This is not exactly where she originally pictured herself when attending Rose-Hulman. She figured she would settle into the healthcare business as a development engineer. But after about three years on the job, "I was getting a little lonely in the lab and was interested in the overall company and how decisions were made."

   So, Buxton and her husband, Rob (ME, 2001), decided to attend Harvard Business School's MBA program. "We sold our house, sold our car, quit our jobs, and moved," she reflects.

   Then, with MBAs in hand, the couple landed consulting jobs in Los Angeles.

   Buxton oversees the toy giant's annual strategic planning process, working with key executives to create a strategic plan. "I work with leadership to figure out how we will continue to drive shareholder value for the company," she says. "You have a lot of people who want money for different things. We have to figure out how to fund investments and prioritize them."

   The latest strategic plan was presented to the Mattel Board of Directors in September, and now leaders are operationalizing the plan. Buxton helps to oversee progress throughout the year, but she's already thinking about

   Buxton believes it's time for Rose-Hulman to take on the world in its strategic planning. She asks: "How can you get the Rose-Hulman name out and get more students from around the world to Rose-Hulman, and how can you get students a more global experience?"

   Closer to home, Buxton is making plans for family growth. She has one child approaching age 2, and a second due next spring. "That keeps us busy."