Linda Armitage
North America Business and Product Manager
Arkema
In the ever-evolving world of chemicals, adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to embrace challenges are key to success. Linda Armitage, North America Business and Product Manager at Arkema, has built an impressive 17-year career within the same company by embodying these qualities. From her early days as a chemical engineer to her transition into commercial leadership, Linda’s journey is an inspiring testament to growth, perseverance, and the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
Resilience and Adaptability: Growing up in a military family, Linda learned early on how to navigate change and uncertainty. Moving frequently and adjusting to new environments instilled in her a strong sense of adaptability and the ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. These experiences, along with a deep-seated work ethic and discipline, became the foundation of her professional success. It also taught her to have—and eventually love—having a plan and schedule, reinforcing her dedication to hard work and structure in both her personal and professional life.
Building a Career at One Company: In today’s fast-paced job market, staying with one company for nearly two decades is rare. Linda, however, has thrived at Arkema by continuously seeking new challenges and opportunities. She has transitioned across roles every two to three years, gaining experience in production engineering, sales, and business management. Her growth was fueled by open conversations with mentors and managers, a proactive approach to career development, and Arkema’s strong commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Embracing Discomfort: At a pivotal moment in her career, Linda faced uncertainty when considering a shift into sales. Encouraged by Arkema and her mentors to take the path that challenged her the most, she stepped outside her comfort zone—a decision that ultimately transformed her career. Ultimately, she reflected that sometimes Arkema had more confidence in her than she had in herself. Though the transition was daunting, it opened new opportunities and strengthened her leadership skills. She now encourages others to embrace challenges, take risks, and trust in their abilities, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Balancing Career and Motherhood: As a working mother of two young daughters, Linda understands the delicate balance between career and family. With a husband who also works full-time, she relies on a strong support system to manage both worlds. Despite a demanding travel schedule, she prioritizes being present for her daughters, reinforcing values of confidence, inclusion, and kindness. She encourages them to speak up, welcome new friends, and embrace the power of kindness—values that extend beyond the home into her professional life.
Advice for Women in Chemicals: Linda’s advice for women in the industry is simple yet powerful: be curious, step outside your comfort zone, and take ownership of your career. She emphasizes the importance of seeking advocates who will support and champion your growth. She also recommends the podcast 9 to 5ish with theSkimm, which provides work advice for women navigating professional challenges from women who’ve been there.
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