From Opportunity to Impact: Nkechi’s Journey of Growth and Leadership at Hilti

Written by the Hilti GB / Northern Europe employer brand team – sharing real stories and insights into life, culture and careers at Hilti.

 

When Nkechi Ezekwe looks back on her journey at Hilti, one theme comes through clearly: people made the difference.

From her first conversation with a hiring manager to stepping into leadership, relocating for new opportunities, and helping others recognise their own potential, her story is shaped by the people who listened, encouraged her, and believed in what could come next.

Since joining Hilti in 2020 through the Sales Leadership programme, Nkechi has built her career across sales, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration – learning not only how to grow, but how to help others grow too.

Now, as a Regional Product Manager, she is part of the Northern Europe marketing team responsible for one of the Electric Tools & Accessories product portfolios.

 

Leadership & the joy of developing others

In 2021, Nkechi had the opportunity to participate in an internal leadership programme, which allowed her to take on the Regional Manager role for the North-East – a step that required relocating and stepping into leadership for the first time. It quickly became one of the most defining experiences of her career.

Her proudest achievement wasn’t tied to numbers or targets, but to people:

“Supporting the development and promotion of four team members was the most rewarding part of the role.”

Leadership also brought unexpected lessons. Before stepping in, she received one piece of advice she didn’t fully understand until it mattered: “It can be tricky drawing the line between work and your personal life.” It rang true once she began managing people – the emotional load, the responsibility, and the desire to show up for others all at once.

What grounded her leadership was a simple belief: if she saw potential in someone, she wanted them to see it too.

“You can’t force someone to grow, but you can help them believe they can do more.”

Mobility, movement & making opportunities possible

Career mobility became a defining theme as her journey continued. From the South to Leeds, and now Manchester, her openness to relocation widened the path ahead:

“I always put myself down as mobile… and I believe that broadened my opportunities.”

But what mattered even more was how Hilti approached mobility – not as a mandate, but as a conversation.

“Hilti supports you whichever condition you find yourself in. Nothing is forced.”

Each move became a catalyst for growth, bringing new teams, new challenges, and a deeper understanding of the business.

 

Collaboration & understanding the bigger picture

Having worked across sales, product management and alongside functions like marketing and logistics, Nkechi has seen both the beauty and the challenge of collaboration.

We absolutely have to collaborate – it’s how Hilti is designed.

But she also recognises the barriers: “Sometimes the bottleneck is not understanding the function of people outside your own.”

She admits she once lived comfortably in the “sales bubble,” only reaching out when needed. Looking back, she realises how much easier collaboration becomes when you understand others before you depend on them.

“If we make the effort to understand what other people do, we can start the collaboration before there’s a problem to solve.”

 

Inclusion, identity & feeling heard

Nkechi’s experience at Hilti has been shaped not only by her roles, but by how she has been welcomed as her full self.

Inclusion for me is having my voice heard and being encouraged to share my opinion.

As a Black African woman, being able to contribute meaningfully – and confidently – matters deeply. Diversity in her teams created a sense of comfort, but it was the feeling of being listened to that made her feel she truly belonged.

 

Own It: mental health, community & building safe spaces

One of the most meaningful parts of her time at Hilti has been her involvement with the Own It! Mental Health group – an employee-led community focused on raising awareness and providing support on a variety of topics. This group in particular resonated with her on a personal level.

“Mental health is close to my heart because of a loved one who struggled. I wanted to hear from others and support where I could.”

Last year, she helped drive a topic that quickly became a powerful cross‑regional initiative: “Caring for the carer.” Managers often carry the emotional load of supporting teams, and the group focused on equipping them with the tools and confidence to do so. This led to training, awareness, and stronger foundations for wellbeing across the organisation.

 

Being a woman in construction

From her earliest days on site, Nkechi remembers occasional stares – not aggressive, simply curious. It was a male‑dominated environment, and she was often the only woman present. But she never let it phase her.

“Know your stuff. Once you start talking business, no one’s thinking about whether it’s a woman or not.”

Her confidence came from competence, and it became her shield, her anchor, and her differentiator.

Advice for women considering Hilti

When asked what she’d tell a woman thinking about joining Hilti, her answer is gentle, sincere, and unwavering.

There is real opportunity for you to grow… across functions, across roles, across time.

She highlights Hilti’s support for women returning from maternity leave as one of the most powerful signals of inclusion.

“They come back and their development is still ongoing. The company supports them to continue from wherever they stopped.”

For women who want long‑term stability, cross‑functional development and a culture grounded in people, Hilti is a place where careers can truly flourish.

 

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