SAVE THE DATE: HBSDealer’s Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply gala is slated for Nov. 8-9 in Chicago.
Top Women Profile Series KIMBERLY DEJESSO, HOME DEPOT’S NE W YORK ME TRO PRO SALES MANAGER
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Growing diversity In talking with HBSDealer about the role of women in the home improvement industry, Kimberly DeJesso quickly highlighted a list of women in leadership roles at Home Depot. Included were Ann Marie Campbell, executive vice president of U.S. Stores; Crystal Hanlon, president of the northern division; Kelly Mayhall, president of the Southern Division. “These are phenomenal women,” she said, including in that description numerous other leaders and regional vice presidents. “Our company as a whole is definitely well balanced when it comes to women in executive roles.“ Of course, there is opportunity for the industry to realize more gains in diversity, especially in the pro side. And she added that it’s not just diversity in gender that builds better teams. “With diversity comes diversity of thought, and diversity of perspective,” she said. Looking back over the years, DeJesso added an optimistic assessment on the growth of diversity in the hardware and building supply industry: “We have come a long way.”
imberly DeJesso was recruited by the U.S. Air Force after receiving a certification in automotive science from Somerset County Vocational and Technical Institute in New Jersey. One month before she was set to leave for basic military training, Kimberly broke her left wrist and needed surgery. The injury shattered DeJesso’s hope of pursuing a military career and left her questioning her next move at the age of 18. “With a wrist cast on, my father told me that I needed to get a job, because he wasn’t paying my way in life,” said DeJesso. “He told me that The Home Depot in South Plainfield, New Jersey, was hiring, and that I should go apply.” DeJesso joined the company in 1998 working in her store’s paint department. From there, she continued to grow her career, holding titles of increasing responsibility like pro account representative and national account manager. Today, she’s the regional pro sales manager for the New York metro region. In this role, she’s responsible for leading and supporting a team of pro account representatives with the goal of step up does not go unnoticed,” said Rodriguez. driving outside sales and profitability growth, said the retailer. “She sees every new challenge as a learning DeJesso credits her success to the many mentors she’s had opportunity. I’m so proud of her accomplishments in both her personal life and her career. and excited to see her continue to develop and She denotes one of the biggest influences as her father, who grow,” said Rodriguez. sadly passed away from brain cancer when she was 25 years old. “My father taught me so much about work “My father taught me ethic and life,” said DeJesso. “He was up so much about work at 4 a.m. every day, and I cannot remember ethic and life. He was a single day where he didn’t go to work. up at 4 a.m. every day, Although he never got to see all my life’s and I cannot remember accomplishments or meet my son, I know he would be so proud.” a single day where Another key influence in DeJesso’s he didn’t go to work. Home Depot career is regional vice presiAlthough he never dent of the New York metro region, Ro Rogot to see all my life’s driguez, said Home Depot. They’ve worked accomplishments or together for several years supporting two different regions. meet my son, I know he “Ro has shown me what a great leader would be so proud.” looks like,” said DeJesso. “When the —Kimberly DeJesso, COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ro was the backPro Sales Manager, The Home Depot bone of our region. She stayed strong as our leader and taught me how to persevere through adversity.” Rodriguez credits DeJesso as an integral part of their team’s success. “Kimberly’s positive attitude and willingness to always
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June 2022 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER
