How do you build a career that keeps evolving as fast as the industry you’re in?

In this powerful episode, we meet Brenna Huovie, a chemical engineer turned global business leader whose 30+ year career spans Exxon, Honeywell UOP and now Lubrizol. From refinery floors to corporate boardrooms, Brenna has reinvented herself multiple times while staying rooted in science, curiosity and a genuine desire to help others grow.

She opens up about introversion, self-awareness, diversity advocacy, and navigating a business landscape that’s moving faster, and messier, than ever before. A brilliant conversation with a brilliant leader.

Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Chemistry meets purpose

A high-school chemistry teacher sparked Brenna’s lifelong fascination with solving big, real-world energy problems.

2️⃣ Careers are built through reinvention

Refinery operations → catalyst performance → strategy & commercial leadership → additives VP. Every transition expanded her impact.

3️⃣ An introvert’s guide to leading loudly

Brenna trained herself to perform confidently onstage , proving introverts can be exceptional communicators and keynote presenters.

4️⃣ Letting go to help others grow

Delegation wasn’t natural, but becoming a leader meant moving from doing the work to empowering the people.

5️⃣ Communication is a technical skill

The best technical sellers and innovators are those who ask questions, listen deeply and translate complexity into clarity.

6️⃣ Advocating for women in energy

Brenna has long supported women’s networks that help build confidence, capability and belonging in male-dominated sectors.

7️⃣ Leadership in chaos

Today’s volatility requires leaders who pause, think critically, and choose the signal over the noise.

8️⃣ Humans + technology = the win

AI only works when paired with human skills: creativity, judgment, and narrative. That’s where new value emerges.

Why Listen?

If you’ve ever questioned your next move, struggled with confidence, or wondered how to lead without losing your true self, this episode delivers reassurance and clarity from someone who’s lived it.

A must-listen for:

• Future leaders

• Women in STEM

• Technologists growing commercial influence

• Anyone navigating fast-moving change

Connect With Brenna

LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennahuovie/

Lubrizol - https://www.lubrizol.com/solutions/technologies/lubricant-and-fuel-additives