Behind the Scenes: Path to the C-Suite (WIFI Power Hour Recap)

On November 13, 2025, the Women In the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) community came together for a deeply honest and energizing Power Hour: “Behind the Scenes: Path to the C-Suite.” Moderated by Crosby Hall, CAO at Louisville Tile, and featuring Lynn Druan (CFO, UCX), Laura McCandless (CTO, AFS Group), and Tina Boyle (COO, Louisville Tile), the session invited attendees into the real, unpolished experiences behind executive leadership.

Pivotal Moments: How Their Paths Began
The conversation opened with a question about the pivotal moments that set each speaker on the road to the C-suite.

Druan shared how the arrival of a seasoned CFO early in her career became a defining turning point. After proving herself on several projects, she found herself included in higher-level discussions, encouraged to think strategically, and pushed to build a development plan. As she put it, “He opened doors for me that I never knew existed, and he taught me how to walk through them with purpose and presence.”

Boyle explained that her path wasn’t shaped by a single moment, but by the realization that each role she held—across accounting, sales, customer service, and operations—was preparing her for something larger. “Every position I held within the company was preparing me for something bigger,” she said, describing how breadth became her advantage.

McCandless described an internal inflection point. Amid personal and professional changes, she paused to evaluate whether her environment aligned with her goals. Once she made the intentional decision to step into a space where her leadership could expand, “everything accelerated.”

Navigating Uncertainty & Doubt
Hall then asked the panelists to reflect on times they doubted their trajectory.

McCandless noted that doubt tends to appear at transition points—moments when a leader is on the brink of something new. She reframed readiness itself: “Ready is not a feeling. Ready is a decision.” Her advice: identify the hard and soft skills needed for the next step, and prepare deliberately.

Druan pointed to the role of a trusted inner circle—mentors, peers, and family members who helped her regain clarity during difficult periods. She shared a line that keeps her grounded: “Success is rented and the rent is due every day.”

Boyle acknowledged that staying with one company for decades brought its own doubts, especially while watching others advance by moving quickly between organizations. She emphasized reframing loyalty as depth: “Sometimes it’s not about changing companies. Sometimes it’s just about deepening the impact where you are.”

Evolving Leadership Styles
The panel then explored how their leadership styles shifted as they advanced.

Boyle transitioned from seeking perfection to embracing accountability. Early on, she sometimes looked outward when things went wrong, but over time learned to “stop making excuses and start focusing on what I could control.” Gaining confidence, presenting data-backed perspectives, and becoming comfortable with discomfort shaped her evolution.

Druan described moving from micromanagement to empowerment. Earlier in her career, she believed “knowledge was power.” With time and growth, she shifted toward transparency, trust, and enabling her team rather than controlling the work. “My real role wasn’t to manage the work… it was to empower others remove roadblocks,” she explained.

McCandless highlighted a shift from process-centered leadership to people-centered leadership. While still a “process geek,” she recognized that “the people are the ones that breathe life into the process.” She now treats the team as “a living, breathing organism,” intentionally nurturing communication, dynamics, and soft skills—supported by her team’s quarterly “boot camp” sessions.

The Sacrifices Behind Advancement
Hall moved the conversation into the realities of trade-offs and sacrifices.

Druan spoke openly about the imbalance she experienced while climbing the ladder. Long nights, travel, and working during her children’s activities led to burnout. She later realized the issue wasn’t the workload—it was the absence of boundaries. Today, she keeps a firmer line around family time.

McCandless shared how stepping out of the workforce for five years to raise her youngest child cost her momentum—but consulting work afterward helped her rebuild experience across many companies. The extremes eventually balanced out over her career.

Boyle explained that her sacrifices looked different: her full focus was on work, often taking it home mentally. As she put it, “I went home and I was constantly just looking for ways to improve myself.” Now, she works toward bringing more balance into her life.

The Habits That Don’t Show Up on a Résumé
When asked to share behind-the-scenes habits that fueled their growth, the panelists gave practical insights.

McCandless, a self-described lifelong learner, shared that she intentionally limits distractions. “I don’t watch television at all and I don’t participate in any social media whatsoever,” she said, noting how modern life “fractures our focus.” She invests her time in learning, reading, and skill-building.

Druan emphasized career-pathing conversations—helping people articulate where they want to go and supporting their progression. She sees this as essential to making individuals feel valued.

Boyle encouraged the idea of “coaching up,” reminding teams that they can help strengthen their leaders by providing honest feedback and stepping into leadership behaviors long before the title arrives.

What Matters Most Moving Forward
During audience Q&A, the panelists addressed what qualities will matter as the next generation steps into leadership roles.

McCandless reiterated that leadership is not defined by a title: it is “how you show up every day” and how well you support those around you.

Druan highlighted impact—creating an environment where others can thrive.

Boyle shared the simple reminder she keeps displayed on her desk: “Everything is figureout-able.”

The conversation ultimately offered a rare, candid look at what the path to the C-suite has truly looked like for these leaders—complete with turning points, doubt, growth, and the ongoing work of refining how they show up. Druan, McCandless, and Boyle opened the door to the real experiences that shaped their leadership.

About WIFI (and what’s next)
WIFI continues to attract, educate, and empower women across flooring—with Power Hours, mentoring (new matches begin February 2026), and scholarships (over $30,000 awarded to 16 recipients). Sign up for the 2026 mentoring cohort at https://www.womeninflooring.org/mentoring, and follow us on socials for updates on the next round of scholarships. Join Friends of WIFI to help support programming, mentorship, and scholarships! Individual donations start at $15/month, with corporate levels beginning at $1,500/year.