Gwen Rosegay

General Manager, Trillium Finishing

Fullerton, CA 92835

Her Story

About Gwen

Gwen Rosegay is a seasoned operations and manufacturing professional currently serving as General Manager of Trillium Finishing in Southern California. With more than 15 years of experience in the print, distribution, and manufacturing industries, she has built a career spanning multiple sides of the lamination and print-finishing supply chain. In her current role, she oversees day-to-day operations, financial management, purchasing, customer relations, and business development, playing a hands-on leadership role in ensuring high-quality production and service delivery for clients in the print graphics sector. Gwen’s career began in an entirely different field, working for 15 years as a federal courtroom deputy in Chicago before transitioning into sales and eventually entering the industrial manufacturing space. She advanced through roles in medical sales and later joined D&K Group, where she started in inside sales and progressed into the role of area manager—becoming the first woman in the company’s 70+ year history to hold that position. She later gained additional industry experience working with Polymershapes through its PolymerFilms division, further strengthening her expertise in adhesives, laminates, and print-finishing technologies. Throughout her career, Gwen has been recognized for her resilience, technical mastery, and customer-focused approach. She is known for deeply understanding the chemistry and application of lamination films, allowing her to serve as a trusted consultant to clients rather than simply a supplier. After relocating from the Midwest to California, she continued to expand her leadership in manufacturing while emphasizing mentorship, representation, and encouraging women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated industries. Her professional journey reflects adaptability, persistence, and a commitment to excellence across every stage of her career.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Gwen

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to being hungry and never accepting no. As a woman, I don't like hearing 'she can't do that,' so I've proven to myself and to others that yes, I can. When I first started in this industry, a lot of the old-school customers basically said I wasn't going to last. I took that as a challenge and made sure I knew everything I could to not only facilitate excellent customer service, but to be a consultant to my customers as well. I proactively searched out the right people in the industry to learn from, making myself invaluable to customers. The non-believers were openly surprised, but encouraged by my knowledge which strengthened my relationships allowing me to become a trusted resource for their businesses. These challenges throughout the last 15 years have only made me stronger. I realized how much I had been through when I saw the Barbie movie and during America Ferrera’s powerful monologue where she spoke about everything she had been through as a woman, I was like, oh my goodness, I have been through all of this, and yet here I am, standing strong.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Keep being you. It’s easy to lose yourself in the chaos and noise, trying to be someone or something to mold into someone else’s expectations, but staying true to yourself, your integrity, will help you get further professionally and in life overall.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would advise young women entering my industry to take the time to learn everything they can, including both the technical and the practical application details, so they can confidently support and advise customers. I would also encourage them not to let stereotypes or early self-doubt define their career path. Persistence is essential—staying committed, continuing to grow, and consistently demonstrating capability will ultimately establish credibility and success. Keep being you.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenge in my field is that there are not many women in this predominantly male industry. I’ve experienced being the only woman in the room, for example at one presentation, there were 14 men to 1 woman (me), it can be intimidating at times, but having the knowledge and strength to be heard is how I’ve succeeded and continue to grow. It's also shown my children that anything that you put your mind to, you can do and do well.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

In my work and personal life, I value resilience and determination, as they help me navigate challenges and stay focused on long-term goals. I also place strong importance on commitment to family, which keeps me grounded and guides many of my decisions. In addition, I believe in the importance of sharing and celebrating women’s accomplishments so that their contributions are visible, recognized, and can inspire others.

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