Meet the team: Jennifer Hughes
How long have you been working at Ivaldi? How did it all start?
I started working at Ivaldi in late November 2020. I started looking for a new opportunity because I felt my current company’s culture had changed since merging with a Manufacturer. I had met my goals in my role at SPFE and felt that there wasn’t much opportunity to grow personally or professionally with them. When I interviewed with the team at Ivaldi Group, it felt like a natural fit almost immediately. I knew as a startup, there would be a lot of growth opportunities, and I also felt a true connection to the team and that we could accomplish great things together. I was so energized after my first interview, and I remember telling my family. “I really want this job, what they do is so important and revolutionary.” Six months later, I still feel that way. We are a company that genuinely helps companies be better.
What is your expertise/ role?
As a global key account manager, my role is to work with customers from around the world to better understand where the underlying business cases are regarding their spare and wearable parts inventory. We really help customers identify not just what should be 3D printed or manufactured on-demand but what should be produced that way. We look for three key factors: Can it save them money? Can it reduce time to their customer? Can it reduce their carbon footprint? If we can answer yes to one or more of these questions, we help them explore what that could mean for them.
What’s your favorite part about working at the company?
By far, my favorite thing about working at Ivaldi is the people. You couldn’t find a harder working, more dedicated team. Each person, regardless of role, is 100% dedicated to making sure the customer is taken care of. I almost feel guilty because I love the people I work with and the work that we do! We help people and we help the environment, and that is a great feeling. Not a lot of people can say that, so I am truly grateful.
What are the company’s values you stand for?
Our mission is to help companies do better. We help companies think and act on reducing their carbon footprint through the adoption of new technologies. We also help companies give back to the communities in which they work. Helping to develop host communities is incredibly rewarding and to be able to watch and in some way be a part of that is an incredible honor.
How do you spend your time outside of work? What do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. The pandemic helped remind us of all that we should be thankful for, and I am trying to put that reminder into practice and do a better job of being mindful of my presence when I am with those loved ones. I also really enjoy reading, traveling and going to my weekly Saturday morning Pilates class.
What makes Ivaldi unique?
I hate to sound like a broken record, but honestly the people. In my career I haven’t met a better ensemble of people. At Ivaldi I can literally go to anyone for help and I always get it, without question or judgement and it is a super nice feeling. We all believe in what we are doing here and it makes it that much easier, because there isn’t internal resistance or doubt.
What’s your favorite quote?
“People will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou. Our existence is a very emotional experience. … “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
