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True synergy is an element in says Kristen, who studied industrial “I think we really have had to figure
business that can’t really be engineering, business management and out what does it take to make people
leadership. “I took whatever courses I
want to be here, to be engaged and to
manufactured and must occur needed to learn about the business.” communicate when they don’t want to be

organically. In 2001, she led the charge to obtain here,” she says. “I definitely have learned
Kristen Danson, managing partner of Mito Swift Components’ ISO (International to communicate with our team better to
Graphics/Swift Components Corporation, Organization for Standardization) see where they are at.”
discovered this more than 20 years ago certification, a necessary standard for Deemed an essential workplace during

when she joined Sheldon Rier in his long- companies that work in the automotive the pandemic, Kristen says staying open
time business Rier Industries Ltd. and sector. Swift Components manufactures created a very collaborative relationship
together the pair went on to develop two acoustical and thermal attenuation with her employees to ensure they felt
thriving ventures. solutions for vehicles. safe on the job.
“We have completely opposite skill sets “I didn’t even know what an ISO “We had never had conversations with

that in a way, fit together,” says Kristen certification was,” jokes Kristen. “I had our team like that before. I think a lot of
of their strong partnership. “He’s good at to learn the standard and implement that has stayed with me,” she says, adding
some things I’m not good at, and I’m good it myself. I figured out what we needed those discussions have helped create a

at some things he’s not.” to learn and did that along the way, but better work environment.
She says having a successful partnership there was no guidebook.” Using that same collaborative approach
in business for a long period of time can A celebratory lunch with staff to thank has also helped Kristen balance her

be difficult but is proud of the fact they them for their efforts in helping to achieve personal life with her husband, Jim, and

have succeeded. that certification became a turning point the couple’s very active 15-year-old son

“He’s like a brother to me and the odds in her career as a business leader. and extended family, which now includes
of meeting someone like that are so low. “Seeing the impact that everyone had three step-grandchildren. As well, there
I’m a very guarded person and he is to, from doing that together really buoyed are her many community volunteer
but somehow it just worked,” says Kristen, our team and gave us the potential to obligations, including working with the
who had not planned on a business career bring in more business,” she says. “I Cambridge Food Bank and serving as the
when she first came to Rier Industries Ltd. thought there is something here I really Cambridge Chamber of Commerce's board

at the urging of a mutual acquaintance to liked, and I had never experienced that president for the past two years.
assist Sheldon with a short-term project before.” “It’s just recognizing those weeks when
in the late 1990s. When it comes to leadership, especially I’m in ‘survivor mode’ and remembering

“I went in, and we just hit it off,” says the in such a male-dominated field as the you can only try your best,” says Kristen,

Cambridge native, recalling that her initial automotive sector, Kristen has found that adding an open dialogue with those
goal was to work in fundraising in the being a woman has never been an issue. around her ensures she can be present

not-for-profit sector after being inspired for the ‘important stuff’. “It’s easier now
by a stint at 16 serving as a junior board “I think we’re lucky in the age that my son is older and having those
member for the Alzheimer Society. Her we live in,” she says. “While conversations with him.”
grandmother, whom Kristen says was one there still might not be a lot Focusing on what is important is also key,

of her first mentors, had suffered from the of women at the table, no one says Kristen, when it comes to a successful
disease. work life.
She went on to study recreation and resents you for being at the “You need to know what you’re good at
leisure services at college – a course table.” and know where to spend your time,” she
that had featured an elective dedicated However, Kristen says there are occasions says. “For me, it’s really about being able

to fundraising – and found a part- when women may feel they must validate to define what am I here to do and really
time position with the Cystic Fibrosis their knowledge and experiences in the focusing on that and learning not to get
Association upon graduation. workplace which is why she encourages involved in all the side projects that can
“I knew it was never the right thing for women to learn the necessary skills they drain your time.”
me when I graduated,” admits Kristen, need and take on opportunities when
referring to her career choice. “It took they become available.
me about a month (in the job) for me “I’ve earned my place at the table, but
to realize I was not meant to report to a what I do look for are opportunities to
board.” encourage other women to get to the
Her work with Rier Industries Ltd. table,” she says. “Even in our organization,
developed into an official partnership and where I can, I encourage other women to

led to having a key role in the creation of take continuing ed and learn more skills.”
the Mito Graphics name in 2002 as a more In terms of the workplace, Kristen says the

marketable brand to better reflect what pandemic has taught all business leaders
the company did. to rethink how they operate, especially
“I didn’t have any real business or graphics as labour shortages continue to hamper
experience. I just started taking courses,” many sectors. PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK

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