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2024 30 Under 35 Profile: Breanna Brown

Breanna Brown, 32
Regional Inventory Control Planner
Dakota Supply Group

Breanna joined the industry more than a decade ago and has been with DSG for almost three years. “The majority of my career has been spent in sales, but I recently moved into an operations role,” she said, noting that she was still in college when she joined the industry. “My mom worked for a competitor, and they were desperate for help in the warehouse one summer. She asked if I’d help out for a few weeks, and I did! When it came time for me to head back to school and complete my biology degree, I was asked by management if I’d be willing to consider a career in electrical distribution.”

Breanna took the semester off to explore the idea and it ended up changing the way she saw her future. “I decided to stay on, change my major to business, and thus, my career in electrical distribution really began,” she said. “Initially, the sheer number of opportunities in this industry was what appealed to me. What appeals to me today is the foundational value that our industry provides to the entire nation. I am also very excited to be part of electrification and what that means for both our industry and the environment.”

Asked about a hurdle the industry is currently facing, Breanna pointed to the low percentage of women in the workforce. “Only 22% of our workforce is made up of women,” she said. “We have an opportunity to increase awareness and visibility of the opportunities that the electrical industry offers to those who were traditionally not a part of it. I currently serve as chair of our WIN Committee (an ERG), am actively involved in recruiting women, and am involved in several organizations aimed at getting the word out to women that there are endless career possibilities in the electrical industry.”

As for her next career goal, Breanna aspires to step into a more official leadership role. “I have completed numerous training courses, participated in many industry events, and will continue to do so,” she noted.

What would Breanna tell someone just entering the industry? “There are two things,” she said. “The first is to keep your mind open to new possibilities. Your plan may not always go the way you intended and the ability to adapt and refocus is crucial to success. It’s also crucial to allow yourself to realign your ambitions when it makes sense. The second, and in my opinion the most important, is to find mentors you can trust. The mentorship I received early in my career both supported and challenged me in the best ways. These individuals led with kindness and gave me space and time to fail and learn. Even when some things were difficult or took me more time than others, they encouraged me to see those challenges through. Growing in an environment where I was not fearful of failure or making a mistake really allowed me to engage and commit to my career. The value in strong mentors is second to none.”

When she’s not working, Breanna is an avid international traveler who has visited more than 30 countries. “I also enjoy distance running, playing volleyball and golf, and generally keeping active,” she said, adding she is also a huge Minnesota Wild fan and loves spending time with her family, her two spaniels, “and my fat cat!”

 

Each year tED magazine recognizes 30 of the industry’s best and brightest under the age of 35. Please visit tedmag.com/30Under35 for nomination information and updates about the 2025 program. Questions can be sent to tED Editor Misty Byers at mbyers@naed.org.

 

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