Empowering Women in Our Teams: Meet a Few of the Women Serving Our Customers and Working with Our Shipments

For our final feature for Women’s History Month, meet a few of the women serving our customers and working with our shipments. These women work in our Customer Solutions, Logistics, and Order Optimization teams. Their dedication, efficiency, and problem-solving skills are crucial to our operations. Their passion and expertise ensure seamless operations and exceptional service for our customers every day.?

In this article, we’re featuring:?

Diana Miller , Cost Optimization Manager?

Gracia Jean Philippe , Custom Quotes Specialist?

Morgan Bowersox , Drop Shipment Team Leader?

Naysha R. , Stock Order Support Team Leader?

Terasita Smith , Customer Solutions Team Leader?

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Can you share a memorable moment or achievement in your career journey??

Diana: In my early twenties, I paused my university education to spend a year assisting in the reconstruction of homes after hurricane and tornado damage. Throughout this period, I assumed an informal leadership role, and over time was asked to fill a formal leadership role. This experience in leadership became pivotal in shaping my career, as it revealed my passion for organizing and supporting the work of the team to improve overall effectiveness.?

Morgan: My most memorable moment was relocating from Lancaster to Tampa to expand the Drop Shipment team. Tampa is an incredible city with even better people. The energy in that office was so special, and it’s a WebstaurantStore opportunity and memory I’ll always cherish.?

Gracia: I was given the chance to attend Hatco Training School as a representative of the Custom Quote team, which was an unforgettable experience for me as a remote employee of WebstaurantStore. Meeting the Hatco team, learning about their background, and having access to the upcoming new products for Hatco equipment was a true hands-on experience. It meant a lot to me to have the chance to share the knowledge I've acquired with my team.?

Naysha: For me, a memorable career moment has been reaching a position at Web where I can truly help and uplift others. Although I've built many skills over the years, this role has enabled tremendous personal growth by allowing me to become more self-aware, focused, and composed.?

I love empowering people, especially women, as they navigate their careers. In the past, I volunteered to help women advance professionally. There are always people in life who give you that first chance. Web has done that for me and has brought immense fulfillment.?

In my current role, I can make a real impact on others - helping them expand their abilities, providing honest feedback to promote their self-improvement, and offering my support. I feel that my time is now, here in this position at Web. I have the opportunity to guide others' growth, furnish them with new skill sets, and back them up through ongoing mentorship.?

Terasita: As I transitioned into leadership at WebstaurantStore and while working in our Georgia Customer Solutions location, I had the opportunity to assist with staffing and building the culture within our 52-seat location. This included attending recruiting events, collaborating with local colleges and universities, developing and spearheading an internship program, interviewing, and hiring. As we grew our office, it was also important to identify and develop other leaders to support this growth. From 2017 until we transitioned to remote work in 2020, we were successfully able to fully staff our location with great employees while fostering a strong team culture. This was such a memorable moment and a great achievement because I was able to be an integral part of the growth, development, and success of that location.?

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would you say??

Diana: If I could tell my younger self one thing, I would say be patient; your career is a journey that will come with joys and setbacks. Focus on discovering your strengths and find ways to contribute using those strengths, no matter what position you are in.??

Gracia: Rely on your controllables. I've come to realize that this requires assessing my own controllables: my time management skills, work ethic, and communication style with both myself and others. Growing up, I was always worried about the things I couldn't control, so it has been a huge benefit to me now that I know how to handle the things I can.?

Morgan: Relax and stop letting fear or the opinion of others hold you back. Also, start investing!?

Naysha: You are enough. One day you will do things you could not possibly imagine.?

Terasita: One of my favorite quotes is by the late Maya Angelou, and it says “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Sharing this with my younger self would allow me to view things differently. If I don’t like something, be part of the solution and not the problem. Don’t stress over those things you can’t change but shift your mindset.

What’s a personal goal you have for 2024??

Diana: In my personal life, it’s to become a better downhill skier! In my professional life, one of my goals is to empower both formal and informal leaders to use their gifts to contribute to the team.?

Gracia: My personal objective is to fully embrace the saying, "The magic you are looking for is in the work you're avoiding." I’m passionate about health and fitness, and my goal for this year is consistent daily movement. This objective will help me lay the groundwork for an upcoming 100-mile race.?

Morgan: Read 50 books, including the Bible in full!???

Naysha: Give myself more grace. Let others in.?

Terasita: To focus more on physical and financial health through practicing meditation, focusing on better fitness, and eliminating debt.?