Pella celebrates its next generation of leaders

As Pella celebrates 100 years of innovation, the company is investing in the people who will shape its future – today’s emerging talent. This summer, Pella welcomed 60 interns from 18 different schools, each working across a range of departments from engineering and R&D to sales, manufacturing and product marketing. Many are returning for a second summer, drawn back by the culture and the trust they’re given to take on real work.

Interns gain perspective from executives during Pella’s 100th anniversary panel

Pella hosted a special leadership panel for its intern class, offering students a chance to hear directly from leaders who once sat where they do now.

The panel featured four senior executives who all began their careers as interns: Nick Cross (SVP & GM of Business Units), Karmen Gardner (VP of Corporate Communications & Employee Experience), Jason Jiskoot (SVP & Chief Financial Officer) and Travis Turnbull (VP & Chief Information Officer).

“I’ve had 14 different roles, 13 different leaders,” said Gardner. “And that’s not because I job-hopped. I raised my hand for the assignments that stretched me, taught me the business and gave me the chance to make an impact.”

She also spoke about the importance of humility in leadership and the power of trusting your team. “One of the things you learn as you grow in leadership is that everyone has something really valuable to contribute,” Gardner said. “When you're willing to step back and say, ‘I don't know it all—and I don't have to,’ you create space for brilliant people to do great things together. That’s what really matters. That’s what makes an impact.”

The message across the panel was clear: every intern’s path may be different, but with curiosity and ambition, there’s no limit to what’s possible.

“We need individuals like yourselves to join our team, learn our business, build relationships and help us continue to grow for the next 100 years,” Jiskoot said.

In honor of National Intern Day, interns reflect on their time at Pella

As National Intern Day approaches on July 31, Pella is proud to recognize this year’s cohort of emerging professionals. Their energy, ideas and ambition are already making a difference—and shaping the future of the company.

• Jason Chaney, returning Plant Process Engineer intern, Troy, OH: “I chose to intern again with Pella for many different reasons. Personally, I have never had an internship or co-op that gave such respect and responsibility as Pella did. It truly felt like a full-time position. I was included on business trips and key projects, like launching a new manufacturing line and improving MES programming. The knowledge and experience I gained last summer will be with me for the rest of my career.”
• Allie Singer, R&D intern, Caroll, IA: “Last summer, I was at a plant in Carroll. This year, I’m doing validation testing and chemical analysis at the corporate R&D level. It feels like an entirely new experience, but under the same great Pella brand. The consistency in values and support made returning an easy decision.”
• Taylor Sutton, Plant Process Engineer intern, Wood Door team: “It’s been valuable to compare how my role changes across locations. Last year I worked on vinyl doors in Macomb; now I’m focused on the flow of wood sliding and hinge doors through production in Pella. Each has its own rhythm, and both experiences have helped me grow.”
• Perla Núñez, Product Management intern, Vinyl Team: “The energy, passion and people here made it an easy decision to return. From working on a vinyl security feature to traveling with the sales team to Nashville last year, I’ve always felt supported. It’s the people who truly make this organization such a meaningful and special place to be.”

Each story underscores what makes the internship program more than a summer job: opportunity, mentorship and a culture that invests in people from day one.