The last five years have amplified our desire for authentic connections and conversations. Jackie Mattox identified that need a decade ago and founded WE United, a professional space originally created to advocate for women in the electronics industry. Now, she’s expanding the organization’s focus to include men. Jason chats with Jackie about the unique challenges that women in distribution still face, the importance of inclusive leadership, and what companies can do to foster mentorship and collaborative opportunities for all.
“I didn’t grow up saying I wanted to be in the electronic component industry,” Jackie laughs. Instead, she pursued a career in broadcast journalism. But the realities of network news didn’t align with her dream of telling people’s stories. “I wound up getting a job in the component industry,” Jackie explains, noting that her journalism experience helped her navigate the accidental pivot to English Technical Supply (ETS). “I worked with manufacturers, distributors, and contract manufacturers. I even did grunge-type work, which I don’t think a lot of people get to do these days. I think that was some of the best education.”
Jackie thrived in her new career, but another adjustment was on the horizon. “I stepped away to raise my children,” she says. Jackie returned to ETS in 2016 and, although she was happy to reconnect with old mentors and industry friends, she was concerned about who wasn’t represented. “I wasn’t seeing youth or other women. Where was the next?”
Women In Electronics was soft-launched in 2017 to advocate for the next wave of female leaders. The group has since expanded to offer professional networking and development programs for men as well, hence the rebrand to WE United. “There are so many supportive, amazing male leaders. We don’t want to keep them out of the conversation,” Jackie explains.
WE United seeks to uplift all by addressing the achievement gap between women and men. “Parity is always gonna be a hot topic for us. But, we’re not in competition with our male colleagues.” Jackie stresses. “It has nothing to do with advocating against anything. It has everything to do with advocating for something.”
QUOTES
“I think that if I look back now, I’m pretty fortunate that I had that real hands-on experience, just feet-on-the-ground in the industry.”
“I had exposure at a very young age (going to executive events and being a part of that), which I just think is a rare opportunity at such a young age in our industry.”
“Women do face some separate issues, typically, than men face, even now.”
“As women, we are not DEI hires.”
“Not everyone is a leader. Now, everyone has some type of influence wherever they are, but a leader is making an intentional decision to sacrifice their own self for the greater good of their organization, what they’re trying to accomplish, leading their teams.”
“I just believe if we’re collaborating with our customers, it’s going to be a game-changer for innovation.”
“I really think we have to focus on people-centered leaders and how we can be highly effective with civility, ethics, and humanity fused into our leadership.”
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sheryl Sandberg: Why Women Are Leaning Out Of The Workplace
National Association of Wholesale Distributors (NAW)
CONNECT WITH JASON
CONNECT WITH JACKIE
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Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.
This episode was edited & mixed byThe Creative Impostor Studios.
Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Moblico, helping businesses do more business on mobile devices; and INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.
