My Outperformer Journey with Hilti: From Internal Business Passion to Global Leadership

If you had asked me three years ago where I’d be today, I probably wouldn’t have had a clear answer. And if you had mentioned Hilti back then, my response would’ve been simply: “What is Hilti?” Fast forward to now, and that question has become one of my favorites to answer.

Hilti is so much more than a construction tool and technology company. It’s a global organization committed to innovation, sustainability and the continuous development of its people. Each day brings new challenges that push me to think differently, embrace risks and expand my skills. From collaborating on cutting-edge solutions to working alongside ambitious colleagues, Hilti’s dynamic and global culture keeps me motivated.

Discovering My Passion for International Business

How did I go from “what is Hilti” to finding a passion for making construction better? It all begins with an interest in global business and wanting to experience the world outside of my small Pennsylvania town. I grew up primarily in Pennsylvania, but my childhood was shaped by frequent moves, both within the U.S. and internationally, for my parents' careers. I enjoyed the continuous movement and had my first significant experience living abroad in Shanghai, China during middle school. It was a transformative chapter that sparked my passion for understanding international cultures and business.

This early exposure to international living fueled my desire to pursue a career that went beyond borders. When I attended Penn State to study industrial engineering, I was drawn to opportunities that would allow me to engage with different cultures. One such opportunity was participating in an international engineering competition in South Africa. This was my first taste of cross-cultural work, and it ignited my desire to pursue a global career. After graduating, I started work as a process improvement engineer, but I was left unfulfilled and longed for more international exposure. This led me to go back to school at the University of South Carolina’s International MBA program, where I refined my business skills, gained global experience studying in Paris, and, most importantly, discovered Hilti.

Finding the Right Fit: Why I Chose Hilti

Going back to school was a huge risk, so I was determined to find a company that aligned with my values and made the leap worthwhile. As I scrolled through “best places to work” lists and online platforms, one company stood out: Hilti. The family-owned, globally minded organization caught my attention with its strong culture and dedication to improving the construction industry. After a series of interviews, I wondered if Hilti’s culture was truly as inclusive and encouraging as it seemed or if I was just fortunate to meet the right people. I soon realized that Hilti truly had that great of a culture and its values permeated the entire organization. Teamwork, integrity, courage and commitment were not just words; they were truly the foundation of Hilti's operations.

I began my Hilti and construction journey as an intern in California during my MBA program. From day one, I was surrounded by a team that was not only welcoming but also deeply invested in my growth. Teammates and leaders were eager to answer questions, share knowledge and provide guidance. It was during this internship that a peer took an interest in my passions and potential and introduced me to Hilti’s Outperformer Program – a global leadership initiative designed to rotate participants through different business areas and market organizations.

The Outperformer Program seemed like a dream come true. The prospect of working in diverse markets, gaining hands-on experience in various roles and developing my leadership skills was exactly what I had been searching for. I applied, and after several unique and challenging interview rounds, I was accepted into the program.

Hyundai Savannah jobsite team.

Challenging Myself Through the Outperformer Program

I started my Outperformer journey as a Project Account Manager in the Energy and Industry segment in South Carolina. The role had its share of challenges and plenty of "what am I doing?" moments, but I quickly found that I was never alone. My regional manager, fellow account managers and project managers provided invaluable support as I navigated construction sites and learned the technical aspects of Hilti’s solutions. It became clear to me that collaboration truly drives Hilti’s culture.

One standout project was an EV battery and assembly plant outside of Savannah, Georgia. Many of the customers on the jobsite were from South Korea and unfamiliar with Hilti. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that required me to navigate language and cultural barriers while building relationships. I worked closely with my Hilti project manager as she mentored me to conduct tool demos, explain product benefits and address concerns. By the end of the project, we successfully had Hilti’s firestop and fastening solutions approved throughout the site. The experience taught me valuable lessons about cultural sensitivity, effective communication and the importance of “showing up.” Whether it was a morning safety meeting or a one-on-one demo, being present and engaged helped build trust.

As I continued in my role, I gained confidence not only in my technical knowledge but also in my ability to connect with customers. I went from being a nervous engineer driving a big red truck to presenting Hilti’s silica mitigation solutions to a crowd of 500 at 7 a.m. The Outperformer Program's structure ensures that just when you start to feel comfortable, you’re moved into a new area to keep growing and learning.

Becca presenting to 500 at 7:00 a.m.

Embracing New Opportunities and Passions

Today, I’m working on several projects with the Strategic Marketing Team at Hilti North America’s headquarters in Texas. This role has opened a whole new side of the business for me. I’ve been involved in projects related to sustainability, employee engagement and national sales events. What’s most fulfilling is that these projects don’t feel like just tasks – they feel like passion projects. Hilti’s tool donation and sustainability efforts have quickly become a passion of mine as I’m actively contributing to initiatives that align with my values and impact the company on a larger scale. I’m also able to observe the impact of employee engagement initiatives, drawing on insights from my experience in the field as an account manager. Throughout all my projects, I’ve been encouraged to be bold, take calculated risks and push boundaries.

The support doesn’t stop at daily tasks – Hilti also invests in structured mentorship programs and leadership summits designed for global outperformers. Whether it’s helping me prepare for a major presentation, offering reassurance when I make a mistake or being a trusted sounding board, having a strong mentorship relationship has allowed me to fully embrace the opportunities within the Outperformer Program. Even when I’m feeling overwhelmed and text to shift our meeting to a walk outside, I’m grateful for the flexibility and personal support. While my mentor has been instrumental in guiding me through challenges and identifying growth opportunities, the leadership summits provide real-world scenarios where I can put my developing leadership skills to the test.

I attended my first summit at headquarters in Liechtenstein, where I presented to leaders, connected with global colleagues and deepened my understanding of Hilti’s vision. We then traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Hilti Foundation to build homes for families affected by the Bosnian War. This experience was a highlight from my first year at Hilti, leaving me with cherished memories while also deepening my understanding of cross-cultural communication, teamwork and resilience.

The second summit, held a year later at the IMD Business School in Switzerland, focused on the future of business and personal leadership development. Here, I received open and honest feedback that helped me refine my approach to leading teams and managing projects.

Becca at Outperformer Summit One - Building Houses.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next For My Career at Hilti

With just over a year and a half at Hilti, I’m already excited for what’s next. After completing my projects in Texas, I’ll begin my international rotation in Paris, France. This final phase of the Outperformer Program is designed to provide deeper insights into global markets and help prepare me for my next international role. In Paris, I’ll be working with the global digital marketing services team to develop an internal knowledge management chatbot tool. This unique opportunity will challenge me to grow in a dynamic new environment and explore an entirely new business area.

What lies beyond that? The possibilities are endless. I’m eager to continue building cross-cultural teams, making construction safer and more sustainable and pushing the boundaries of my leadership potential. Through this journey, I’ve learned the importance of “failing forward,” leveraging support systems and empowering my teammates. I hope to become a leader who inspires, supports and empowers others to reach their potential. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.

Explore Opportunities at Hilti

At Hilti, we are committed to creating opportunities for our team members to connect to one another and develop meaningful and long-lasting careers with impact. Learn more and explore our opportunities in North America and worldwide here: Jobs | Hilti Careers