Marketing Channel Manager at Shell
Why did you decide to come to Leeds?
When I toured Leeds as a high school junior, I remember being struck by its entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to social responsibility. My intuition told me that this was the place that would prepare me to be a visionary, an innovator, and a good citizen of the commercial world.
Could you share an experience that was particularly memorable?
During my junior year at Leeds, I had the privilege of being involved in the Leadership Challenges course through the CESR department. The course provided me with exposure to real-world business executives who shared the moral dilemmas they faced throughout their careers. It challenged us to execute business decisions at the crux of an ethical crossroads, analyze scenarios through the lens of a triple bottom line, and to examine and then develop our own set of values to carry henceforth in our careers.
Any particular professors or mentors that influenced you while you were at Leeds?
As a student in Professor Macaluso鈥檚 undergraduate Supply Chain Management course, I had the opportunity to learn from someone with invaluable industry experience and whose passion for the subject was extremely evident. As a result, I pursued and attained my MS in Supply Chain at Leeds, and I graduated having accepted a full-time offer in an S&OP organization.
I was also fortunate to cross paths with Professors Donnie Lichtenstein, John Lynch, and Meg Campbell, whom I worked with in the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making. Working with this group was highly impactful because it taught me that a significant discovery can start with a simple question. This lesson has encouraged me to remain a curious seeker of knowledge and to ask probing questions in search of meaningful solutions.
Where has life taken you since graduating from Leeds?
After graduating with a Bachelor鈥檚 in Operations and Information Management, I immediately rejoined the Leeds family as a graduate student in the MS Supply Chain Management program. Since then, I have worked full-time for Shell Oil in Houston, and I am proud to have been accepted into its leadership development pipeline.
My initial role at Shell was in a supply chain organization as a Demand Planner. Since the beginning of 2018, I rotated to an exciting stretch opportunity as a Channel Marketing Manager for Pennzoil.
What is one piece of advice/best practice that has stuck with you throughout your career?
One piece of advice that will always be relevant is to not allow fear to stifle your growth. In business and in life, you should take well calculated risks. Young professionals and aspiring young professionals often discredit themselves out of fear that they don鈥檛 have value to offer. I believe there is value in every person鈥檚 perspective. Diversity and diversity of thought make businesses stronger, and it should not be eclipsed by fear of failure or fear of being different.
August 2018