Doing the Hard Things: How She Leads, Balances and Breaks Barriers with Erin Kagan
Description
Ever made a mistake so big you thought it would define you?
Erin Kagan has been on the softball field and in her career and she’s proof that setbacks can fuel the ultimate comeback.
Lisa and Cindy sit down with Erin, now Manager of National Accounts at Ferguson Enterprises, to talk about fearlessly leaping into new industries, thriving in a male-dominated space, and why she ditched “work-life balance” for a healthier blend.
You’ll hear practical tips on building confidence, setting boundaries at home and at work, and finding mentors who open doors you didn’t know existed.
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
- The Athlete Advantage – How Erin’s years as a Division I softball player taught her focus, discipline, and the “amnesia” mindset for bouncing back fast.
- A Leap of Faith – Leaving a thriving railroad career for a brand-new industry and the fear she had to face head-on.
- Networking as a Power Play – Why visibility matters, especially when you work far from HQ, and how Erin leveraged relationships to rise quickly.
- Mentorship That Moves Mountains – The story behind being paired with Ferguson’s Chief People Officer and how it transformed Erin’s trajectory.
- Thriving in a Male-Dominated Industry – Real talk on confidence gaps and Erin’s approach to lifting other women up.
- Creating a Women’s Leadership Summit – How spotting an industry gap led her to build an impactful annual event in just two years.
- Work-Life Blend, Not Balance – Erin’s color-coded calendar trick, hiring help without guilt, and her secret to keeping family first.
- Shared Goals at Home – Why transparent communication with her husband turned them into true partners in both career and parenting.
About Erin
Erin Kagan is a people-focused leader known for her curiosity, competitive spirit, and passion for building strong teams. Born and raised in Yorktown, Virginia, she now lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband and two children. Erin began her career at Norfolk Southern before making a bold industry switch to Ferguson, where she’s spent the past eight years growing as a manager and leader. Inspired by her father, a CPA turned CEO and shaped by years as a Division I softball player at the University of North Carolina, Erin brings integrity, resilience, and a team-first mindset to every challenge she takes on.
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