Buterbaugh's advice to women: Find what you love, seek out mentors

LANSDALE, Pa.—Magen Buterbaugh broke an extremely old glass ceiling on Jan 3. when she became the first female president and CEO in the more than 150-year history of Greene Tweed & Co.

And she has some simple advice for women who are looking to climb the corporate ladder in traditionally male-dominated industries, as is the case at Lansdale-based Greene Tweed.

"My advice to women would be do what you're passionate about," she said. "I've been passionate about chemicals and materials since I came into the engineering space. And I find when you're passionate about what you're doing you can accomplish all things."

It's also vital for females to think about it in "terms of being the best you can be," she said. "Work hard. Make sure you have great mentors, great sponsors and never say no to a great opportunity."

Buterbaugh has had great mentors, both males and females. Two, however, stood out. Early in her career, she had a mentor and sponsor who would go on to be a DuPont president. "Then, over time, I developed a very strong relationship with another female director who is now retired. There were others, but those two were the most notable."

They gave her different perspectives. She has said that she has been supported, challenged and provided opportunities by both men and women since then.

"For me it was important to have both perspectives in my life," Buterbaugh said. "I think that's also a key to success, having people provide you direct and honest feedback, and direction about what you see, which you may not see without that guidance."

To pay it forward, the new Greene Tweed CEO has provided extensive mentoring to both males and females. At one point during her time at DuPont, she said she was mentoring more than 20 new staffers, mostly young engineers.

"I've always looked at making sure I do the same for those who are coming up the ranks as I felt was done for me in terms of mentoring, sponsorship and providing feedback," Buterbaugh said. "I feel like that's a key part of my role, and I've really enjoyed it."

She went through the Women Unlimited program to develop female leaders about 15 years ago. It's a yearlong program where participants learn how to climb the ladder, network and get sponsorships.

"They provide you with a formal mentor as a part of that program. That mentor is actually still very close to me," Buterbaugh said. "I went back and actively mentored in that program as well. I've done formal and informal mentoring. I feel it's a big part of what I love to do, but also I feel that desire to give back."

Industry initiatives that have become more common to promote the females active in a given industry sector also are important, she said, because it spotlights that women play a part in the industry.

"Whether you have young engineers or young professionals, they can see representation by women," Buterbaugh said. "It's like the same way that everyone in terms of diversity and inclusion looks for somebody who looks like them, so that they can see that other women in this case can be successful.

"I think we play a role in encouraging the development," she said. "I think it's important for us to really focus on helping other women get to higher levels of the organization."