WERC Association brochure – April 2019

Words of Wisdom from Women at WERC

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Words of Wisdom from Women at WERC

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IN AN INDUSTRY THAT IS MADE UP ALMOST ENTIRELY OF MEN, ONE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO IMPROVE GENDER DIVERSITY AND BOOST THE BOTTOM LINE

T

he Warehousing Research and Education Council’s Women @ WERC program was designed to meet the unique needs

of women pursuing a career in the warehousing, 04

logistics and supply chain industries. Through networking, mentoring and educational opportunities, they aim to make it easier for women to build their careers while at the same time promoting the bottom-line benefits of increased gender diversity in the supply chain workforce.

“I would love to see more women at the leadership level throughout our industry; one way to do that is to make sure we attract more women to the field at the college level, as these young people are the ones with the potential to be our next leaders,” said Kristi Montgomery, Vice President of Innovation, Research and Development at the Kenco Group and one of the newest members of the WERC Board of Directors.

Montgomery is encouraged to see WERC’s increasing diversity on the Board and among

1977

Year founded

1,700+

Approximate number of employees

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the membership as a whole, “but, I

more women in leadership roles

still think the industry has room to

markedly outperform those without.

grow and improve, and one of the

Still, most supply chain organizations

best ways women can do that is to

do not have gender diversity goals.

network with each other,” she said. “If

As the program has developed, both

you’re new to the industry, find a men-

female and male members of WERC

tor; if you’re like me and have been

have identified four priorities to help

around for a while, find those people

increase diversity and inclusivity within

that you can help to grow in their ca-

the logistics workforce. These include

reers and become industry leaders.”

offering resources and strategies for

Studies show that gender diver-

building allies within the industry, en-

sity in the supply chain boosts com-

hancing equality within the workplace,

petitiveness, productivity and finan-

advancing careers and growing leader-

cial returns, and that companies with

ship opportunities, and fostering organi-

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“ At the heart of the research is a conversation between warhousing professionals and the researchers. We want to answer questions that are relevant and provide real benefits to the industry” — Karl Manrodt, Professor of Logistic

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zational cultures that support healthy

specifically tried to step out of my

and productive work-life blending.

comfort zone and always sit with new

When it comes to building professional relationships, Gwendolyn

people at every session and meal.”

Former WERC Board President

(Gwen) W. Rogers says being an ac-

(2010-2011) Catherine Cooper, Founder

tive member of WERC (for 25 years)

and CEO of World Connections, credits

was key. Rogers volunteered at the

her time on the Board as offering her

Conference registration desk for the

a chance to develop skills outside her

several years and she recommends

profession that she would not have

it as a fantastic way to meet a lot of

otherwise. “For example, public speak-

people in a very short period of time.

ing in front of 1,000 people—you don’t

“I tend to be a reserved person,” she adds, “so at every Conference I have

often get to do that in a company, but you do at WERC,” she explains, add-

warehouse and it’s all men, and they use bad language. And, if you walk into a warehouse in heels and a mini skirt, don’t be surprised when you get cat called,’” she says, noting that her advice is rooted in her own experience.

At her first job in the field, she had two revelations within her first week: “There truly were practically no women in the field at that time. I’d heard people say 98% men in the industry, but it was closer to 99.8% men,” she chuckles. “And, I realized very quickly that, as a woman, I had to know twice as much to gain respect and credibility in the industry.”

“I strongly encourage women who are new to the industry to tap into the ing she also mastered financial state-

women who have been here a while.

ments while working with WERC.

We’re all here to help each other, and we

Many of WERC’s veteran women said relationships and mentoring

want to,” she said. “WERC is a perfect resource for making those contacts.”

is key, and several opportunities to provide mentorship to young women have come to former WERC Board President (2004-2005) Susan Rider, President of Rider & Associates, through her WERC connections.

“The first thing I would tell them is, ‘you have to develop a thick skin. You can’t get insulted when you’re at a w w w.werc. org

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