Celebrating 22 years at ABB

By Regina Leite, Global Product Market Mananger for Indoor Products in ELDS at ABB

In 2024, I’m celebrating 22 years at ABB, which is exactly half of my life. It feels like just yesterday when I went through the selection process in Sao Paulo, very excited to have the opportunity to be interviewed with other very well-qualified young candidates, and finally, I was selected and stepped into ABB as a trainee.

Looking back over two decades, it’s a challenge to mention how ABB has changed my life professionally and personally. Today, I can clearly state some of the aspects that merge ABB's story with mine – values, family, people, global challenges, adaptability, teamwork, dedication, resilience, and the drive for professional and personal development.

My ABB adventure took me from Brazil to Spain, exposing me to a myriad of cultures. Starting as an area sales manager for different regions, I've worked with a lot of diverse people and cultures who have guided and supported me. Today, I can say I am a citizen of the world without a clear nationality defined, with many aspects from several cultures embedded.

And, of course, I’m especially grateful to my parents. Despite their humble origins, they taught me lasting values such as ethics, honesty, and a resilient never-give-up attitude, shaping the person I am.

Now, holding the role of Global Product Market Mananger for Indoor Products in ELDS, I approach this milestone with the same energy that fueled my first day at ABB – filled with enthusiasm and dedication, keen to foster synergies and collaborative efforts that will help both businesses and individuals to evolve, combined with my previous skills from sales with a strong customer-centric approach and developing new competencies. Managing a team in different locations with a hybrid model showed me how important it is to inspire and empower others, with integrity, authenticity, and empathy.

Today, I am actively contributing to two organizations to support women's development. The first is The Inspiring Girls initiative, which is focused on increasing girls' professional ambition as well as their job expectations, especially in STEM. It aims to connect school-age girls with professional women from all sectors, who serve as examples and role models, helping them to visualize the wide variety of professions and jobs that exist without gender being a limitation. As a volunteer, I share my experience with the girls, inspiring them and imparting values such as effort and perseverance, so that they aim high and can be whatever they want to be. From this organization, I got the inspiration for last year's 'This Little Girl Was Me' campaign for International Women's Day.

The other organization is Women in Tech Spain, where, at WITH, a community of pioneering women, we redefine leadership by promoting models that transcend gender barriers. We prioritize genuine connections, fostering long-lasting relationships built on support, inspiration, and strength. Together, we aim to create a future where inclusive leadership is celebrated, working towards a more equitable and opportunistic world. Our collective impact is driven by the belief that connectivity leads to action, shaping a landscape where new leadership paradigms thrive.

In 2022, I was included in a listing of Spain’s most influential women in leadership positions. The listing is part of a Spanish government campaign to close the gender gap, and for the last two years, I have been nominated for the Top 100 Women Leaders in Spain, among other nominees whom I have incredible respect for.

My advice is to believe in yourself, trust your instincts, and remember that leadership is a journey. You have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of those around you.

Thank you, ABB, for providing me with incredible opportunities throughout this journey!

Feel free to connect with me via LinkedIn.