Sheila Hernandez

With a remarkable journey spanning over three decades, Sheila's story at Summit is a testament to determination and leadership excellence. What began as a part-time student internship in 1987 while pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico has evolved into an extraordinary career marked by continuous growth and achievement.

Armed with her MBA, Sheila's trajectory at Summit has been nothing short of impressive. Her strategic vision and versatile leadership capabilities earned her a position on Summit's senior leadership team in 2005, where she has since orchestrated success across multiple crucial domains. Her expansive portfolio encompasses Marketing, eCommerce, Digital Presence, Customer Lifecycle, Master Data Management, Supplier Relations, Category Management, Information Technology, Learning & Development, and Customer Experience. Under her marketing leadership, Summit has garnered an impressive collection of over 60 TED Best of the Best Awards, including the prestigious Overall Best of the Best Distributor recognition.

A trailblazer in the industry, Sheila has shattered glass ceilings and left an indelible mark on the electrical distribution landscape. As only the second female board member in Imark's history, she served on the Board of Directors from 2018-2024, following nine impactful years on the Imark Electrical Marketing Committee. Her influential role extended to the historic Imark/AD merger, where she was one of three Imark Electrical Board Members chosen to provide strategic direction alongside AD Electrical Board Members.

Sheila's commitment to industry advancement and mentorship is exemplified through her role as one of 14 Inaugural Mentors in the Empowering Women Mentorship Program, where she has maintained perfect attendance since its inception. Her expertise is regularly sought after, as evidenced by her appearances as a panelist for Distribution Strategy Group, Modern Distribution Management, NAED, IDEA, and IMARK. Her professional credentials include being a Gold Level graduate of NAED's EPEC program and Dare to Lead™ certification.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sheila pursues her passion for underwater exploration as an avid scuba diver and certified SSI Assistant Instructor. Her commitment to community service shines through her role as the Albuquerque liaison for Holiday Magic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy to hospitalized children.