WGBI Member Spotlight Series – Laurie Oswald
Our next WGBI Member Spotlight shines on Laurie Oswald, a seasoned commercial leader whose cross-industry journey and commitment to inclusive leadership have made her a dynamic force in the battery industry.
⚡ Career Journey: From Diverse Industries to Battery Trailblazer
Laurie’s path into the battery industry was anything but a straight line—and she’ll be the first to tell you so. With a career shaped at the intersection of innovation, technology, and manufacturing, she has consistently gravitated toward industries where the work has meaningful, real‑world impact.
Today, Laurie serves as Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies, where she leads commercial strategy across two storied companies—Trojan Battery Company and C&D Technologies—with a combined 200+ years of industry leadership. Her scope is sweeping: global sales, marketing, product management, commercial operations, and customer engagement across two distinct and demanding market segments. Trojan, known for its Maroon Standard, is a leader in motive deep-cycle applications like golf carts, material handling, and floor cleaning machines, while C&D Technologies develops market-leading stationary reserve power solutions for mission-critical infrastructure, particularly data center and telecom environments.
Laurie fully embraces this dual vantage point. “It allows me to bridge innovation and leverage our technology across two distinct segments—positioning each business for growth while advancing the broader battery industry,” she explains.
🤝 Industry Insights: Diversity, Listening, and the Power of Inclusion
Having built her career in traditionally male-dominated spaces, Laurie brings a perspective sharpened by experience and grounded in genuine belief in the power of diverse teams. She places a premium on listening—seeing it not as a soft skill but as a strategic one. “I focus on building teams and partnerships that encourage open dialogue, challenge assumptions, and drive better outcomes,” she says. “I also place strong emphasis on listening because innovation and growth always start with understanding.”
Navigating environments where women are underrepresented—especially at senior leadership levels—has been an ongoing challenge in her career. Early on, she learned to be intentional about visibility and making her contributions count. “Early in my career, I had to be very deliberate about making my voice heard and my impact visible,” she recalls. “Those experiences were humbling and motivating—and ultimately helped shape the leader I am today.”
Among her proudest achievements: driving commercial transformation, building high-performing global teams, and mentoring other women as they advance in their own careers. For Laurie, that last one is not an afterthought—it’s a calling.
🌐 WGBI Involvement: Community, Visibility, and Giving Back
When Laurie learned about WGBI, the appeal was immediate. “I was motivated to join WGBI because I saw an opportunity to connect while building visibility and fostering advancement for women in the battery industry,” she says. She views the organization as more than a professional network—it’s a platform for shared learning and mutual support across different functions and career stages.
Looking ahead, Laurie plans to deepen her involvement through events, panels, and knowledge-sharing opportunities, while also championing broader participation from within her own organization. “I also see value in encouraging broader participation from my organization, especially for emerging leaders, so they can build networks, gain confidence, and see what’s possible for their own careers within the industry,” she shares.
She is equally enthusiastic about the WGBI mentorship program, eager to extend to others the kind of guidance that has shaped her own trajectory. “Mentorship has played a meaningful role in my own career, and I would value helping others to navigate challenges and see their potential more clearly,” she says.
💼 Advice and Inspiration
Laurie’s advice to women considering the battery industry is characteristically direct and encouraging: “My advice is to be curious, be confident, and don’t underestimate the value you bring. The battery industry is evolving rapidly, and there is a need for diverse skill sets and perspectives.” She urges women to seek out communities like WGBI early, build networks with intention, and reach for opportunities that stretch them.
When asked about role models, Laurie points not to a single individual, but to a mosaic of leaders who have shaped her along the way. From them, she has absorbed the lessons that matter most: integrity, resilience, and leading with both clarity and empathy. “The best leaders I’ve worked with consistently invest in people and communicate openly, especially in times of change,” she says—a philosophy she carries forward in every team she leads.
🐾 Life Beyond Work
Away from the boardroom, Laurie recharges by embracing the outdoors and the people she loves. A self-described water enthusiast, she finds joy in boating, skiing, and any chance she gets to be near a beach. Hiking and walking her dog, Carter, round out a lifestyle built around movement and connection.
At the heart of it all is family and community. “Spending time with family and friends is incredibly important to me,” she says—reflecting the same people‑first mindset she carries from work into her life at home.
Laurie Oswald’s story is a testament to the power of intentionality—in building careers, leading teams, and lifting others along the way.