At Nippon Sanso Matheson, developing great leaders means investing in both technical expertise and the interpersonal skills that help employees thrive. Recently, Women At Matheson (WAM!), an Employee Resource Group at Nippon Sanso Matheson, co-sponsored a leadership course with the support of the Human Resources Department (HR) and the Learning & Development Team. Employees from across the organization participated in the development program focused on building critical soft skills and management skills thanks to the sponsorship and advocacy of WAM! And HR.
Open to all employees, regardless of gender, the program brought together women from multiple functions and career stages to strengthen capabilities that are increasingly recognized as essential to leadership success. Topics included effective communication, active listening, conflict resolution, coaching, collaboration, influence without authority, and leading through change.
While technical knowledge remains an important foundation for success, research consistently shows that strong interpersonal skills are among the most valuable traits of effective leaders. The management course was designed to help participants develop confidence, improve workplace communication, and build stronger professional relationships that support both individual and organizational success.
One of the participants who took advantage of this opportunity for continuous development was Sally Perez. Many years ago, Sally began working for the organization as a temporary worker at Nippon Sanso Carbonic Products. Sally recounts:
“I was home for about 3 months. It’s winter in Michigan, so boring, as you can’t do anything outside. And my friend worked for the temp agency that the plant hired for, and someone in the office was having surgery so they needed a temp for 6 to 8 weeks. I thought I would get out of the house for a couple months, but I had no idea where it would lead me! I started at $12.50 an hour as an admin at the plant, but within about two weeks they asked me to be hired full time.”
Sally’s hard work and desire to continue learning paid off, as she became a Six Sigma Green Belt and eventually advanced to Regional Operations Manager! “I like to be a problem solver, and in the world of dry ice, as well as our business operations in general, there are never two days that are the same. I enjoy the fast pace and continuously working to improve our processes, procedures, culture, and standardization,” said Sally. “What I love most about the position I’m in is the travel. I enjoy getting out into the field, meeting people, building camaraderie across teams, and creating a close-knit environment. Even though we’re a corporation, we still maintain that family feel, and I think that’s important to a lot of people.”
When asked to describe Women At Matheson (WAM!), Sally provided the following insights: “From my perspective, Women at Matheson, which is not exclusive to women, has been very eye-opening. It helps build connections and creates a support network where people encourage one another and support those who have the drive to grow in their careers and advance. It’s been great being part of WAM! I especially enjoy our monthly activities, including volunteering for our November event, where I supported my mom’s church, and participating in our Breast Cancer Awareness efforts.”
“The leadership training was very informative, engaging, and highly relevant to real-world leadership challenges. The facilitators brought tremendous energy, professionalism, and the ability to connect the concepts to everyday leadership situations. It took all of those individual pieces and brought them together while reinforcing accountability, ownership, and a positive leadership culture.”
Another participant is newer to Nippon Sanso Matheson, Patricia Treviño. Patricia joined NSM in September of 2025, because she wanted an employer where she could continue to grow, develop and be supported long term.
Patricia’s college degree in psychology and additional education in advanced mathematics and quantitative analysis make her a valuable asset to the marketing team and Nippon Sanso Matheson. This diverse background enables her to connect with colleagues by understanding their motivations while leveraging data to build, expand, and visualize long-term goals. The leadership training incorporated several core psychological concepts upon which Patricia was able to reflect and apply in her current role. “The training explored the dynamic between the internal self-image and external social perception, how you see yourself and how others see you,” Patricia said. “Both of which are important in effective communication.”
Patricia enjoyed the management course as it offered an opportunity to collaborate with other Nippon Sanso Matheson employees from different business units through various team exercises. “This opportunity provided insight and a better connection with the company as a whole,” Patricia explained. “I came away with additional strategies that added to my leadership and communication toolbox.”
After completing the management course, Patricia feels better equipped to serve as both a mentor and a leader. In her words, “a mentor helps guide an employee or team member in their daily role and overall career,” while “a leader drives the team’s projects and goals that move the company forward.” By blending these two approaches, she aims to foster a collaborative environment that elevates individual team members while simultaneously advancing the company’s strategic vision.
Patricia expressed gratitude to Nippon Sanso Matheson and WAM! for the opportunity to attend the management course that hadn’t been available to her previously, specifically appreciating the investment in her long-term career growth.
The initiative reflects Nippon Sanso Matheson’s ongoing commitment to creating an environment where employees can grow professionally and pursue meaningful career opportunities. By sponsoring leadership development programs, the Employee Resource Group (WAM!) helps ensure that employees have access to resources, mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development experiences that support long-term career advancement.
Participants also emphasized the value of learning in a collaborative environment where they could share experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange ideas with peers. The program fostered connections across the company and reinforced the importance of diverse perspectives in leadership.
As organizations continue to navigate rapid technological, economic, and workforce changes, the ability to communicate effectively, build trust, and inspire teams has never been more important. Programs such as this help prepare employees to meet those challenges while contributing to a culture of engagement, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Nippon Sanso Matheson believes that investing in people is one of the most important investments a company can make. Through the support of its Employee Resource Groups, leadership development initiatives, mentoring opportunities, and commitment to employee growth, the company continues to build a workplace where employees can develop their careers, expand their skills, and reach their full potential.
For women seeking employers that prioritize professional development, leadership opportunities, mentorship, and an inclusive workplace culture, Nippon Sanso Matheson is proud to support programs that help employees succeed. The recent management training program is one example of how the company empowers women leaders, strengthens career pathways, and creates opportunities for employees to grow, contribute, and lead.
By investing in leadership development and supporting Employee Resource Groups that advocate for employee growth, Nippon Sanso Matheson continues to foster a workplace where talent is developed, diverse perspectives are valued, and future leaders are empowered to succeed.
