Empowering Future Leaders: How Passion & Integrity Break Barriers

The phrase “breaking the glass ceiling” is woven into the fabric of workplace conversation. As defined by Merriam-Webster, the glass ceiling is “an informal, intangible barrier within a hierarchy that prevents women or minorities from advancing to higher positions.” Since entering the collective vocabulary in the 1980s, this metaphor has inspired countless stories of trailblazers who have shattered barriers in male-dominated industries, including the ever-evolving RV industry. As women and minorities continue to climb into leadership roles, the question evolves from simply how to break through, to how to do so cleanly — with integrity and honor.

Much of the conversation surrounding the glass ceiling focuses on the struggle and the act of shattering itself — on the moment of breaking through. Yet there is less discussion around the manner in which that barrier is crossed. In a competitive world, how can one advance with integrity — without “trampling the weak or hurdling the fallen”? And more than that: How can we ensure the path is cleared and made more welcoming for those right behind us?

There is, of course, no perfect path to the corner office, nor a flawless trajectory in any career. We are — mercifully and messily — human. Mistakes and second guesses are inevitable. But moving forward with a sense of responsibility and ethical conviction for those around us, striving not only for personal success but also the betterment of our teams and the industry as a whole — that is an achievable, worthy goal. When shortcuts beckon or we see others leap the line by dubious means, it is precisely in those make-or-break moments that our choices define not just our careers, but the legacies we leave behind.

To deepen this conversation, we spoke with industry leaders Debbie Brunoforte, vice president of Campers Inn, and Doug Gaeddert, CEO of Forest River, both of whom graciously shared their perspectives on advancement, ethics and advice for aspiring trailblazers, alongside valuable insights from the broader leadership team.

Building Opportunity & Taking It

One essential truth prevails in the RV industry: Opportunities for advancement exist for everyone, regardless of gender, race or creed. As Gaeddert emphatically asserts, “If you want it, go get it — it’s there.” This confident optimism is grounded in years of evidence, yet it doesn’t come with a guarantee. It takes perseverance.

A pattern emerges in those who don’t last, however. If it isn’t broken clean, Brunoforte, Gaeddert and we all  unanimously agree “that people will not be in the industry long.” The group says, “we can see them coming from a mile away.” There are no shortcuts.

Very often, barriers are as individual as the people facing them — yet no matter the ceiling, one theme rings true: teamwork is fundamental. “Building them, relying on them and learning from them. Good teams are essential,” the group says.

The most successful leaders aren’t lone wolves. They create, nurture and trust their teams — and in doing so, they ensure their own ascent is solid rather than precarious.

Gaeddert summarizes it well: “Build great teams. At the end of the day, it is that simple.” The wisdom in this simplicity is time-tested — strong teams raise the ceiling for everyone.

Leadership Legacies: Learning, Adapting & Elevating Others

Everyone makes mistakes. The difference is what one does next.

“Learn from your mistakes — admit them, learn from them and be better,” Gaeddert advises. The willingness to acknowledge, own and adapt from errors isn’t just humility; it’s a strength that forges authentic leadership and fosters trust.

Brunoforte tackles another common misconception — the unflattering lens through which media and fiction sometimes depict ambitious women.

“If you look at movies and novels, they rarely tell the story of a clean break. Most often, successful women are depicted as being nefarious and greedy. But that’s just fiction. In real life, the opposite is true. Women succeed with excellence [and] passion, delivering results and being a positive force in the company culture. Not a negative force.”

The real stories, the ones not always told in bestsellers, are those of women and minority leaders who achieve not by undermining, but by uniting; not by creating mistrust, but by cultivating thriving, affirmative workplaces.

Adaptability is also a recurring lesson. As Brunoforte notes, “It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor is it the most intelligent — it’s the most adaptive that survive.”

In an industry (and world) in perpetual change, those who thrive aren’t necessarily the loudest or smartest, but those who can pivot, respond and grow.

Gaeddert puts success into four pillars: “passion, perseverance, intelligence and ethics. With those, there is no limit.” Passion fuels the journey, perseverance carries us through obstacles, intelligence keeps us sharp and ready to learn, and ethics guide us so that the path we cut is one we can look back on with pride.

Hiring for Strength, Not Ego

No discussion of healthy leadership would be complete without attention to hiring practices. The oft-cited advice, “Hire people smarter than you,” attributed to R.H. Grant, speaks to a critical vulnerability in many leaders: the discomfort of surrounding oneself with brilliance and challenge. However, great leaders do just that — they seek talent that expands the team’s collective strength, diversity of thought, innovation and competence.

It’s equally essential to “give credit where credit is due.” Those who build their careers on the work or ideas of others erode not only their reputation but also the strength of their teams.

We both have found that those who build their career on taking credit for others’ ideas or work are bound to fail eventually. This creates a very toxic environment for their team. True leaders elevate those around them and, in doing so, raise the entire organization.

A Clean Break & an Open Door

The glass ceiling, as much as ever, is real. But so, too, is the possibility of breaking through without shattering relationships or principles along the way. Clean breaks are possible; and when done with integrity, adaptability and a spirit of teamwork, they become stepping stones for generations beyond our own.

Let our legacy be this: Aiming not merely for personal achievement, but for a culture in which all can climb higher, together.

As the RV industry continues to evolve, let’s choose to break the ceiling cleanly, and leave the door wide open behind us for those to come.

Read more about Debbie Brunoforte and her leadership within the RV industry HERE.