Leading with Values: Rachel McGrath on Her Path to CEO

At Women of Flexo, our goal is to spotlight the stories, insights, and journeys of women who are shaping the future of the flexographic printing industry. Our recent feature, “My Journey to Leadership,” highlights the inspiring path of Rachel McGrath, CEO of Tower Products, who shared a candid look at her path to the C-suite, the challenges of leading through change, and the values that guide her leadership.

In her talk, McGrath reflects on her career path and the experiences that shaped her rise to CEO in an industry often dominated by men. From a mechanical engineer in oil and gas, to serving as a facilities engineering manager, to innovation consulting, she emphasizes that leadership is not defined by titles but by character, sharing how empathy, resilience, and integrity have guided her along the way. 

Her leadership philosophy starts with people and values. She describes her team as “competent, joyful doers” who adapt together as the industry evolves. It is how she aligns decisions, sets expectations, and keeps the company moving in a clear direction.

Rachel framed her talk around three current challenges that many leaders will recognize:

• Redefining the CEO role in a small company
• Designing for current preferences and future needs
• Setting high and realistic standards with frequent feedback

Across all three themes, Rachel noticed a common thread: each challenge required her to confront fear of perception. She is candid about the challenges she faced, including moments of doubt and the pressures of leadership, and describes how leaning on her values gave her the confidence to persevere. For McGrath, leadership is not about climbing the ladder alone but about creating opportunities for others, supporting colleagues, and cultivating a culture where people can thrive together.

Her message to women in flexography is one of encouragement: to recognize the unique strengths they bring, such as collaboration, empathy, and fresh perspectives, and to support one another in building visibility and influence. McGrath’s journey illustrates that true leadership is an ongoing process of growth, authenticity, and service to others. By staying rooted in her values while leading with compassion and confidence, she sets an example for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in their work and community. Stories like Rachel’s are at the heart of Women of Flexo’s mission—to inspire, connect, and empower women across the industry.

To hear her full story firsthand, watch the video here.