Amy Brackin, Liberty Tire | Women Breaking the Mold 2023

Amy Brackin is magician of sorts, helping to transform one thing into something else entirely. She sees potential where others simply do not.

And there's something to be said for that, for seeing the potential in the world around her.

Brackin is the senior vice president of sustainability at Liberty Tire, which operates in the tire recycling space. And it was the essence of the industry that drew her in. The concept of taking end-of-life tires out of the waste stream and creating beneficial end-products was a space she needed—wanted—to be in.

"Tire recycling has generated an entirely new global industry in a relatively short period of time, and I was excited to be a part of it," Brackin said. "The tire recycling industry is far more complex than it appears, and every day brings new opportunities and challenges that keep me engaged."

Ultimately, she was drawn to the rubber industry because of her work in a related field, synthetic turf. She worked for a company that sold sports fields and athletic surfaces, and rubber was a key component of those systems.

"Seeing the benefits in these applications gave me a greater understanding of how much more could be done with the material beyond surfacing. When the opportunity arose to join the Liberty Tire team, I jumped at the chance," Brackin said.

Currently, Brackin is working on a decarbonization strategy for the company. It's a large project with 52 locations around the U.S. and Canada that is complex and multifaceted. It also involves stakeholders from across all the company's business lines and levels working together for success.

Brackin's goal is to build a truly sustainable program at Liberty that withstands the test of time and lasts well beyond her time in the industry. She believes doing so will protect the environment and future generations. Her leadership is helping to ensure it does.

"Having a leadership team that both empowers and enables me is the purest form of motivation for me‚" Brackin said. "I'm competitive and passionate, so striving for success is something I come by naturally, but it can't happen without support. I am also very motivated by our mission at Liberty Tire to recycle every tire we collect and find a beneficial use for the nearly 200 million tires we receive each year."

She lists the advent of the company's sustainability program as one of her greatest accomplishments while at Liberty Tire. And it was possible, she said, because of the support she received from the company and its leadership.

"Engaging our employees, watching them embrace the opportunity and having the support of the leadership team to build a program from the ground up has been a very rewarding experience for me."

Throughout her career, Brackin has been inspired by the great leaders she has had the privilege to work alongside. People like Liberty Tire CEO Thomas Womble, who has demonstrated again and again how important it is to care—about the work you do and the people you work with.

"While it was first said by Teddy Roosevelt, it's something I genuinely learned by example from our CEO, Thomas Womble. Roosevelt said, 'People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.' "

Not every mentor has been a leader, at least not in the traditional sense. Brackin has been fortunate to work alongside the kind of people that Womble and Roosevelt talk about. The kind who care, who pour their passion into their work and inspire others as a result.

That's the kind of person that Brackin hopes to be.

"The truth is, some of the people who mentored me the most weren't really mentors per se; they were colleagues and industry professionals with a keen understanding of the business or the industry that I have been fortunate enough to work alongside," Brackin said.

Her success also comes from lessons she has learned during her career. Some of those lessons may have come from unlikely places.

"It is important to learn from your mistakes," Brackin said. "Mistakes are inevitable, and we all make them. If you learn from your mistakes, then it is worth the journey, and (it) will make you better going forward. As they say, people who don't learn from mistakes are destined to repeat them."

Embracing the lessons that come from mistakes not only prepares you to take on greater challenges, it strengthens you.

Brackin's success also is built on her passion for learning. It is what drives her to continuously seek professional development opportunities.

But there's also something to be said about stepping away, taking a breath and finding time to relax.

"Work-life balance is critical," she said. "It's important to take care of yourself and to take time for yourself. Without that, it's hard to be the person you want or need to be for the people around you—both in and out of work.

Years with the company: 11
Years in the rubber industry: 11

Having a background in business and market development, transitioning into the sustainability role in 2021 was a novel experience for me. Each day in this role brings about new challenges, as I am continuously learning and must also navigate the dynamic landscape of the field—from consolidating frameworks, staying abreast of regulatory shifts and fulfilling the escalating demands for data from our stakeholders. As I traverse this intricate terrain, I find myself continually inspired by the opportunities to contribute positively to both our organization and the broader sustainability efforts.

Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives have a profound impact on each employee and form a guiding thread that we aim to weave throughout our entire business fabric. Our aspiration is to integrate sustainability considerations into each decision we make—be it related to our travel, community involvement, procurement practices, recruitment or operational strategies. These efforts don't end, we just continue to find ways to get better. Personally, I am dedicated to actively challenging our company and colleagues daily to drive this pursuit forward.

Leadership takes on various forms and styles, but in my view, real leadership goes beyond just giving orders. It encompasses nurturing a shared purpose, igniting motivation and fostering collaboration within a team. In my role, I engage across all divisions, interacting with a broad spectrum of employees. I often assemble cross-functional teams to help drive our sustainability initiatives. I strive to demonstrate leadership by taking initiative, supporting my colleagues and being a positive influence.

I was drawn to the industry because of my interest in recycling and the broad range of possibilities for our business, but what makes my career rewarding is truly the people I work with. I am fortunate to be surrounded by people I consider my colleagues, mentors and my friends. We advocate for each other, support each other and truly do want to see others succeed. That is something unique about Liberty Tire Recycling.

Believe in yourself—that's first. If uncertainty shrouds your ideas, they might be perceived as lacking credibility. Equally important is thorough preparation and a deep understanding of your subject matter. This empowers you to speak with authority and effectively address questions as they arise. Additionally, while it might seem scary, seeking feedback from others is beneficial. Even if the feedback isn't aligned with your expectations, it offers a valuable perspective and allows you to refine your approach.

I'm brimming with ideas, occasionally to an excessive degree, so I try to prioritize those that are most impactful for the business. I make sure I'm well-prepared to advocate for either the concept or my viewpoint. Being prepared allows me to clearly explain the value and benefits of the proposal to the company. This involves anticipating potential challenges and being ready to address them head-on. Then, I carefully select the right time to introduce the idea. I recognize that regardless of how promising an idea is, if the intended audience is preoccupied or facing external pressures, it might not be the right time to introduce it.