Thought Leadership

In Her Own Words: Jennifer D’Angelo Dives into Talent Pools

2 minute read

This article originally appeared on Bizwomen. Written by Jennifer D’Angelo, Vice President of Catena Solutions.

Finding a new job takes a lot of networking, and so does finding new talent. Jennifer D’Angelo believes the deeper the talent pool, the more likely a company is to attract and retain the right people.

Finding a seat at the table can be a daunting task in male-dominated industries. As a woman in the supply chain industry, a space where women only account for 19% of C-level positions in the average supply chain organization, I stand as a woman who is succeeding in male-dominated industries. However, my story is not just about my personal achievements but also highlights the importance of how mentorship, networking, and building authentic relationships can help you succeed in even the toughest of industries.

My journey began with the unwavering support and guidance of my parents. Both emerged from humble backgrounds and achieved remarkable success in their respective careers. They demonstrated the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance, and taught me the important lesson of building authentic, life-long relationships. The values they taught me have carried me throughout my life and career.

I have always been passionate about learning from others whom I respect—both personally and professionally. As I built my network, it was important for me to leverage meetings, conferences, and volunteer opportunities. Networking at these events opened doors for me and assisted in my professional growth. Through my unrelenting commitment to my work and passion to succeed, I joined a friend’s recruiting firm, where I eventually rose to a partner role. The firm’s impressive growth led to its recognition as an Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Company and a successful sale to a private equity firm.

As I continued leading and building other recruiting firms, I saw firsthand the hiring and retention challenges organizations were having, including the lack of female talent in certain industries. Working closely with brands to overcome talent shortages led me to my current role at Catena Solutions, an end-to-end supply chain consultancy. I saw an opportunity to guide clients to rethink their approaches and embrace diversity in their recruitment processes.

This includes recommending measures such as implementing flexible work arrangements, establishing developmental programs and mentorship initiatives, creating women employee resource groups, and ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) initiatives are infused in an organization’s DNA. These inclusive practices have become the framework for organizations to tap into broader talent pools, enhance employee engagement, and improve retention.

The Catena Solutions team and I recognized the potential for change in the supply chain industry, and we established this company with a mission to revolutionize global supply chain operations. My role in this industry has given me the unique opportunity to help clients improve diversity within their workforces and serve as a mentor and resource internally at Catena Solutions.

My career journey showcases the impact of dedication, mentorship, and the importance of building authentic relationships. My story not only stands as an inspiration to women aspiring to break barriers in male-dominated industries but also underscores the value of diverse perspectives in achieving success. I hope to serve as a testament to the fact that, with hard work, perseverance, and support from mentors, women can truly accomplish anything they set their minds to.