NextGen, Joelle Lee of Conveyors & Drives has built her career on a foundation of technical curiosity.
By Andrea Nemeth
IN AN EVER-EVOLVING industry, a blend of technical acumen and empathetic communication is a vital, though rare, quality. For Joelle Lee, a rising professional at Conveyors & Drives (C&D), this combination of skills has been the cornerstone of her career.
“I have always had a bit of a dual mindset,” says Lee. “A technical curiosity and a strong interest in people and hearing and telling their stories. These skills have carried me to where I am today.”
Having recently celebrated her first anniversary with the company, where she is today, is already making waves at C&D and in the industry.
A Foundation of Technical Curiosity
Lee’s journey to material handling was not a linear one; it was driven by a fascination with how things work and how people connect. In high school, she balanced engineering electives with writing for the school newspaper, while spending her free time in the cockpit of a Cessna 172.
After starting at Georgia State University and transferring to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, her zigzagging academic path led Lee back to GSU to complete a degree in Journalism. However, the pull of the technical world remained strong.
“I realized pretty quickly after graduating that I missed the challenge and the rigor of the engineering world,” she notes. This realization led her to employment with an electronic component manufacturer, where she rose to manage an inside sales team within a single year. It was there she found her “happy place”—a role that allowed her to use communication skills to solve intricate technical problems, eventually drawing her to the material handling industry.
The Power of Adaptive Leadership
Recently, Lee accelerated her professional growth by attending MHEDA’s Emerging Leaders Conference. The experience provided a shift in perspective, specifically regarding self-assurance.
“When I am confident, others can be confident in me,” she explains. One of her key takeaways involved a simple yet profound linguistic shift: instead of apologizing, she learned to thank others for their patience or for catching a mistake. The conference reinforced her belief that a true leader is someone who adapts, listens, and takes full responsibility.
Lee’s leadership philosophy is rooted in understanding each person as an individual and listening to their needs.
“Each person is different. They work, communicate, and learn differently,” says Lee. “To really understand a person, you must listen to them first. Once you understand this, it’s much easier to help them succeed.”
Challenging the Status Quo
As a young professional, Lee observes that she and her cohort don’t believe in adhering to the status quo. A generation that has seen firsthand how fast technology advances and just how much the world relies on the supply chain also recognizes how fast it can break if it does not evolve.
“I never do something just because that is how it has always been done,” she says. “I am always working with my customers on a better or faster way to solve a problem.” This commitment to flexibility and curiosity allows her to offer customers multiple fixes for a single challenge, ensuring the final solution genuinely makes their lives easier.
A Culture of Mentorship
Lee’s success at C&D is bolstered by a supportive, collaborative environment. She describes the company as a place where “staying in your lane” isn’t expected or desired. Mentors such as Inside Sales Representative Anthony Browning, Inside Sales Manager Ali Gowen and Engineering Manager Richie Gurell have provided the patience and kindness necessary for her to thrive.
Lee also credits MHEDA CEO Lauren Reed as a mentor, noting, “Her ability to see the best in people and push them to their full potential gave me a desire to see it in myself.”
Looking toward the future, Lee’s goal is to pay that support forward. She envisions herself leading teams and training the next generation of young professionals, investing in them as others invested in her.
“Knowledge is meant to be shared, and once I gain more, I plan to use it to train the next generation of young professionals.”
