Women Who Lead: Celebrating the Voices Shaping Our Future

March marks Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, leadership, and contributions of women past and present. It is an opportunity to recognize the progress that has been made while also honoring the women who continue to shape the future through their work, leadership, and influence. We are proud to spotlight women within our organization who are making a meaningful impact and inspiring those around them. Throughout March, we will be sharing responses from women in leadership as they reflect on their influences, values, challenges, and what Women’s History Month means to them.

Today, we’re celebrating Jennifer Yule-Thomas, whose leadership and thoughtful perspective continue to inspire those around her.

Leadership Philosophy

Q: What values guide you most as a leader?

A: Integrity first and foremost (always doing the right thing), respect (treating people with the same kind of respect I want to be treated with), excellence (always putting your best into whatever it is), caring (always thinking about how things will affect everyone around you), and then success (making sure everyone is taken care of—building strong relationships between the company and its customers is the best measure of success).

A Defining Moment

Q: Was there a moment in your career that helped shape the leader you are today?

A: Not really, I had been put in leadership early in my life with my parents owning a few of their own business and I had to oversee a couple of them. Then, it just stayed with me. Wherever I went I would become a team leader or manager.

Biggest Lesson Learned

What is one lesson leadership has taught you that you wish you knew earlier?

I have learned that not everyone learns the same, whereas before if you didn't get it right away I would get upset. Now, I take time and spend more time with whomever if they don't understand it, because it's just as frustrating for them as it is for you. Some need more help than others.

Challenges & Growth

What challenges have helped you grow the most in your career?

One challenge that has made me grow the most in my career is being patient with others, when I was younger that was the hardest part to control and as I got older I have not perfected it yet, but I have tons more patience than when I was younger. Another challenge I had was I always thought no one can do it better than you. So I wouldn't let others do anything and I would just try and do everything myself. I have learned that letting others help with daily activities relieves a lot of stress and hard work off of you that you did not know you had.

Mentorship & Influence

Q: Who has been influential in your professional journey?

A: My parents were very influential to me. I watched them run many business throughtout my life. They taught me what hard work was, they also taught me to always strive for goals in my life. They used to say if you want nice things then you have to work hard for them. I believed that but as I got older, I have come to see that it's not about working hard it's about working in general. Making sure you do your job to the best of your ability and then some.

Impact

Q: What impact do you hope to have on your team or the next generation of leaders?

A: I hope that my team or the next generation of leaders learn that it's not about hard work it's about the quality of work and the team effort. You can only do so much by yourself but with a team you can do many things. So don't think in the I formation think in the we formation. And always take care of the customers with a smile, A smile goes a lot farther than anger.

Something You Might Not Know

Q: What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

A: I love anything with motors (race cars, four-wheelers, etc). I used to want to be a race car driver growing up.

Women’s History Month Reflection

Q: What does Women’s History Month or International Women’s Day mean to you?

A: I never really paid attention to Women's history Month, I am not one to think about those kinds of things. I look at everyone as the same.