Her Story
About Leanne
Leanne Sanchez, based in Austin, Texas, is a professional focused on training, talent, and workforce development in the manufacturing industry. She began her career in this sector in 2018 after more than 15 years teaching high school chemistry and biology in STEM education. Sanchez holds a master's degree in biochemistry earned in 2011 and a bachelor's degree in microbiology. Prior to manufacturing, she pursued research interests including work at MD Anderson Research Center. Among her achievements, she built a training program from the ground up for a semiconductor company and earned a standing ovation from approximately 30 STEM teachers in the San Antonio School District following a three-day workshop in 2017. She maintains active membership in the Union of Concerned Scientists and previously belonged to the Texas Archaeological Society. Sanchez attributes her success to personal drive aimed at improving life for her children and setting an example while seeking to make meaningful impact through her work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Leanne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say that's a hard one, because people say, well, it's about environment, but you never know. I think it's just the drive to do better, to make a better life for my children, to set an example for my children. It's just the drive to always try to find where you can do better. There's no limits, you don't set up. You just keep driving until finding that limit. Where is it? You don't have it. Keep going. Just keep driving, driving. Don't settle. Don't stop. Just keep trying and trying to see how far you can go. Things to drive, personal drive.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I mean, just keep… you are there for a reason. Don't… don't see walls. Don't see boundaries. You want something to keep going there. Just… there's no walls. You know, and don't… don't… built them around yourself. You have to make sure you have that perception that you go where you want to go. And, you know, ignore the walls or boundaries people put around you, physically or, you know, or psychologically. You just keep going.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I guess the biggest challenge is, It seems the number of, I guess, women in my area I'm in manufacturing, so there's very few leaders who are women, but that means there's more opportunities to showcase, you know, well, I can be a leader, a female leader, and as an example, motivate others. So there's opportunity for me to be a role model And show people, hey, you can do this too, why not? But I think just seeing that right there, that's kind of a big indicator that we're not represented very well across, you know, all industries.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I want to make impact. I want to make sure what I'm doing is relevant to somebody and makes a big impact of improving their life. Either professionally or personally. That's the most thing. I want to leave a mark, well, of growth and positivity.
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