Stephanie Choury

I attribute my success to a combination of resilience, relationship-building, and a willingness to step into the unknown. My career path wasn’t traditional, and I certainly didn’t plan to end up in chemical manufacturing or industrial water treatment. But I’ve learned that growth often happens in places you never expected.

Early in my career, I had to learn how to navigate industries and rooms where women were often underrepresented. That experience taught me the value of confidence, preparation, and consistencyshowing up, doing what you say you’ll do, and building trust over time.

I also believe relationships have been one of the greatest drivers of my success. Whether with customers, colleagues, or mentors, I’ve always focused on creating genuine partnerships rather than transactional interactions. People remember how you make them feel, and business is ultimately built on trust.

Most importantly, I’ve learned to embrace resilience. There have been seasons of challenge, change, and uncertainty, but I’ve found that every difficult chapter has taught me something valuable and strengthened my ability to lead with empathy and perspective.

I don’t believe success comes from having a perfect plan I think it comes from staying curious, working hard, remaining authentic, and being willing to evolve.

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The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my dad. He always told me, “You can learn anything, but you can’t teach people to care.” That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career.

Early on, especially entering a technical, male-dominated industry, there were plenty of moments where I could have held myself back because I didn’t know everything yet or felt intimidated by what others knew. But my dad reminded me not to let a lack of knowledge stop me from stepping into opportunities. Skills can be learned. Industries can be learned. Technical expertise comes with time. What matters most is curiosity, work ethic, and genuinely caring.

That advice gave me the confidence to raise my hand for opportunities, ask questions, and trust that I could figure things out. It also shaped how I view leadership and hiring today I’ll take someone who cares, shows up, and is willing to learn over someone who has all the credentials but lacks heart.

Don’t count yourself out . Early in my career, I walked into many rooms where I was one of very few women, and it would have been easy to believe I had to know everything before speaking up or taking on bigger opportunities. What I learned is that confidence doesn’t come before experiencing it comes from being willing to try, learn, and grow.

Be curious and ask questions. You do not have to know everything on day one, especially in technical industries like manufacturing and water treatment. Give yourself permission to learn. The people who succeed are often the ones willing to ask the extra question, stay engaged, and genuinely care.

Also, build relationships. This industry is built on trust, credibility, and partnership. Your reputation matters. Be the person who follows through, communicates well, and treats people with respect.

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of being a woman in this industry. For a long time, I saw it as something that made me different. Now, I see it as a strength. Different perspectives make industries better, and there is space for you at the table even if it doesn’t always feel that way at first.

Challenges in the chemical manufacturing and industrial water treatment industry is representation not just in numbers, but in visibility and leadership. While progress has been made since I first entered the field nearly two decades ago, women are still often underrepresented in technical, field-based, and senior commercial roles. Early in my career, it was common to walk into meetings or facilities where I was one of very few women in the room, and at times that meant having to work harder to establish credibility and be heard.

There’s also the subtle challenge of confidence versus competence many women feel they need to “over-prepare” before stepping into opportunities or speaking up, when in reality, growth in this industry comes from learning in real time, asking questions, and trusting that expertise is built over time, not expected on day one.

At the same time, the opportunity right now is incredibly powerful.

The industry is actively evolving, and there is a growing recognition that diverse leadership leads to better decision-making, stronger customer relationships, and more innovative problem-solving. I’m seeing more intentional efforts to elevate women into leadership roles, create mentorship opportunities, and build networks that didn’t exist when I started something I’ve personally experienced through initiatives like Women of Water within the Association of Water Technologies.

Another major opportunity is that companies are finally realizing that talent looks different than it did 20 years ago. At Hydrite Chemical Co., for example, I’ve experienced a level of female leadership presence that I never saw early in my career, and it’s a strong signal that the industry is shifting in the right direction.

Ultimately, I think the biggest opportunity for women in this field is not just entry it’s influence. We are moving into a time where women are not only participating in the industry, but helping shape how it evolves, how it leads, and how it defines success going forward.

The values that guide me most are integrity, relationships, resilience, and growth.

Integrity is the foundation of everything I do. In my work, especially in an industry built on long-term partnerships and trust, I believe your reputation is your most valuable asset. I’ve always tried to show up honestly, follow through on what I say, and do the right thing even when it’s not the easiest path.

Relationships are equally important to me. I’ve learned that success in this industry isn’t just about technical knowledge or strategy it’s about people. The strongest results come from real partnerships built on trust, communication, and mutual respect.

Resilience has shaped my entire career. I’ve spent nearly two decades in a male-dominated industry where I often had to figure things out as I went. There were moments of uncertainty, but I’ve learned that challenges are rarely setbacks they’re opportunities to grow stronger, more capable, and more grounded in who you are.

Finally, growth is something I value deeply, both professionally and personally. I’ve never believed in staying stagnant. Whether it’s stepping into new roles, learning new industries, or helping build initiatives like Women of Water through the Association of Water Technologies, I’m always looking for ways to evolve and help others do the same.

At this point in my career, those values aren’t just professional principles they’re how I approach life.