When Kathy Willard applied to RYAM, she thought she knew exactly what she was looking for. What she didn’t expect was that a recruiter’s suggestion would lead her to a role she hadn’t considered—and one she now calls “the best role I never knew I wanted.”
Kathy initially applied for a Chemical Buyer position she spotted on LinkedIn. During the recruitment process, RYAM recruiter Katie Jones recognized her potential beyond the original role and introduced her to a Capex position supporting the Fernandina Mill. That conversation marked the start of a new chapter.
Today, Kathy serves as Senior Sourcing Commodity Lead, Capex. While the title is the same role she accepted when she joined RYAM, the scope, responsibility, and impact have grown significantly. Prior to RYAM, her background was primarily in chemical sourcing. Transitioning into Capex meant learning a new side of the business and gaining exposure to an entirely different industry.
With the support of her manager, who took a chance on her and invested in her development, Kathy steadily built her Capex expertise. A combination of formal training, hands-on experience, and mentorship allowed her to expand her knowledge and better support both her sourcing team and the Fernandina Mill.
Collaboration has been one of Kathy’s most important areas of growth. Building strong relationships, knowing when to ask questions, and learning how to lean on her team have all contributed to her success. “Being confident in communicating openly made a huge difference,” she says.
RYAM reinforced that growth through SAP training, a structured mentorship program, Skills Dynamics and access to tools and resources that support best-practice sourcing. Stretch assignments—while challenging—played a critical role in strengthening Kathy’s problem-solving skills and deepening her understanding of Capex sourcing.
Kathy measures her growth by the level of impact she’s now able to deliver. Continuous learning and mentorship have transformed how she approaches her role and the value she brings to the business.
For colleagues looking to grow at RYAM, Kathy offers simple advice: lean in. “Lean into the process, the training, and the resources available. RYAM truly values employee success, and that shows in the investment it makes in its people.”
