Navigating New Horizons
Courtney Kedaitis, Marketing Manager with Worldwide Material Handling, has had an exciting and surprising evolution in the material handling industry.
By Nicole Needles
Courtney Kedaitis’ journey into the material handling industry is a testament to the unexpected twists and turns careers can take and the unique contributions women can bring to their workplaces. From her initial aspirations in early childhood education to becoming a key figure in material handling and at Worldwide Material Handling, Kedaitis’ story is one of adaptability, resilience and growth.
Her journey began in high school with aspirations to become an early childhood educator. However, by the end of her sophomore year in college, she shifted her focus to communication studies with a minor in business. Post-graduation, she found herself working for an insurance company, driven by the immediate need to start repaying her college loans. It was a turn of fate when a best friend’s relationship introduced her to Rich Willix, a figure in the material handling industry, who was in search of a marketing professional. An interview later, Kedaitis embarked on a new career path that she would grow to love.
The material handling industry, like many others, has seen a growing number of women joining its ranks. Kedaitis believes that women bring a fresh perspective, particularly in problem-solving. She emphasizes that diverse experiences and viewpoints often lead to the best solutions.
“I think women also help with collaboration and communication. I find myself communicating to the team – sometimes overcommunicating – and helping with project coordination and organization on a weekly basis in my current role,” she said.
Being a woman in the material handling industry hasn’t been without its challenges.
“In the beginning of my career, it was interesting to see people skip over me at tradeshows to talk to others in our company because they viewed me as just a young girl in the industry who didn’t know anything. Over the years, more women are entering the industry, and it has not been as apparent anymore,” she said.
Kedaitis’ persistence and dedication have helped her gain respect and recognition within her field.
Despite the challenges, she finds significant advantages in her position. She speaks highly of her colleagues at Worldwide Material Handling, describing a supportive, family-like atmosphere where she feels valued and backed by her team. This supportive environment has been instrumental in her professional growth and success.
Kedaitis encourages other women in the material handling industry to focus on continuous learning and to ask questions to build confidence and expertise. She advocates for networking, speaking up and seeking mentorship to fully embrace and navigate the industry. She believes that embracing these strategies can help women thrive and make meaningful contributions to the field.
One of the best pieces of leadership advice she has received is to “Learn to adapt to the environment and not take everything so personal. Things are going to happen throughout your career, and you will need to continue to learn and grow from them in order to be successful. Learn from setbacks and keep pushing forward.”
This mindset has allowed her to navigate the complexities of her career with resilience and a positive attitude.
She finds great satisfaction in the variety her career offers. The ever-evolving nature of the material handling industry is one of Kedaitis’ favorite aspects of her day-to-day.
“Every day is different. I am always learning something, whether it is a new product on the market, or a custom product we designed for a specific application, there is always something new to learn and I find it interesting to see how our products fit within the material handling world,” Kedaitis said.
This constant learning keeps her engaged and interested in her work.
“I never would have thought I would end up in the material handling industry. I even had my heart set on being a wedding planner at one point. My boss has always said, once you are in the industry for three years, you are stuck,” she said. “It has now been over 11 years since I started working in this industry – specifically for Worldwide Material Handling – and I guess he was right. It has been a fulfilling career path, and I haven’t looked back once.”
Kedaitis’ journey exemplifies the impact of diverse perspectives and the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Her story serves as an inspiration for women in material handling and beyond, illustrating that with determination and support, one can navigate and excel in any industry.
