Sammy Kolker is with Matot Corporation and represents the 5th generation of family members to work at Matot, which is 135 years old this year. Sammy is pleased and honored to be part of this family legacy. Sammy loves what she is doing and is thriving in an environment where she can really bring value and express her creativity. Sammy also sees the necessity of inviting honesty and vulnerability into the workplace, and by taking mentorship seriously, she is growing, while also helping those who come after her to thrive.

Summary:
This interview features Sammy Kolker, who represents the fifth generation working at Matot, her family's dumbwaiter manufacturing business. She discusses growing up in the industry and how she became involved after graduating college.

Sammy talks about common family dynamics challenges in multi-generational family businesses. She highlights how Matot has implemented both formal mentorship programs through Loyola University as well as informal mentoring. This has helped improve communication and bring the family together.

When she joined, Sammy was able to express her creativity through marketing and events. She also discusses her involvement in NextGen, which has helped develop her professionally. Some challenges she faced were learning the technical aspects as a non-engineer.

Her advice for newcomers is to find your work friends and get comfortable while also pushing outside your comfort zone. Get to know people from different backgrounds and bring your unique skills. Network within your company and industry through groups like NextGen.