Her Story
About Heather
Heather Naikelis serves as Senior Regional Business Director at Kate Farms, a position she has held since February 2025. With 15 years of experience in the medical nutrition sales industry, she has advanced through several roles, beginning as a territory manager and progressing to senior area sales director for the eastern U.S. for two years, sales director in the Midwest for three years, and national marketing manager at LynnCare for three years. Naikelis takes pride in her career trajectory from sales representative to her current leadership position, as well as being hand selected for the national marketing manager role and a sales director position. In 2025 she earned the Regional Business Director of the Year award for the organization. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and represents Aurora, Ohio. In her day to day responsibilities, she engages with her team of territory managers and strategic account executives while working in the field with customers across hospitals and home care settings in the Midwest region.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Heather
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Extend yourself further than you think you can, and have the courage to speak up for yourself in rooms where you may not feel 100% confident. We are stronger and smarter and more able than many people give us credit for.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities include having more women at executive leadership levels and more presence from the boardroom down to field level activities. The challenge is balancing everything and being everything to everyone, requiring careful inventory of priorities and goals.
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