As we observe Women's History Month, we're proud to showcase some of the unstoppable forces behind the scenes at HPG. These leaders are among the many women on our team who constantly amaze and inspire us with their drive, commitment and unwavering dedication to reinventing promo as we know it.
To understand what makes these amazing women tick, we decided to ask them a few searching questions. What we found out not only inspired us, but surprised us, too.
What female icon or mogul inspires you most?
I love Betty White. I mean, I named my car after her!
- Rena Ashfeld, VP of Sales at Mixie
My daughter, actually. My daughter's very strong…
- Marie Kirshenbaum, COO of Debco
Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie…
- Sharon Miller, CEO of BCG
So, her name is Judi Holler (author, improviser and keynote speaker)
- Mel Bettua, Director of Sales at Hub
For me it's Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- Trina Bicknell, CRO of HPG
What's your superpower?
My superpower is to be right 99.9% of the time :)
- Jing Rong, VP of Supply Chain at HPG
Being a good mom… I don't know if my kids would agree. I’m a good pet mom! Other than that; professionally my greatest strength is tenacity.
- Sharon Miller, CEO of BCG
I think I have very strong emotional intelligence.
- Trina Bicknell, CRO of HPG
I have a lot of energy, I'm very positive. I love to mentor and coach people.
- Marie Kirshenbaum, COO of Debco
I would say that I can read people pretty well. I feel like I am a good judge of character.
- Rena Ashfeld, VP of Sales at Mixie
What's one piece of advice you would give to your younger self ?
Oh, just do the damn thing!
- Mel Bettua, Director of Sales at Hub
Oh my god, do you have three hours?! Have confidence in yourself. Be strong. Know that you're going to be a successful woman.
- Sharon Miller, CEO of BCG
Believe in yourself. There are ups and downs in life and you have the strength to get through it.
- Marie Kirshenbaum, COO of Debco
Don't sweat everything. Stop worrying about all those little things that you think are going to be so important, that really aren't.
- Trina Bicknell, CRO of HPG
Just make a decision and stick with it!
- Jing Rong, VP of Supply Chain at HPG
What would you recommend to a young woman entering the promo industry?
Find your people… find your posse.
- Rena Ashfeld, VP of Sales at Mixie
To absolutely do it!
- Trina Bicknell, CRO of HPG
Just be a go-getter…
- Sharon Miller, CEO of BCG
I think you have to be true to yourself… be open to all kinds of experiences and opportunities.
- Marie Kirshenbaum, COO of Debco
Make as many friends as possible!
- Mel Bettua, Director of Sales at Hub
What can we do as women to empower other women?
… whether it's someone that's just starting out in the industry or someone that's moving to a new role, <we have to> help each other and lift each other up…
- Trina Bicknell, CRO of HPG
…certainly in terms of HPG alone, when you look at the leadership, there are a lot of women. There are more and more women who are running and owning their own businesses, and I think we have to continue to do that.
- Marie Kirshenbaum, COO of Debco
..know you're strong, you're confident. You can do just as much - probably way more - than any man out there.
- Sharon Miller, CEO of BCG
If you don't ask - if you don't try – the answer is always no. If you at least try you have some chance of getting a “yes”.
- Jing Rong, VP of Supply Chain at HPG
Just mentoring and being supportive is so important because you never know in this industry… your competition <today> could be your boss <tomorrow>… I think <we should> lift each other up, rather than tearing each other down… the world's getting a little crazy and kindness goes a long way.
- Rena Ashfeld, VP of Sales at Mixie
It's pretty basic; let's be kind, let's have grace… even when things get complicated, let’s continue to work together.
- Mel Bettua, Director of Sales at Hub