What began as a new job for Gisela sparked an inspiring employee success story. Through hard work, courage, and determination, she turned a single opportunity into a journey of growth and leadership. With guidance from a mentor who recognized her potential, she quickly rose from an entry-level role to a leadership position, proving that perseverance and encouragement can create remarkable results.
The Spark of Potential
After Gisela’s original workplace closed in September 2023, she found herself navigating a major life change. In the midst of a major client transition, Seija, a Spanish-speaking recruiter who had recently joined our team, stepped in as a crucial liaison for employees like Gisela. She bridged communication gaps, clarified transition steps, and offered reassurance in a moment of uncertainty.
By October, Gisela secured an Assembler role with a new food manufacturer. She quickly learned the pace and expectations of her new position, and more important, her natural leadership skills started to kick in. It didn’t take long for one of the team leaders in the kitchen, Larry, to notice her potential. He personally pulled her aside, expressing confidence she had what it took to be a leader. Though she doubted herself at first, his encouragement, paired with our steady support, gave her the courage to step up.
Stepping into a Challenge
By December, only two months after starting, Gisela earned a promotion to Decant Lead. It was a huge leap, and it didn’t come without challenges. In the early days, the kitchen was disorganized, and she often found herself managing massive production runs – sometimes preparing up to 10,000 units of chicken. It was exhausting work that required long hours, perseverance and problem-solving, but Gisela never backed down. Instead, she worked closely with Larry and her team to bring order and stability to the team, helping transform the kitchen into a smoother, more efficient operation.
Rising to the Challenge
Gisela’s journey has been defined by her ability to embrace challenges with courage and persistence. Every step of the way, she has proven her determination, whether it was stepping into a leadership role sooner than she expected, guiding her team through demanding production runs, or balancing work with life changes. Though we’ve been fortunate to stand in her corner offering support when needed, the credit belongs to Gisela. She is the one who showed up, leaned in, and grew into the leader she is today.
Her employer has also recognized and deeply valued her leadership. After taking an extended trip to visit family in her home country, she returned not to an entry-level role, but right back into her leadership position. A clear reflection of the trust and appreciation she has earned.
What makes Gisela especially inspiring is the pride she carries as the youngest lead on her team and as a voice of encouragement within the Hispanic community. She is proof that growth is possible when hard work, courage, and opportunity come together.
Gisela’s story is a reminder to us all: with determination, the right opportunity, and belief in yourself, incredible things can happen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Are you ready to take a leap into something new? Check our Jobs page to learn about our open opportunities – both skilled and entry-level. Visit our Workforce Development Resources to learn about local skilled trade opportunities.