Influential Woman · Packaging

Kelly Walker

Glue Adjuster, WestRock Company

Indianapolis, IN

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree High school diploma

Her Story

About Kelly

I've been a folder gluer operator for 33 years, working in the packaging industry where I fold and glue pharmaceutical cartons, entertainment cartons, and cosmetic cartons. In my role, I'm responsible for quality control, run speeds, and managing crews. I have to position everybody where they need to go and what they need to do, how they need to pack it, and what boxes they need to put it in. I just started a new job at a smaller company less than a month ago. I didn't go to college for this - I just have my high school diploma and learned everything on the job through the school of hard knocks. One of my strengths is that I get along well with others, which is a big thing because there's a lot of different personalities we have to work with. I've had the privilege of working with excellent mentors like Gary Whitey, who I first worked with back in 1995 and am working with again now, and Harold Miller, who just retired and showed me a lot of good things as a very good operator.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Kelly

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to never giving up. No matter how hard it gets, I don't give up and I keep trying. I believe in just showing up - showing up is very important. I try to do the best I can and do better every day. That persistence and commitment to continuous improvement has kept me going for 33 years in this field.

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

The best career advice I ever received was to earn as much as you can. The more you know, the more valuable you'll be. That really stuck with me throughout my career and motivated me to keep learning and growing my skills over the years.

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

My advice to young women entering this field is to keep trying and never give up. Learn as much as you can, because the more you know, the more valuable you'll be. Just show up every day and do the best you can, and try to do better every day. No matter how hard it gets, don't give up - keep pushing forward.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values most important to me are showing up - just showing up is very important. I believe in doing the best you can and trying to do better every day. I also value getting along well with others, which is a big thing in my work because there's a lot of different personalities we have to work with. Persistence matters too - never giving up no matter how hard things get.

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