Celebrating Women’s History Month and the Women of Xos
March marks Women’s History Month and we’re celebrating all the women at Xos making an impact, from battery engineers to legal counsel.
We recently asked a few of our female team members to answer questions centered around their biggest female mentors, their hopes for companies looking to support women in the workplace, and advice they’d give to their younger selves.
A special thank you goes out to our interview participants - Jessica Savage (Director, Dealer Development), Sandhya Srinivas (Hardware In-The-Loop Systems Engineer), Liz Covarrubias (Sales Coordinator), Ana Martinez (Sales Administrator), Briana Green (Senior Corporate Counsel), Meredith Carr (Governance and Securities Corporate Counsel), Adriana Bustillos (Talent Operations Specialist), and Holly Johnson (Adventure Coach).
Who is one woman in your life who has helped you in your professional or personal development?
“I’ve had a few great female mentors but one that stands out is my great friend Tina, a VP at a well-known truck dealership in the Southeast, Army Veteran, and all-around badass. With so few women in our industry, it can be hard to find someone who has been in the situations you’re facing or who has navigated the same hurdles to be seen and heard.
Jess Savage - Director Dealer Developments
It’s even harder to find someone who cares enough to take the time to be there for others and share their candid stories to help you make it through. I try every single day to be half the mentor to others that she’s been for me!” — Jess
“My mom. She was and still is the breadwinner in our family. She started her career from scratch and became a partner at her architecture firm. This was achieved in parallel to making lunch for me every day and helping me with my homework. She loves to host family lunches and cooks the best Indian food! Growing up I never saw her speak negatively about others, she would do a lot of social work in her free time and is very passionate about supporting local artists and preserving tribal artwork.
A lot of her interior designing would include work bought from local artisans and she has helped pay for many of their children’s education. She has always been level-headed, giving me professional advice.
If there is one thing I have learned from her it’s her passion for her work and her hard-working resilience.” — Sandhya
Ana Martinez: Sales Administrator
“I would hands down have to say, my mother. She always carries herself with confidence no matter the situation. She has always taught me to be kind, dream big, work hard, and to be present.” — Liz
“On a personal level, my mom has taught me to be resilient and reinforced the old adage, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’
Professionally, I would say an old boss of mine, Marissa Rose. She taught me to always be open to learning and never feel like your title limits your potential for growth.” — Ana
“My mom. Among many other things, she taught me the value of perseverance in the face of adversity.” — Briana
“A family friend who is a female (and minority) legal executive. Her perspectives on personal and professional matters have been invaluable.” — Meredith
Adriana Bustillos: Talent Operations Specialist
“My parents were key in my personal development, they instilled in me my values and work ethic. In my professional development, my former professor from the University of La Verne, Dr. Kelly played a role as my mentor. She really boosted my confidence!” — Adriana
“One of my first female role models outside of my family was my high school dance teacher, Nancy Clyde. She did what she loved and she was a boss at it. Since she was part of my life during some formative years, she not only helped me grow in something that I loved, but helped me grow as a person.” — Holly
What is one thing you’d like to see more companies do to help women in the workplace?
“This may be an unpopular opinion, but stop calling us out as women! When we highlight an accomplishment, such as closing a deal, as ‘representing for the women’ we are reinforcing that it’s not expected for us to perform at the same levels as our male counterparts. Don’t go easy on us, we can keep up just fine.” — Jess
Liz Covarrubias: Sales Coordinator
“Provide resources to improve women’s safety at work and also outside of work.
It would be cool to host an all-women’s automotive event. Collaborate with other automotive companies and make a day out of it. Have panels and invite communities that are dedicated to women truck drivers? “— Sandhya
"Put more women in positions of power. Hire more women. Hire more women of color." — Liz“Offer workshops for both soft and hard skills as well as team-building exercises. For example: workshops around how to communicate more effectively or how to change your own tire.” — Ana
“I would like to see companies have more women in leadership roles.” — Briana
Briana Green: Senior Corporate Counsel
“When working to achieve diversity goals, I would love to see companies focus on the different perspectives and value that women bring to the table. Companies should see a lack of women in leadership as a disadvantage to the organization rather than an unfilled quota. In short — change the narrative!” — Meredith
“I’d like to see the idea of the ‘boys club’ diminished completely. Hiring more (diverse) women in high-level roles and providing developmental opportunities. I would also like to see companies provide more benefits that cater to women such as longer maternal leave in order to improve work-life balance.” — Adriana
“The same thing I’d like to see more companies do to help all people: care about them as human beings.” — Holly
What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Holly Johnson: Adventure Coach
“My younger self wouldn’t have listened, she’d have tried to prove me wrong. But if she would have, I would tell her: ‘Do not shrink yourself or wait around for your shot when others aren’t ready for big things. Pivot, go find that company that is ready. if you can’t find it, start it.’” — Jess
“Practice until you are confident (not perfect; as a test engineer I’ve learned that!) and then practice some more. Remember to see the bigger picture. Learn something with the mindset to understand how and why it works and not for the sake of learning. Remember to stay inquisitive and not be afraid to ask tough questions. Let go of ego and hold on to your gut. Remember what to look for and what to overlook. Lastly: don’t give up.” — Sandhya
Sandhya Srinivas: Hardware In-The-Loop Systems Engineer
“Consider all failures as catalysts to growth and learn from them. #LessonsNOTLosses” — Liz
“Stop trying to grow up so fast! Enjoy being a kid for as long as you can.” — Ana
“Enjoy the journey!” — Briana
“Don't worry about what others might think — pursue your true happiness.” — Meredith
“I would tell young Adriana that she is much smarter and stronger than she knows and to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and focus on you. Eventually, things will fall into place!” — Adriana
Meredith Carr: Governance and Securities Corporate Counsel
“I would borrow the words of Rumi: ‘Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.’ I still need that advice.” — Holly
Celebrating the Women of Xos
This March, we’re taking the time to recognize the women in our organization who are accomplishing great things, and we’re committed to ensuring that their recognition isn’t limited to this month. We look forward to continuing to build a workforce with capable women with the experience and passion we need to decarbonize transportation.
This post may contain forward-looking statements. For details, please see https://investors.xostrucks.com/forward-looking-statements.
