Voices from the PPWLN Executive Council: Lisa Propati

Lisa Propati
Vice President & General Manager - WLS, a ProMach Product Brand

What is one (or more) piece(s) of advice you’d offer a woman entering this industry, or what do you know now that you wish you knew when you were younger and just starting out?   

The advice I would give is not industry or gender specific.  My advice is to silence your inner critic that may keep may you from pursuing the career that you want.  Believe in yourself and your abilities and work hard to get where you want to go!

What do you enjoy most about your role/job/career – thinking about daily tasks/responsibilities and/or bigger picture/longer term benefits?  

I love that I get to work with a fantastic team and we have been able to exceed company expectations and we have all been able to personally grow throughout the process.   

Why should a woman become a part of this industry?  Why are women an important part of this industry?  

There is a strong business case to increase the representation of women in manufacturing leadership. Studies dating back to the 1990s shows that a firm’s financial performance increases when women are in more than token leadership roles.  Not only can you improve the company’s performance, but it is also a growing and exciting industry.

Lastly, all please answer: What are the top 5 things that any woman should understand or develop to successfully advance their career?  

• Negotiation skills
• Business acumen
• Emotional intelligence
• Communication skills
• Authenticity on the job