Merrion Edwards never wanted to be a physicist. Her dad, also a physicist, was a staunch believer in studying science and persuaded her to do just that. But Merrion would have rather pursued international business and languages.
“I remember being quite put out at the time,” said Merrion, EMEA Business Director, who eventually attained a PhD and became a photonics and optical communications research scientist.
However, her original plans came through, and with the best of both worlds. She now has an international business role for Corning in EMEA, but leverages her optical communications expertise daily to steer business strategy as she travels from site to site.
“My father was actually right,” Merrion says. “What I thought would be a major setback in my goals was actually a major step forward at that point in time.”
Her technical background built a bridge between the research side of Corning and the business side, she says. She learned that expertise in both scientific and commercial audiences works to her advantage – and Corning’s.
“I can speak both languages,” Merrion said. “People will see me in Science & Technology meetings talking deep technology and assume I'm a scientist or a research scientist, not a business leader.”
Merrion has had roles in market development, marketing, sales, and product line and program management. Her biggest challenges have been developing new markets, starting from the ground up in areas like India, the Middle East, and Africa. She’s increased brand awareness, transforming Corning’s reputation as a dishware producer into one as a telecommunications leader that connects people around the world.
Merrion says she thrives in ambiguity; creating something significant from scratch.
“I get information from multiple different sources, connect the dots, and figure out the opportunity,” Merrion says. “Then I bring the A-team together around that vision and then drive that team around the growth opportunity for Corning.”
She’s been doing this for 30 years. Merrion started working for Corning in 1995, when her life looked a lot different. Today, she’s mastering business deals for Corning in EMEA and windsurfing in her spare time (she’s a not-so-casual athlete who chases adrenaline). But when she began, she was a new mom navigating work and her children’s health issues. She learned that advocating for herself early on would lead to a balanced personal and professional life.
“I always describe myself as having two careers,” Merrion says. “One as a commercially astute scientist and the other as a parent.”
With three children under 5 years old, Merrion found flexibility working part time at Corning. Back then, flexible work and part-time corporate jobs were uncommon, but Merrion saw value in dedicating time to her children while navigating her career at her own pace. Corning’s adaptability earned her loyalty early on.
“Corning went out of its way to make that possible for me,” Merrion said. “Why wouldn’t I stay for 30 years?” she says.
Merrion now communicates her lessons learned to others, lifting up women in the Business and Technology Communities and mentoring them through their careers.
“A career is a marathon, not a sprint,” she says. “It doesn't matter whether you're a mother parent or a father parent, you can't have it all, right? Things have to flex, and things have to give, and so just accept that as you go through phases in your life.”
And who knows that better than a physicist who’s also a business maven, mom, and mentor?
