Lakisha Miller-Barclay: “I am honoured to be in this seat and do not take the importance of this Division lightly.”

Women in Plastics interviewed Lakisha Miller-Barclay, Executive Director & CEO at Rubber Division, American Chemical Society (ACS). Being a young wife and mother at the age of 19, Lakisha often had to put her education and career advancement second to her family. Find out how she figured it out and kept pressing forward and how she coped with 2020, a year full of firsts, pivots, headaches and heartaches.  

Q: How did your career path lead to Rubber Division, ACS?

After completing one year at The University of Akron, I joined the Air Force where I worked on A10 Jet computer parts. I returned to UA and pursued my first degree in Cisco computers and networking and computer programming. After many years, I returned and completed my bachelor’s degree in accounting. During my earlier years as a young wife and mother, I worked for many different types of businesses, including government, large and small companies, and nonprofits. Those varied experiences helped me learn to adapt quickly. I began with the Division in 2007 as the accounting manager and quickly began to acquire more responsibility because of my background in computers and programming. Over my tenure, I was able to step in for the previous CEO on several occasions. This was a great opportunity for me as I was able to prove not only to myself but others that I was able to be successful in this position.

Q: What does a typical day consist of as an Executive Director and CEO at Rubber Division, ACS?

A typical day consists of meeting with my team members about our programs and services, including education, contracting for meetings and events, working with my Executive Committee on strategic planning and building relationships with those in the industry. Like so many of you, I am in constant virtual meetings as my calendar has remained very full throughout this first year. My primary focus this first year has been to meet as many industry leaders and members as possible and learn from them – what they need and how Rubber Division, ACS can help deliver that.

Q: Have you noticed a gender divide in the plastics and rubber industry?

My first visual clue to the gender divide was at the 2007 International Elastomer Conference in Cleveland. I had only been with the Division for less than three months and had been very much behind the scenes as the accounting manager at that time. I remember that I could almost count on only two hands the number of women that I met during that first year. The gender divide was blatantly obvious to anyone who was looking. I know that things continue to evolve each year and that is evident in the election of now two female Division Chairs, as well as two Directors’ Representatives.  

Q: What sort of year has 2020 been - for you and Rubber Division, ACS?

2020 will be remembered in several ways by myself and the Division. It was a year full of firsts, pivots, headaches and heartaches. There were times when it felt several years long! However, I am so proud of my team and our Executive Committee for being proactive in making a lot of tough decisions to keep our industry safe. Not hosting the International Elastomer Conference was a very difficult decision; however, we knew it was best for all involved. My team was able to come up with great ideas to quickly pivot and execute successful technical and educational symposiums despite having fewer than 90 days to do so. 2020 was the year that we proved our resilience.

Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment in your career so far?

Being selected to head the Division as Executive Director & CEO is a huge accomplishment for me. The trust of my board and team to be an effective leader is very important to me. The Division was founded in 1909 at a time when women and minorities could only dream of heading associations and effecting change. I am honoured to be in this seat and do not take the importance of this Division lightly.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career so far?

Being a young wife and mother at the age of 19, I often had to put my education and career advancement second to my family. I do not regret those decisions at all. However, at that time it was very daunting to balance college, soccer practice, helping kids with homework and dinner! Like so many others, I figured it out and kept pressing forward. I was very fortunate to find the Division where there is a great work-life balance.

Q: What is the best advice you have been given?

Listen before you speak. We humans tend to want to get our point across and talk over each other. I am a first-born daughter, and it is in my nature to do things first. I remind myself often that an effective leader must listen before making decisions or providing input. I just finished a great article about when to provide feedback to others. The main point of the article was to not say a word until you have heard the situation in entirety. Secondly, do not provide advice or feedback until you clarified the perceived issue. Often, we jump right in with advice or critiques without even knowing the entire situation.

Q: What advice would you give to women and men wanting to get into the industry? 

Get a mentor who can help guide you through all the possibilities in this industry. Once you have explored the different facets and get into a company that you think you would like to grow in, find yourself an advocate. There is often confusion about the difference between these two people. They can be the same person but do not have to be. Your advocate will speak up for you and help you advance in your career. Your advocate will help create opportunities for you when possible. Your mentor will help you think through your next move or change.

Q: What are your hopes for 2021? Do you have any upcoming projects?

My hope for 2021 is that we transition to a new safe and healthy normal that allows us to meet in person again. Virtual meetings can accomplish a lot and save money; however, they will never replace the relationship building and connections that come from in-person meetings and events. My team and I are already working on our Spring Technical Meeting and the International Elastomer Conference.

Q: How important do you feel female role models are to the younger generation and did you have one?

They are extremely important and cannot be underestimated. For a young woman to see a female leader could be the very thing that confirms in her mind and heart that she is capable and able to aspire to that same position. Young girls and women need to know that there are endless possibilities in our industry and they can achieve any and all of them.

Q: Do you feel there is enough information/opportunities for the next generation to be encouraged to have a career in your line of work?

I believe that there is a lot of information and opportunities available, but we need more. There has been a huge push for STEM related focus across education; however, we need to do a better job at communicating the possibilities about the rubber industry specifically. Many people still see rubber as dirty work and only think of making tires and getting covered in carbon black. Our goal and mission is to ensure that they are aware of the plethora of career choices that vary from hands-on training to PhD professors. That is why the Experience Elastomers program during IEC has been so important. We bring in local high school students and conduct experiments onsite with them.