In our November Women In PHCP spotlight, we invite you to meet Amanda Keiber, director, marketing communications at Oatey Co.! 

PHCPPros: What is your role in the PHCP industry? 

Keiber: I have the privilege of working at Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer of plumbing products since 1916, where I lead our marketing communications efforts. This means I help connect Oatey with its end users — primarily tradespeople and DIYers — through digital marketing, social media, media relations, content marketing and more. 

PHCPPros: Why did you enter a career in the industry? 

Keiber: My career in PHCP began in 2020 when I joined Oatey Co. — and I had no idea how lucky I was at the time! Oatey was looking for someone with a communications skillset to help grow their marketing team, and I was up for the challenge. Almost four years later, I am so passionate about this industry and the talented tradespeople we serve with our products. 

PHCPPros: What are some of your career highlights? 

Keiber: The highlight of my career in PHCP has been the opportunity to build relationships with so many talented tradesmen and tradeswomen across North America. I have developed a true appreciation for the invaluable work they do, and I feel so grateful that I get to play some small role in the process of providing clean water to homes around the world. A big driver of this perspective for me has been launching, establishing and growing Oatey’s influencer relations and social media program — including our award-winning Ambassador Program and a range of other initiatives. I also helped launch The Fix, Oatey’s initiative to help spread the word about careers in the trades, and I am honored to help ensure the vitality of this industry for years to come.

PHCPPros: What are your experiences with women mentors or mentees?

Keiber: I am so fortunate to call Katherine Lehtinen, Oatey’s senior vice president of marketing, my mentor. Not only has she taught me countless things about our industry and field, but she has given me space to grow and learn as a professional, a person and a mother. I am so fortunate to know her, let alone call her a mentor.

I am proud to have multiple women on my team at Oatey, and within our extended marketing organization, who I have been able to help coach over the years. My guiding principle is always encouraging women to find space to be their authentic selves, while showing the many amazing things they are capable of in the workplace.  

PHCPPros: What advice would you give to women entering this industry?

Keiber: In any field — but especially one in which women are underrepresented — I would encourage all women to remember that there is room for all of us. As we continue to prove that we belong in this industry and in our jobs (because we do belong!), the most important thing we can do is to lift up our fellow women in PHCP, and extend the ladder behind us as well. We all know that we have to fight for our place at the table from time to time — let’s make sure it’s not each other we are fighting. 

PHCPPros: How can the industry better recruit and retain women? 

Keiber: The biggest barrier we face to having more women in PHCP is creating cultures — on the jobsite, at the office, and even in our families — where women are both told and shown that they belong in this field of work. From a young age, we need to portray women working with their hands, building our homes and maintaining our communities. Then, when grown women show up to do that work, we need to welcome them and treat them with that same spirit of inclusivity, and accept nothing less from those we work alongside. 

PHCPPros: What does it mean to receive this honor? 

Keiber: This industry has given me so much over the past several years, so it is truly an honor to be recognized as a part of it. The PHCP industry has given me the most meaningful opportunities of my career so far, and I look forward to many more to come.  

PHCPPros: Is there anything from your personal life you'd like to highlight?

Keiber: I am the proud mother of two young boys and wife to my generous and hilarious husband, Jason. A household with two working parents is a big, chaotic ship to steer, and I hope all my fellow working mothers out there know this: you are doing a great job.