International Womens Day

Monica Salazar is a General Plant Manager at Radiall Obregón.

Q. Tell us about yourself and your history with Radiall.

A. I began my career at Radiall 17 years ago this February, serving as the group’s inaugural continuous improvement engineer. A key early achievement was the reorganization of the subassembly and final assembly areas, a project that

successfully accommodated the growth of Multipin aerospace products without the need for constructing a new building.

Subsequently, I was involved in the Lean Enterprise Adaptation Project. My significant contributions included defining the “plant for every part” routine and establishing the Lean committee, which shaped the site’s continuous improvement strategy.

For more than five years, I held the position of Continuous Improvement Site Manager and Corporate Coordinator, providing support for various activities across America, France and Italy. Three years ago, I transitioned into my current role as the Radiall Obregon Site Manager.

Q. Can you share a bit about your career journey and the challenges you faced (if any)?

A. My career began 23 years ago as a Production Engineer at a Japanese company with operations in Mexico. After six months of training in Japan to deeply understand the core principles of lean manufacturing, I quickly transitioned into a Continuous Improvement Engineer role.

At the time, my greatest challenge was proving my capability to my boss, who doubted I could handle tasks like moving materials or working double shifts when production demanded it. I met this challenge head-on, often outperforming my colleagues.

Q. Why do you think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

A. International Women’s Day is a pivotal moment for solidarity and empowerment. It is an opportunity to actively support, encourage and uplift other women, providing a collective space for voices that might otherwise be marginalized. The celebration acts as a catalyst, urging women to speak up, claim their rightful place, and challenge deep-rooted societal norms and paradigms that restrict their freedom and opportunities. By uniting, women can effectively dismantle antiquated beliefs and systemic biases, paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

Q. Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?

A. My great-grandmother, a woman of formidable power and unwavering resolve, stands as the cornerstone of my family’s history. Long ago, she undertook an arduous seven-day journey on foot with her family, leaving their humble hometown behind for the promise of a brighter future in Obregón City. This migration was not merely a change of location; it was a testament to her profound optimism and her belief in the possibility of self-improvement.

Life, however, presented her with a crushing challenge. At the age of 50, she was suddenly widowed. In an era when a woman’s security often depended on her husband’s estate, she made a radical choice. She chose a path of independent entrepreneurship. She leveraged her resourcefulness and her network, establishing a thriving small business selling much sought-after American goods to her neighbors and friends in the city. This venture was not a temporary measure; it was a decades-long commitment, one that she diligently maintained until the remarkable age of 82.

Her life was an active masterclass in tenacity, courage and an innate enterprising spirit to me. She modeled a resilience that taught me that setbacks are simply catalysts for innovation. It is this extraordinary legacy—this spirit of self-reliance and continuous striving—that directly inspired my own journey. I was motivated to be the first in my family to pursue and achieve a bachelor’s degree, viewing education as the ultimate expression of her pioneering ethos. More profoundly, her story instilled in me the continuous drive for self-redefinition, the understanding that one must never stop growing, learning and forging a better future.

Q. What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?

A. According to my grandmother´s wisdom, you must address your own issues before attempting to escape your problems, because you take yourself with you wherever you go.

Q. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge women face in the workplace today?

A. The biggest challenge for many professionals, particularly women, lies in achieving a sustainable work-life integration.

It’s not merely about balancing two separate entities, but rather about deliberately and thoughtfully setting up one’s life around work in a way that allows both professional success and personal fulfillment. Women, whether married or not, often find themselves taking on the primary responsibility of family leaders and caregivers. This pivotal role means they manage domestic affairs, raise children, support extended family and foster community connections. Consequently, they play a very important role in society, acting as a cornerstone for both their immediate families and their wider communities.

Q. How can we foster more women in leadership roles?

A. Organizations can accelerate progress by pairing education that addresses unconscious bias with structured mentorship and clear pathways to advancement. Training employees to recognize and mitigate bias in hiring, evaluations and promotions helps create a more equitable foundation. At the same time, leadership networks and sponsorship programs provide visibility, guidance and support for emerging talent. By combining inclusive practices with practical development opportunities, companies can build a culture that empowers more women to advance into leadership roles.

Sabra Boldrini is a Business Unit Manager at Radiall Italy. 

Q. Tell us about yourself and your history with Radiall.

A. I joined Radiall in 2020, right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, as Sales Manager for the Radiall Elettronica division. My journey within Radiall has been dynamic and closely linked to local developments. In autumn 2021, my role was expanded to include VanSystem sales. Shortly afterward, I went on maternity leave, and when I returned in September 2022, I was leading the sales team of the newly formed Radiall Italy.

In December 2022, following the departure of the VanSystem management, I was asked to act as Italy’s point of reference together with our local CFO. In January 2023, the Heavy Duty Business Unit was created, and I was offered the opportunity to lead it — a position I have held since then.

I am truly grateful to Radiall and to the open-minded culture of the company. I was given significant growth opportunities despite having just returned from maternity leave and managing a very young child. I believe this is a concrete and meaningful example of how women are valued at Radiall.

Q. Can you share a bit about your career journey and the challenges you faced (if any)?

A. Throughout my career, I have faced several challenges, particularly in international contexts, managing increasingly large geographical areas as a Key Account Manager (KAM). These experiences allowed me to understand diverse markets and learn from working with major European customers.

I remember one of my first interviews in Rome for a KAM role, where I was rejected because I was considered too introverted and shy for a commercial position. I believe my career has proven quite the opposite.

I have always been driven by curiosity and a strong desire to learn, and I have never been reluctant to relocate for professional growth. I achieved two important ambitions: moving to the UK to perfect my English (with a new permanent contract there) and completing an MBA sponsored by my employer shortly before joining Radiall.

Q. Why do you think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

A. To be honest, I am not particularly fond of celebrations. However, I do believe that women often face additional challenges. It may sound obvious, but balancing motherhood with increasing professional responsibilities is demanding. It is important to recognize that extra effort.

Q. Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?

A. I do not have just one example in mind. I admire all women who successfully balance their professional and personal lives. I would also mention Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook. Her book Lean In gave me inspiration and courage during many important decisions in my life.

Q. What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?

A. Do not be lazy. The ideal job is rarely just around the corner. Among younger generations, I sometimes see a strong focus on remote work and comfort, with less willingness to relocate or truly challenge themselves. Growth often requires stepping out of your comfort zone.

Q. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge women face in the workplace today?

A. Managing the sense of guilt. Guilt when you spend too many hours away from home. Guilt when your daughter is the first to arrive at daycare and the last to leave. Guilt when you have to rush home, but would rather stay another hour in the office to finish your tasks.

At the same time, this constant balancing act teaches valuable skills: how to prioritize effectively, manage time with discipline, delegate more confidently and empower your team.

Q. How can we foster more women in leadership roles?

A. I believe women should be given greater trust and more opportunities to demonstrate their abilities. Their leadership style may differ from that of men, but that does not make it any less effective. Failing to trust them or give them the chance to prove themselves deprives companies of significant potential and diverse perspectives. Women have a strong ability to adapt to different situations, and a management team that includes women is undoubtedly richer, more balanced and more creative.