From the non-profit world to a corporate leadership position in the rubber industry, Nicole Forbes has taken a circuitous route to get to where she is today.
The Danfoss director of business development previously worked for Eaton and had experience in the concrete industry as well. Her initial job was in Washington D.C. in the non-profit sector, which continues to interest her today. Years ago, she learned that executives running nonprofits almost always had significant corporate experience to pull from.
"For many reasons I was looking to work at a larger company after being introduced to (the non-profit) world," Forbes says. I was intrigued by anything with a global connection."
She quickly learned that she was motivated to get involved in numerous strategic areas within an organization from data analysis and process creation to strategy and product management. Forbes was also motivated to work in a position where she could have an active hand in making products better to support people and society in general.
With more than 15 years of experience, Forbes' career trajectory is punctuated by rapid promotions, reflecting a strong skill set in product development, product, channel and people management. Her approach combines rigorous strategic planning with a hands-on management style that ensures operational excellence and market alignment.
Forbes has been instrumental in developing and executing business development strategies at Danfoss that have significantly contributed to the growth and efficiency of the company's fluid conveyance division. According to colleagues, Forbes' ability to overlay detailed standard work with strategic product and category plans has not only enhanced product performance but also optimized market positioning and customer satisfaction.
She also is actively involved in mentoring and advocating for women in the industry, motivating them to pursue and excel in STEM fields.
As Forbes has grown in her role, she understands having a working knowledge in areas of the company outside of her specialty is advantageous. And her role as a non-engineer has benefited her rise at both Eaton and Danfoss because she has brought a more diverse professional background that also includes marketing and commercialization to support the significant technical knowledge that already exists at the company.
In Forbes' experience, that outside voice can be important. She recommends that others build a wide, diverse network of people to connect with to call upon for guidance and subject matter expertise.
"I've found that one key to success is not being afraid to speak up or be hesitant to ask a question, even if you think it may be a dumb one," Forbes said. "Before you know it, you've launched a new initiative internally from a question that at one time you were afraid to ask."
It's an attitude that has also driven Forbes to actively lead the movement toward developing an inclusive environment and promoting professional growth among her peers.
Forbes understands she needs to remind herself to take her own best advice since becoming engrossed in your own work is a struggle for many. As she expands her career, Forbes hopes to gain more sales, operational and strategic experience that can help her tackle new challenges and expand her responsibilities. Having that type of holistic view can open her up to future positions.
"I would consider a (perceived) lateral move if that gives me a better chance to qualify for higher positions down the line," Forbes said.
She will be particularly excited about such a move if it allows her to be at the forefront of ESG, serving as a good steward of sustainability, an increasingly important goal for Danfoss' customers. So, while her role in some capacity may be focused on hoses, there's a much deeper strategy involved, from the use of data centers to strategic initiatives.
"If we don't innovate, our competitors will," she said. "I want to be at the center of that."
While men still outnumber women within the rubber industry in Forbes' experience, she said that non-profit executives tend to overwhelmingly be women. If she chooses to re-enter the non-profit field in the future, she hopes to be an agent in change in that ratio.
Forbes feels fortunate to have worked for two organizations in the rubber industry with a demonstrated effort to promote diversity, equity and inclusion both internally and externally. She has never felt as if she has bumped against a proverbial glass ceiling in recent years, while being an active member of Danfoss' female mentorship initiative.
"I'm proud to say we're not just talking about the metrics (of DEI) but having conversations that matter," Forbes said. "You have to always keep an eye toward a balanced representation of employees because of the value it brings."
Years with company: 7
Years in rubber industry: 7