How she shines: Elizabeth demonstrates leadership through her active stewardship of Contract Direct, LLC, an approximately $50 million commercial cleaning and facility-services company. As Contract Direct's 51 percent majority Owner and Executive Leader, she oversees the company’s strategic direction, financial and operational performance, corporate governance, major client relationships, and WBE certification. She has helped Contract Direct maintain its status as a substantive, successful woman-owned enterprise for more than a decade.
Elizabeth leads with integrity, accountability, and direct communication. She is willing to confront difficult issues, insists on accurate information, and takes responsibility for moving the organization toward a solution. When an operation is underperforming, she evaluates the staffing model, contractual obligations, financial data, and client expectations rather than relying on assumptions. She then establishes a clear corrective plan with defined responsibilities and measurable outcomes. Teamwork is central to Elizabeth’s approach. She regularly brings together clients, field employees, operational leaders, and financial teams to address complex business challenges. She understands that sustainable results require collaboration across corporate and operational functions. Her ability to connect executive priorities with frontline realities helps teams resolve problems, strengthen client relationships, and remain focused on shared goals.
Elizabeth also prioritizes professional development—for herself and for the people she leads. She encourages managers to understand not only daily service delivery, but also the contractual, financial, and client-relations factors that drive long-term success. She gives leaders meaningful responsibility, provides direct feedback, and expects them to develop the judgment necessary to make sound decisions. Her own willingness to expand her expertise in governance, financial management, technology, and operational strategy models the continuous growth she expects from others.
Elizabeth’s combination of principled leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and commitment to developing stronger leaders has created lasting value for Contract Direct, its employees, its clients, and the broader commercial cleaning industry.
Years in the industry: 23 years
Job responsibilities: As Majority Owner and Executive Leader of Contract Direct, Elizabeth oversees the company’s strategic direction, financial and operational performance, corporate governance, Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) certification and compliance, key client relationships, contract negotiations, growth initiatives, and collaboration with its minority partner, GDI. She also leads major problem-resolution and performance-improvement efforts across the company’s commercial cleaning and facility-services portfolio.
Career path: Elizabeth began her career in frontline service work and progressively developed expertise in operations, client service, workforce management, and contract oversight. Her early professional experience included work for large clients, like Kellogg and Delta Airlines. She founded Contract Direct in 2003 as a side gig and, in 2012, she went to work for the company full-time. Under Elizabeth’s leadership, Contract Direct has grown into an approximately $50 million certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise. Today, she leads the company’s strategic direction, financial and operational performance, corporate governance, major client relationships, and continued growth.
Best advice received: The best career advice Elizabeth has received is to focus on what she can control, take ownership of what is hers, and continue moving forward. She has learned that strong leaders do not avoid difficult situations or wait for perfect conditions. They establish the facts, make the best decision available, communicate clearly, and remain accountable for the outcome.
Fun fact: People may be surprised to learn that, while building and leading a major facility-services company, Elizabeth also served approximately a decade as a Troy School District board trustee. She remains actively involved in community leadership, youth athletics, volunteer work, and fundraising.