Pushing Forward with Excellence

Laurie Hutner, Executive Vice President, WB Wood, has tackled many personal and professional hurdles throughout her career, and finding inspiration was always important to her. Numerous women have inspired her along the way, but the person who impacted her most was Tina Turner. “My daughter always says we are both Warriors! If one knows Tina Turner’s trajectory from humble youth to an abusive marriage and then to superstar status, you can see why she is such a powerful presence in my life (and her music isn’t so bad either),” says Laurie. “She displays how pushing forward and not dwelling on the past can bring success and I have always admired her.”

Laurie has been a leader in sales for WB Wood since she first started over 30 years ago. In an industry predominantly male lead, Laurie moved up the ladder fiercely and quickly, paving the way for future women in sales to do the same. Through Laurie’s years of experience servicing clients and being involved in the Real Estate, Design & Construction industries, she has assisted in developing a solid company culture and foundation with her industry insight and professional experiences.

The steadfast leader firmly believes in promoting growth from within and encourages younger co-workers and team members (especially women) to push themselves to advance every day. Laurie is one of the company’s highest-grossing salespeople, which often leads to minimal free time. With the time she has, she makes sure to be present and available to all staff to provide insight on project opportunities and guide problem-solving in any project that is currently in progress. Laurie believes inclusion is a critical aspect of a successful project. She wants everyone on her team to be aware of all facets of a project regardless of what everyone’s role may be. This allows for better internal communication and understanding towards other team members and creates a path for upward mobility.

The secret to Laurie’s leadership is having empathy and listening to everyone. “Learning about the people you work with is invaluable. This includes fellow co-workers, current and prospective clients, brokers, architects and designers, and anyone who falls under the real estate development umbrella,” she adds. “When I walk into a room, I know how to present myself in the best light to whoever I may be speaking to.” With this brilliant attitude, Laurie has taken the company to new heights.

The WB Wood team specializes in furniture, procurement, and project management services for various companies. The team works alongside clients, consultants, design firms, and architects to help their vision come to life. The company was founded in 1905, beginning a rich history as a furniture service provider and management company. Since then, they have become a Best in Class Haworth Furniture Dealer. Haworth specializes in design, environmental commitment, and ergonomics. WB Wood also has access to over 300 additional manufacturers, allowing them to offer solutions for a wide range of design and budget preferences.

“I strongly encourage multipurpose furniture that can accommodate the changing requirements in an office environment. Sustainability is very much at the forefront of the way we see office spaces moving forward,” explains Laurie. “Knowing our manufacturing partners are looking to achieve zero carbon footprints and have LEED certification on their furniture is key to ensuring our clients get not only an aesthetically pleasing workspace but one that is environmentally sustainable.” The furniture procurement industry is fast-paced and constantly changing. Clients and partners value what Laurie and her team have—an organic organization that is flexible to the evolving trends and clients’ requirements. “We are always two steps ahead so when a bump in the road occurs, we never fall behind and it has been an instrumental part of our success,” she adds.

For the days to come, Laurie wants to work towards her strong commitment and passion for mentoring others with an emphasis on women. She also wants to work towards fostering and growing the next generation of WB Wood employees. She states, “We have created not just an organization but a family, and I want to ensure we attract new and talented employees to not only work at WB Wood but to become part of our family, as it is more relevant than ever toward the future of our company.”