“What I love most about nVent is the support and encouragement to be creative, it drives me to think outside of the box and be my best.”

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Lean Engineer? At nVent, one of the biggest takeaways is making a significant impact on people and the planet. We recently had a conversation with Erica, a Lean Engineer for our Thermal Management business segment based in Edmonton, Canada. Having been with our company for nearly 20 years – she certainly has a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share.

Erica’s journey with us began while she was attending the University of Alberta pursing her chemical engineering degree. During the summers, she was able to apply what she was learning in school to real-life situations through internships with our Tracer Industries brand. As soon as she completed her degree, she joined us as a full-time employee in 2004.

Ongoing learning and development opportunities have been evident in her career story. “I started as a designer and later took opportunities to work in P&E, software, and then lean,” Erica recalls. “These roles helped me grow, expand my knowledge, and find my passion in people and planet while building a network of connections, supports, and mentors.”

Erica’s work at nVent is focused on building a culture of continuous improvement. Much of her day is spent teaching and supporting others to identify waste and reduce its impact. “nVent is very digitally focused and driven, allowing me ample opportunities to learn, adopt, adapt, and even teach new technologies and tools that support people and process to improve velocity and user experience,” she says.

What Erica loves most about nVent is the support and encouragement to be creative. “It drives me to think outside of the box and be my best,” she adds. #BeBold is a mantra Erica lives by, encouraging herself to say ‘Yes’ to new opportunities and challenges. She is proud of nVent’s commitment to sustainability and conscious decision-making to minimize environmental impact.

Erica also leads the Grass Roots employee resource group (ERG). She has served as the chair for four consecutive years because of her unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability both at work and home. Through her ERG leadership, she has been able to connect to a greater sense of purpose. “I lead a community of people who are passionate about improving our environmental sustainability. I have learned how to set and implement strategy, as well as leverage effective partnerships,” she explains. Grass Roots is an award-winning ERG, recently being named as a Top 25 ERG at the 2023 Diversity Impact Awards.

Erica believes that ERGs are pivotal for personal and professional growth. She encourages everyone who has the capacity and energy to get involved. “Join an ERG, and if you can take a leadership position in one, do it. It enhances your connections across the company and creates a community around shared passions,” she advises. Erica shares that the ERGs are championed from the top down. “We have dedicated support from our Inclusion & Diversity team to guide our nine ERGs and have even introduced companywide performance goals to celebrate and recognize the work of our ERG leaders.”

Outside of nVent, Erica is also a caregiver for her mom. She is grateful for nVent’s employee assistance program (EAP), which is offered to all nVent employees and their family members. “The resources provided by the EAP, including access to mental health, caregiving, social work resources, etc. have been so helpful as I navigate how to effectively take care of her, as well as my own physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” she says.

Erica’s story is a testament to the culture of continuous learning, growth, and inclusivity at nVent. She embodies our commitment to creating a sustainable world and fostering a culture that inspires employees to embrace boldness, take on new challenges, and make a positive impact on our people and the planet.

Learn how you can bring bold ideas, be authentic and build the future of a more sustainable and electrified world: nVent.com/careers.