ABOUT OUR GUEST:  

H.J. Dewes is a strategic leader with a proven record leveraging cross-functional teams to achieve optimal results. He is currently a Business Development Manager at ABB where he has spent his 30+ year career across diverse roles in business development, strategy, sales, marketing and channel, operations and logistics.  Prior to joining ABB, H.J. was an Enlisted Operations Specialist in the United States Navy where he earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 

H.J. is an active or former member of the Hydraulic Institute, the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association, The Water Council, The Midwest Energy Research Consortium and several other associations all with a focus on helping their members to find more efficient and sustainable solutions. He has been named the EPIC Industry Person of the Year and to the ABB Circle of Excellence. 

He is an active member of the Empowering Women in Industry community where is engaged ally – bringing diverse voices to the table for discussion, learning, and support.  An allyship thought leader, H.J. works tirelessly every day to bring about equity in the workplace. 

CONNECT WITH H.J. DEWES 

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EPISODE AND EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS

Equal Opportunity?  Different Starting Lines Video

Empowering Women in Industry Membership

Empowering Women in Industry Magazine

Empowering Women in Industry Website

Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events (Including Book Club and Membership Circles)

QUOTES AND KEY TAKEAWAYS

“Show up.  Be there.”

“By showing up, I grew. Showing up is not just good for the people I am trying to support. It’s also good for me.”

“Lean all in.  Forget the fear.”

“Be curious and open minded.”

“Recognize that you don’t have to be perfect.”

On Allyship: “Really showing up for the people that you believe in. Being willing to take a stand.  Being willing to take a risk. Being there.”

“We all have paradigms that shape the way we live. They are so strong and embedded in who we are. Sometimes it is little bit hard to challenge our assumptions. One of the things that is really important about being an ally is to challenge your own assumptions.”

“I think one of the things we forget is people are being allies for us all the time. Maybe you don’t necessarily realize that there are people there supporting you that are helping to pave a path for you and create opportunity for you.”

“As you grow in your career, you start to earn more privilege and influence. Using that privilege to help others who might just need a nudge, help, or support.  Working to use that privilege to create opportunities.”

On being an active ally: “Recognize that you are going to screw up.  Recognize that this is a journey for us as well. Know that the people you are trying to be allies for are not expecting you to be perfect in any way, shape, or form.”