Purkiss is also the chairperson for the NFI Salmon Council, which has the purpose to communicate salmon's healthy, fresh and high-quality attributes to primary target audiences. Her prime ambition is to increase the consumption of salmon in the United States.
She also serves on the Seafood Nutrition Partnership’s Public Health Campaign Committee.
IntraFish: How did you begin working in the seafood industry?
LP: I was living in Maine, renovating an old farmhouse and decided I needed to get out of the house and meet some people so I applied for a part-time seasonal position with Ducktrap. I had owned my own business for seven plus years and wasn’t even sure I would want to work for someone else. Thirteen years later I am still with the same organization.
IF: What attracted you about the seafood industry?
LP: I am a Pisces, I love the ocean and I like to eat healthy so it has been a natural fit.
IF: What obstacles have you faced in your career a man might not have encountered?
LP: I don’t know if I have faced any that a man wouldn’t face.
IF: Would you encourage other women to seek a career in this industry? Why?
LP: I encourage everyone to seek a career in what they are passionate about. Seafood is a great industry. We are lucky to work with a healthy product that is fun to promote. There are going to be challenges in every industry so it is important to do something you love.
IF: What advice would you give aspiring female seafood executives?
LP: First, I suggest for people to read Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. My advice based on personal experience would be the same for men and women. Have goals! I always have a vision of where I want to be in the next five years and I work hard to get there.
I look for opportunities that may help me achieve my goals. I ask to be involved; I never assume that someone is going to come ask me to be a part of a team. If you say you are going to do something, do it!
It is also very important to know what you are talking about. If you are not sure of the answer that is okay it is better to come back with an answer later than to give the wrong one and leave a bad impression. If you run into a problem always try to think of a few solutions. If you are asking to do something outside of the norm, have good reasons why to back up your project. In general, be prepared.
IF: What are the biggest challenges facing female seafood executives in the industry?
LP: This may be more of an observation than a challenge but it would be nice to have more women in executive meetings. I remember my dad told me years ago that when he started his career it was all white men in every meeting by the time he retired that had changed and there were men and women of every race sitting around the conference room table.
It seems seafood is a little behind the rest of the corporate world and it will be nice when we catch up.
IF: How can the industry recruit more women into the sector?
LP: Get out to the colleges and make women aware of the opportunities in seafood. I bought fish, I ordered it in restaurants but I never thought about all the career opportunities behind the seafood I was eating. If I hadn’t seen an ad in the local Belfast, Maine newspaper I still wouldn’t.
IF: Why are there so few women in executive roles in seafood?
LP: That is a big question. My guess would be not enough women tell their current bosses or HR departments that they want the job. It always seems to me men voice what they want more than women do. If you are interested in moving up the ladder you need to make sure people know.
I also read in a book that the corporate ladder now is more like a jungle gym. You need to be willing to move down or make a lateral move in order to eventually move to the top.
IF: If there were one thing you could change about the industry to make it a better place for women workers, what would it be?
LP: I think this answer is a change for some people but status quo for others. I would encourage all men and women to support each other to reach their goals. If everyone truly wants what is best for the industry and their colleagues then we should naturally see more women in executive positions.
IF: What was the dumbest advice a man in the seafood industry has ever given you?
LP: I have been very lucky in two ways. First: My family, they are all very smart so when I need advice I tend to go to my family first. Second: The people I work with have all been very supportive. Along the way I only gravitated towards people who wanted me to be successful. When you surround yourself with the right people you don’t get dumb advice and if you do you can call them out on it mid-sentence.
