Meet Lauren Reed, CEO of MHEDA, an international trade association serving the material handling industry and hundreds of member companies across the country.
Lauren stepped into the top leadership role in 2025 at a moment when both the industry and the expectations of MHEDA’s member companies were evolving quickly. As CEO, she’s now responsible for helping the organization adapt to those changes while continuing to deliver the practical value that members rely on.
Before becoming CEO, Lauren spent much of her career in a highly revenue-driven, for-profit environment. Moving into the top role at a member-based organization requires a different approach to leadership, one that focuses less on traditional business metrics and more on engagement, relevance, and long-term value for the companies MHEDA serves.
In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Lauren joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to talk about that transition, how associations measure success differently than traditional businesses, and what leaders often underestimate about stepping into the top job.
Tune in to hear Lauren’s perspective on keeping teams aligned during times of change, making thoughtful decisions about the future, and why the material handling industry (and yes, even forklifts) has captured her attention for the long haul.
Episode Highlights & Timestamps
- 00:30 Introduction
- 01:30 What is Material Handling?
- 05:00 Moving in to the CEO role
- 07:15 Adapting to a changing landscape
- 10:00 Shifting member expectations
- 12:10 Building community and MHEDA Net Groups
- 17:00 Growing up in a revenue-driven environment
- 19:30 Being transparent through transitions
- 24:00 HR Hot Seat
- 27:40 Important leadership habits
Links:
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