Sellars Leader Recognized as Women of Influence

Nilda Cintron-Cortez, chief people officer with Sellars Absorbent Materials, has been selected for a 2025 “Women of Influence” award. The recognition is given by The Milwaukee Business Journal to women throughout southeastern Wisconsin who are making the area a better place to live and work.

“I’m humbled to receive this honor,” says Cintron-Cortez. “Employee growth and servant leadership have always been what drives me as chief people officer each and every day.” 

Cintron-Cortez, who has a Ph.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service, is a multi-faceted leader in business and the Milwaukee community. At Sellars, she is deeply dedicated to training, skills development and employees’ well-being and has a strong commitment to fostering a supportive workplace culture and enhancing satisfaction.

Her focus on understanding employees' social determinants has led Sellars to collaborate with a local nonprofit to establish a transportation program to support employee mobility and a housing program to help employees achieve home ownership and personal stability. Cintron-Cortez was also instrumental in securing a nearly $400,000 grant that allowed Sellars to partner with a technical college for a maintenance pre-apprenticeship program that’s currently serving seven employees.

In the community, Cintron-Cortez serves on the board of La Causa, Inc. and Havenwoods Neighborhood Partnership. In addition to her Ph.D., she holds a master’s in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University and a bachelor’s in Behavioral Science and Spanish from Mount Mary University.