Explore why workplace culture should celebrate diverse career paths and ambitions. This article challenges the assumption that all employees seek advancement, advocating for inclusive leadership that respects different definitions of success and work-life balance priorities.
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Confidence wasn't something I lacked; it was something I was still developing, built through small decisions, challenges, and the willingness to keep showing up.
Sherry Bolds, SHRM-SCP · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Sherry
Sherry Bolds, SHRM-SCP, is an accomplished Plant Controller. She is a Finance, Human Resources, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) leader with extensive experience in the manufacturing industry, where she successfully bridges financial strategy, operational excellence, workforce development, and workplace safety. With expertise in financial planning, budgeting, cost management, performance analysis, and regulatory compliance, she plays a pivotal role in driving profitability, operational efficiency, and sustainable business growth.
Beyond her financial responsibilities, Sherry provides leadership across Human Resources and Environmental Health & Safety functions, demonstrating a unique ability to align organizational goals with employee development, engagement, safety, and well-being. Her multidisciplinary approach enables her to build strong partnerships across all levels of an organization while fostering cultures of accountability, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and proactive risk management.
A dedicated advocate for organizational effectiveness and workplace safety, Sherry holds her SHRM-SCP certification, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified, OSHA 30-Hour certified, and a certified Lead Auditor for both ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems. These credentials reflect her commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and creating safe, healthy workplaces where employees can thrive.
Known for her strategic mindset and servant leadership approach, Sherry is passionate about developing people, improving processes, strengthening safety cultures, and creating lasting organizational impact. She continuously seeks opportunities to leverage her diverse expertise in finance, human resources, and EHS leadership to drive innovation, enhance business performance, and contribute meaningfully to her industry and community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sherry
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, continuous learning, and a genuine commitment to serving others. Throughout my career, I have embraced challenges as opportunities to grow, expanding my expertise across finance, operations, human resources, quality management, and environmental health and safety. This diverse experience has allowed me to contribute strategically to organizational success while fostering cultures centered on accountability, continuous improvement, and employee well-being.
I firmly believe that people are an organization's greatest asset. Building strong relationships, investing in employee development, and creating safe, healthy work environments have been central to my leadership approach. My certifications in Lean Six Sigma, OSHA 30-Hour, and ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 auditing reflect my commitment to operational excellence, workplace safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices.
Most importantly, I attribute my success to resilience and purpose-driven leadership. Every challenge presents an opportunity to learn, improve, and make a positive impact. By leading with integrity, empowering others, and maintaining a strong focus on financial performance, employee development, and environmental health and safety, I strive to create lasting value for both organizations and the people they serve.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to take opportunities even when you don’t feel completely ready for them. Growth rarely happens within your comfort zone, and waiting until you feel 100% prepared can mean missing valuable opportunities. Throughout my career, some of my greatest achievements have come from stepping into unfamiliar roles, embracing new challenges, and trusting my ability to learn along the way. That mindset has helped me expand my expertise across finance, human resources, operational excellence, and environmental health and safety, while continually growing as a leader.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the manufacturing industry is to have confidence in yourself and your abilities, even when you don't feel completely ready. Many of the best opportunities for growth come from stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on challenges that stretch your capabilities.
Communicate clearly, listen more than you speak, and never be afraid to ask questions. Some of the greatest learning opportunities come from being curious and willing to learn from others. Seek out mentors, build strong relationships, and remain committed to continuous learning throughout your career.
Most importantly, make a seat at the table for yourself. Don't wait for permission to share your ideas, contribute your expertise, or pursue leadership opportunities. Your perspective is valuable, and your voice deserves to be heard. Manufacturing offers incredible opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact, so be bold, stay resilient, and believe in what you bring to the table.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in manufacturing today is attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent while adapting to rapid changes in technology, automation, and workforce expectations. Organizations must find ways to remain competitive while investing in employee development, engagement, and workplace culture.
At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities. Manufacturing is evolving, creating new possibilities for innovation, operational excellence, sustainability, and Environmental Health & Safety initiatives. Companies that embrace continuous improvement, invest in their people, and leverage technology to make smarter business decisions will be well-positioned for long-term success.
I also believe there is a significant opportunity for more women to step into leadership roles across manufacturing, finance, human resources, and EHS. Diverse perspectives drive stronger decision-making, foster innovation, and help organizations build more inclusive and high-performing workplaces.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, accountability, continuous learning, and service to others. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, taking ownership of my actions, and following through on commitments.
I also value respect and communication. Some of the strongest relationships and best decisions come from listening to understand, communicating with clarity, and treating others with dignity and respect. Whether I'm working with employees, colleagues, or family, I strive to create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Continuous improvement is another core value that guides me. I believe there is always an opportunity to learn, grow, and become better; both as a leader and as a person. Finally, I am passionate about serving others and helping them reach their full potential. Success is not just about personal achievement; it's about making a positive impact on the people and communities around us.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Sherry
Redefining Success at Work: Why Being Content Is Not a Lack of Ambition
Recognizing the value of employees who prioritize stability, balance, and consistent performance over rapid career advancement.
There is a growing conversation about employee engagement, career growth, and workplace culture. Yet one perspective is often overlooked: not everyone wants the same thing from their career.
Today’s workplace frequently celebrates the employee who volunteers for every project, attends every networking event, seeks out leadership opportunities, and actively pursues the next promotion. Those individuals deserve recognition. Their ambition drives innovation, leadership, and organizational growth.
However, there is another group of employees who are equally valuable but often receive less acknowledgment.
These are the individuals who show up every day, perform their jobs with consistency and professionalism, support their colleagues, meet expectations, and contribute positively to the organization. They may not be seeking rapid advancement. They may not volunteer for every after-hours team-building activity. They may not enjoy large social gatherings or workplace events that push them outside their comfort zones.
And that should be okay.
True inclusion extends beyond demographic differences
As leaders, we often talk about creating inclusive workplaces. True inclusion extends beyond demographic differences. It also includes recognizing that people have different personalities, motivations, energy levels, and definitions of success.
For some employees, fulfillment comes from building a career. For others, fulfillment comes from building a life outside of work.
Some are raising children. Some are caring for aging parents. Some are pursuing education, hobbies, volunteer work, or personal goals. Others simply value the balance that comes from maintaining clear boundaries between their professional and personal lives.
None of these choices indicate a lack of commitment.
Attendance and performance are not the same thing
Unfortunately, many workplace cultures unintentionally equate visibility with engagement. Employees who participate in every event are often perceived as highly committed, while those who choose not to participate can sometimes be viewed as less invested.
The reality is that attendance and performance are not the same thing.
An employee’s contribution should be measured by the quality of their work, their reliability, their collaboration with colleagues, and their impact on the organization—not by whether they attended the latest social gathering or team outing.
Ambition can take many forms
We should absolutely continue supporting employees who aspire to lead, innovate, and advance. Organizations need those individuals.
At the same time, we should create space for those who find purpose in stability. Not everyone views career progression as the ultimate measure of success, and they should not feel pressured to do so.
A healthy workplace culture recognizes that ambition can take many forms. Sometimes ambition means pursuing the next leadership role. Sometimes it means becoming an expert in your current role. Sometimes it means establishing work-life balance and protecting time for the people and priorities that matter most.
The strongest organizations understand that there is value in all of these paths.
Our responsibility is not to define success for others
As leaders, our responsibility is not to define success for others. It is to create environments where people can define success for themselves.
Because at the end of the day, an employee who shows up, contributes, performs with excellence, and treats others with respect is not “just” doing a job.
They are fulfilling the very purpose for which they were hired.
And that contribution deserves to be respected, whether their next goal is a promotion, a leadership position, or simply continuing to do meaningful work well.
A candid reflection on overcoming self-doubt, embracing leadership opportunities before feeling ready, and empowering others to recognize their potential in manufacturing and beyond.
My Journey: Leading with Purpose, Growth, and Gratitude
From Uncertainty to Leadership: A Woman's Journey of Growth, Perseverance, and Empowering Others in Manufacturing
When I reflect on my professional journey, I am reminded that success is rarely a straight path. It is often built through perseverance, hard work, continuous learning, and a willingness to embrace opportunities before you feel completely ready. My career has taught me that growth happens when we push beyond our comfort zones and trust ourselves to learn along the way.
Today, I serve as a Plant Controller with leadership responsibilities spanning Finance, Human Resources, and Environmental Health & Safety in the manufacturing industry. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to combine my passion for finance, people leadership, operational excellence, workplace safety, and continuous improvement. I am also proud to hold certifications including SHRM-SCP, Lean Six Sigma, OSHA 30-Hour, and Lead Auditor certifications for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.
While I am grateful for these accomplishments, they do not define who I am. The values that guide me every day—integrity, accountability, respect, service to others, and continuous learning—are what truly shape my leadership journey.
Taking Opportunities Before Feeling Ready
Like many women, my path has included challenges, setbacks, moments of uncertainty, and opportunities that seemed intimidating at first. Looking back, some of the most impactful decisions I made were accepting opportunities before I felt fully qualified. The best career advice I ever received was to take the opportunity even when you don't feel ready. Confidence is often built through experience, not before it.
That lesson changed the way I approached my career. Instead of focusing on what I didn't know, I focused on what I was willing to learn. I raised my hand for new responsibilities, asked questions, sought guidance from mentors, and remained committed to personal and professional growth. Every challenge became a learning opportunity, and every experience helped prepare me for the next step.
Helping Others Recognize Their Own Potential
One of my greatest passions is helping others recognize their own potential. I firmly believe that every woman has the ability to become successful regardless of her circumstances. Our backgrounds may shape our stories, but they do not determine our futures. Success is not reserved for those with perfect opportunities or ideal conditions. It belongs to those who are willing to persevere, continue learning, and believe in themselves even when the path forward is unclear.
Advice to Young Women
My advice to young women entering any industry is simple: have confidence in yourself, communicate clearly, listen more than you speak, and never stop asking questions. Some of the greatest lessons I have learned came from being willing to admit I didn't have all the answers. Be curious. Be adaptable. Be willing to learn from those around you.
Most importantly, make a seat at the table for yourself. Do not wait for someone else to invite you into the conversation. Your perspective matters. Your ideas matter. Your voice matters. Advocate for yourself and be willing to contribute, even when you feel uncomfortable doing so.
The Support System Behind the Journey
While my career has been an important part of my life, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the incredible support system that has helped me along the way. No success story is ever written by one person alone.
My spouse has been one of the most influential people in my journey. Through every professional challenge, career transition, long workday, and ambitious goal, I have had someone beside me who believed in me, encouraged me, and supported me wholeheartedly. The sacrifices, patience, love, and unwavering support they have shown have given me the confidence and stability to continue growing both personally and professionally.
There were times when they saw potential in me that I had not yet seen in myself. They celebrated my successes, helped me navigate setbacks, and provided the encouragement I needed to keep moving forward. I am deeply grateful for the role they have played in my development as a leader, professional, and person. Their support has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.
Creating Positive Impact
As I continue my journey, my goal is not simply to achieve professional success. I want to create positive impact, develop future leaders, strengthen organizations, and help others realize their own potential. Leadership is not about position or title; it is about service, influence, and helping others succeed.
I am proud to be a woman in manufacturing and proud of the opportunities I have had to contribute across Finance, Human Resources, Operational Excellence, and Environmental Health and Safety. More importantly, I am proud of the lessons I have learned along the way.
If there is one message I hope to leave with other women, it is this: Never allow your current circumstances to define what is possible for your future. Believe in yourself before you feel ready. Continue learning, continue growing, and continue showing up. You are capable of far more than you realize, and your journey has the power to inspire others along the way.
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