It’s not just the most jaded of employees who privately fear that their company views them as just a number, a garden variety commodity who could be swapped out in a heartbeat. Every now and then, however, an event or situation arises that underscores a team member’s worth, and illustrates the notion that there are as many caring companies as there are cold, heartless corporations.
Nyesha Newsome didn’t necessarily need such validation, but when the senior manager of demand fulfillment operations for Toshiba America Business Solutions was involved in an auto accident several years ago, she could tell exactly just how much she was missed upon returning. And the reactions to her return were more heartfelt than any Hallmark card or bouquet of flowers could express.
The wreck left her with a compressed disc on her spine, and put her out of commission for a four-month span. Upon returning, the love Newsome felt from her direct reports and other team members drove home the notion that her absence was keenly felt. And while she didn’t need another reason to love her job, she found one, anyway.
“You never know the impact you have on people until something like this happens,” said Newsome, a 2024 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “I kept hearing how much I was missed, and I felt it in my heart. It was very genuine. The conversation that spoke to me the most was with President and CEO Larry White. He gave me a hug and expressed how happy he was to see me. He wanted to know the details about the accident, and as I explained it, I could see the emotion in his eyes. He was deeply touched by what I went through. It left me speechless…I didn’t know what to say.”
Perhaps the hero’s return Newsome received was a product of the respect and support she provides to her direct reports and the many other Toshiba employees who interact with the fulfillment arm of the company. Her personnel are often ticketed for promotion within the organization, and as such, she makes it a point to learn their goals and better help them as they aspire to join different branches within the Toshiba tree. During the course of her 18 years with the OEM, she’s helped more than 10 team members get promoted.
Ideal Boss
Not every teammate in the department seeks to work elsewhere; one woman explained that she enjoys working with Newsome, which is validating in itself. “I love the coachable moments when I’m able to mentor some of my employees,” she said. “I try to get them ready for the next level as much as possible. I work hard, as do my people. You’ve got to work hard if you report to me, but they know I have their backs 100%.”
It was a bit of serendipity that led Newsome to Toshiba. She was pregnant with her second son while working for a manufacturing company in Santa Ana, California, and just finishing the pursuit of her degree from California State University-San Bernardino. Her son was born on a Saturday, and she was back in school on Tuesday. While on maternity leave, Newsome did some soul searching and decided a change was in order. She applied to Toshiba and quickly found a home with the manufacturer.
Newsome has developed a reputation for getting things done and team members are confident in knowing she can handle any task given. She’s had plenty of support and mentoring along the way, from Justine White, who hired Newsome and showed her the ropes. Vice presidents Jason LaComb and Sue Wilson (retired) invested in her growth, and Eric Oblepias—director of procurement and inventory management—helped her learn the nuances of supply chain.
Newsome has also crafted valued friendships with team members such as Leslie Pace. “She puts me back in the box whenever I need it,” she said. “She’ll just tap me on the shoulder.”
Battle-Tested
The past few years have been challenging from a supply chain perspective in managing inventory—tracking overseas shipments, getting equipment to the warehouse, prioritizing and (in some cases) sharing disappointing news regarding availability with the customer support team. But she’s proud of how her team endured the circumstances.
Newsome hopes to continue growing personally and professionally. She recently celebrated her 50th birthday, and with both of her boys in college, she’s excited about embarking on her second act.
“I can focus on the next chapter of where my life is taking me,” she said.
Speaking of Newsome’s children, her son Andre, 24, is transferring to a local university in the fall, while Kendall, 18, recently graduated high school and is also university-bound. The trio enjoy family activities, particularly those that bring out their competitive side, such as bowling, dominoes and cards. The family also enjoys traveling, with Aruba (despite the winds), Bahamas and Cancun among her favorite destinations. Newsome is also a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan.
