Her Story
About Betsy
Betsy Hoppe is a recently retired metallurgical and materials science engineer with 38 years of experience in manufacturing, including 30 years with Steelscape in Kalama, Washington. She began her career through a cooperative education program while earning a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Cincinnati and went on to build expertise in metallurgy, materials science, quality systems, and process improvement. During her career, Betsy held roles ranging from metallurgist and process engineer to Senior Quality Systems Engineer and, ultimately, Quality Systems Manager, a position she held for nearly 13 years. She became a trusted technical resource for material properties, processing, quality requirements, and continuous improvement while leading teams, collaborating across departments, and contributing to major business and technology initiatives. Throughout her career, Betsy has combined technical expertise with a strong commitment to professional and community service. She was actively involved with ASTM for approximately 15 years, serving on committees and receiving recognition for her contributions, and was also involved with the National Coil Coating Association during her Paint line process engineering years. Outside the workplace, she has devoted significant time to her community, including serving as chair and treasurer of the La Center United Community Coalition, volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care, leading as a Girl Scout Troop leader, including Service Unit Registrar and Manager positions, and supporting career and technical education programs at local high schools. Her volunteer work reflects her belief in the power of genuine relationships, collaboration, and positive community change. Now in retirement, Betsy is exploring consulting through her engineering business, Hoppe Engineers, LLC, while making time for family, outdoor activities, volunteering in new opportunities to give back. One of her greatest priorities is mentoring women entering engineering and other traditionally male-dominated fields. She encourages young women to pursue work they enjoy and excel at while remaining true to who they are rather than conforming to common industry expectations. For Betsy, success has always been rooted in the people she has worked alongside and the relationships she has built along the way. She values honesty, vulnerability, confidence, and the courage to stand up for what is right—and hopes to use her experience to help the next generation find their own path and thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Betsy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the people I have had the opportunity to work with and the meaningful relationships I have built throughout my career. I genuinely enjoy getting to know people, understanding their strengths, interests, and what motivates them, and finding ways to bring out the best in each person. I believe that when you take the time to understand and appreciate the people around you, you create stronger teams, better relationships, and greater success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have learned is to identify what genuinely interests you, understand what you are good at, and build a career around those strengths. I also learned that leadership does not require changing who you are to fit into a particular professional culture. Being successful and being a good leader starts with knowing yourself and having the confidence to remain authentic.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to ask themselves what they enjoy doing and what they are naturally good at, and then pursue opportunities that align with those strengths. You can be successful and become a strong leader simply by being yourself. You do not have to change who you are to fit into an industry or workplace. Your authenticity can be one of your greatest strengths.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For women entering engineering and manufacturing, one ongoing challenge is navigating traditionally male-dominated environments while maintaining confidence and authenticity. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities through mentorship, consulting, and sharing the knowledge and experience gained over decades in the industry. Since retiring, I have also found meaningful opportunities through community service and by using my experience and skills to help others.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are honesty, vulnerability, confidence, and having the courage to stand up for what is right. I believe vulnerability can be a strength because it allows us to connect with others authentically, while confidence gives us the courage to speak up and advocate for what we believe in. Above all, I try to lead and live with honesty and integrity.
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