Major: Chemical Engineering
Originally from Brooklyn/ Massapequa, NY
Currently lives in Wilmette, IL
While at Clarkson, Spence was a member of the Society of Women Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Zeta Gamma Sigma (sorority), and she worked in the cafeteria and as an admissions tour guide. She began her career as a process engineer at Procter and Gamble in Staten Island, NY. In 1985, Spence received a master of engineering degree in chemical engineering from Manhattan College. From 1981 to 2015, Spence worked at the same company, which changed names from General Foods to Kraft Foods to Mondelēz International, and rose up to the executive level. She joined Kraft as a research engineer for Maxwell House coffee, and she retired from Mondelēz as Executive Vice President of Research, Development, and Quality. She holds three national and international patents for her development work. Since 2006, Spence has served on Clarkson’s Board of Trustees and is currently Vice Chair. She is married to Robert Spence, class of 1979, and they have two children, Daniel and Kerry.
In this interview clip, Spence discusses her decision to be on the management track after 10 years of work in process development and three patents to her name, as well as her decision to work as Director of Diversity in her company for three years, issues surrounding maternity leave, and risk-taking.