How she shines: Raina Smith shines as a leader through her ability to combine technical expertise, innovation, and collaboration to solve real-world challenges in the professional cleaning industry. Since joining RD Industries (RDI) at the height of COVID, she has developed a deep appreciation for the essential role the cleaning industry plays in protecting people and creating safer environments.
As Lead Product Engineer, Raina works closely with both customers and the sales team to understand specific challenges and configure dispensing solutions that best meet their needs. Her ability to listen, communicate complex technical concepts clearly, and collaborate across teams helps turn customer needs into practical solutions.
Innovation is at the heart of Raina’s role. She designs and prototypes new products for containing and dispensing chemicals and explores new technologies that can help RDI address evolving and custom applications. Her work helps transform ideas into solutions that are functional, reliable, and meaningful to the people who use them.
Sustainability is also an important part of Raina’s approach to engineering. By developing closed-loop dispensing solutions and finding smarter ways to contain and dispense chemicals, she contributes to technologies designed to reduce waste and support safer, more responsible chemical management.
Raina’s impact extends beyond product development. She invests in the success of her teammates by training new employees on closed-loop technology, sharing not just how the systems work but why they matter to chemical suppliers, cleaning professionals, and end users. Her willingness to share her knowledge helps build a stronger, more informed team.
What makes Raina a Woman of Clean is her ability to use engineering to make a difference. She brings together creativity, technical knowledge, teamwork, and a genuine understanding of the cleaning industry’s importance to create solutions that help move the industry forward.
Years in the industry: 6 years
Job responsibilities: I am currently a Lead Product Engineer who works with customers alongside sales to configure and find the best solution for individual needs. I also design and prototype new innovations to contain and dispense chemicals, train new team members about closed-loop technology in the cleaning space and how important it is for suppliers and end users, and utilize new technologies to develop new products to meet custom needs.
Career path: Raina is the first person in her family to go to college and earn a degree. She has always loved solving problems and working with others to find a solution. After college, Raina worked at an automation engineering firm where collaboration was not always available. During COVID, Raina shifted careers and moved to work at RDI, where collaboration was not only encouraged but expected. She worked with individuals from every department and was able to learn about our product and how it impacts everyone, even if it may be overlooked at times.
Best advice received: Raina's best and favorite career advice ever received was from the Founder of RDI: “It isn’t just about what you know, but also who you know.” Raina thinks we are only as good as who we surround ourselves with. She believes that she can design and create much better products and solutions when there is collaboration and teamwork. Ideas and solutions can come from any source, regardless of background.
Fun fact: Raina loves animals, especially cats. She will talk to anyone about them!