Her Story
About Danielle
I began my career in my early 20s as a logistics coordinator in environmental services. At the time, I had just moved back to California from Mexico and was looking for a stable, full-time job with 40 hours per week. That's when I applied at Lighting Resources, received my interview, and I just haven't left since - it's been 12 years now since I started in 2014. Starting in operations helped me shape my perspective on business execution and customer expectations. I've worked my way up to my current position as a national accounts and business development manager, where I handle about 60 national accounts while also bringing in new business for all of our West Coast accounts. What really drives me is knowing that this is an environmental company. I had no idea that we had to recycle universal waste, such as batteries and light bulbs - I thought you just threw them in the trash. What I found interesting about this company was that it was a recycling company, and not just your typical recycler. It was recycling universal waste, so it's more involved in helping the environment. I still learn every day in this position as the company continues to grow. I'm in the position that I'm in not because of my education, but mostly because of my experience within the company.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Danielle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the company that I work for and how they value us as employees. I feel that the more that they value you, the better you're going to do at your job, and the more that you care about it. I started at the bottom as a logistics coordinator with just a high school diploma and little work experience, and I've worked my way up over 12 years to become a national accounts and business development manager. I'm in the position that I'm in not because of my education, but mostly because of my experience within the company. The company has given me the opportunity to grow and progress in my career, and that support has been essential to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My hiring manager, Erica Ramirez, who is no longer with the company but hired me based on my experience living in Mexico, told me to just keep on going. She emphasized that in this industry, there's a lot of men, so as a woman, we have to keep using our voice and getting through to everybody. I've seen this too when I go to trade shows - there are more men than women there. So you kind of have to just sell yourself in a way where you're confident, in a way where you have to show that you're a woman in business. She is someone that mentored me into being in the position that I'm in, and I give thanks to her.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My piece of advice would be just to keep going, keep building your way up to the top, don't give up. It could take years to get to the position that you want to be in, but with hard work, with determination, you'll get where you want to get. You can start at the bottom and work your way up to the top. As a woman in this industry where there are a lot of men, you have to keep using your voice and getting through to everybody. You kind of have to sell yourself in a way where you're confident, in a way where you have to show that you're a woman in business.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My top three values are, first, to inspire others not only to recycle universal waste in the company, but to basically keep the environmental movement going. Second, career-wise, it would be to just keep pursuing your career in logistics or whatever business that you're going for. Keep pursuing it. You could start at the bottom and work your way up to the top. That's something that I do value - the company that I work for values us as employees, so I feel that the more that they value you, the better you're going to do at your job, the more that you care about it. Personally, I love spending time with my family. I have a 4-year-old son who keeps me busy on my toes, so just spending time with him and my husband is very important to me.
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