Mary-Angela Kenney is a gardener at heart, growing flowers and vegetables in the small garden she routinely tends. There's something reinvigorating, she said, about the quiet, something centering about the "digging and toiling, planting and creating."
And while it may not be true in the literal sense, Kenney is a bit of gardener professionally, too, as she helps Fenner Precision polymers cultivate success, while finding ways to grow professionally alongside her colleagues.
Kenney serves as divisional vice president of research and development for the Pennsylvania-based rubber products maker. In her role, she is responsible for global R&D implementation and execution as well as product development and engineering initiatives.
And, honestly, Kenney can't imagine being anywhere else. Her role, after all, combines her passion for science and math with her deeply rooted manufacturing background, allowing her to thrive and cultivate growth for the company.
"It is such a dynamic environment here," Kenney told Rubber News, noting that Fenner has three distinct product families in high-tech coated fabrics, industrial motion, and air and fluid handling. "The diversity over the product lines, the chemistries and the innovation that is required is so interesting. There is never a dull moment here."
It's also no coincidence that she has found her home in the manufacturing sector. She did, after all, grow up in a manufacturing environment.
Quite literally, in fact.
"I literally grew up in a plant," Kenney said. "In my small town in Western Pennsylvania my house was inside of a manufacturing facility, and my father was a plant manager there. It was very unique in Western Pennsylvania."
And there's something else to be said about that Midwest, blue collar upbringing and the values it instilled.
"We were raised to be honest, work hard and deliver on your commitments," she said.
She's learned to listen, too.
See, among Kenney's greatest strengths is her ability to listen and clearly communicate with customers and colleagues as she helps navigate and problem-solve the day-to-day challenges.
"As a peer of Mary-Angela on the executive team at Fenner and vice president, she and I visit our largest and most complex customers on a regular basis," Fenner Vice President Rick Williams wrote when nominating Kenney for the Women Breaking the Mold recognition. "Her ability to understand the market, engage directly with customers on their needs and share insights that mutually benefit Fenner and our customers/partners make her a pleasure to work with. … (She is) tremendously valuable to our business.
"It's very common for Mary-Angela to be the only female in the room at these high pressure and senior meetings," Williams said. "She doesn't hesitate for an instant. In fact, one of the things I admire about Mary-Angela is how she does not let any circumstance or environment we operate in affect her pursuit of excellence."
One of the keys to all of that success, Kenney said, is collaboration. It's rare to find her facing a challenge all on her own.
"I have always been a type of person that is a very big collaborator," Kenney said. "I am not one to tackle a problem by myself."
That collaborative approach has led to numerous successes such as the introduction of new products, development of advanced technology and even greater collaboration, this time with universities and other partners.
"I feel that no matter where you are in your career, I am always wanting to learn and grow and do that through, in my work," Kenney said. " … My mind has always been toward process improvement, I am always looking for better ways to do things. That has been at the fore for me, continuous improvement. How we get more efficient? How do we get better at what we do? And I think that is another opportunity for learning and growth as well."
Years with company: 8
Years in rubber industry: 8