WE Podcast

In the latest installment of the Women in Electronics “Leader in Highlight” podcast Founder and Host, Jackie Mattox, catches up with Maria Gillespie, Sr. Manager Distribution Americas at TE Connectivity. Maria first shares how she got her start in the electronics industry – working as an expeditor at a small distributor – and ultimately what led her to stick around and continue her career path to becoming an industry leader. As a lifelong learner, Maria believes “if you are the smartest person in the room, find another room,” and attributes that longing for knowledge, along with a deep respect and involvement in the mil/aero and defense sector of the industry as what keeps her motivated to stay. 

The conversation continues with the topic of leadership, and Maria notes how becoming a mother helped her progress and find strength as a leader. Empathy, patience, and accountability are key themes as Jackie and Maria discuss the intricacies of being a leader and the importance of the human factor. Leaders sometimes must make tough decisions and for Maria, open communication allows her to be comfortable in whatever difficult action needs to be taken. Beyond her own success, Maria aspires to be a sounding board for others. She actively shares connections and resources, lifting her team and supporting their growth. Her involvement in the WE organization aligns with this commitment to fostering professional development.

Maria and Jackie conclude on a more personal note, sharing what makes her happy and sad in her soul, what movie character she sees in herself (hint: she’s tough, empathetic, and passionate, just like Maria herself), and what key takeaways Maria wants to leave with listeners. Tune in to discover more insights from Maria! 

Join Jackie Mattox as she hosts Terri Walsh, Vice President & General Manager – North America at RUTRONIK Electronics, on the latest “Leader in Highlight” Women in Electronics Podcast episode. A nearly 30-year veteran in the industry, Terri shares how she got her start as an entry level engineer and how her career choices led her to the role she’s in today as a leader at RUTRONIK. Terri speaks on the opportunity she’s had to build a culture and a team from the ground up, focusing on inclusivity and embracing the differences and challenges that brings. She continues by highlighting the advances that women have made in her time in the industry, noting that one of the most positive things she has seen is the ability for women to come together and support one another. Jackie and Terri discuss work-life balance and the importance of choosing priorities and making the best decisions for you. Terri thinks back on the mentors in her life and how sometimes you just need someone to see something in you that you didn’t see yourself to give you a push forward. The interview concludes with thoughts on modern feminism, how connecting with people and helping others brings joy, and how our darkest moments can put everything else in perspective. Tune in to hear the full detail! 

Jackie Mattox of Women in Electronics hosts Jens Gamperl, Founder of Sourceability, on the latest installment of WE Radio’s “Leader in Highlight” Podcast series. Jens takes a deep dive through his career path and how his background in IT and distribution ultimately led to the creation of Sourceability. He shares what Sourceability does, how they work with the electronics industry, what services they provide, and how they continually look to their customers to develop the future of the company. Jens and Jackie discuss not only the future of Sourceability, but the future of the industry and the importance of training young leaders. Trust is at the forefront of this movement; it’s the job of the leader not only to inspire, motivate, and empower the people that they’ve hired, but trust them in their decision-making. Jens continues with the value he finds in the WE organization and how women have played an important role through his career. At the end of the day, Jens comments how it’s about making the best decisions for the company and the greatest joy is in hearing that if you could go back, you’d do it all again. Don’t miss this insightful interview! 

Join host, Jackie Mattox, on the WE Podcast latest episode of the "Leader in Highlight" Series as she interviews executives, Dave Doherty, President and COO, and Linda Johnson, Executive Vice President Operations, from DigiKey.

Highlights from this episode include DigiKey's recent brand refresh and their focus on continuous innovation. Dave and Linda emphasize the aim to provide customers with instantaneous access to information, the investment in automation to enhance the digital experience, and the importance of being a healthy ‘disruptor’ by being that one-stop shop for customers of all sizes, supporting both small-scale orders for designers, home engineers, and hobbyists, and large-scale production orders. 

Dave and Linda also share DigiKey's vision for the future, which involves maintaining the high availability of inventory  and choice of product their customers have come to expect. With their global presence, they can aggregate demand and deliver stock worldwide within 1-3 days, and they are dedicated to providing efficient and streamlined services to their customers. 

We learn that Digikey has kept it's roots in the quaint town of Thief River Falls, from where they headquartered and operating their global organization with the same foundational "people first" values. This episode explores DigiKey's emphasis on employee well-being and company culture and intentionally about how best to support their employees, not just in productivity, but as people in general, prioritizing the three C’s: connection, collaboration, and community. 

The episode concludes with final thoughts on what energizes and brings each executive joy and sadness, not only as leaders, but as human beings. Don't miss this enlightening episode of the "Leader in Highlight" Podcast, where you'll gain valuable insights into DigiKey's history, their customer-centric approach, their dedication to channel partners, employee well-being, and industry innovation.

In this episode of the "Leader in Highlight" podcast series, Jackie Mattox, the Founder and CEO of Women in Electronics, speaks with Don Akery, Chief Executive Officer at Waldom Electronics.

In the latest episode of the "Leader in Highlight" podcast series, Jackie Mattox welcomes Kate  Cartwright, Vice President of People & Culture, and Jessie Dearien, Vice President of Marketing, from RS Group. The episode kicks off with Kate and Jessie providing background on Allied Electronics & Automation and parent company, RS Group, and how the shift to one brand has simplified and unified benefits for both employees and customers.

The discussion uncovers the passion for the electronics industry and what excites Kate and Jessie about RS, emphasizing the company's ability to influence the organization's culture and enrich employees' lives by demonstrating leadership qualities. The duo underscores RS's commitment to “make amazing happen for a better world” and the importance of their partnership with Women in Electronics in supporting their vision for equity and representation of women and other diverse groups in leadership roles in the industry. They conclude with a note on recognizing that the industry still has a lot of work to do in terms of equity and representation for women and other diverse groups in leadership and how their partnership with Women in Electronics will support that vision in the future.

In this episode of the "Leader in Highlight" podcast series, Jackie Mattox, the Founder and CEO of Women in Electronics, speaks with Michelle Jobst from Jobst Incorporated, a manufacturer’s rep firm. Michelle shares her journey of how she came full circle into her family business at Jobst, from going on sales calls with her father as a child to graduating college with a degree in International Business and working her way through different corporate positions before returning to the Jobst organization.

Jackie and Michelle discuss the markets and industries that Jobst serves and the company's desire to be at the forefront of innovation. Jackie and Michelle also reflect on their initial meeting through MANA and Michelle's journey as the first woman on the MANA board as the elected chairperson. Michelle shares her thoughts on attracting young people to the industry and the importance of thinking outside the box when it comes to new hires. The discussion ends with Michelle emphasizing the importance of mentorship and connection and inviting women to the conversation. Tune in to the episode to gain insights from Michelle’s journey and her thoughts on the industry's future.

Join Jackie Mattox on the latest episode of the "Leader in Highlight" podcast series as she chats with Colin Strother, Executive Vice President of Rochester Electronics. Colin starts by sharing his career journey through various roles and companies in the electronics industry before joining Rochester for the past 16 years. He emphasizes the company's success in making customers happy, along with the importance of culture and human connections.

Jackie and Colin discuss the future of work in the electronics industry and the potential impact of AI in the next 5 to 10 years. Colin also shares his experiences with mentors throughout his career and highlights the importance of support and reciprocity.

The conversation then shifts to Colin's guiding leadership principles, emphasizing core values, authenticity, and trust. The episode concludes with a discussion on what makes a good leader and the work we have yet to do to bring everyone to the conversation within the industry. Check out this episode to gain insights into Colin's experiences and perspectives on leadership and the future of the electronics industry!

Live from electronica 2022 in Munich, join WE founder & CEO Jackie Mattox as she hosts AnnaMaria Pietromonaco, Corporate Vice President of Supplier Development at Future Electronics. AnnaMaria shares how a critical connection from the first company she worked for helped start and develop her career at Future, and how it doesn’t feel like a lot of years when you’ve had many different roles within one company. “We are taught to help each other.” AnnaMaria gives insight into how life at Future feels like a close-knit family and highlights the value of trust, autonomy, and flexibility in the workplace. She discusses the importance of not only quiet leaders who’ve been there to listen, but mentors who push and believe in you. That mentality has transitioned to her now supporting others, especially women, find confidence, clarity, and honesty as they move up in the industry. Jackie and AnnaMarie conclude with the big learning experiences that come with managing a career and a family.

In Part 2 of the latest WE Podcast, hear from Ken Bradley, President of the Americas Region at Allied Electronics & Automation, as he continues the conversation with Jackie Mattox, Founder and CEO of Women in Electronics. Ken first reflects on his time at Allied and how the industry has changed and grown throughout the years, shifting focus from selling parts to selling solutions and adding value to customer engagements. He shares what he’s learned from two of his recent professional mentors, highlighting the key values they engrained in him as role models and how that created a confidence he did not initially have. Ken also recounts where he first heard the advice he’s never forgotten and how that shaped his guiding leadership principles on the importance of empowering people. Speaking to empowering people, Ken and Jackie further discuss healthy disruption and the intentionality and endurance required when building a diverse and balanced team. Ken leaves us with words of wisdom for young professionals in the industry or anyone looking to advance in their career – “Don’t rely on a company or a person to write your development, write it yourself.” 

Jackie Mattox, CEO & Founder of Women in Electronics, hosts Ken Bradley, President of the Americas Region at Allied Electronics & Automation, in the latest episode of the WE Podcast. In Part 1 of this series, Ken talks about his unorthodox start in the industry and how his career evolved through network connections and relationships he built along the way. Touching on the skills he gained from his early days in the medical trauma laboratory, the “explorer” in him shares how his interest in science has translated to the business world and his desire to dissect the business. Ken also speaks to the value of mentorship he received from leaders early in his career at Allied and how he was able to experience the business through the full spectrum of operations. Part 1 concludes with conversation on the value of youth coming into the industry and his ideas on retaining young talent. Stay tuned for Part 2 to hear more from Ken on his experience at Allied and his guiding leadership principles.

Tune in to Part 2 of the latest “Leader in Highlight” WE Podcast Series as Founder and CEO, Jackie Mattox chats with Scott Theune, President of the Americas Region for Plexus Corp. In this second episode, Scott first reflects on the legacy he wants to leave behind. He shares his pride in the areas of the company he’s worked to “move the ball forward”. He shares how he’s been able to give others the opportunity to grow and also the value in putting something meaningful out into the world on the product side. Scott tells us about his earliest mentor, his high school basketball coach, and how professionally he’s always in observing mode – learning how people are making decisions at a high level and how to incorporate that into his own leadership and management style. Culture, clarity, and value are three key words Scott and Jackie discuss as he walks us through his guiding principles – the importance of a strong system of management & importing/exporting talent. Part 2 concludes with one of Scott’s biggest learning lessons and his mindset on opportunities for women at Plexus and within the industry. To learn more about Plexus, please visit them at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/c77c7b98/yHsmjGp4nEKt6Na82znoGg?u=http://www.plexus.com/. Hear from Scott in Part 1 and learn more in this Part 2 episode of his WE Leader in Highlight Podcast Series!

Join Jackie Mattox as she chats with Scott Theune, President of the Americas Region for Plexus Corp, in the latest installment of the Women in Electronics Podcast “Leader in Highlight” Series. In Part 1, Scott tells us how he got his start at Plexus by looking for growth opportunities and how his global experiences contributed to his leadership skills and style. To learn more about Plexus, please visit them at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/c77c7b98/yHsmjGp4nEKt6Na82znoGg?u=http://www.plexus.com/.  Scott fills us in on the mission and vision of Plexus, their strengths in a competitive market, and how they position themselves with their customer base to grow organically through the future. With a heavy customer focus in the healthcare industry, Scott also shares what business has looked like throughout the pandemic. He highlights the importance of collaborating with customers, employees, and other local businesses to prioritize safety while maintaining optimization and commitments. Hear from Scott in Part 1 and learn more in Part 2 of his Leader in Highlight Two-Part Series. 

Listen in as Founder and CEO, Jackie Mattox, hosts Blair Haas, Chief Executive Officer at Bud Industries. In part one of a two-part series, Blair chats about his memories growing up in this ever-changing industry had and how he learned the value in being able to pivot. He shares fun anecdotes about the early days of Bud Industries and their shift in product offering throughout the years to reinvent and stay relevant in new market verticals. Under the leadership and guidance of his first mentor, his father, and other industry icons, Blair shares how he learned active involvement by participating in trade associations and conferences, along with the importance of maintaining a solid network. “You can learn from anyone at any given moment, and this is an opportunity you don’t get again.” Part 1 concludes with key takeaways as Blair reflects on diversity in mentorship explaining how there is so much opportunity to learn from bright people in any age group, in any position, and in any industry. 

Jackie Mattox hosts Kristie Pierson, Director of Business Operations for Global Supply Chain Services at Arrow Electronics, in the latest episode of WE’s Leader in Highlight Podcast. Kristie tells us about the wide hat she wears in “A Day in the Life of Kristie” and shares how staying curious and being open to new opportunities landed her where she is today. Kristie also shares her thoughts on the importance of flexibility in the workplace and on fostering a more engaging model between employees and leadership in this new world. She discusses how leaders must make the shift and consider not only what’s best for the company, but what’s best for employees – how are they feeling, how can leadership support them, how can they reach their goals? Kristie adds “Just because you’re not going up doesn’t mean you’re not moving," and other key pieces of advice for women in the industry. Tune in to hear more insights and advice from Kristie on this episode of the WE Podcast!

Hear from Cindy Weir, Senior Director of Global Product & Purchasing at PEI-Genesis, as she chats with Founder and CEO of WE, Jackie Mattox, about her start in the industry, the importance of having a great support system, and doing what you say you're going to do. With Cindy's 40+ years' experience in industry, she reflects on moving up the corporate ladder throughout her career and the transition to managing your peers. "How do you want to be managed" is one question she poses as she speaks to the value in nurturing relationships and why the tough conversations should never be as surprise. Cindy leaves us with some insight on the progression of the industry and its future, and with words of wisdom for young, rising professionals. She also shares plans for her upcoming retirement including spending time with her grandkids, picking up old (& new!) hobbies, and traveling. Congratulations, Cindy!

WE chats with Chris Church, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Macrofab  about his digital manufacturing platform as a one stop shop to help customers manage critical workflows in real time providing the agility needed to ensure customer goals and success. Chris fills us in on the collaborative effort in working with channel partners in order to best service the end user.  Chris fills us in on his personal "why" and some critical leadership principals that have carried him though the growth of his organization. Chris provides his insight on culture and how to develop an ever-developing, improving, and evolving organization. 

Jackie Mattox, WE Founder & CEO, chats with Jeff Henderson regarding his session at the Women in Electronics 6th Annual Leadership Conference. Jeff gives us a glimpse of the type of leadership that inspires and his own personal "why". He emphasizes clarity in leadership and  how important it has become to lead with values, offer kindness, caring, compassion, and encourage conversations regarding mental and emotional health.  Jeff advises that discomfort is the price you pay for growth, otherwise the price to pay is stagnation. He also talks about a healthy mindset towards failure and how critical it is in launching forward. To hear more from Jeff, come see him in person in San Diego September 12-14 at the WE Annual Leadership Conference. Register at WomeninElectronics.com. 

Tune in as Jackie Mattox interviews WE Member in Highlight, Stephannie Bronson, who serves the role as Head/Director of Customer Service and Sales Operations at KEMET, a Yageo Company,  and champion for the WE Mentorship Program.  Stephannie fills us in on a few essential leadership principals passed down from her mentor and how those principals have shaped her career.  She gives insights into the work/life balance conversation, addressing the critical topic of overwhelm and how it has impacted retention in the industry.  Stephannie talks us through the process of endurance and leading through collaboration and compassion as we navigate continued industry challenges.