Leading with Courage: Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies on Building Strong Networks : Women in Tech Texas
In this inspiring conversation, Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies and leader at Trojan Battery Company, joins Espree Devora to share her career journey, leadership insights, and practical advice for women in tech.
Laurie gives an overview of her role and the unique positioning of C&D Technologies and Trojan Battery Company—serving stationary critical infrastructure (like data centers and telecom) and motive power needs (such as golf carts and floor scrubbers) respectively. She reflects on entering the tech industry as a psychology major, first as a technical writer, and discovering her aptitude for technology through hands-on learning and network-building.
Laurie emphasizes the importance of technical excellence and ongoing research, explaining that credibility is earned through deep knowledge, preparation, and staying current with industry trends. She discusses the power of leveraging both professional networks and experience to amplify impact.
The conversation dives into Laurie’s leadership approach—centered on accountability, trust, and a “fail forward” mentality. She shares personal anecdotes about overcoming career obstacles, the value of mentorship, and how relationships have played a crucial role in her growth. Laurie discusses how her definition of success has evolved from individual achievement to enabling her team’s success and collaboration.
Laurie also explores practical themes such as how to prioritize time across dynamic commercial responsibilities, what success means for C&D and Trojan’s customers, and key insights for sales and marketing: listening to clients, providing real solutions, and positioning rather than convincing. The episode closes with advice for her younger self, recommended reads (“Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg), and her favorite tech tools (Microsoft Copilot).
Notably, Laurie highlights her daughter’s job search in biomedical engineering, showcasing the supportive and network-driven spirit the podcast aims to foster. The discussion ends with energizing takeaways about taking chances, owning your seat at the table, and putting yourself out there—embodying the show’s motivating ethos: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”
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Key Themes:
- Career paths for women in tech
- Building credibility through technical expertise
- Importance of professional networks and mentorship
- Leadership styles and learning from failure
- Customer-centric commercial strategies in tech
- Evolving definitions of success
- The power of speaking up and asking for help
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This episode is perfect for anyone interested in actionable advice, relatable stories, and the mindset needed to thrive—no matter where you are in your tech journey.
