Editor’s Note: This is the second in a four-part series. See Part 1 here, Part 3 here and Part 4 here.

The NAW Women in Distribution, presented by MDM, is an annual distinction to recognize women making a meaningful impact across the distribution industry.

We continue our 2026 Women in Distribution series with the second installment of honorees, highlighting five leaders whose careers reflect the depth, diversity and evolving nature of today’s distribution industry.

Read the Part 1 here, featuring leaders from Border States, Rexel USA, Turtle, Lawson Products and Global Industrial. For the full list of 2026 NAW Women in Distribution.

This year’s four-part series showcases women across a wide range of roles — from executive leadership and finance to technology, sales and operations — each contributing to the growth and transformation of their organizations. As the industry continues to evolve through digital innovation and changing customer expectations, these leaders demonstrate how adaptability, collaboration and strong leadership are driving meaningful impact.

LAST CALL: MDM 2026 Top Distributors Submissions are Due March 31

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.

Check out the 2025 Women in Distribution here.

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 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.

Marlee D’Arco — Chief Executive Officer at Safety Services Inc.

“She develops leaders, not just managers, creating an environment where teams are encouraged to take ownership, innovate and execute at a high level. Her influence extends beyond financial performance to building a resilient, people-first organization that is well positioned to compete and thrive in an increasingly complex distribution landscape.” — Joshua Sortland, Safety Services’ Director of Supply Chain Operations

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 7

How did you get into this industry? My grandfather started Safety Services, Inc. in 1948. While I grew up outside the business, it was a big part of our families in life. In 2019, I had a unique opportunity to join the company and later establish ownership.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? I love that every day brings a new customer challenge to support and solve. I’m enamored with the hard-working people we serve and the incredible things they build, create and care for.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? Seeing people in our organization prosper personally and professionally. It’s amazing to watch people blossom and transform into their best selves right before your eyes.

Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I serve as a board member of an economic development organization, Southwest Michigan First and Safety Services, Inc. is a “Council of 100” sponsor, committed to job creation and the economic growth of our region.

Jenni Detert — VP of Information Technology at Endries International

“She is passionate about technology and people and how the combination of both will deliver superior results.” – Dan Crociata, President & CEO of Endries International

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 30

How did you get into this industry? I began my career at Endries as a temporary third-shift warehouse worker while attending classes during the day. I ended up accepting a full-time role, and over the next several years I worked in a variety of positions across the business, gaining a broad understanding of our operations. That experience ultimately led me into IT, where I’ve continued to grow my career within the distribution industry.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? What I enjoy most about my role is that no two days are ever the same. There’s always a new challenge to solve using technology, which keeps the work engaging and rewarding. I love bringing together different areas of the business and helping teams connect and collaborate more effectively. Equally rewarding is watching my team grow — seeing them develop their skills, tackle challenges, and deliver solutions that make a real impact on the business.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? It’s hard to point to a single experience because the most rewarding part of my career has been the journey itself. When I started at Endries, it was a much smaller, family-run organization, and I’ve had the privilege of watching it grow and evolve over the years. Endries has a unique culture that encourages people to stay and grow — many of our leaders and associates have spent decades here — and seeing colleagues I’ve worked alongside for so long continue to develop has been incredibly meaningful.

On a personal level, progressing from picking parts in the warehouse to serving on the senior leadership team has been a humbling and rewarding experience. I’m grateful for the people who have supported and challenged me along the way. Leading and contributing to the evolution of our technology has been especially fulfilling, from the early “green screen” days to today’s AI-powered technologies. Growing alongside both the business and the people in it has been truly fulfilling.

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 most to me is our Infor ERP and WMS cloud migration, which we successfully completed in May of 2025. Over the years, my team has led many impactful efforts — from modernizing core technologies to supporting multiple acquisitions and partnerships — but this project was truly unique in its scope and complexity.

The migration was a multi-year effort with hundreds of moving pieces, touching nearly every part of the business. It required close collaboration across teams, careful change management and an incredible amount of dedication from everyone involved. Seeing all of that planning, problem-solving and teamwork come together successfully was incredibly rewarding.

What makes me most proud isn’t just the technical achievement, but the way my team rose to the challenge. Their commitment, resilience, and focus on supporting the business throughout the transition made the success possible, and it was incredibly gratifying to watch them deliver something so impactful together.

Natalie Eide Macmillan — VP of Sales – Southeast Region, Construction at Wesco

“Known for her people-first leadership style, Natalie fosters a culture of trust, collaboration and accountability, treating her team like family and empowering them to succeed.” — Amy Kroszczynski, Wesco’s Director of Marketing, Construction

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 20

How did you get into this industry? Entirely by chance! I took an administrative assistant role with an industrial distributor while finishing my economics degree. At that time, I had very little understanding of electrical distribution or its incredible impact on the world around us. Little did I know at the time the life-changing decision I had made and the incredibly rewarding career ahead of me.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? I love the everyday impact of what we do and the immense opportunity ahead of us. Electrification is pushing our industry to evolve, and the opportunities we have are incredibly exciting, from supporting local development to navigating large, complex projects. The demand trajectory for our capabilities and solutions means continued opportunities for all of us and I am just so grateful to be a part of it.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? The people I have met and the relationships we’ve built together have been incredibly rewarding. The heart of this industry is partnership, and the team members, suppliers and customers I’ve had the opportunity to work with over the past twenty years have helped shape me both personally and professionally. As a leader, I look to those relationships that have influenced me most and take every opportunity to make a memorable impact on others.

From your career, is there an accomplishment you are particularly proud of? I am most proud of my ability to adapt and lead through change. My career journey in distribution has been unique, taking me through roles in human resources, finance and sales across various verticals. I’ve also been through multiple acquisitions. Embracing change was essential to success and presented me with both new opportunities and diverse perspectives. As a leader, I have learned that change navigation is an individual journey that is best navigated through the support of a team, and I leverage my own experiences to help others embrace this.

Karen Friar — Chief Financial Officer at Benco Dental

“Outstanding leadership of a growing distribution company that makes a difference for customers and the nation.” — Chuck Cohen, Managing Director of Benco Dental

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 27

How did you get into this industry? Benco was my first job out of college, so I really grew up in this industry. What drew me in early was how much was always going on and how many parts of the business came together. I was fascinated by the mix of customers, operations, finance and strategy, and I loved learning how it all worked. Over time, I came to appreciate not just the pace of the business, but the impact we have on the customers we serve. What started as my first job turned into a career and an industry I have genuinely loved being part of.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? What I like most is helping shape the future of the business. As CFO, it is not just about finance. It is about strategy, growth, discipline and making sure the company is positioned for long term success. I enjoy connecting the numbers to the bigger picture.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? The most rewarding part of my career has been the opportunity to help lead through meaningful change while also developing people along the way. I have been fortunate to be part of important moments for the business, helping drive growth, navigate challenges, and build a stronger foundation for the future. But what has meant the most to me is seeing the people around me grow. Watching someone step into their potential, gain confidence, and become a stronger leader is incredibly rewarding. For me, the best part of leadership is not just the results you help create, but the people you help develop along the way.

From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? A very recent one is the capital raise my team and I just completed. This is very important work, and I’m especially proud of how we showed up and positioned the company for the future… it was truly transformational for the business. It was not just about securing capital. It was about helping position the company for its next chapter, creating more flexibility, and building a stronger foundation for growth.

Any other info we should know about your industry impact? Last year, I joined the NAW Finance Advisory Council, and I’m excited to get more involved and contribute to the broader finance community in distribution. I also stay active in peer groups, both inside and outside the industry, because I’ve always believed there is real value in sharing ideas and learning from how others lead.

I’m also proud that both my team and my leadership as CFO have been recognized by OnCon over multiple years. Most importantly, I believe in giving back. I serve on two boards, one in the health services nonprofit space and one at a local university, where I chair the advisory board for the business school.

Kim Garrett — Chief Information Officer at Vallen

“Kim is widely recognized for her ability to build high-performing teams, enhance governance and lead complex change with clarity and purpose. She is a role model for women in the industrial sector — demonstrating how cross-functional expertise, continuous learning, and steady leadership can shape both personal career trajectory and enterprise success.” — Chuck Delph, Vallen CEO

Years in Wholesale Distribution: 35

How did you get into this industry? I didn’t set out to build a career in distribution, I honestly fell into it. Fresh out of college, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction I wanted to take. A friend who was working in the industry mentioned an opening, and I applied. I was fortunate to be hired, and what started as a job quickly became a passion.

What drew me in and kept me was the variety. No two days are the same. Distribution is fast-paced, operationally complex and incredibly dynamic. I loved how connected everything is: customers, suppliers, operations and technology. It’s an industry where you can see the direct impact of your work. That energy and pace hooked me early on, and I’ve never looked back.

What do you like most about your role in this industry? What I love most about my role is that it’s never static. Over the course of my career, I’ve held progressive leadership roles across operations, human resources, internal audit, finance, ERP transformation, and now Enterprise Effectiveness.

Enterprise Effectiveness encompasses technology and transformation including data, cybersecurity, organizational development, strategic program execution, and our Center of Excellence all designed to drive scalable, standardized execution across the business.

Because of that breadth, I don’t see technology as a standalone function. I approach challenges holistically: how do we improve the process, where can automation create efficiency, how do we lead change to ensure full adoption, and how does this ultimately impact our internal teams and external customers.

What energizes me most is connecting strategy, process, people and technology because real transformation only happens when all four move together. As distribution continues to evolve, technology and data will play an increasingly important role in how companies operate, serve customers, and grow.

What has been your most rewarding career experience? One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been developing people. I’m passionate about helping individuals grow into strong leaders and exposing talented associates to career opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves. I especially enjoy mentoring those who are still figuring out where they fit or what path they want to pursue. Sometimes all someone needs is encouragement, perspective, and the opportunity to stretch beyond what they think they’re capable of. Watching people build confidence, discover their strengths, and step into leadership roles is incredibly fulfilling. I also believe it’s important to help people see possibilities they may not have considered particularly in industries like distribution, where many individuals, including women, may not initially envision themselves in leadership. Supporting the next generation of leaders is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.

From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? Two experiences stand out as particularly meaningful in my career, both because they pushed me outside of my comfort zone and reinforced important leadership lessons.

While leading an organizational development team, I was asked to spend time evaluating a part of the business that was struggling. My team developed a plan to help the existing leaders address the challenges. Instead, I was asked to step into the role and lead the turnaround myself. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: if you truly believe in the solutions you recommend, you should be prepared to implement them. It strengthened my operational leadership and reinforced the importance of accountability.

More recently, our CEO asked me to lead one of the company’s largest technology and business transformation initiatives, an ERP migration that moved more than half of the business to a new platform and replaced a system that had been in place for decades. It required strong collaboration across the organization and again pushed me to stretch into a new area. The experience reinforced another lesson I’ve carried throughout my career: growth often comes from leaving your comfort zone. When you build strong teams and align around a common goal, you can accomplish incredible things.

Read Part 1 here, and stay tuned for Parts 3 and 4 to be published throughout the week of March 23.