Jessica Quearry
CFO
Suffolk Sales & Service Corporation
In this month’s Women in Chemicals member spotlight, we’re proud to feature Jessica Quearry, CFO of Suffolk Sales & Service Corporation and the Finance Chair for Women in Chemicals. Jessica’s path to leadership blends Big 4 experience, deep-rooted family legacy, and a people-first approach to navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her story reflects resilience, intentionality, and the power of leading with empathy.
From Public Accounting to Family Legacy: Jessica began her career in public accounting at KPMG, where she built a strong foundation in project management, organization, and client service. After a decade in the profession, she reassessed her priorities as a mother of young children and made the decision to return to her family’s chemical business.
Her family’s connection to the industry dates back to 1939, and today, Jessica and her cousins represent the next generation of leadership, including the first women to take active leadership roles. For Jessica, continuing this legacy is both personal and purposeful, offering a powerful example for her daughters.
Carrying Big 4 Skills Into a Leadership Role: The skills Jessica gained in public accounting still guide her approach today. She is intentional about understanding the big picture while never losing sight of the details. Whether mapping out complex financial workflows or preparing leadership presentations, she focuses on clarity, stakeholder needs, and cross-functional alignment. Jessica is a firm believer that finance works best when every part of the organization communicates openly. This enables her team to price effectively, manage costs, and make the right decisions for long-term profitability.
Leading Through High-Pressure Moments: During the height of COVID lockdowns, Jessica managed a major business transaction while also balancing life at home with two young daughters. Without outside consultants, she relied on her technical training to prepare financial materials and keep the process moving. She credits firm boundaries, open communication with her husband, and prioritizing self-care with helping her stay grounded. Weekly check-ins with her family helped distribute responsibilities and create space for both career and personal commitments.
Empathy as a Leadership Advantage: Jessica’s leadership approach centers on empathy. One of her mentors encouraged her to always consider the perspective of the person she’s speaking to, and she applies this daily. She strives to understand what motivates different team members and adapts her communication style accordingly while staying true to who she is. Her genuine interest in supporting others and breaking challenges into manageable steps has proven essential as she navigates both company leadership and family dynamics within the business.
Building Community in a Male-Dominated Industry: Transitioning from a large organization with established women’s networks to a smaller, male-dominated company was initially a culture shock. This shift made the external community even more meaningful. Jessica values the Women in Chemicals network for the support, connection, and sense of belonging it provides and she is passionate about giving back to the organization that helped her find her footing.
Advice for the Women in Chemicals Community: Jessica encourages others to embrace continued learning and self-reflection. She recommends journaling as a tool for clarity and personal growth, and notes that resources like the book Alchemy have helped guide her mindset and approach to leadership.
This episode was sponsored by:
