Her Story
About Amy
Amy Leonard serves as Maintenance Manager at Vanderlendy, a company specializing in automated conveying systems and baggage handling systems, based in Orlando, Florida. She has spent a little over 10 years in the maintenance and reliability field, with expertise in industrial automation and logistics systems. Leonard began her career in operations at UPS before transitioning into her current industry, drawing on a maintenance background developed while growing up on a 23-acre Black Angus beef farm where she repaired equipment. She has completed coursework toward a bachelor's degree, though it remains unfinished. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Leonard credits her success to hard work, determination, and dedication, noting that she works twice as hard to prove herself. She values integrity, honesty, grace, and persistence, and advises young women entering the field to develop emotional intelligence, step back when overwhelmed, and never give up. One piece of career advice that has stayed with her came from a former UPS supervisor, who affirmed that her high standards are reasonable and that if everyone performed at her level, there would be more competition for positions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amy
01What do you attribute your success to?
It really just boils down to hard work, determination, and dedication. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry, you already have to work twice as hard as everybody else to prove yourself. Just keeping your head down, working, being due diligent, and pushing through it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My old supervisor at UPS said my standards and expectations aren't too high, they're reasonable. And that if everybody performed the way that you perform, you most likely wouldn't be in your position because you would have that much more competition. That has stuck with me throughout the years.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It does get very overwhelming and sometimes it does feel like you're kind of on an island. Take a step back when things get overwhelming. Having emotional intelligence is key, especially being a woman in a male-dominated industry, so you can handle conversations properly and professionally. Just not giving up.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, hard work, determination, not giving up, and grace. Honesty is also important.
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