This Women’s History Month, Henricksen is honoring remarkable women in our industry, thoughtfully nominated by our employees for their inspiration and impact. Today, we feature Rosemary Vespo, Territory Manager, Dealer Sales – Chicago at Global Furniture Group in Chicago, IL.

Rosemary draws inspiration from women in her life and throughout history. This includes historical advocates for change, leaders at Global who foster a culture of support, and especially the women in her family, particularly her grandmother, who emigrated to the U.S. from Italy in her twenties. These women motivate Rosemary to lead with empathy, promote inclusivity, and ensure everyone feels heard and appreciated.

Rosemary consistently strives to support those around her, and her peers describe her as embodying the positivity we hope to see in the world. She serves as the Associate Board Co-Chair for Designs for Dignity, dedicating nearly ten years to transforming non-profit environments through pro-bono design services.

Throughout her design career, Rosemary has faced several challenges as a woman, including gender bias and the need to prove her expertise to earn respect. Despite these obstacles, she encourages women to trust their instincts, lead passionately, and build confidence in their profession. Recently, she participated in a career day at her all-girls Catholic high school. It was especially rewarding for her to see herself in the students' enthusiasm and to assure them they were on the right path.

Inspired by the unwavering confidence of professional rugby athlete Ilona Maher, Rosemary urges women to overcome imposter syndrome and make decisions based on their goals and values. During Women's History Month and beyond, she emphasizes the importance of women uplifting one another, quoting Kate Hodges: “Behind every great woman is another great woman.”