Leading with Purpose in a Male-Dominated Industry
Navigating Success, Building Credibility, and Transforming a Male-Dominated Industry Through Integrity and Relationships
Leading with Purpose in a Male-Dominated Industry
For nearly 18 years, I’ve built my career in the chemical manufacturing and industrial water treatment industry — a field I never expected to enter and, ironically, one I initially tried to avoid. I often joke that the good Lord has a sense of humor because, despite steering away from chemistry and math early on, I found myself exactly where I was meant to be.
What started as a career in STEM educational manufacturing, working with distributors, publishers, and curriculum developers, eventually evolved into industrial water treatment, where I discovered my passion for building relationships, solving complex problems, and driving long-term business growth.
When I began my career at 28, there were very few women in the field. Walking into meetings where I was often the only woman in the room was not uncommon, and it shaped much of how I approached my career — learning to build credibility through consistency, preparation, and integrity rather than title or tenure.
What I Attribute My Success To
I attribute my success to resilience, relationships, and a willingness to grow into opportunities before feeling fully ready.
My dad always told me, “You can learn anything, but you can’t teach people to care.” That advice became the foundation of how I approach both my career and my leadership style. I never allowed myself to be held back by what I didn’t yet know. Instead, I focused on showing up with curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to learning.
Over time, I’ve learned that technical skills can always be developed, but trust, consistency, and care are what truly differentiate people in business. My success has come from embracing that mindset and applying it consistently across every role and opportunity.
Advice to Young Women Entering the Industry
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: don’t count yourself out.
You do not need to know everything on day one. In fact, you won’t. Growth in this field comes from asking questions, staying curious, and being willing to learn in real time. Confidence is not a prerequisite; it is built through experience.
Build strong relationships early and protect your reputation. This industry is small, and credibility is everything. Be someone people trust, respect, and want to work with again.
Most importantly, recognize that your perspective as a woman is not a limitation — it is a strength. Different perspectives make industries better, smarter, and more innovative.
Biggest Challenges and Opportunities in the Industry
From a female perspective, one of the biggest challenges in the chemical manufacturing and water treatment industry continues to be representation — both in numbers and in leadership visibility. While progress has been made since I first entered the field, women are still underrepresented in technical and senior commercial roles.
There is also the internal pressure many women feel to be overprepared or to wait until they are “fully ready” before stepping into opportunities. Early in my career, I experienced this myself. Over time, I learned that readiness is not a destination; it’s something you build through action.
At the same time, the opportunity right now is incredibly significant.
The industry is undergoing transformation through sustainability initiatives, digital innovation, and operational efficiency. Equally important, however, is the cultural shift happening within organizations. There is a growing recognition that diverse leadership leads to stronger performance, better problem-solving, and deeper customer relationships.
I’ve personally experienced this shift at Hydrite, where I joined a leadership environment with a strong and visible presence of women — something I did not experience earlier in my career.
I’ve also seen the impact of community-building efforts like Women of Water, developed within the Association of Water Technologies, which continues to elevate, connect, and empower women across the industry.
What I Value Most
The values that guide me most are integrity, relationships, resilience, and growth.
Integrity is the foundation of everything I do. Your reputation is your most valuable asset, and I’ve always believed in doing what you say you’re going to do, even when it’s hard.
Relationships are at the core of my success. This industry is built on trust, and the strongest outcomes always come from real partnerships, not transactions.
Resilience has defined my career path. Navigating a male-dominated industry has required persistence, adaptability, and the ability to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t clear.
Finally, growth drives me both professionally and personally. I’ve never wanted to stay static. Whether stepping into new roles, learning new industries, or helping build initiatives that elevate women, I’m always looking for ways to evolve and contribute at a higher level.
Closing Perspective
Looking back, my career has been less about a perfectly planned path and more about being open to unexpected opportunities. I’ve learned that success is not about knowing everything from the start — it’s about caring enough to keep learning, being brave enough to step forward, and building relationships that stand the test of time.
Today, I’m proud not only of the career I’ve built, but also of the progress I’ve witnessed for women in this industry — and even more excited about where we are headed next.
