Shelly Stever

My father encouraged me to enter this field, but it wasn’t something I saw myself doing early on. Over time, though, I realized how aligned it was with my values and strengths—and here I am over two decades later.from telemarketer to National Sales Director at a leading industrial firm.I started my career at Donaldson Company as a telemarketer. Over the years, I advanced steadily and eventually became the first female National Sales Director in the company's history. Under my leadership, we expanded our team from 8 to 18 people and grew our revenue from $40 million to over $100 million—while maintaining a 62% profit margin.Creating a strong team culture. I lead with what I call the MERC principle—Motivation, Inspiration, Recognition, and Celebration. It's about showing up authentically and recognizing that leadership is service. When people feel seen and supported, they deliver their best. i'm also a social butterfly and love connecting with people

Focus on performance—your work will always speak louder than your title this mindset helps me stay grounded through my career. Rather than chasing roles or titles, choose to invest fully in whatever position held, trusting that growth and recognition would follow.I’ve always believed that when you put your head down and do the work, opportunities naturally open up. You don’t have to force them—just keep showing up with integrity. you can keep moving forward

Be authentic. Don’t try to lead like someone else—lead like you.” She emphasizes that leadership isn’t about perfection or hierarchy—it’s about people. Her MERC philosophy—Motivation, Inspiration, Recognition, and Celebration—guides her leadership style and the culture she builds within her teams. “Also, don’t be afraid to speak up,” she adds. “You can be kind and assertive at the same time. Your voice matters—use it.”

There were moments when I felt underestimated or overlooked, just because I didn’t ‘fit the mold,But instead of trying to blend in, I learned to stand out—for the right reasons the emotional challenge of staying resilient while navigating corporate pressures, especially while honoring the memory of my late sister—a personal motivator in everything I do. There were days I wanted to give up but I reminded myself that my journey isn’t just about me—it’s about every woman watching, waiting for permission to lead boldly.

Balance is everything. My mantra is to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. It’s like being part of different sports teams—each phase teaches you something new. I’m a big fan of reggae music, and I value faith, family, and friends deeply. I also started my family later in life, which I’m incredibly grateful for.There’s often pressure to conform or prove yourself twice as much. But I’ve found that being unapologetically myself—and staying rooted in purpose—has been the most powerful way to lead. I also find strength in honoring my sister’s memory, which fuels my drive every single day. i also have a mantra that i like to joke around with colleagues and the teams I train that i live the "f" words- faith, family, friends ,fun and filters