Celebrating the Women of Danby this International Women’s Day

Join Danby as we celebrate International Women’s Day, a day we recognize and celebrate social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls in our communities. International Women’s Day first took place March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Other countries began to observe and celebrate this day in the years that followed. The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women’s Year and began celebrating March 8th as International Women’s Day going forward.

The modern electric refrigerator, the dishwasher, the ice cream maker, and countless other inventions would not exist without women’s innovations, nor would Danby. So today and every day, we celebrate and express our gratitude to the women of Danby. Danby’s employees are at the heart of everything we do, which is why we are committed to helping foster an inclusive and equitable work environment.

Learn more about some of the strong women in our organization below and how they help make Danby one of the leading refrigeration and specialty appliance companies in North America.

Vanda, Claims Coordinator

International

Vanda started at Danby in 1989 in the newly built office and distribution facility in Guelph, Ontario. She is the longest-tenured employee with over 33 years of service at Danby!

“I was hired as a receptionist and then went on to work in the Parts & Service department after a year. Way back then, Danby provided parts to our service depots across Canada, and we would handwrite all the invoices. After that, I went on to work in warranty service payables, the inside sales desk, and the accounts receivable department.

My current role at Danby is Claims Coordinator. I look after credit claims for our clients, whether it be a damage allowance, pricing adjustment, or contractual sales allowances for marketing and volume rebates. Although my role requires me to interact with many people in many departments here at Danby, which I enjoy, I pride myself on my relationships with my co-workers. The best thing about Danby is its people.

I have seen many changes at Danby, the expansion in our business and its impact in the appliance industry over the last three decades, and our growth to be a leader in that industry. Danby’s success depends on its leadership and the ability to change and react to changes. In my 33 plus years here at Danby, I too have had to change and make changes to learn and grow, but something has remained constant: the pride I have in the people I work with and the company I work for. Danby is a diverse and inclusive company. Our slogan is “Do the Right Thing,” whether it’s in our business practices, charitable or humanitarian efforts within our city or around the world, which is something to be proud of. I proudly wear many hats. I am a woman, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and an aunt.”

Lynda, Senior Director, Product Management

A successful bilingual sales and marketing professional, Lynda has worked at Danby for close to 5 years. As Senior Director, Product Management (PM), Lynda leads a team that manages products, pricing, and training. In her spare time, she volunteers with Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

“I have a DEC in Commerce from John Abbott College and a BComm in International Business from Concordia University. I started my career in sales at CAMCO (Mabe/GE Appliances) before moving into PM. Being in sales helped me learn about the customer, the sales process, and the love of products, and I was able to bring that experience into PM.

I love PM because it is challenging and exciting, always working on new product, strategy, evolution, and growth of the product category. As the PM you own and drive your business and work with all parts of the company, including to bring the product to market.

Danby has so much growth potential, and Jim Estill (Danby President and CEO) encourages us to be entrepreneurial. My team is a mix of seasoned professionals and new product managers, and I am fortunate enough to work with, grow, and learn from them.

I have been blessed to have strong, successful & inspiring women mentor me, especially my mom and older sister. I have also had many wonderful people along my career that allowed me to stretch further and take on more beyond my role so that I could grow and learn, and I try pay that forward today.”

Angela, Shipping Clerk

Angela has worked at Danby’s Saraland warehouse since 2017 and has over 20 years of logistics and customer service experience.

“I am the Shipping Clerk in Saraland, and I do a little bit of everything here at Danby!  I create pick tickets, schedule trucks and containers for pickup and delivery, and process orders as well as any other office-type things that need to be done. I have been in Shipping/Receiving for many years and enjoy keeping things moving.”

Kris, Regional Sales Manager

An accomplished sales professional, Kris has over 30 years of marketing and sales experience. Since 2020, Kris has been a Key Account Leader for the Academic Team at MicroFridge.

“As a mother of three, I know firsthand the challenges and rewards of being a working Mom. I’ve always had a home office and traveled around the Midwest. This has allowed me to have a flexible schedule to be an active parent in their activities but has also led to some late nights playing catch up. I love the company and the people I work with. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some wonderful customers who have developed into true friendships. Previously, I worked for Mac Gray Services, a commercial laundry equipment company and an original owner of the MicroFridge product. I’m thrilled to be back with the MicroFridge team sharing our great product with the academic market. What used to be a convenience in a dorm room has become a necessity. I love being on campus and working with this market.”

Nancy, Dot.com/Maverick Clerk

Nancy is an experienced Logistics Worker who has worked at Danby’s Tolleson warehouse since 2019. She is skilled in the complete order fulfillment process, from creating trucks using Maverick to scanning orders using RFSmart and processing them on Pacejet/NetSuite.

“I am a first-generation Hispanic woman born to Mexican parents. I am bilingual with a certificate in interpreting Spanish and English, practiced for 2 years before having the opportunity to stay home with my daughter (11) and son (8). Once my youngest became a full-time student, I rejoined the workforce to show my children the importance of hard work and responsibility on maintaining a full-time job while running a household.”

Lisa, Key Account Leader

Known in the Academic Channel as “The MicroFridge Lady,” Lisa Farrell is a seasoned professional and Consultant with over 23 years of experience in Sales and Marketing for the MicroFridge Division of Danby. Lisa works remotely out of her home office in Arizona and loves the flexibility to visit her customers throughout the Western and Southwestern regions of the U.S.

Lisa has served many years on the exhibits and corporate partner boards of various University and College housing associations to keep engaged with the academic community. Most notably, the Western Association of College and University Housing Officers, where she received the RW Gang Award for Corporate Partner of the year. Furthermore, The Association of Intermountain Housing Officers, earning recognition as Corporate Partner of the Year. She also published an article for Talking Stick magazine. â€śIt’s all about keeping up with current topics, forming lasting relationships, and finding solutions to make life easier on campus for my customers and friends.”

“With over 2 decades of working in Academic, I am especially grateful for the flexibility my career has afforded me to be present with my family. I can cheer on my eldest daughter in volleyball and support her high school as VP on the boosters’ board and flex my bedazzling costume muscle as dance mom for my younger daughter’s competitive dance team. It gets crazy sometimes in the Farrell household, but we all chip in and get it done!”

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