Her Story
About Lidya
I have been working in the automotive industry for over a decade, and my journey has been anything but typical. I always thought I would become an instructor, which I did achieve as a part-time professor, but I had to let go of that dream because teaching jobs in Michigan are like the golden nugget and don't come easy. Someone approached me one day and asked if I had ever thought of going into automotive. I have a biomedical engineering degree and I absolutely love engineering, so I decided to give it a try. I started at the lowest position in automotive design at General Motors, doing CAD work that I had been teaching to students. After just 6 months, I was promoted and identified as a high potential, becoming a lead design engineer at GM for exteriors, lighting, grills, bumpers, and fascia. I took on so much responsibility quickly, helping advance the team on the engineering side and wearing multiple hats. After having two kids, I stayed home for 8 months, but being a stay-at-home mom was driving me nuts and I needed to get back to work. I moved to the Tier 1 supplier side because I had seen those suppliers coming into General Motors and thought that's what I wanted to do - they wear so many hats and can do so many things. I got into advanced engineering at a Tier 1 and absolutely loved it. My curiosity drove me forward, and approximately every one to two years, my employers identified and promoted me. My hard work, passion, and dedication to climbing the ladder and making a difference in an organization has been my driving factor. I set a goal to become a VP before I turn 40, and I am on that track. I was recently recruited for my current Senior Director role at a company going through Chapter 11 restructuring because I wanted that challenge and expertise under my belt - to say I was part of helping a company turn around and come out of recession. In less than a year, I have won business, closed claims, and I am on the right track. For the first time, I am working for a female boss who tells me I don't work for her, I work with her, and she confirms I am on track for VP.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lidya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my kids are probably what pushes me the most. Being a role model to show them that anything is possible if you put in the hard work - that's what gives me the drive to be great. Just this past New Year's Eve on my daughter's 9th birthday, she whispered in my ear that one of her three wishes was for me. She said, 'I wish that I turn out like you when I grow up.' She told me she wants to work hard and be successful like I am, and that she loves the way I juggle so much. Hearing her articulate that at her age, understanding what it means - that moment showed me why I do what I do. My kids are my driving factors to my success, definitely. Beyond my children, I also attribute my success to having the right mentors throughout my career. My hard work, my passion, and my dedication to really wanting to climb the ladder and make a difference in an organization has been my driving factor.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My best advice is to identify key individuals in the organization that you decide to work at, and really build that internal ally. Have an ally, have a sponsor, have a mentor, and really learn. It's okay to be the only female - I am often the only woman at events, like today at MEMA where I was the only female at the networking luncheon. I feel alone sometimes, but it's okay to be alone, because I'm doing this for my daughter and for all the women out there. It's okay to be the first, and it's okay to be the only one. You have a voice, and women have a different perspective that will only add to the male perspective. They'll welcome you, and you really need to embrace it because you can learn from them as well. I don't think gender matters too much - I don't think about it walking in. If you don't have a woman in your field to mentor you, venture out to the medical field or other fields that are more female-dominant, and grab onto that female and really be under their wing to learn from them. You can always learn, and it doesn't have to be the discipline or the field that you're in.
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