations, finance and IT on both integration and transformation projects to identify root causes, test practical solutions, and scale what works. A recent priority has been integrating new teams into Rexel: by getting to know new colleagues, understanding their ways of working and learning their “secret sauce,” we not only smooth operational transitions but capture practices that improve performance companywide. The best part is seeing execution translate into real outcomes — faster service, greater efficiency and stronger results for our teams and customers.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? The most rewarding part of my career is leading transformation and building teams that deliver real results. I lead a group focused on M&A integration and transformational projects; we’re nimble, execution-oriented and embrace technology to accelerate change. The team digs into root causes, pilots practical digital tools and process improvements, and scales solutions that make work easier and more effective for our branches and customers. Watching teammates grow, adopt new ways of working, and deliver measurable benefits to the business is incredibly fulfilling. It’s that blend of teamwork, agility and innovation — and the tangible impact we deliver — that keeps me motivated every day.

From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? One initiative I’m particularly proud of is leading Rexel’s M&A integration practice — we’ve completed eight integrations in the past two years using a people-first, structured approach that balances repeatable rigor with respect for each company’s uniqueness. We start every integration with an integration thesis that defines the value we expect to capture and the priorities that will guide decisions. From there we apply a consistent governance model — rapid discovery, cross-functional workstreams, prioritized quick wins and a cadence of check-ins — so execution is predictable and measurable. But we don’t use a cookie-cutter approach: each target is treated as its own entity with unique culture, systems, and ways of working. Early listening sessions and onsite time help us surface the team’s “secret sauce,” retain key talent, and identify practices worth adopting companywide. We also leverage practical tools and technology to accelerate onboarding, reduce errors and provide transparency for stakeholders. The result has been smoother transitions, faster time-to-productivity for new team members, measurable operational improvements for branches and customers, and retention outcomes that preserve acquisition value.

Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I’m an active leader and mentor within Rexel: I previously co-led the Northeast Chapter of WiRE (Women in Rexel) alongside Julie Sferes, helping to grow programming and engagement for women across the region. I also mentor participants in Rexel’s GAIN and CORE career development programs, supporting early- and mid-career employees as they build skills and advance their careers.

Wendy Buchholz – VP of Sales at Turtle

“Her ability to combine business transformation with mentorship and values-driven leadership has made her an influential force both within Turtle and across the broader distribution sector. Wendy is widely respected for her commitment to elevating people, strengthening partnerships and advancing sustainable, high-impact growth.” — Teesee Murray, Turtle Group President and one of our 2025 Women in Distribution

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 5

How did you get into this industry? I was actually recruited into this industry when I was selling to healthcare institutions at the time. I worked for Johnson Controls for 26 years in the energy, HVAC and electrical space, and this was a natural transition based on my background.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? I like to bring diversity of knowledge and experiences to the projects and customers I am involved with daily. My background is business and I have an MBA. I love the relationships that I have built in this space and how I can coach women to know they belong at the table and their opinions matter.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? My most rewarding career experience has been building teams and coaching people with different backgrounds to work together to be successful. This requires technical, financial and operations people to come together to build solutions and I believe this is a strength of mine, to find the talent and make it work.

From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? A key initiative I have led for Turtle is to create a business plan for our business in Upstate, NY, build a backlog, recruit and hire a team and lead the operations of opening new branches.

Heather Buck – Sr. Director, Product Operations at Lawson Products

“Heather’s career demonstrates what’s possible when expertise, curiosity and leadership are developed over time: a long-term, high-impact path that strengthens the company and expands the industry’s view of where women lead.” — Ilan Rodzynek, Lawson Products’ VP of Product and Margin Management

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 28

How did you get into this industry? I started my career soon after college as a technical specialist answering chemical product questions. It was a smaller company which allowed me to get involved in many cross-functional projects. That early exposure to different facets of the business was invaluable. It allowed me to bridge the gap between technical data and operational strategy, and grow my career in areas I hadn’t considered as a new graduate.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? As Sr. Director of Product Operations, I have a very diverse portfolio of responsibility – engineering, regulatory, product education, product data and production art. This mix gives me a unique vantage point on how we move products from our suppliers into a customer’s hands. I enjoy the challenge of navigating the operational puzzle, whether that’s ensuring labeling compliance or coordinating necessary reformulations to meet specific standards. It’s about ensuring every technical and creative gear is turning in sync so we can deliver a seamless experience. The variety of projects ensures I am always learning something new.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? The most rewarding part of my career has been supporting the professional growth of my team. Seeing employees develop their skills and move into more senior roles, whether at Lawson or elsewhere, has been my favorite part of my job. Knowing I played a small part in their career trajectory is incredibly fulfilling.

From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? I have led several enterprise-wide software integrations that have had a large impact on efficiency by transforming workflow. Examples include SDS Authoring Software, Product Information Management Software and Specials Quotation Application. Additionally, I co-developed a product education series for our 900+ sales representatives and support teams. The initiative led to an increase in cross-selling opportunities by ensuring our field- sales and inside sales teams gain a detailed understanding of the technical nuances of our portfolio. And it has been a lot of fun to produce.

Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I do participate in industry organizations, but my leadership roles extend beyond the workplace into my local community. I co-chair an international bicycle racing event, the West Dundee River Challenge, which kicks off the Chicago Grit 10-day race criterium. I also organize our village’s annual Community Halloween Party and was awarded a Community Service Award in 2021.

Anesa Chaibi – CEO at Global Industrial Company

“Anesa has swept into Global 1 year ago and brought a breath of fresh air to the whole operation. Our keyword has been change, and so far all for the positive.” — Richard Mezaduryan, Global Industrial’s Sales Manager, Industrial

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 20

How did you get into this industry? I spent the first 16 years of my career at General Electric, which was an incredible place to begin my professional journey. It gave me the opportunity to apply my engineering education while developing my leadership and management skills. I worked across several different GE businesses, gaining valuable experience that ultimately led me into the industrial distribution industry. In 2005, I joined The Home Depot/HD Supply as President and CEO of HD Supply Facilities Maintenance. This was a natural extension of my experience at GE and an opportunity to apply what I had learned about operations, scale and leadership in a new environment.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? I’ve always enjoyed identifying and solving business problems, and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside talented teams throughout my career, which has made the experience especially rewarding. What I appreciate most about this industry is the opportunity to guide organizations through change while building businesses that can scale. That means continually improving how we operate, how we serve customers, and how we develop our teams. Ultimately, it’s about creating an organization that can grow sustainably while consistently delivering profitable results.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? For more than ten years, I had the opportunity to serve as CEO and lead the growth of the HD Supply Facilities Maintenance business. During that time, we significantly expanded the company, strengthened the leadership team, and built out our operational capabilities. What made that experience particularly rewarding was seeing how the business evolved, creating a scalable organization aligned around delivering value for customers and shareholders. That foundation ultimately positioned the company for long-term success, culminating in a successful IPO and exit from private equity ownership.

From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? One initiative I’m particularly proud of is helping lead organizations through shifts in how they engage with customers and go to market. In several of my roles, we focused on strengthening our understanding of customer needs through programs such as Voice of the Customer and Net Promoter Score. Those insights helped guide meaningful changes in how we operate, how we bring solutions to market, and how teams collaborate across the business. Over time, that work helped build organizations that are more responsive to customers, better positioned to scale, and truly customer-centric. Seeing those changes take hold across the organization and translate into stronger performance, has been especially rewarding.

Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I serve on the boards of Global Industrial Company and Advanced Drainage Systems. I am a member of C200 and have been a delegate to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women community since 2010.

Check out Part 2 here, and stay tuned for Parts 3 and 4 to be published the week of March 23.