WiM Member Spotlight - LaTasha Moore
Getting to know WiM member...
Please share some background about your company, position and what your company produces.
I have the great pleasure of being the Senior Manager for Environmental, Health, Safety and Security for Blue Diamond Growers. Our Company is over 100 years old and is the world's largest supplier of Almonds and Almond products.
Here at BDG, we take pride in the unique way we do business by partnering with our growers to help ensure the members of our Co-op are offered competitive prices for quality products. Although I recently joined the BDG family, I take great pride in becoming a part of a company with such rich history of putting its people first.
What do you like most about being a member of WiM?
When I started my career in manufacturing over 17 years ago as an 18 year old woman fresh out of high school, I noticed right away that it was very rare to see other women in the industry. Over the years, I have seen the gap slowly begin to close. I have always found it so empowering to be surrounded by women in an industry that for so long has been dominantly owned and operated from the bottom up by men.
What do you enjoy most about the manufacturing industry?
What I love most about being in the manufacturing industry are the new challenges I learn about and overcome on a daily basis. I have always loved to feel challenged in life and when it comes to manufacturing, you never really know what the day will bring. From the overall state of the business down to the types of materials that are used in the process, anything could go right or wrong at any given time and you have to trust and depend on your team to make the right decision and learn along the way.
There is just something exciting about knowing I am involved in helping put products on the shelves in stores that started out as separate materials that came together to be a finished good. Being involved in a safety and environmental field in the manufacturing industry definitely comes with its own set of unique challenges, that are fulfilling to say the least. When I begin work every morning, I feel blessed to be able to do my best to keep people and our environment safe.
What woman in history has inspired you and why?
A woman who has inspired me in history is Lucille Ball. Not just because of her amazing sense of humor and her ability to bring laughter to so many people, but also because she was an absolute power house in her industry at a time when women were not expected to be on top. I recently learned of her many accomplishments that have literally helped shaped the film industry into what we know today. I am also a HUGE Star Trek fan and discovered while watching a documentary about Lucille, the show may not have made it into what it is today without her.
What passion or purpose gets you up in the morning?
The purpose that gets me up in the morning are my three beautiful children.
How do you stay motivated in your personal and professional life?
I have three children who are 15, 17 and 18 who have been more than my motivating force in life but my purpose for wanting to be the absolute best I can be at all times. Having my children at a younger age presented a lot more roadblocks than bridges. Where I started in my career to where I am now is such a powerful message, I love to share it with them. Anytime in life I have ever felt discouraged or knocked down, I always knew it was important to get back up and try even harder so my children can see that you can have anything you are willing to work for. It may not always be easy, but for what you want in life, it's always worth it to work hard to get there. Going from an entry level packing operator at 18 with just a high school diploma, to a Senior Manager with multiple degrees by 35, is in large part due to the way my children keep me motivated to be the best me I can be.
What's your biggest professional accomplishment to date?
I believe my biggest professional accomplishment to date was to complete my Associates and Bachelor's degrees in under three years, and I will be completing my Master's within the year. Juggling being a mother, my career and my education was a crazy challenge but I am glad to look back and say, "I DID IT!!!"
What's the best piece of business advice that you've ever received?
The best piece of business advice I have ever received is treat people the way you would want to be treated and don't take things personally.
Do you have any tips or advice for new WiM members?
The advice I would give new WIM members is to always believe in yourself. There will be good days and bad days, maybe even weeks. If you hold tight to your confidence and just keep moving forward, you will eventually take a look back and be amazed at how far you can go when you believe in yourself. If you start to feel overwhelmed or lost, take a break, catch your breath and recalibrate the importance of the end goal. No one said you have to power straight through everything in life to be successful.
What is Blue Diamond doing to create an inclusive atmosphere or support women in the industry?
Being involved in programs like WiM helps to bring the spotlight to women in the industry. BDG has a women in top positions throughout the corporation, really displaying the amount of inclusion the company strives to have.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Outside of work I love to hike and explore new places with my kids and my dogs.
What's your go-to comfort food?
Chicken WonTon Tacos
What is the best trip you have ever been on and why?
The best trip I have ever been on was a family vacation to Disneyland before my kids were teens and still believed in magic. The look on their faces seeing their favorite characters and enjoying all the exciting rides is something I will never forget.