Her Story
About Heidi
Heidi Paulson is a business development professional with experience in the automotive and chemical industries. She graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in supply chain and marketing. She began her career in a leadership development program at BASF, a chemical company, where she completed rotations including two in the automotive industry. She then worked as an account manager in the battery industry, managing about 95 accounts with OEMs and suppliers. After being laid off, she took a career break to teach English to preschoolers in Sri Lanka for four months. She now serves as Business Development Manager at Stellantis in aftermarket parts, where she prospects new customers and grows business with warehouses supplying independent repair facilities. She was heavily involved in Women in Batteries and aspires to a people manager role in sales or business development within the automotive or tech industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Heidi
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t let a comfortable situation convince you that you’ve reached your ceiling.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t wait until you feel like an expert to act like you belong. You don’t need to know everything about cars, parts, manufacturing, or technology. Be curious, prepared, and willing to ask questions.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Credibility can be challenging to establish early in your career, especially in an industry where many people have spent decades building their expertise and relationships. As a young woman in automotive, I am often the youngest person and the only woman in the room. I’ve learned that confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to learn are essential. Being comfortable asking questions, listening to those with more experience, and bringing my own perspective to the conversation has allowed me to build meaningful relationships and establish credibility. Ultimately, those relationships have been one of the most important foundations for my success.
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