By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Sarah Duran, brand manager at KW Automotive North America, the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Duran was nominated for a spotlight feature by her industry peer, Matt Behrnes. Get to know Duran through Behrnes' interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How has Duran contributed to the company?
Matt Behrnes: Sarah has always strived to be the best she can be. Whether that be turning wrenches, product and technical knowledge or business aptitude. Her dedication to herself to become better has benefitted the company daily for years.
SN: How has Duran shown leadership in the industry or business?
MB: One part of Sarah's story that I always admired was when she held the customer service manager position. She led a young, very green group of young men. You didn't have to watch it directly; you could see the maturity and growth shown by the young men she led in their day-to-day actions that she was making a huge impact on their careers.
SN: Tell us a success story that you can share about Duran.
MB: Sarah, herself, is a success story. I have watched her join the company at an entry-level customer service position and work her way up the ladder to lead/manage a full male sales and technical support staff on to now brand manager overseeing all engineering, marketing and sales activities for the entire Belltech Sport Trucks brand.
SN: How many years has Duran been in the industry?
MB: 10-plus years.
SN: What quality do you admire most about Duran and why?
MB: Sarah's drive is her most admirable quality to me. It is what has taken her to the professional level she is today in leading one the industry's most recognized and successful suspension brands in the market.
SN: Why do you think Duran is a role model in the industry?
MB: Sarah is a role model in the industry because she does not back down to any new challenge and the word "quit" is not in her vocabulary. She tackles all challenges and opportunities with class and professionalism with a smile on her face.
Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.