Her Story
About Lynn
I've spent about 45 years in the regulatory field within the chemical industry. My journey began with a chemistry degree, expecting to mix chemicals and work with analytical instrumentation at a paint company. As the new person, material safety data sheets and regulatory permits landed on my desk, and that's how I fell into regulatory work. I discovered such a passion for it that I went back to school for my master's degree in the regulatory field, and my career took off from there. My success comes from having a passion for the work I do and a love of learning. My chemistry degree taught me to think outside the box - we didn't just take chemistry courses, but economics, philosophy, and other courses that taught us to think critically. That's the greatest thing I learned, so when something gets thrown at me, I can think outside the box and figure out how to meet that challenge. Currently, I'm semi-retired due to cancer, though I'm in near-complete remission thanks to tremendous clinical trials. I work as a regulatory compliance consultant and contract manager for Thor Specialties, Inc., helping the current team grow and learn from my experience and knowledge of the products and regulatory/legal requirements.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lynn
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is because I have a passion for the work I do, a love of learning and understanding the importance of sharing my passion and knowledge with others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Think outside the box and look at the big picture.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you are just starting out, don’t get stuck in a rut. Your first job based on your major may not be your dream job, look around and think outside your major, be creative. Find your passion and be happy.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges are dealing with the regulatory agencies. The way to deal with it is to come up with creative ways within the law to write justifications to meet their demands. I brainstorm with the team - with both the regulatory group and the technical group, and our toxicology groups - on how we could meet the requirements of the regulatory agency and meet the requirements of our company.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, the values that matter the most are resilience, honesty and growth.
Resilience became especially important when I was diagnosed with cancer. However, I am pushing through this challenge, adapting and moving forward.
Honesty means staying true to myself, even when it isn't the most "popular" choice. I strive to provide fact-based, verified, and helpful answers in my recommendations and/or decision-making.
I value learning and am constantly updating my understanding of the issues related to my work or personal life.
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