Have you ever wondered what it would be like as a woman to stumble into a male-dominated industry? You might just luck out and spend your entire career in the field, paving the way for those to follow. That’s exactly what happened to Wendy Baldrey, National Account Manager at Royal Wolf.
“I left school and didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” says Wendy. “I fell into the logistics industry and have been in the industry almost my whole working life.”
In Wendy’s role as National Account Manager, she promotes Royal Wolf products and identifies potential opportunities across the retail sector in Australia, as well as supporting the wider Royal Wolf team in New Zealand.
“Every day is different and that’s what I love about my role and the industry,” shares Wendy. “It’s constantly changing. It’s a really interesting field.”
“I look at my role as not just me helping my customer, but them helping me understand their business. The key is to listen.”
It’s this belief that allows Wendy to go the extra mile for her customers. “My integrity with my customer is everything to me,” she says.
Reflecting on her career in the industry, Wendy points to how much it has evolved.
“Early on in my career, there were times where I was the only woman in a boardroom otherwise full of men,” recalls Wendy.
However, Wendy shares she has always felt like an equal in the industry, and never disadvantaged by being a woman. Rather, being female in a typically male-dominated industry has allowed Wendy to define her own path with the help of mentors along the way.
“I’ve had excellent male and female mentors over the course of my career and they’ve definitely helped to shape the woman I am today,” she says.
To any woman looking to join the industry, Wendy has only positive words to say.
“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it’s the application and the ability to take yourself out of your comfort zone – just that little bit,” she says. “I would encourage anyone to come into the logistics industry – it’s an amazing space to be.”
“When you think about it, we all have a bit of logistics in our blood,” says Wendy. “As a parent, you’re managing your children’s schooling and extra-curricular activities, and doing the grocery shopping – it’s all logistics – making the everyday happen.”
Outside of work, Wendy and her family are passionate about supporting those experiencing homelessness or in need of a helping hand.
“I was born in India, so poverty in its rawest form isn’t new to me. My husband and I are passionate about supporting those who need it.”
“I spend a lot of time focussing on how I can make a difference in our community and hopefully the world. I do it because I care.”
