IF WE DON’T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVOCATING FOR OURSELVES, HOW CAN WE EXPECT OTHERS TO DO IT FOR US? ”

– LAURA NESS OWENS

“I recognize key skills are required for a position and have sought to develop myself accordingly,” she says. “I’ve also worked to change the dialogue to focus on what I bring to the table. If we don’t take responsibility for advocating for ourselves, how can we expect others to do it for us?”

Ness Owens has overall responsibility for the Doosan Bobcat North America brand, ensuring marketing aligns with the company’s goal of empowering their customers to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively. She leads efforts to promote Bobcat products in new and different ways, like launching a social media program and using influencers Josh Duhamel and Carson Wentz to reach new audiences in innovative ways.

Ness Owens empowers her team, too, encouraging them to grow their skills while supporting the overall business motion. She helps those around her “get in the driver’s seat,” Hill says.

“My growth and development are in large part due to her leadership,” she says. “Her vision drives an entire marketing and communications team toward success.”

For Ness Owens, business success is important, but even more significant is knowing that she’s Mom, too, “just doing” the best she can every day.

Her determination has a special admirer in her 10-year-old son, Teddy.

“The best thing about my mom is she doesn’t give up,” he says. “She keeps trying.”