16: From Supply Chain to Sales, Leslie Marshall's Supply Chain Career Evolution

She Supply Chains Podcast
Feb 16, 2025
2 min read

What happens when an engineer swaps her hard hat for a sales portfolio — and learns to thrive outside her comfort zone?

In this episode of the She Supply Chains podcast, we sit down with Leslie M, a trailblazer whose career journey proves that stepping outside your comfort zone often leads to the most rewarding growth. From her childhood roots in Tennessee to her current role as a national account sales manager in the industrial equipment sector, Leslie’s path has been anything but conventional. She opens up about the early lessons instilled by her family — including the importance of punctuality and professionalism — and how these values continue to shape her work ethic today.

Leslie shares how she unexpectedly landed in supply chain and engineering, and later made a bold career transition into sales. She doesn’t shy away from discussing the challenges she faced — from adapting to corporate culture as a woman in engineering to navigating the shift from technical problem-solver to strategic partner. Through each pivot, Leslie remained grounded in a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and preparation. Her story is a compelling example of how technical expertise and strategic thinking can (and must) coexist to drive innovation.

Beyond her career, Leslie also gives us a glimpse into her personal passions — like CrossFit, which fuels her discipline and determination. She encourages young professionals to embrace discomfort, ask for help when needed, and “exhaust every option” when facing adversity. For Leslie, growth isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress, persistence, and having the courage to try something new.

In this episode, we discuss:

(02:57) Leslie's Background and Early Life
(05:49) Professional Journey and Career Path
(09:01) Transitioning from Engineering to Sales
(11:58) Challenges in Engineering and Overcoming Them
(15:00) Balancing Technical Expertise and Strategic Thinking
(18:00) Fostering Innovation in Engineering
(20:58) Future of Engineering and Supply Chain
(24:04) Personal Insights and Hobbies
(26:52) Advice for Young Professionals
(30:10) Final Thoughts and Quotes

🎧 Listen now for practical advice and powerful encouragement from someone who knows what it means to lead from both the technical floor and the executive table.

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