BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions Celebrates Mother’s Day with Lisa Forrester: Leading with Heart at Home and at Work

As the Global Head of Quality Services at BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS), Lisa Forrester leads with precision, purpose, and a strong sense of accountability — but her most cherished role is mom. This Mother’s Day, Lisa shares how her experience raising three children has shaped her approach to leadership, balance, and connection.

A Full House and Full Heart

Lisa and her husband, Derek, have built a life full of joy, laughter, and a whole lot of Nerf battles. Married for 26 years, they’ve raised three children: Kayla, a third-grade teacher finishing her first year at Liberty Elementary; Shane, who just graduated from Sam Houston State University; and Marissa, who recently wrapped up her first year of college.

“Our goal was always to make our kids part of every part of our life,” Lisa said. “We made memories at home and away – from Nerf wars to summer vacations across the U.S.”

Even as her kids have grown up, those bonds have only deepened. “I’ve loved every stage, but I think having adult children is my favorite,” Lisa reflects. “My relationship with them has gone from parent to friend. We’ve done the hard work of parenting, and now we get to enjoy the friendship.”

Finding Her Balance

Lisa is candid about the challenges she faced early in her career. “I felt like I had to work until the work was done, which often meant not enough time for my family,” she said. “When Marissa was born, I made a decision: I could be a professional and a mom. That mindset shift helped me draw clearer boundaries.”

Now, as an empty nester, Lisa still works to maintain balance. 

“There are still times when one side needs more of me, but most days I keep it right where it needs to be,” she said.

From Parenting to Leadership

One of the lessons Lisa and Derek instilled in their kids early on was simple but powerful: own it.

“When they were little, this meant ‘owning’ who passed gas in the car,” she said. “As they got older, it meant owning grades or choices. Taking responsibility and owning decisions and actions are core to my leadership today. ”

Lisa’s leadership style mirrors the trust, care, and courage she nurtured at home. “With my team, just like with my kids, I want them to know I care. That we can talk about hard things and still be invested in the relationship.”

She also believes in sharing her whole self, not separating work and home, but allowing each

to inform the other. “My kids know what I do. And if you know me at work, you know I love to talk about my family,” she said. “I want to know about my team’s lives outside of work too.”

A Legacy of Love

Lisa says her proudest accomplishment is simple but meaningful: “All three of my kids love to spend time with me — and so do their friends.”

To other working moms, she offered this advice: “Find two sets of moms who can support you: one ahead of you and one walking beside you. Learn from them, lean on them, and share the journey. I used to spend Sundays with my best friend, cooking meals while our kids played around us. What a difference this made for everyone.”

Lisa’s children describe her as dependable. Someone who gives her all, whether at home or at work. And if you ask them what she actually does during the day? “They know I’m responsible for quality, spend a lot of my time in meetings, and that our company uses a lot of acronyms,” she said.

This Mother’s Day, BASF ECMS celebrates Lisa and all the working manufacturing moms who bring their strength, empathy, and wisdom into everything they do — at home, at work, and everywhere in between.