JELD-WEN leadership panel inspires confidence and engagement

While women make up nearly 42% of the workforce, they only accounted for about 32% of senior leadership positions in 2023 - a statistic that dropped by 10% from the year before. At JELD-WEN, we are dedicated to engaging and inspiring women in our workforce, and we are proud of our efforts to increase gender diversity at leadership levels.

In 2022, 44% of our board of directors were women. Additionally, women in executive positions at JELD-WEN increased 100% year-over-year from 10% in 2021 to 20% in 2022. Today, 30% of our senior leadership team are women.

The panelists encouraged the audience members to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to advance in business and personal development – win or lose.

"Men apply for a position when they are maybe 60 percent qualified," said Kate, "while women wait to be 100 percent qualified. Assume you’re qualified and go for it because you’re likely overqualified."

"If it doesn't work out, you've grown and learned something," agreed Julie, "and the people you spoke to will remember you when the next opportunity arises. You've ultimately helped yourself no matter what, so don’t be afraid to fail."

The panelists shared their unique female perspectives and stories on topics such as their personal career paths; sponsorship versus mentorship; building boldness, confidence and resiliency; work and leadership styles; and work/life balance. One participant also recommended the Harvard Business Review article "How Will You Measure Your Life?" as an interesting source for personal growth and development.

"I've found you are your own best advocate," counseled Wendy. "Focus on the reasons why you are and aren’t qualified – for that raise, for that promotion, for that next role – and prepare. Naming the reasons you're worthy will build your confidence, and considering the reasons you aren’t will help you overcome your insecurities."

Julie concluded the discussion by asking each participant what advice they would give their 25-year old self and their answers were especially impactful:

• "Get involved. Raise your hand," said Antonella. "Why? You will be amazed, later in life, how people you met early in your career circle back. It is such a small world. Sometimes you would never had made those connections had you not put yourself out there. So, build your network and start building it early - it multiplies year-over-year to benefit you in the future."
• "I would tell myself, 'this too shall pass,'" said Wendy. "I put so much pressure on myself early in my career. I thought the world was caving in with every failure or setback. I wish I had learned sooner that 'this too shall pass.' And it works both ways! Savor every success and win because it, too, is fleeting."
• "I would remind myself, 'you are a decathlete, not a 100-meter sprinter,'" said Kate. "You look around and you see a lot of single-sport players who can do one thing really well. We are balancing so much more than just our career. You can define your success your way. It doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s definition."