Power Women: Elizabeth McLaughlin, EVP of Sales, Westrock Coffee Company
What’s your secret to success?
God’s grace, a strong work ethic, and the support of my friends and family.
What do you love best about what you do?
The people! I absolutely love our team and our customers.
What advice would you give to a young woman starting her career?
My advice to a young woman starting her career would be the same as my advice to anyone starting their career. It is crucial to pay attention, do the work, and stay engaged. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated.
What are your proudest accomplishments?
From a professional standpoint, in 2019, our team at Westrock Coffee opened a school in Rwanda to celebrate 10 years of partnership in the country. We built the Mwito pre-primary school in a western province of Rwanda (with views of Lake Kivu and Congo DR), capable of serving 320 students. That school is adjacent to an existing one with more than 600 students where Westrock has invested in providing continuous access to clean water. The ribbon cutting and opening day will forever be one of my favorite days. It symbolized the work by our teams in Arkansas and Rwanda to engage and support our farmer partners and their families. We still support the school, teachers and students, and I hope to visit them again soon.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
The concept of a “work/life balance” is an elusive myth. I hear others, especially women, working to define that balance, and it is often a self-defeating scenario. For me, it has been about focusing on being “where my feet are” and being fully present where I am. There have been times, especially when I had my marketing research firm or when we were just starting Westrock Coffee, when work took priority, but I try to ensure family takes a more frequent priority. I realize time with my son (a junior in high school) is diminishing, and I do not want to miss a moment.
What are you watching right now?
“Yellowstone.” I’m also looking forward to “Ted Lasso” coming back and seeing “Where the Crawdads Sing.”
What’s your favorite quote?
“Bad news isn’t wine. It doesn’t improve with age.” – Colin Powell.
Is there another “power woman” in your life who inspires you?
My mom grew up with humble beginnings where she learned early on the value of a hard-earned dollar. While her family did not have a lot, they were held together by the bond of family, faith and a good old-fashioned hard day’s work. After high school, she went directly into the workforce to earn a living. While I have certainly admired other women who juggle entrepreneurship or corporate roles, none can ever match my mom, who continues to be the biggest inspiration in my life.
