Denisse Evelyn Sandoval

I attribute a lot of my success to my parents. They came to this country as immigrants by circumstance and faced many challenges in the beginning, but they always taught me that no matter what happens, you keep moving forward and you figure it out. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my entire life and career. I’ve always been willing to adapt, learn, and find solutions, even when things were unfamiliar or difficult.

Professionally, working in Talent Acquisition and Human Resources has also shaped how I define success. I meet people from all walks of life every day, and even if I’m not able to hire someone, I still try to help them in some way. Whether it’s giving advice on improving a resume, preparing for interviews, or sharing insight from someone who reviews resumes and candidates every day, I believe small guidance can make a big impact on a person’s future.

For me, success is not just about career growth — it’s about being able to positively impact people, support others, and leave them in a better position than when they came to me.

One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received came from a manager I worked with during my retail days. She was tough — a very tough cookie — but she taught me something that has stayed with me throughout every stage of my career. She would always say, “Try to look at things from the outside. There’s always a way to get things accomplished — sometimes you just need to step back and see it differently.”

That advice stuck with me because no matter what role I’ve been in, there are always moments that feel overwhelming or challenging. Over time, I’ve learned the importance of pausing, taking a breath, and looking at the situation objectively instead of reacting emotionally in the moment. When you step back and view things from another perspective, you often find solutions you couldn’t see before.

I’ve carried that mindset with me throughout my career in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition, especially in fast-paced manufacturing environments where priorities constantly shift and no two days are the same. It’s helped me stay adaptable, problem-solve effectively, and navigate challenges with a calmer and more thoughtful approach.

My advice for women entering the manufacturing industry — or really any industry that may traditionally be male-dominated — is to never limit yourself based on what you think you’re “supposed” to do. I work alongside a lot of men in manufacturing, and over the years I’ve seen more and more women proving every day that they can do the job just as successfully. A role should never be defined as “just for men” or “just for women.”

I tell my daughter all the time that she can do absolutely anything she sets her mind to. There are no limits except the ones we place on ourselves. The sky truly is the limit. I try to share that same message with other women and young girls because I’m living proof that sometimes your career can take you somewhere you never expected. I never imagined I would end up in manufacturing, yet I’ve been in the industry for five years now and genuinely love what I do.

Yes, manufacturing can still be a male-dominated environment, but that should never discourage women from pursuing opportunities in the field. My biggest advice is to focus on your work, believe in your abilities, and don’t let being a woman make you question whether you belong. You absolutely do. Confidence, hard work, adaptability, and willingness to learn will take you far — regardless of gender.

One of the biggest challenges in my field — especially in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition within manufacturing — is how competitive and constantly evolving the industry has become. HR departments in manufacturing environments are often smaller and more specialized, so there’s a lot expected from a small team or even one person wearing multiple hats.

To be successful, you really have to find ways to stand out and continuously stay current with what’s happening in the industry and in the world around you. Technology is changing everything, especially with the rise of AI, automation, and new recruiting tools. The way we source candidates, communicate, manage employees, and even review resumes is evolving quickly, so adaptability is critical.

Another challenge is that the field continues to attract new talent every year. There are always new graduates and professionals entering the industry with fresh ideas and new skill sets. If you want to remain competitive and continue growing in your role, you have to be committed to learning, evolving, and staying open to change.

For me, that means constantly finding ways to improve — whether it’s learning new technology, improving processes, understanding workforce trends, or simply becoming better at connecting with people. The people who succeed long-term in this industry are the ones willing to evolve with it.

The values that guide me both personally and professionally are family, accountability, faith, communication, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Family is at the center of everything I do. They are my motivation and the reason behind many of the decisions I’ve made throughout my career. Accountability is also very important to me — I believe in following through, being dependable, and taking ownership of my responsibilities and actions both at work and in life.

Faith has helped keep me grounded through different stages of my journey, while strong communication has been one of the most important tools throughout my career in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. Whether it’s supporting employees, helping candidates, or working through challenges, clear and honest communication makes a huge difference.

I’m also a strong believer in work-life balance. I love what I do, and when I’m working, I’m fully committed and focused on doing my job well. But I’ve also learned the importance of stepping away and being present with my family. Coming from a background in retail and sales, you almost become conditioned to always stay connected, always answer the call, and always keep going. Over time, I learned the hard way that you have to intentionally create boundaries and discipline yourself to turn “work mode” off sometimes. Making time for family, rest, and personal life is just as important as being successful professionally.