Beth Buckmaster, Director of Client and Stakeholder Relations at Hatch
Determined, passionate, and humble - Beth Buckmaster is the embodiment of an admirable leader. Beth, Director of Client and Stakeholder Relations at Hatch, is an expert at relationship building. In a recent interview with WiRE, she shed light on her incredible career journey, her passion for the renewable energy space, and provided invaluable advice on overcoming obstacles, both externally and within ourselves.
A Non-Linear Career Journey
Beth’s career at Hatch spans over a decade, involving unexpected opportunities that have shaped her into the vibrant leader she is today. A key part of her career, Beth says, has been shaped by reflecting on what excites her, and then exploring opportunities to get more involved within those areas of interest. Shortly after joining Hatch, Beth realized that her passion lay in communications, marketing, and branding, more specifically the messaging of ideas, policies, and capabilities. This led to her transition into a role supporting the Managing Director of Power. Although initially hesitant about the change, this decision would prove transformative. Her critical role in spearheading Hatch’s first large-scale nuclear proposal not only showcased her incredible talents, but also opened the door to the world of client relations – where her true passion thrived.
In recognition of Beth’s unique skill set and value to the organization, she was entrusted with creating her own role in Client and Stakeholder Relations. Throughout her Client Relations journey, she has found herself at the forefront of meaningful discussion, fostering deep relationships with critical stakeholders from all sectors, from community partners to government bodies.
In her current role as Director of Client and Stakeholder Relations, Beth serves as a bridge between internal technical teams and executives at Hatch and external stakeholders, driving collaboration efforts and moving strategic initiatives forward. Her day-to-day is never mundane, each day bringing with it dynamic opportunities to solve complex challenges and make meaningful connections.
Building Strong Relationships
From attending conferences and joining committees to sitting on influential boards in the energy space, Beth’s outgoing personality and sincere approach have empowered her success in creating long-lasting partnerships and serving as a trusted advisor to critical stakeholders within the energy sector. More recently, Beth's focus has shifted towards emerging markets, particularly in the hydrogen sector. Embracing the rapid evolution of this dynamic landscape, she immersed herself in the field, leveraging her relationship-building expertise to drive industry-wide collaboration.
When asked about her approach to relationship building, Beth stressed the importance of genuine curiosity and open listening. She really tries to understand the view of others, and advocates for their needs internally at Hatch. By approaching her client conversations in this authentic manner, Beth has been able to build deep relationships within her space. A testament to her success, she was recently elected as Vice Chair and incoming Chair of the Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association – an impressive milestone!
Navigating Leadership Roles
Navigating a leadership role as a woman within the traditionally male-dominated power sector comes with its own challenges and opportunities. In our candid discussion, Beth discussed times where she was mistaken as supporting staff or asked to take notes during important meetings. When asked to provide advice to women finding themselves in similar situations, Beth encouraged them to believe in themselves. “Don’t be intimidated to walk into that room,” Beth says, “No one in there has all the answers. They have their own unique viewpoints, but so do you.”
She encourages women that are in the early stages of their careers to have confidence in their abilities, and to embrace the opportunity to learn from those who may have more experience in differing areas. “You are there for a reason. You have something to contribute.”
Beth further discussed the strategies she employs at Hatch to promote gender diversity. These include gender diverse hiring practices that ensure female applicants are a part of the candidate pool, encouraging allyship from male colleagues, and recognizing and supporting the accomplishments of women at Hatch.
In a full circle moment, Beth discussed the original proposal she had worked on that opened the door for her career in client relations. As it turns out, she had worked closely with a female partner who later gave a glowing recommendation to Beth’s manager at the time. This feedback was instrumental in the company’s decision for Beth to craft her original role in Client and Stakeholder Relations. Now in a leadership role, Beth acts similarly, always open to providing feedback, recommendations, or advice to women starting their careers in the industry.
Beth’s career journey stands as proof that an open mind and genuine curiosity can serve as critical building blocks to an incredibly fulfilling career. Her infectious positivity and desire to drive meaningful change have earned her a place as a trusted advisor to all stakeholder groups she works with. She serves as an inspiration to young women interested in the power sector, and her continuous empowerment of women contributes to ensuring that gender be no obstacle to their success.
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