Chelsea Siracki, 31
Area Channel Manager
Schneider Electric
Chelsea has been in the industry for eight years and with Schneider Electric for the past seven-and-a-half. “I have a degree in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University, so I was introduced to the electrical industry early on,” she said. “I started my career with an internship with an electrical distributor in Houston, and I was hooked. Upon graduation, I joined Schneider’s sales development program in Nashville.” Chelsea then spent two years on the project management team before being promoted to her current position in 2020. In 2023, she accepted additional responsibilities as a key account manager.
“It was definitely the culture and ample opportunity for growth that initially drew me to the industry,” said Chelsea. “Over the past few years, I have grown a great appreciation for the purpose of my work. It is so satisfying to see the time and energy spent to delight our customers, shape our industry, and achieve sustainability ambitions is making an impact. Simply put, I feel good about the work I do. I am very proud to work in this industry, and specifically for Schneider Electric, which was named the ‘World’s Most Sustainable Corporation 2025’ in Corporate Knights’ Global 100 ranking.”
Asked about a challenge the industry is currently facing, Chelsea pointed to the increased demand for sustainable energy and equipment associated with the growth of AI. “While it is critical that manufacturers scale supply chain accordingly, my contributions as an account manager are focused on increasing our channel’s efficiency,” she explained. “Our distributors will be moving more material than ever before, and it is paramount that we become increasingly more digital in our interactions and reduce the manual labor hours spent doing business together. With the overall objective of efficiency, I am working alongside dedicated teams aimed to improve cross-functional collaboration, process improvement and simplification, and customer satisfaction.”
Looking ahead, Chelsea noted that she aspires to transition into a leadership role where she can manage strategic execution, promote a transformation mindset, and continue to deliver high impact results. “Within the last year I’ve completed Schneider Electric’s PROPEL Leadership Development Program and the Organizational Leadership Specialization with Northwestern University,” she said. “I am currently working on the Management of Multinational and Cross-Cultural Teams Specialization with the University of California, Davis.”
What would Chelsea tell someone just entering the industry? “There are so many niche opportunities within this industry, I believe that most can find success if they’re intentional and consistent about it,” she replied, adding “There’s an older analogy about ‘workhorses’ and ‘show ponies’ that I think is insightful for those who are early career: Essentially, the ‘workhorses’ do the heavy lifting without recognition and the ‘show ponies’ attract attention, but lack the substance behind it. I recommend finding balance by blending these two personas together.”
“As a new hire, it’s important to work hard and establish a track record that shows you can take action and produce tangible results,” she added. “I’d argue it is just as important to learn how to self-promote authentically. It might feel odd at first, but it is crucial to know how to showcase your accomplishments. Coupled with resilience, I find it to be a winning formula.”
When she’s not working, Chelsea loves to spend time hiking and skiing in the mountains. “I have a goal to visit all of the U.S. National Parks,” she noted. “When at home in Houston, my adventures are limited to walking my dog along the bayou, so I end up spending a lot of time baking in the kitchen. Whether it’s a dozen cookies or an entire pie, all baked goods are intrinsically meant to be shared with others. It’s my opinion that the best way to connect with someone is through sharing a meal…and the best meal is always dessert.”
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.
Tagged with 2024 30 Under 35, 30 under 35, people, Schneider Electric