RVWA Spotlight: Introducing Kelli Harms of Winnebago

EDITOR’S NOTE: Several times a month RVBusiness will post an “RVWA Spotlight,” which will highlight a member of the RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) in each instance. Provided by RVWA, the member spotlight series interviews many of the women who make up the RV industry, highlighting how they got into the industry, what they currently do, and advice for other women. The series also dives deeper to better understand these women and what drives them.

Kelli Harms

Kelli Harms – The RV lifestyle – live it, love it.

People around the RV industry hear it all the time – it’s not just a vehicle, it’s a lifestyle. Or it’s an experience. Or whatever similar phrase that can be devised to help explain the intangibles that getting away from it all in an RV can bring.

But for Kelli Harms, manager of product marketing at Winnebago, that’s not just a slogan to draw in potential customers, it’s something she has seen almost every day since she started at the legacy RV manufacturer in 1998.

For somebody who ranks “Private Eyes” with Don Knotts and Tim Conway as her favorite movie and “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves as a favorite song, it’s obvious those happy memories mean a lot.

Even just the name of her employer is enough to send some people journeying down memory lane.

“Whenever I tell someone I work at Winnebago – they always recall fond memories of camping trips with family and friends,” Harms said. “I love that our industry can provide lifelong memories, and inspire others to get outdoors.”

Harms said she doesn’t see any of that changing, either.

As the industry evolves and brings in more technology, she’s excited to see how those new products will meet the changing needs of customers at a time when there are so many new customers joining the ranks of RVing.

“With RVs – it’s all about the experience – not the set up,” she said. “Making sure our products are easy to use, functional, sustainable and of course, comfortable, are keys to our future. It’s exciting to see how our products will evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers. Electric, sustainability and minimalism are three areas that will continue to be important to buyers. Also, making sure every space in an RV has a purpose and modern design are additional areas we hear about.”

Harms said she believes similar experiences await those who are interested in working in the RV industry.

She encourages anyone with a passion for the outdoors and for helping other people to join the ranks.
“The industry is fun, challenging and exciting!” she said. “There are a number of amazing careers in the industry – engineering, design, marketing, PR, operations, quality and more. In each of these areas, you can make an impact.”

And making an impact on others is at least as important as having a good job, Harms said.

She said that particularly for women in leadership roles, it is vital for them to get involved in the lives and careers of the next generation following in their footsteps if women are to capitalize on the progress they have made in the RV world over the past decade.

“My first boss at Winnebago was Sheila Davis. She was a strong advocate for me and my career,” Harms said. “She was one of the first women in leadership at Winnebago and led the way for the rest of us. She forged a path and was a great mentor for me personally and professionally.”

Source: https://rvbusiness.com/rvwa-spotlight-introducing-kelli-harms-of-winnebago/