March is Women’s History Month, and it’s exciting to see the role that talented, driven women at Expedient play at work, at home, in life! From Market Vice Presidents to marketing, and every department in between, they’re making a difference on a daily basis. So let’s celebrate Women’s History Month by shining the spotlight on some of those women.
In part two, meet Heidi Altree, Peggy Hancock, Leslie Gubish, and Denise Stoudt!
Heidi Altree﹣Market Vice President, Phoenix
Who is a woman in your life who has inspired you and how?
My mentor and friend, Dawn Marie Ruszel, VP Cloud Sales @ Western Digital. She’s an example of a woman who can and is doing it all. She’s an executive, a mom, a friend, and a supporter of other women.
If you could have lunch with any historical female figure (or 2 or 3), who you choose? Why?
- Harriet Tubman – She was so brave and selfless. I’m sure she has one inspirational story after another about defeating all odds. She was a true hero.
- Marilyn Monroe – Because she would just be so much and fun, and you know she has good stories too.
If I could talk to my 13-year-old self right now, I’d tell her…
Treat yourself like you treat your closest friends, with kindness, love and acceptance.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to…
Rescue my animals (2 dogs and 1 cat). #rescuedismyfavoritebreed
A technology that excites me is…
Expedient, duh!
At work, I feel a sense of ownership over…
the Phoenix Market and its success.
Who inspired you along your career path that helped you get to where you are today?
My dad. He encouraged me to be the first in my family to go to college (Go SunDevils!), told me “never depend on a man”, and made me believe I could do anything I wanted to do.
Peggy Hancock﹣Senior Channel Marketing Manager
Who is a woman in your life who has inspired you and how?
My Mom. She grew up during the depression, raised 8 responsible kids, had a huge garden, milked the cows, made meals, worked in the field and more. She’s tough, strong and never gave up.
If you could have lunch with any historical female figure (or 2 or 3), who you choose? Why?
Mother Teresa – I would love to listen to the stories she must have had from around the world and learn from someone so kind, selfless and beloved.
If I could talk to my 13-year-old self right now, I’d tell her…
Don’t worry, you won’t always look like this!!
I’m proud that I’ve been able to…
Rely on my faith, family and friends.
A technology that excites me is …
Security – it’s fascinating, scary, and ever-evolving
At work, I feel a sense of ownership over…
The work I’ve been hired to do while creating trust and friendships along the way.
Who inspired you along your career path that helped you get to where you are today?
Several of my old bosses. If I were to boil the totality of their advice down, it would be “work hard, keep your head down, create solutions, not problems, and get things done”. That has worked pretty well for me.
Leslie Gubish﹣Senior Manager of Client Care
Who is a woman in your life who has inspired you and how?
My Mom. No matter what the circumstances are she finds a way to take charge, never give up, handle the situation with care, and continue to be positive. We’ve lived through a lot of challenges, and by growing up experiencing this firsthand with her by my side I am quite similar. She is a great role model.
If you could have lunch with any historical female figure (or 2 or 3), who you choose? Why?
Amelia Earhart. She was an adventurous, motivated, independent female who didn’t stop pursuing her dreams in a male-oriented field. She didn’t back down from a challenge and strived to be the best. I have many similarities to Amelia, which is why I connect to her story. I have gone down a similar path. Times are not as hard now, but the struggle is still there.
If I could talk to my 13-year-old self-right now, I’d tell her…
Don’t change what you are doing, continue to strive for your best self and lead others, you will definitely be successful in a world you never expect.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to…
Be a support system for many people on many levels within Expedient and outside of work.
A technology that excites me is …
Syncing of data across all my devices. I’m an avid reader and love that I can read anywhere and at any time on any of my devices. I also am quite organized so access to Trello and OneNote always sync’d is a big win for my daily work.
At work, I feel a sense of ownership over…
My team and our clients. Collectively we help our clients navigate Expedient to receive the support they need for their businesses.
Who inspired you along your career path that helped you get to where you are today?
My grandmother.
Denise Stoudt﹣Specialist, Product Operations
Who is a woman in your life who has inspired you and how?
My oldest sister demonstrated the value of going after what you want even when your life doesn’t go as planned. Everyone has their own path, and it’s so important to trust and be true to yours. Life would be so boring if there was only one right way to live it!
If you could have lunch with any historical female figure (or 2 or 3), who you choose? Why?
Not quite historical but I’d choose my favorite writer, Cheryl Strayed
If I could talk to my 13-year-old self right now, I’d tell her…
Be whoever you want to be and don’t hold back from the world!
I’m proud that I’ve been able to…
Be an aunt to my awesome nieces and nephews, run a marathon, and build a fulfilling career with coworkers I consider friends.
A technology that excites me is …
Kubernetes!
