Amanda Freshwater, Valtris Specialty Chemicals | Women Breaking the Mold 2024

Amanda Freshwater had her plans set on becoming a medical doctor when she started attending college. When she became familiar with chemistry, and especially organic chemistry, she made a life-changing decision.

"I entered undergrad with the intention of becoming a medical doctor," Freshwater said. "I decided on a degree in Chemistry, mostly inspired by my excellent high school teacher and love for the subject.

"Once I took Organic Chemistry in my second year followed by a summer research internship, I realized that research was my passion. The next year I decided I'd continue my education with a Ph.D. I was fortunate enough to get another internship which inspired me to get a degree in polymers."

Freshwater completed a Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and earned a bachelor's in chemistry at John Carrol University in University Heights, Ohio.

"Working on my Ph.D. was a rewarding and brutal experience. It was long hours combined with many laughs and a lot of tears. It taught me how to question everything and to be the scientist I am today. It also taught me how to mentor others," she said.

Freshwater's is global manager of technical service R&D at Valtris Specialty Chemicals in Independence, Ohio. She is the R&D lead in additives for Rubber, PVC, and other polymers. Among her accomplishments at Valrtis is recently filing a patent on bio-based additives for snow tire formulations. Freshwater has presented papers at numerous conferences including Vinyltec, PVC Formulation and PVC 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Plus, she is researching sustainable raw materials for rubber and PVC.

"Research is fueled by curiosity, and I have always been curious. Research is challenging. It never stops, and it allows you to make a real contribution," Freshwater said.

She defines strong leadership as being capable and confident with a vision while at the same time creating a culture that allows people to participate and flourish. Being a strong leader is part of her success formula.

For women thinking of making the chemical field a career, Freshwater recommends not letting possible roadblocks stop you from changing things and paving the way for future women who want to enter the field.

"While there has been progress toward equity in the chemical field, there is still a lot of unconscious bias toward women," Freshwater said. "There will be roadblocks, but you must not stop at them. Don't wait for things to become more inviting, go in and change things for yourself. Let's pave the way for our future generations."

She enjoys working with her community including being a Girl Scout Troop Parent Volunteer and coaching her daughter's T-Ball team.

"Volunteering in my daughter's activities such as Girl Scouts and T-Ball brings me a lot of joy," Freshwater said. "I get to be more involved in her life, while I also help and inspire other young girls."

Before coming to Valtris, Freshwater spent seven years with The Lubrizol Corp. in Wickliffe, Ohio, in different roles including technology manager for industrial additives; project manager for industrial additives; and chemist within the analytical department.

Years with company: 3

Years in rubber industry: 3

I spent most of my career in the hydraulic and gear oil lubricant industry. When it was time to make a change, I was attracted to the rubber industry because it was a chance for me to continue using my formulating knowledge, but in a brand new space. It was a great opportunity to learn something new. I have found the people I work with every day, my co-workers and customers, to be very rewarding as well as doing research in the area of making materials more sustainable.

Ever since the beginning of my career, I've heard the phrase "that's how it has always been done" in response to certain questions. Those are often the policies and practices that deserve to be challenged the most. They have sat for years without being challenged or updated, regardless of how much they make sense for the organization today.

Leadership is the prioritization of 1) accomplishing your goals and 2) taking care of your people. Any other actions taken by a leader outside of these areas are usually a waste of time.

Accomplishing your goals is the obvious one. A leader should be capable and confident in their vision. I find that a lot of leaders fall short of taking care of their people. A leader must create a culture that allows their people to participate and flourish. I demonstrate leadership by determining what drives the people I work with, encouraging them in the places they are strong, and making sure they feel heard. If your team is happy and successful, you will be a successful leader as your people thrive.

I'd recommend the book "It's What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War" by Lynsey Addario. Lynsey is a war and human rights photographer whose job is obviously much more stressful than my own! Even through her many successes in that job, her book continuously highlights the internal battles she faces by being a woman in a male-dominated field. In particular, her struggle with starting a family. She describes her internal debates and decision-making with a refreshing honesty and openness that I believe most women would relate to. Her courage is an inspiration that I hold with me.

When I was preparing to become a new mother, and after I became one, I was shocked at the things that were said to me in the workplace. Things such as, "Well who is looking after your child if you are at work?" "You let me know when your career aspirations change now that you are a mother," and "Are you sure you can handle this now?"

None of my male colleagues who were becoming fathers were asked similar questions. I was usually in shock at the time, or politely told them that my goals and drive at work hadn't changed. I believe this is where one of my most significant failures. By not speaking up to those individuals, I permitted them to keep saying things like this to other women. I've learned that sticking up for yourself, even if it seems difficult, may make it easier for someone else in the future.

Relieving stress for me is taking a run in the woods or lifting weights. Then maybe sitting down with a good book and a hot cup of tea.

At the end of the day, what does success look like?

Professionally, success is achieving my goals while feeling fulfilled and happy. It's about being highly technical, making an impact in the industry, and being a strong leader and mentor.