As vice president of human resources at TowMate, Andrea Stem is responsible for building and leading the company’s HR function. When she joined nearly two years ago, TowMate had minimal formal HR infrastructure, her nominator says. Andrea established core HR systems and processes, including employee benefits administration, policy development, compliance, onboarding, performance management and internal communications.
In creating TowMate’s HR systems, Andrea worked closely with leadership and managers to understand the company’s culture and operations, and then used her large-company experience to develop solutions that made sense for a 50-employee organization. Rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions, she designed systems tailored to TowMate’s size, culture and growth stage. Her nominator says her communication, transparency and consistency built credibility across the organization. Managers began to rely on her guidance, employees saw tangible improvements in benefits and communication, and leadership gained clearer visibility into performance and accountability.
Andrea also plays an active role in organizational leadership, documenting and facilitating manager and leadership meetings, defining expectations and accountability across departments, and supporting cross-functional initiatives to improve customer service and internal operations. Her nominator says her impact on TowMate has been both measurable and cultural. Since her arrival, the company has seen improved retention and increased employee engagement. Leadership accountability has improved through documented meetings, clearer expectations and better communication across departments.
Andrea contributes to the growth of women in the RV industry by creating a workplace where women can thrive, lead and grow within a traditionally male-dominated manufacturing and towing sector, her nominator says. Through fair policies, equitable benefits and consistent leadership practices, she ensures that opportunities for advancement, flexibility and professional development are accessible to all employees. As a senior executive in an RV-focused manufacturing company, Andrea is also a visible example that women can and do hold influential leadership roles in this industry, her nominator says. By fostering an inclusive culture internally, Andrea helps strengthen the broader RV industry workforce.
One thing that sets Andrea apart, her nominator says, is her ability to balance structure with humanity. She brings big-company experience into a small manufacturing environment without losing sight of the people behind the processes. She is described as equally comfortable navigating compliance, benefits and policy as she is having difficult conversations, mentoring managers or supporting employees through moments that matter in their lives.
Her nominator says Andrea’s impact is felt daily in how TowMate operates, how managers lead and how employees engage with their work. Andrea’s influence has helped shape the company into a more disciplined, transparent and people-centered organization.
Andrea’s advice for up-and-coming women in the RV industry:
Start with the end in mind. Pay attention to the details. Value the people around you. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about the relationships.
What it means to Andrea to be a Women in Business honoree:
Being named a Woman in Business honoree is both humbling and motivating. It reminds me that leadership isn’t just about results — it’s about relationships, lifting others up and creating opportunities for those around us. I’m grateful to be part of a community of strong women making a difference.
