Adaptability, collaboration, and constant learning with Senior Program Manager Yolanda Durfield
"In our line of work, adaptability is key,” says Yolanda. “We operate in a space where things can change at a moment's notice, and having the flexibility to pivot is essential."
Yolanda Durfield is a senior program manager at Accelera™ by Cummins. Always looking to challenge herself, she has a wealth of experience when it comes to coordinating projects, developing product strategy, and putting quality front and center. She has managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio of Accelera electric powertrain products and today, oversees the program management of Accelera’s latest commercial vehicle battery offering for North America customers.
I found Accelera because…
I discovered Accelera through an acquisition, and the opportunity intrigued me from the start. My background was in sales and strategy with a focus on traditional product activities. However, when I learned about a role in the electrification field, I saw a wave of government funding and innovation that I wanted to be part of. This position allowed me to merge my expertise in sales and strategy with the exciting challenge of launching new products in the electrification space. It was a career path I really wanted to explore so that I could continue my growth while contributing to a truly transformative industry.
My greatest learnings over the years…
Reflecting on my career, I think I have benefitted from always being open to new learning experiences. Starting as a mechanical engineer helped give me a solid foundation for my technical expertise. But it was my exposure to the business side of engineering during my dual masters at Northwestern that put me on the path that I’m on now. I also ran my own business for 15 years, which gave me a lot of invaluable experience in leadership and team management. The mix of technology and strategy helped expand my horizons about what I could do career-wise. Ultimately, I ended up utilizing these skills in electrification – which I am very happy about.
Being ready to learn new things every day has been essential in the fast-paced world of electrification. Transitioning into this field was a really eye-opening experience. And I quickly realized that the market is as dynamic as it is challenging. This constant evolution requires businesses and teams to not just be technical experts but to also have the agility to navigate shifts in market needs and technology.
Another important lesson is that failures, while often daunting, are invaluable learning experiences. Embracing failure has become part of my innovation toolkit, empowering me to take calculated risks. Each setback is merely a steppingstone to success, as long as you approach it with a mindset geared towards learning and growth.
My typical day involves…
A typical day for me is anything but typical. When I first started as a senior program manager for Accelera, I was responsible for launching the electric axle for the SuperTruck 3 project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving emissions and reducing ownership costs.
That involved coordinating cross-functional teams from engineering to finance, managing project schedules, and keeping open lines of communication with our customers and partners like the Department of Energy. It got a little crazy at times, but that's what kept it exciting. Each day brought new challenges and opportunities to innovate – especially since my global team was spread across five time zones.
Now I get to do that same kind of work and bring my experience to our new tier-based battery product, the Accelera™ BP104E. Seeing everyone’s invested engagement across all teams is exciting and I’m thrilled to be part of such a strategic and valuable program.
Something I tell my colleagues is…
In our line of work, being adaptable is an absolute must. Our work is so fast-paced and dynamic that you must be able to change direction or reevaluate your strategy quickly. But it is also important that we give ourselves grace. In a field driven by innovation, setbacks are inevitable. But it's how we respond to these challenges that define our success.
You’ve got to learn from each hurdle and just keep moving forward. One of the things I appreciate about working here is that I can trust in our collective strength as a team.
We’re pushing boundaries by…
By fostering a culture of innovation and support. Our work developing cutting-edge electrification solutions positions us at the forefront of the industry’s transition to net-zero emissions. By collaborating with partners and leveraging government support, we are testing the limits of what’s possible. Each project we undertake is an opportunity to rethink traditional approaches and create products that deliver real-world environmental benefits.
In my role, it’s important to be…
Being a good program manager is all about being both innovative and supportive. Innovation drives everything we do, but it’s the support within our team that enables us to achieve our goals. We succeed because we trust each other’s abilities and work collaboratively, whether navigating complex technical challenges or launching new products. We celebrate our successes together and empathize during difficult times, so that everyone feels valued and motivated.
When it comes to managing the battery program launches, being execution-driven is critical to success. There is still so much we are learning about the battery system technology while delivering on the customer commitments and requirements. I am confident with the team I have met thus far; we are poised to achieve epic results. Everyone is “in it to win it” which makes for a great formula to drive execution and grow our market position!
In the future, I’m excited to…
I’m very invested in continuing to explore new opportunities within Accelera and the energy industry. The scale of our organization offers endless possibilities to learn and grow, whether it’s diving deeper into sales and strategy or exploring new markets like off-highway and mining. I’ve always been big on volunteering, and I love mentoring – I want to keep on encouraging the next generation, and I hope to expand my impact by encouraging young people to pursue careers in STEM. In fact, I was awarded the Real McCoy Award by the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program. As the engineering honoree, it’s an amazing recognition of both my own achievements and how I’ve tried to support the next generation of engineers.
As we push towards our goal of net-zero emissions, I love being part of such meaningful work that has the potential to make a lasting difference.
