The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 is: #EachforEqual. Women are encouraged to “actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.”
Jonna Pedersen-Killeen was chosen to be profiled for Intelex Technologies International Women’s Day 2020 coverage because she strives to keep people safe, happy and connected. Part of the focus of International Women’s Day 2020 is that “Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.” Jonna focuses on helping her coworkers and her customers be the best they can be, every day, all day.
Jonna Pedersen-Killeen is Manager, Customer Success, at Intelex Technologies. She is a tenured relationship manager and is inspired by companies that strive to keep people safe and happy and connected. As a result, she has experienced a 100 percent retention rate on her team. She implemented a technical training course for her team and was involved in the implementation of a new Customer Onboarding Program. The tech industry is always evolving, and Jonna embraces change. Although she has worked for companies in industries as varied as car rentals, uniform rentals and safety products, technology has captured her interest. Being a part of a movement of change towards safer workplaces and leveraging technology to establish better Quality and Environmental processes challenges her to think outside of the box every single day.
How did you end up in a career as an EHSQ or Tech professional? Was that always your goal or did it evolve over time?
My goal was to always be involved in work that challenged me and brought good to the world. Being in Tech is challenging and finding my love of EHSQ has been the perfect blend for my career.
Were you mentored, either in school or in your first jobs? If so, can you explain how that helped you in your career?
I think my parents were my best mentors. They always encouraged me to speak up, challenge myself to continuously learn and be a team player. This has helped me the most over my career! I also had some excellent mentors throughout my career who showed me compassion for customers and co-workers is key to a happy workplace, and that work-life balance is really important.
What are some of the challenges facing female EHSQ or Tech professionals? Did you experience those challenges and how did they impact you?
There are not a lot of women in key roles in Tech and especially not in EHSQ, I’m happy to see that starting to shift but there is definitely a glass ceiling as a woman in the industry. I am lucky that I have not experienced these challenges directly.
What do you love about your job?
I love our customers! I enjoy the face time (or phone time) I get with our customers and working with them to resolve challenges. I am so lucky to also have the best team of CSMs that I support. Each are dedicated to customer happiness, are collaborative with me and the team, and always strive to push our team to improve.
What are keys to your success?
Patience is the first step to success – not everything happens right the first time or as quickly as you would like it to. I always try to put myself in the other person’s shoes when working through a challenging situation so I can be objective in the steps to resolution. Being kind isn’t hard and it will take you far.
What is the most valuable lesson you can share from your career in EHSQ or Tech?
Change is going to happen is my biggest lesson for sure! Tech is constantly evolving, so is EHSQ, and it’s for the greater good! At Intelex, we can combine these two aspects to work towards keeping people safer, learn from mistakes, and push for a better world for all.
Knowing what you now know, if you had the opportunity to give advice to women just starting out in their careers, what would you say?
Bring your authentic self to work every day; never be afraid to let your own light shine.
Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.
Let’s all be #EachforEqual.
Related International Women’s Day articles:
International Women’s Day 2020: #EachforEqual In Tech and EHS
Ratna Morjaria: Managing EHSQ Proactively Is Essential to Business
Charlotte Oickle: Standing Firm and Taking Charge While Demonstrating Kindness & Empathy
Amy McNaughton: Building Safety Culture, Keeping Communication Open
Margery Moore: Starting My Own Company Was the Only Way To Truly Honor My Dreams and Achieve My Goals
Kristen Duda: It Is Critical to Align Your Personal Values to Those of the Company You Work For
