Merryl Tengesdal

Whether you're leading a team, or stepping into the welding booth to weld pipe, the rule is always the same. The success you reach is heavily dictated by the preparation no one else sees.

​A perfect weld doesn't happen by accident, and neither does success. It is built in the prep work. It is the hours of repetitive, unglamorous friction. It is the grinding, the beveling, and the willingness to put in the reps when no one is watching.

​If you want the perfect moment, you have to embrace the hustle required to build it. Stop waiting for the spotlight and get back to the grind.

Yesterday, I stood beside three women who did not just make history—they paved the way for everyone who followed.

​Sharon "Betty" Preszler was the first woman to fly the F-16. was the first woman to fly for the Thunderbirds. was the first Black female pilot in the United States Air Force.

​We came together to highlight the undeniable contributions of powerful women in the military. With the noise in the current environment, we felt it was critical to have a direct conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it actually takes to break barriers.

​This is what representation looks like, and I am proud to stand with them.

​Thank you to for bringing us together and making this conversation happen.