Amy Schumacher is the chief executive officer of The Heritage Group, overseeing the company’s portfolio of more than 30 businesses and 5,000 employees. Amy has been part of The Heritage Group family of businesses for over 13 years. In 2008, she founded Monument Chemical, the group’s specialty chemicals business, and served as president and CEO for eight years, marking the fourth generation of Fehsenfeld family leadership.
She graduated from Purdue University with a BA in Education and BS in Civil Engineering and received her MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She serves on the boards of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, and Calumet Specialty Products, and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
In this conversation with Dave Young, the Global Leader of the BCG Henderson Institute’s Center for Climate & Sustainability, Amy shares how this fourth-generation family business blends innovation, sustainability, and values-driven leadership to build enduring success. She describes the company’s journey from its beginnings during the Great Depression to becoming a diversified enterprise with over 50 companies, emphasizing the power of sustainability as a competitive advantage. They delve into transformative projects like building North America’s largest lithium-ion battery recycling operation and a runway project that showcases groundbreaking sustainable practices. Amy’s insights on fostering collaboration, empowering people, and maintaining a long-term perspective highlight The Heritage Group’s unique approach to creating businesses that tackle hard problems and leave a lasting legacy.