MDM received nearly three dozen nominations for our 2025 Women in Distribution feature, which we brought back after a four-year absence to honor a group of women who have been pivotal to their company’s growth, innovation and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
MDM’s SHIFT Conference Coming May 13-15 – Register Here
MDM received nearly three dozen nominations from the industry — some more detailed than others — but we viewed them as equals. To be eligible for recognition, nominees must 1) currently work in the distribution sector — or have done so recently — at a distributor, association, buying group or service provider, and 2) must not have been honored in our previous 2021 feature. From there, our editorial team evaluated the qualifiers to select the nominees we deemed most impactful to their company or the industry, and there were some very tough decisions to make.
Once we had our 20 honorees selected, we reached out to them with a simple questionnaire asking for some basic information and then commentary on their path into distribution; what they like most about their role; their most rewarding career experience; and any initiative they are particularly proud of.
MDM Announces Inaugural “Industry Titans” and Recognition at SHIFT Conference
Let this feature also serve as a year-in-advance heads up that MDM will look to collect nominations for the 2026 edition, and we’ll plan to issue that call for nominations in early February 2026. But you don’t need to wait until then to let us know about someone you think is deserving of this recognition.
Read on for each honoree’s profile, shown in alphabetical order, and stay tuned for further coverage of MDM’s 2025 class of Women in Distribution, including what their advice would be to other women entering the industry.
In the Store: MDM’s U.S. MRO Market Trends Report
Recognition at SHIFT
Besides publishing our 2025 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, to be held May 13-15 in Denver. There, we will host a Women in Distribution forum on the night of May 14, emceed by one of our 2021 honorees, Allie Copeland of ADI Global Distribution. Pre-registration is required and is done when registering for SHIFT. Please direct any questions on the forum to [email protected].
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Jerusha Coffin – Systems Integration Manager at ABB Optical Group
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 20
How did you get into this industry? While working in partnership with an ABB Optical Group representative during my tenure as an Account Manager for a contact lens manufacturer in South Florida, I had the opportunity to connect with their remarkable team. I will always be profoundly grateful to ABB Optical Group’s founder, Angel Alvarez, for extending an opportunity to me after I experienced a layoff.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? What I value most about my current role is the opportunity to harness technology to enhance and simplify the customer experience.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? During my early years at ABB Optical Group, I had the privilege of working alongside the founder and CEO, Angel Alvarez, as well as the President, Brad Weinbrum. Through their mentorship, they instilled in me a deep passion for distribution and the optical industry. They also provided invaluable firsthand insights into the strategies and leadership required to run a highly successful, industry-leading distribution company.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? Early in my tenure at ABB Optical, I had the responsibility of leading the customer support team for our first consumer-facing eCommerce fulfillment partnership. Despite facing significant challenges, including system issues and a hurricane, this initiative provided invaluable lessons and insights. These experiences continue to shape and enhance the support I provide to my customers and partners today.
Laura Dabaldo – EVP at Filter Engineering Corporation
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 17
MDM Notes: Since 2008, Laura Dabaldo has led operations at Filter Engineering — a Troy, MI-based distributor of high value air and liquid filtration products serving the commercial building, automotive, manufacturing and industrial markets. She was nominated by Evan Coe, VP of Operations at Filter Engineering, who described her as a “multi-faceted leader, GM Scholar, a wonderful public speaker and someone who really takes care of everyone on our team. An entrepreneurial pioneer in corporate training and development who developed programs for General Motors, Apple Computer, Dominos Pizza, Chrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Company.” He added: “As an owner of Filter Engineering Corporation, she wears many hats and energizes our team to be the best people we can be.”
Melissa Gordon – President & CEO of MGX Beverage Group
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 29
How did you get into this industry? As a third-generation family business leader, I grew up very close to the industry. I chose to join the business in 1996 at a time when the industry was undergoing the very beginnings of consolidation at the supplier and wholesaler tier and when operational efficiency became a point of differentiation.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? The opportunity to work directly with customers and help them navigate the highly complex beverage alcohol industry. This industry is highly regulated, and it’s very rewarding to help our customers understand and comply with the regulations while also finding creative ways to optimize their operations.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? Supporting employees who are early in their careers to develop and grow. Watching them build confidence, acquire new skills and then successfully take on increasing levels of responsibility 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? While serving as General Manager of Whitehall Co., Ltd. (a legacy business) I played a key role working with the CEO at the time, investment bankers and our legal team to develop a strategy for corporate restructuring that included assessing mergers, acquisitions and divestment. That decision – to launch a new company focused on streamlining control label program management for chain retailers — was a turning point for our business and created the foundation for growth.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? Beyond my work at MGX, I’m passionate about philanthropy and leadership development. I serve on the philanthropic trust at Boston Medical Center and am a member of the Katahdin Group’s CEO Collective. In 2024, I was named CEO of the Year by my Katahdin peer group, the Killington CEO Collective.
Sheila Hernandez – VP of Marketing & Supplier Relations at Summit Electric Supply
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 38
How did you get into this industry? Hired as a student intern from a local university for a summer marketing research project. First 2.5 years in the industry were as a part-time student while I was getting my MBA degree. Went full-time upon graduation and never left!
What do you like most about your role in this industry? What I love most about my role is that it is focused on our external partners. Customers and suppliers. How we can be successful together. How we can grow business together. How we can be better partners.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? When I started at Summit, we had three branches, approximately 50 associates, $10M in sales and were celebrating our 10th anniversary in business. Today, we have 24 branches, 720 associates, almost $800M in sales and quickly closing in on our 50th anniversary. Not only have I’ve seen here to see the growth and change over the years, but I’ve been able play a role in it. Many people today think you have to jump companies and move around to get ahead. I disagree. Summit has been a fantastic career for me, giving me so many opportunities to innovate, change and lead a range of different business areas. Summit is more than a paycheck to me and I’m proud of what we, as a company and as a team, have all accomplished together.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? Summit did not have a marketing person/department when I joined. Everything we’ve done over the years has been new for the company. We have been early innovators in many areas, including our focus on eCommerce and master product data with initial launches dating back in the late 1990’s. Summit has long been seen as an innovative and progressive marketing/branding company, with our team winning 60+ NAED Best of the Best marketing awards, including Best Overall Distributor. Today, we’re continuing to push our marketing efforts forward with our move away from “traditional distributor marketing.” We are solely focused on “marketing as a growth engine,” tracking success with tangible and documented growth metrics which go beyond webpage views and click through rates.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I have been active in the industry for many years at many different levels, serving on various task forces, committees, panel discussions and more. I was one of three IMARK Electrical Board Members who joined together with four AD Electrical Board Members on a special committee to provide strategic direction and leadership for the successful IMARK/AD merger. I’m proud to be a part of the Empowering Women Mentor Program. I was one of only 14 inaugural mentors who helped kick off the program. Today, I’m the only person who has participated in all 10 mentoring sessions to date. This program has had a positive impact on the personal and professional lives of 500+ mentoring pairs, in addition to building out a strong and vibrant network. But even more important, the program has created positive exposure for the women in our industry by increasing visibility and broadening perceptions.
Jenna Hoertz – Director of Strategic Initiatives & Project Management at APR Supply Co.
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 3 professionally
How did you get into this industry? I represent the fourth generation in our family’s wholesale distribution business, giving me a 32-year connection to the industry. After spending several years developing my career in the software sector, I made the decision to return and contribute to our family enterprise.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? What I value most is the meaningful impact our family business creates for all stakeholders — our team members, business partners, and customers. We’re in a position to drive positive change and influence the lives of everyone we interact with.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? Currently, I have the privilege of leading APR’s Emerging Leaders program. These high-potential professionals were specifically nominated by organizational leadership based on their capacity for growth and impact. Participants voluntarily commit to the program, which encompasses networking opportunities, community engagement, offsite development sessions, professional training and peer support. We recently concluded our latest offsite retreat, and I continue to be inspired by the group’s enthusiasm and dedication.
Lauren Lanter – Co-CEO of B&D Industrial
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 17
How did you get into this industry? We are a family business that I grew up being a part of.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? My favorite part of my job is being part of a customer or business solution. There is no greater satisfaction than helping solve an issue.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? Being able to work with and learn from my father for the last 17 years has by far been the most rewarding part 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? Fostering the B&D culture will always be a passion of mine. Our core values started with my grandfather and were built by many others commitment to B&D over the last 78 years. Protecting B&D’s culture will always be my number one priority. As far as a specific recent initiative, I led the selection and implementation of our last ERP. It was a difficult and rewarding experience to execute.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I’ve been involved with the Bearing Specialists Association for the last 10 years. I currently serve on the board and as vice chair of a committee. I have also been involved with the Power Transmission Distributors Association on various committees and previously served on the Foundation Board. I currently serve on the board of the Georgia Mining Association, as well.
Nichole Leonard – Sales Executive at Leonard Paper Company
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 14
MDM notes: Since the start of 2011, Nichole Leonard has helped spearhead sales at Leonard Paper, a wholesale supplier of janitorial supplies and foodservice disposables in the greater Baltimore-Washington area. The company has been family-owned and operated since 1940, and Leonard is one of seven family members active in the business on a daily basis.
Leonard was nominated by Michael Hilferty, Leonard Paper Director of Sales, who comments: “Dedication to details, customer service and thinking outside the box to be the best consultant and problem solver for her customer base. Nichole hits her sales goals every year and shows no signs of slowing down. In a relatively male-dominated industry she has taken that moniker and turned it around. While dealing with Nichole, you will find that she wants to fully understand your business and what it takes to overcome the competition to thrive in a competitive market, whether you are a restaurant, school, nursing home or healthcare facility.”
Heidi Levitt – Co-CEO at Levitt Safety Ltd.
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 28+
How did you get into this industry? I did not come out of the womb destined for the family business because I was not the first-born male. To be clear, my brother Bruce was! Other than a couple of summer jobs when I was under 10, packing bandages and doing whatever chores the First Aid department ladies could save up for the Levitt Kids, Levitt-Safety was never in my plans. Nor was it in my family’s plans for me.
Bruce had become president a few years earlier, and Levitt-Safety was coming out of the impacts of a recession and was ready to bring in some new talent. I took a significant pay cut and started in a combined role of purchasing and marketing. I justified the pay cut because I was going to be learning new skills. Looking back at this time, the lesson I learned was that sometimes you need to take a big risk or a step back, to move forward in your career. The other lesson I learned looking back now, was that I should have done a better job negotiating my salary!
What do you like most about your role in this industry? I like that people who are in it really care about making Canada a safer place to live and work, I like the variety and the ability to charter my own course, I love the culture at our company and our people, I like being a role model and mentor, hopefully making a difference in and outside my industry.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? I did a turnaround at our sister company Northern Light Technologies/NLT Digital in 2007 and that company has gone on to become an very important player in underground mining and tunnelling technology industries.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? I am very proud of our company alignment around the 35 Fundamentals that serve as our guiding principles. We talk to a different fundamental every week and open every meeting that has three or more people attending with an insight on that Fundamental. Because this is a women’s recognition, I would say that our Fundamental Embrace Diversity in People and Perspectives is a fitting one here. It says “Honour and respect everyone’s value as unique individuals, regardless of background, age, appearance or beliefs. Leverage what every colleague brings to the table, no matter what roles they have, their prior experiences or their tenure with our company.” We use our Fundamentals during in our hiring initiatives and this helps us pre-sell our culture for people interested in joining our company. It’s amazing how many candidates want to talk about what resonates with them from our Fundamentals and how they want to become part of a company that has this culture.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I serve on the NAWI, which is the board within NAW that covers everything Innovation; I have served across many YPO (Young President’s Organization) chapter, regional and international boards; I served on a U.S. Industrial paint, scaffolding and roofing company in Michigan; I mentor Rotman MBA students; and when it existed, I was a long time board member and chair of the board of the Safety Equipment Distributors Association.
Robin McGuire – CIO of Reinders
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 26
How did you get into this industry? I didn’t set out to work in the distribution industry, but like many, I found my way here through a combination of opportunity, curiosity and a drive to solve business challenges. My background is rooted in IT, analytics and digital transformation, and I’ve always been passionate about leveraging technology to improve operations, efficiency and customer experience. By chance — or perhaps by good fortune — I found myself stepping into a system administrator role, not even fully realizing what the distribution industry was at the time. What started as an entry into IT quickly became a career spanning 25+ years, where I’ve had the opportunity to grow, evolve and gain a deep understanding of the business from multiple angles.
Looking back, I may have stumbled into distribution, but I stayed because of the people, the innovation and the ability to make a real impact. It’s an industry that challenges you to adapt, problem-solve and think ahead — and that’s exactly what keeps me motivated every day.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? The ability to bridge technology, business strategy and customer experience. Distribution is evolving rapidly, and technology is a key driver of efficiency, growth and innovation. I enjoy transforming how we operate — whether it’s modernizing ERP systems, optimizing supply chain processes, or leveraging AI and automation — to ensure we stay agile and competitive. Another rewarding aspect is the people — the teams I work with, the relationships I build and the impact I can have on helping others succeed. Technology is a powerful enabler, but at its core, it’s about empowering people to work smarter, solve challenges and drive the business forward.
I enjoy collaborating across departments — operations, sales, marketing and customer service — to ensure that technology isn’t just a system we implement, but a tool that truly supports and enhances the way people work. At the end of the day, the biggest impact I can make as a CIO isn’t just in the systems we implement, but in how we connect people, processes, and technology to create a stronger, more innovative and customer-focused business. That’s what keeps me excited and motivated every day.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? Mentoring and developing teams, fostering a culture of innovation and seeing individuals grow in their careers. Whether it’s helping employees embrace new technology, guiding teams through an implementation, a digital or business change or finding ways to make work more efficient and fulfilling, I thrive on the connections I make and the ability to bring people together around shared goals. Leading change is never just about the technology — it’s about helping people adapt, learn and succeed in an evolving industry.
One of my proudest moments was seeing a team member grow from an entry-level role into a leadership position, gaining confidence and expertise along the way. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch people step into new challenges, develop new skills, and realize their potential — knowing that I played a role in creating an environment where they could thrive. I also take great pride in building cross-functional collaboration — bringing together IT, operations and customer-facing teams to work toward common goals and leverage technology in a way that makes their jobs easier and more impactful.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? One of the biggest accomplishments in my career has been leading the migration of our ERP system, Infor CSD, from on-premise to the cloud — a massive undertaking that required careful planning, coordination and execution. This wasn’t just about moving a system; it involved migrating all associated software, integrations, add-ons, training and new processes, ensuring business continuity, and minimizing disruption. To add to the challenge, we also transitioned our eCommerce platform to Adobe Commerce — and we successfully completed both projects in one long weekend. It was an incredible team effort and seeing everything come together seamlessly was a defining moment in my career.
As if that wasn’t enough, right after the dust settled, we integrated an acquired company into our CSD platform, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal impact to daily operations. These initiatives required cross-functional collaboration, technical expertise and a strong change management strategy to ensure that employees and customers experienced a smooth transition. What makes these accomplishments so meaningful isn’t just the technical execution — it’s the people, teamwork and trust built along the way. Leading large-scale change is never just about systems; it’s about helping people adapt, ensuring business continuity, and delivering long-term value. These projects reinforced my belief that with the right strategy, leadership and collaboration, even the most complex projects can be executed successfully.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I have been deeply involved in the distribution and technology community, not only through my leadership roles within my organization but also through my contributions to industry groups and professional networks. For over four years, I have served on the TUG Board of Directors, helping shape member experiences, knowledge sharing, discussions and initiatives that support distribution professionals leveraging Infor ERP solutions. In addition, I lead two networking groups for TUG — Reporting & Analytics and Women in Distribution — both of which provide spaces for professionals to connect, share insights and drive meaningful conversations around data, technology and leadership. Previously, I led the eCommerce Network Group and was also a member of the Infor Customer Experience Board (CEB), contributing to the evolution of customer-focused strategies within the Infor ecosystem.
Teesee Murray – Group President of Turtle
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 25
How did you get into this industry? I was recruited to join global software developer QAD who serves manufacturing and distribution.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? Distribution touches every aspect of life — from work, home and play. It takes a tremendous effort to bring all these products where they are needed in the proper quality and quantity, with thoughtful customer experience. There is a vast ecosystem of partner ecosystem of manufacturers and distributors who keep the world running.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? Joining Turtle as it turned 100 years old, with the amazing leadership and vision of Executive Chair Jayne Millard is a highlight for me. Jayne embodies the power of a knowledgeable trusted Distributor combined with the emotional intelligence of a visionary who is leading through this time of accelerated transformation. I chose to join Turtle and Jayne’s vision because she values the vital capabilities of technology aligned with the power of ordinary people united with a common purpose who achieve extraordinary results, together. Serving our customers, partners and Turtle team by leading the way forward with is exciting, challenging and fun.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? I’ve led so many successful initiatives with incredible teammates — it is hard to choose only one. I love being a serial innovator, inspiring teams to unite and transform to achieve ambitious goals. I’ve done many turnarounds, new product launches and scale ups. One initiative I am most proud of was in 2014 when AWS was selected as the infrastructure platform for our Infor CloudSuite solutions. This was the first enterprise software application to run on public cloud platform. We validated the many benefits before all competitors yet there were many skeptical public comments from prominent tech leaders. Within two years, they all adopted a similar approach to our bold plan. AWS is now a household name but very few knew it in 2014. I’m proud that we led the market and built industry-specific functionality collaboratively, using microservices and modern architecture to advance all sectors.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I have received numerous internal and external awards, with external awards including: IDG CIO Council’s Ones to Watch award; Women in Technology’s Digital Transformation Leader Finalist; HBSDealer’s Top Women in Hardware and Building Supply. With Jayne Millard, I lead Turtle’s sustainable accelerator called TurtleX. I currently serve on 2 Boards: Board of Trustee Member – Applied AI Consortium; Board Member – Triangle Digital.
Kathryn Poehling Seymour – CEO & President of First Supply
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 13
How did you get into this industry? As the CEO of a family business, I often joke that I have been in business as long as I can remember, but in reality I did not always see myself being in the role I am today. I am a tax attorney by trade and had a career I loved there, then the opportunity for me to come back to First Supply and work under my father and my passion for the industry grew. Thirteen years later and I haven’t looked back.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? My role in the industry allows me to connect with so many different people who play different roles in the distribution industry, all roles that are key to the success of their companies. Through these connections I have been able to have conversations that spark ideas and changes to better our industry. The knowledge of our manufacturers, vendors, other distributers, customers and, of course, my own team has taught me so much on how to lead and improve our business and industry for good.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? The most rewarding experience in my career has been the opportunity to be one of the cofounders of the American Supply Association’s Women in Industry division. I didn’t know it at the time, but this divison would grow to be an amazing tool for our industry to attract and retain women at all stages of their careers. What started as a small idea has turned into something that has exceeded our wildest hopes in how it would create a space for women in all areas of the industry.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? In my leadership roles at First Supply I was able to identify some of our key policies around working parents that were not going to make the modern day parent be able to be not only an active and successful team member but also a present and active parent. It was important to me to address these policies to allow working mothers and fathers to be able to balance and blend their work and home lives in a way that worked for them. We did so by addressing our maternity and paternity leave policies, our PTO policies, creating mother’s rooms, and improving our culture of understanding around the unexpected interruptions of parenthood.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? National Association of Wholesaler-Distributer’s Board Member, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Boards Board Member, 2023 American Supply Association President, ASA Allison A. Martin Women of the Year 2020, 2024 Top Workplace Award and 2024 Top Women Lead Workplace Award.
Melissa Shute – Director of Regional Sales at MSC Industrial Supply
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 37
How did you get into this industry? I received a degree in industrial distribution from Texas A&M University, and was recruited by Almac Electronics in Portland, Oregon, as a Product Manager. Thank you, Don Campbell, for giving me my start. After 21 years in electronics, MSC Industrial Supply gave me the opportunity to move into a different industry which was a fantastic career move for me to a great culture and boundless opportunity for growth.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? Industrial distribution touches all facets of customers, suppliers, products and innovative technologies. The opportunity to meet incredibly gifted and curious individuals both internally and externally continually allows us as professionals to grow in thought and deed. My role allows me to constantly challenge myself and my thinking while also allowing me to reach back and pull others up alongside me, often celebrating their moving beyond.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? My most rewarding career experience was when I was scheduled to ride along with a sales representative and was to our meeting point. He called to say he was not going to be able to make it because they were foreclosing on his house. I referred him to our associate assistance legal program, and he was able to save his home for his family. Being present and accessible as a leader to our people and respecting that they have lives and families has humbled me. We work on important projects with important clients. It is our interaction with people and finding ways to make them better each day that gives me purpose.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? During a company realignment with the sales team which restructured how accounts would be supported based on size and complexity, I was tasked to lead the training, mentoring and coaching of our Key Accounts sales managers on how to lead a seasoned team. They would be responsible for the largest, most complex customers nationwide. Sales managers might not be able to be with sellers in person at a moment’s notice if a significant customer issue arose. They had to learn new systems, reporting and how to manage remotely. It was a tremendous experience to collaborate with managers across the company and to celebrate their successes as they grew into their new roles — a collaborative network that continues to this day.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? FY24 MSC Sid’s Club Top Regional Director; MSC Women’s Inclusion Network Mentor and Contributing Presenter; Volunteer at Denver Senior Support Center; Lifelong blood donor.
Birte von Schwarzenfeld – SVP of Commercial Solutions at Beacon Building Products
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 3
How did you get into this industry? I joined Beacon to lead its efforts to strengthen the go-to-market and operating model of commercial roofing products.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? In particular, the roofing distribution industry has been very welcoming in helping me learn the ways of doing business, the technical aspects and the key players. It was a pleasure to learn from so many passionate and friendly individuals.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? Beacon launched private label roofing insulation (TriBuilt) in mid 2024 under my leadership and it was amazing to see how quickly the team rallied around it, customers became interested, and we exceeded the initial projections many fold. I’m very proud of what the team has accomplished.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? Well, the above, but I’m also very excited about a pilot we are currently conducing in Southern California. We are offering the service of pre-cutting tapered roofing insulation there, after many years of offering it in Canada. The service is called PosiSlope. It’s the first trial in the U.S. and I’m curious if the labor and waste savings will be value added for contractors in the U.S. as well.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I’m a proud member of National Women in Roofing and those ladies are always a great bunch to have fun with!
Melissa Thompson – CFO at Uline
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 19
MDM Notes: Melissa Thompson’s career started at food and beverage packaging company Pactiv Evergreen before spending five years at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She joined Uline in 2006 and spent her first 15 years there in the role of controller before becoming a vice president in 2019 and has been CFO since 2021. Thompson also serves as Vice Chair on the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.
Sonia Timmons – CFO of Vallen Distribution
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 18
How did you get into this industry? Recruited to Vallen Distribution Finance to support diligence related to sell side transaction from public to private equity.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? It brings me great joy building high-performing teams and watching talent develop and grow within Vallen and the industry. I have the luxury of surrounding myself with leaders that bring diverse skill sets and ideas that supports Vallen’s strategic initiatives and financial health.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? My entire career trajectory at Vallen over the last 18 years has been exceptionally rewarding through mentorship, solving problems, engaging in industry networks like MDM, building teams, and continuous education and professional development.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? Over the last 18 months, I led the finance team through workforce planning and working capital initiatives that resulted in an improvement of $24M enterprise value. Key skills used for these projects included strategic planning, talent upgrades, project management, and scorecard development.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? Founding member of both Vallen’s Black Employee Resource Group and Women’s Employee Resource Group, Board Member of ISA Women in Industry, Committee Leader in ISA Emerging Leaders, speaker at National Industrial Supply Conference on the topic of “Distributor Analytics – Changing the Way you Assess and Drive Performance,” speaker/collaborator at NAW Management Academy on Finance Literacy.
Katy Vu – CFO of Bunzl North America
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 13
How did you get into this industry? I started out my career at KPMG with Bunzl being one of my clients. Despite being the least glamorous client I had (compared to Kering (Gucci) and Rolls Royce as my other main clients), I fell in love with the culture at Bunzl and got fascinated with the distribution industry. So, when offered a job at Bunzl, I jumped at the chance and have loved being in the industry since.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? I love the people working in distribution. I think our industry attached a certain type of talent who sought out results but happy to leave their ego aside, “high impact, low ego.” Our place in the supply chain means that we have to work in tandem with both our customers and suppliers and I love being in that delicate balancing act which not all other industries require. As we are a very acquisitive business, my role takes me to meet many businesses within our industry, from small, family-owned to large multinational, and I love the variety of businesses I get to see and the different types of leadership. I feel inspired every day.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? I have worked in distribution in three different countries as it has been fascinating to learn and adapt to the differences in each, not just culturally but how the industry differs depending on the wider macro economy. In each place, I find it such a privilege to be able to mentor and guide others through their career and it has been so rewarding to see how my former teams continue to blossom into their potential even after I have left.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? I am by far most proud of the teams that I have built and led and how they have continued to progress in their career, especially the female leaders I have mentored over the years, either organically or as part of our organized mentorship program or our ‘Inspiring Woman in Bunzl’ (IWIB) network, an initiative that I am heavily involved with. I have also just recently launched (as an executive sponsor) our NextGen group, targeting young talent (under 35) entering our company. Our industry can be at times difficult to navigate for the younger generation and seems less attractive than others, so this new group is aiming to boost networking, education (better understanding of the crucial role we play in the economy) which in turns will help with retention and further recruit talents into the industry, which is something I am very passionate about.
Sarah Weiss – Former CEO & President of Elite Roofing Supply
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 12
How did you get into this industry? My father was in the industry his whole career and we started the company together alongside other partners.
What did you like most about your role in this industry? My favorite part of my job was watching people grow in their careers and starting operations from scratch.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? I can think of many employees who grew tremendously in their roles, took on promotions, and were in a better financial position to support their families because of the roles we created and because of their initiative and drive and determination. Starting an entrepreneurial minded business allowed us to create roles that were different than what they would have looked like at a much larger business and that provided broader experiences for a lot of employees who were able to get involved in a lot of projects and gain a lot of experience.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? I knew early on that HR needed to report to the President/CEO because we sold commodities and what made us special was our people. Therefore, the HR function needed to not simply be compliance based but instead compliance plus culture and I needed to directly manage the leader of that area to make sure we stayed in alignment and sent the message that how our employees were treated was of the utmost importance to me.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? Supporter of National Women in Roofing; Former Board Member of IDAC (the Independent Distributor Alliance Corp); Former Board Member of Arizona Roofing Contractor Association; Former Member of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors; Former Member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Development Council.
Debbie Weitzman – Pharma Segment CEO at Cardinal Health
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 20
MDM notes: Debbie Weitzman joined Cardinal Health in 2005 as a general manager before spending more than 17 years in vice president roles for its Puerto Rico pharmaceutical operations. She became president of the pharmaceutical distribution in 2017 and the CEO of the pharma segment in 2022. Prior to Cardinal Health, Debbie had management stops at L&F Products, Reckitt Benckiser and Reckitt & Collman before a 10-year as corporate business director at Johnson & Johnson.
Sonya Wells – CIO and SVP of IT at SRS Distribution
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 30+
How did you get into this industry? In 2004, I had the honor of being asked to join Shelter Distribution out of Indianapolis, where I led them through a reset of their ERP and then lead to a new ERP. Shelter like SRS was very M&A heavy which grew my passion of acquisition integration.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? Interaction with contractors and seeing their evolution into utilizing technology. Leading a highly functional team in a very fast paced company is extremely rewarding. As an organization we are very innovative, and not afraid to try something new, if we fail, fail fast and try again.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? Creating shareholder value for our teams, leading our Employee Resource Group for women (WISE, Women In Search of Excellence) and giving back through our Raise the Roof Foundation.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? Or any key initiative that you led? Leading our team through over 150 acquisitions where we grew SRS from 12 locations to 800+, creating a playbook for integration that allows for day one go live to ERP and many other platforms including our digital offerings.
Any other info we should know about your industry impact? I serve on the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation board, the NAW Institute Board and the Children’s Advocacy of Collin County Board. I have received the Ron Ross (former CEO and Chairman of the Board) leadership award and as mentioned honored to lead the SRS Women’s Employee Resource Group.
Aundrea Young – President & CEO of Competitive Choice
Years in Wholesale Distribution: 25
How did you get into this industry? I got into the industry right after the dot-com bubble burst and the Enron scandal. Shortly after, the company I was working for folded and I was hired by a specialty chemical company.
What do you like most about your role in this industry? One of the aspects I most appreciate about my role in this industry is the inherent diversity it offers, particularly in terms of the wide range of challenges, stakeholders, and market opportunities. The ability to continuously explore and enter new markets is incredibly motivating. I find it fascinating how the operational and construction aspects of the industry are evolving, particularly in their integration with digital technologies. The industry has made significant strides in leveraging digital tools to improve productivity, optimize workflows, and enhance the efficiency of critical infrastructures. The intersection of innovation with foundational services creates an exciting and dynamic environment where constant learning and growth are encouraged.
What has been your most rewarding career experience? The most rewarding aspect of my career has been the strong, long-lasting relationships I’ve cultivated with customers and strategic partners. These relationships have allowed me to not only provide value but also gain invaluable insights from those with deep expertise in the field. The opportunity to learn from others, absorb their wisdom, and apply it to my own growth has been incredibly fulfilling. In addition, seeing the tangible impact of those relationships on both my personal development and the broader success of the business has been incredibly gratifying.
From your career, is there a company initiative or accomplishment you are particularly proud of? I am particularly proud of an initiative where I was able to create a new revenue stream by leveraging relationships with both my existing customers and strategic partner to expand our product offering to include electrical distribution. This not only enhanced the value we provided to our clients but also opened doors to new opportunities and further strengthened our market position. Additionally, it demonstrated the importance of strategic thinking and collaboration in identifying and executing on growth opportunities. Being able to contribute to the company’s evolution and success in such a tangible way was truly rewarding.
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Editor’s Note: Debbie Weitzman opted to pass on having a profile created from questionnaire responses. The brief profiles for her, as well as Laura Dabaldo, Nichole Leonard and Melissa Thompson were gathered from available information.
