International Women's Day 2023

Happy International Women's Day!?

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Today and every day, Schindler is committed to embracing equity in the workplace. Making strides with our Employee Inclusion Networks and career development programs, we recognize that our employees, customers, and fans each possess a unique background that should be celebrated with access to the resources and opportunities that will help them achieve their vision of success.?

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Hear from just some of the powerful women, near and far, who are making their voices and contributions known at Schindler.?

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Meet Veronica Verdieu: Talent Attraction Sourcing Specialist, Schindler Elevator Corporation?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??My interest in being able to help people fulfill their professional and personal potential by hiring them and helping them thrive in their jobs as well as in other aspects of life encouraged me to become a part of the Schindler Family.??
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??Equity in the workplace to me looks like fairness and equal opportunity for all.?
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??Equity at Schindler to me means opening doors for all. Ensuring that everyone in the company has access to the same support, resources, opportunities, and treatment to succeed in their career as well as in their personal endeavors.?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry???Go for it. It’s truly life changing and a great opportunity. Schindler will put you on the path to greatness.??

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Meet Michal Wachs: General Manager, Territory Operations, Schindler Elevator Corporation?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler? I originally applied to Schindler because of the Schindler Career Development Program. Coming out of Business School, I was interested in working for a company with global operations and was particularly intrigued with the Marketing and Sales Department (my first position was supporting the President of Marketing and Sales).?
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you? Equity in the workplace would be an environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate and everyone’s voice is considered. People are evaluated based on the same metrics, and their contributions are acknowledged and appreciated.?
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??An equitable environment would be one of diversity and inclusion, where having a minority in a position of power is no longer the exception, where all employees are given the opportunity and support to succeed, and where people are evaluated based on merit.?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??This is a great time to join the industry as a woman. Schindler has taken steps to support women through the Women in Leadership program and Employee Inclusion Networks. There are far more women in leadership positions today than there ever have been, and I look forward to more women joining those ranks.?

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Meet Mary Vitt: Senior Sales Representative, Existing Installations, Schindler Elevator Corporation?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??I have always worked in the elevator industry. I began my career in 2006 and never looked back. I started working at Schindler in 2016 and wanted to live and work in my territory.?
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??Equity in the workplace to me means everyone is on an even playing field. We’re all working toward the same goal embracing each other’s differences. These differences are what strengthen our team to reach goals from varying perspectives.?
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??Everyone having a voice!?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry???This is a tough business but so are YOU! Every day will bring new challenges to solve, and being authentically you is what makes the process better.?

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Meet Danielle Duval: Sales Representative, New Installations, Schindler Elevator Corporation?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??I was working at a restaurant and served a few Schindler employees that were in Tampa for an elevator convention. I graduated from Clemson University with my mechanical engineering degree and worked for a general contractor in Atlanta for a year, so my background was a great fit for new installation sales. I was hired about 6 months later and have been Schindler-loyal ever since. ??
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??Equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and adjusting those imbalances. Using this definition in the workplace means that we must bring up the people that have been put down by society so that we all have a fair chance in the workplace, which I think can lead to excelling beyond our vision and set goals. If we celebrate differences and incorporate all experiences, adding value in the workplace, then we will always be better than the limit of one person or one group of people. ??
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??At Schindler we are one team. Each of us contributes our part to our immediate team, department, office—until we are one Schindler. My immediate team, New Construction in Tampa, has cultivated an environment that is accepting, encouraging, and supporting no matter our backgrounds. As issues arise, we leave blame, criticism, and complaints out of the conversation. We focus on problem solving and finding a path or solution that works best for the team to move forward. We trust and know that no matter our race, gender, education level, or sexuality the team will rise together. ?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??This might be advice in any situation, but be true to yourself and you will fall into the place you are supposed to be. ?

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Meet April Romeo: Senior Project Manager, Existing Installations, Schindler Elevator Corporation?

• ?What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??I started in the industry in 1990, working for a family-owned/operated elevator company. My first assignment was dispatching service calls, and I quickly became passionate about the trade on other levels and worked to gain experience in as many parts of the business as I could. In 2003, Schindler presented me with a career opportunity to which I am forever grateful, and I’ve never looked back.?
• What does equity in the workplace and at Schindler look like to you??To me, equity in the workplace encompasses a clear understanding of required job duties for individuals in similar roles who are provided equal work conditions to complete what’s expected of their role and, in turn, equal compensation for their work.??
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??This is an interesting and rewarding industry with so many levels of opportunity. Confident and successful women are an asset and can influence other women on how to thrive in a historically male-dominated industry. ?

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Meet Darlene Perkins: Associate Project Lead, Modernization, Schindler Elevator Corporation?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??I have been in the industry for 14+ years now (a little over 7 years with Schindler). I started working in collections and have done quite a bit on the service side of the business, from billing to payroll and contracts. I came to Schindler for a new opportunity working in New Installations and Modernization as an admin and now work as an assistant project lead.??
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??A fair environment for all to work in and more opportunities.??
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??What it means to me is that I feel safe here and they care about my future. We are a strong team and support each other in achieving our individual goals. ??
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??To just try it. It is a great industry to work in and there are lots of opportunities for advancement. Schindler appreciates and rewards hard-working team members.??

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Meet Stephanie Kaminski: Sr. Director Marketing, Communications & Customer Excellence, Schindler Elevator Corporation?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??Understanding and seeing firsthand the impact marketing and communications can have on an organization, its people, and the customer experience, brought me to Schindler. I am proud to work for a company that values my contribution and celebrates continuous improvement in and out of the workplace.?
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??Equity in the workplace to me means leveling the playing field to ensure all employees are given a fair and equal opportunity based on their individual talents.?
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??Equity at Schindler means recognizing and appreciating individual needs and strengths and creating a culture of transparency and respect.?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??Master your mindset—you are enough. Be authentic and original—understand that you bring something unique and special to the table. And most importantly (advice for everyone), be kind. As Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”???

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Meet Lisa Konnry: President, Schindler Canada?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??I have been in the industry for over 25 years. I was excited for the opportunity to lead Schindler in Canada and create a customer experience that would lead the industry.?
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??Schindler Canada's success is based on attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry and market. Equity in the workplace means not only embracing diversity and inclusion but capitalizing on all the benefits of new ideas, perspectives, and leadership styles to improve our organization, our execution, and our employee engagement. This all leads to a better customer experience and a continuously improving bottom line.?
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??I like to lead by example: 38% of our management team in Canada is female, and we embrace equity in hiring, talent pipeline, and promotions. Our existing diversity has created an environment where there is a feeling of equal opportunity, and where our team members feel their different ideas and leadership styles are embraced and valued.?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??The elevator industry is a fantastic industry for men and women. This is a great time for women in Schindler. The gender diversity conversation has started, and the opportunity has never been better. Women should find themselves a mentor, reach out for a sponsor, and figure out what they want for a career path—then ask their manager, mentor, or sponsor how best to get there. We need to help women navigate the industry to create a win-win for all.?

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Meet Tatiana Zuleta: Billing Coordinator, Schindler LAS?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??I met Schindler through one of the suppliers. I was immediately interested in working for this big and solid company. I saw Schindler as an opportunity to open up new doors to see the world.?
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??It is the opportunity to show my value and performance among equals.?
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??For me, it means fair work and equal conditions at all levels.?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??Do not be afraid to show your capabilities, either in the workplace or in any other area of your life. Don’t limit your capabilities—we are excellent elements in this industry.?

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Meet Pamela Betancur Munoz: Modernization Engineer, Schindler LAS?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler??I have been in the elevator and escalator industry for a while now. I was attracted by the opportunity to work in an engineering department of a challenging industry, surrounded by integral engineering professionals.?
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??Equity in the workplace means being inclusive, having a space for all, where employees, customers, and suppliers can feel safe, heard, and can be who they really are. It means understanding each person has a different background and based on it, giving them the tools required to access opportunities within the organization.??
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??Equity at Schindler means starting a path where we are all willing to unlearn and learn to be able to create safe spaces so we can give our best. It means to have started questioning where are we now and where do we need to go.?
• ?What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??If you feel attracted to this industry, there is no reason to stop pursuing your dream. There are opportunities for your personal and professional development here, and the industry requires passionate women like you to bring a different point of view.?

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Meet Ninsy Paulina Vargas Soto: Internal Communications Coordinator, Schindler LAS?

• What professional interests or experiences brought you to Schindler? Curiosity attracted me... Here I have been able to expand my skills and get to know an industry that was totally new to me. It has been a wonderful process. I have met people who are incredibly helpful and 100% committed to the job.?
• What does equity in the workplace look like to you??We are on the road to understanding and changing the culture to continue to promote a better workplace. At Schindler, we discuss and listen to new ideas that help close social and cultural gaps to promote equity.?
• What does equity at Schindler mean to you??Equity at Schindler and in the world is a social challenge, it is a mindset change. It is to recognize that we are a unique, authentic community, and we all have different contexts and conditions that make us support each person in a different way in their professional development.?
• What advice would you give to other women who are looking to join this industry??All you need is passion, determination, and energy to transform everything. Every woman has a particular talent, a special skill, and a different perspective that adds value to the industry. Believe it and accept the challenge that every day brings. Your attitude that will determine your success!?