Marie Gantz Hoerr, Director of Operations for Nelson Coleman Jewelers
- Mentor & Inspiration: Walt Disney, because he pursued his work for joy rather than money.
- Biggest Surprise in Leadership: Realizing she doesn’t know everything and must actively work on growth and development.
- Key Leadership Lesson: Success requires collective effort—no one person is the smartest in the room.
- Best Leadership Decision: Speaking up and recognizing that any opinion is valid, as long as it is communicated respectfully.
- Worst Business Decision: Holding on to employees who didn’t truly want to grow, teaching her that leaders can’t want success more than their team members do.
- Excitement for the Future: The company’s ability to support the community through the Chris Coleman Enrichment Program.
- Advice for Entrepreneurs: Failure is inevitable; what matters most is how you respond to it.
Her insights emphasize the importance of continuous learning, team collaboration, and resilience in leadership.
