Women in Chemicals 2024 – Issue 2 – Annual Review 2023

Embrace inclusion to shape the change we’re striving for

We are the leading global distributor of chemicals and ingredients. We firmly believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion, and a work environment that is free from categories, where every woman can reach her true potential. At Brenntag, DE&I initiatives are not just a box to check and a trend to follow. We’re on target to achieve our goal of 30% of women in leadership roles by 2030. This is driven by our belief that a higher representation of women in leadership is crucial for shaping the future of our industry.

Embrace. Engage. Empower.

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WIC Co-Founders, Amelia Greene and Kylie Wittl,

Women in Chemicals

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The Director’s Cut

Think back with us to the chaos of the Texas Freeze and COVID-19 supply chain crisis in 2021. Trying times, right? In the midst of navigating the chemical industry in disarray, working towards our MBAs, and launching Women in Chemicals, our worlds felt overwhelming and heavy. But in those tough times, we got to hear the story of a special woman who has since influenced Women in Chemicals in a way we couldn’t have imagined then.

Christie Luna was nominated for Woman of the Week in May of 2021. The day of her interview, we were both having rough weeks trying to navigate all our various responsibilities. Little did we know, Christie’s story would be exactly what we needed to hear in that moment. She was an instant bright light to our tough week. Her insights and experiences provided a burst of positivity. It was a reminder that sharing our stories can be a

unexpected doors for you, too.

Storytelling isn’t just an ancient art; it’s the heartbeat of our shared humanity. We’ve been sharing stories for centuries, passing down wisdom, inspiration, and strength. Today, we want to dive into the transformative power of storytelling and urge each of you to share your journey unapologetically and vulnerably. Our Woman of the Week program is a testament to the potency of storytelling. Each week, we explore the remarkable journeys of women in the chemical industry. It’s a powerful form of storytelling that goes beyond accomplishments, revealing the challenges faced, victories celebrated, and lessons learned.

So, here’s our call to action to each of you: tell your story unapologetically and vulnerably. You never know who needs to hear parts of your journey or the profound impact your story could have. It’s not just about the challenges you’ve overcome or the successes you’ve celebrated; it’s about the authenticity and rawness that connect us all. As we gear up for our Annual Review, let’s turn the spotlight onto your stories. Your narratives

strength, resilience, and diversity within our community. Your story matters, and it has the potential to inspire, empower, and

So much still to do…

In just three years, Women in Chemicals has become the mouthpiece for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the chemical sector – but there’s plenty more planned for the future

Arapidly growing community of almost 2,900 women from over 500 companies across the globe, Women in Chemicals (WIC) has a mission: to create and identify opportunities to empower women in the chemical industry.

Its aim is to inspire and enthuse, support its network in its personal and professional development, and encourage young girls to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

WIC’s third Conversation with the Co-founders webinar took place in February 2024 and showcased some of the incredible achievements of this young organization and the momentum it is building.

Women in Chemicals was the brainchild of Amelia Greene, WIC’s Executive Director, and Kylie Wittl, Operations Director, and the recent hour-long webinar saw them reflect on the key milestones of 2023 and the growth of the community over the past few years.

“I feel like we're really making a difference, not just locally but globally,” said Greene. “There have been moments where I’ve had to take a step back and think ‘wow, we’re really touching people in all parts of the world’.”

The presentation started with some pretty impressive statistics since the organization’s inception: 70 Woman

I feel like we’re really making a difference, not just locally but globally Amelia Greene Executive Director, WIC

of the Week episodes, nine in-person events, eight panel discussions, and 18 webinars. There is plenty more to come too, emphasized Greene, with plans now well underway for WIC’s biggest ever meeting, the Women in Chemicals Conference 2024, which is taking place from September 9-11 in Houston, Texas (see page 24).

“The growth in interest and support from corporations in this industry for WIC is beyond our wildest beliefs in these three years,” said Wittl during the webinar. “We continue to try our very best to build more legitimacy into how we operate –and to see that legitimacy come through in the applications and interest of our

community continues to blow my mind.”

“While we operate solely to serve our membership, their needs, and their wants, we need such a solid foundation to do that,” she added. “Over the last three years, we've been such a grassroots organization that we've had to be very reactive at times in the very early stages of Women in Chemicals – but we continue to build such rigor and strength in our foundation, and I think we've really focused on that in the last few years.”

Reflecting on achievements

The past year, in particular, has had its fair share of milestones. In August 2023, around 120 women attended Women’s Development Day, an event co-hosted with the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) and the first full day WIC in-person meeting. Bringing everyone together for the first time and feeling all that energy in the room was a particularly special moment, Greene reflected.

A month later and BASF’s Prerna Chatterjee was named the first recipient of the Woman of the Year Award. The accolade, an extension of the popular Woman of the Week Podcasts that are being celebrated later in this publication, was introduced to recognize the enormous and long-lasting impact of some of the amazing women working in the chemical industry. The response was fantastic, with the 25 nominations

receiving more than 4,000 votes from the wider community.

“These women are doing it for no reason other than to make the world a better place – it’s very selfless. All of the things that they’re doing, it's not being done for recognition,” commented Greene. “I was really inspired by Prerna’s story – the work that she’s doing from an environmental standpoint, providing education for kids around sustainability, and mentoring as well.”

During the session, it was announced that Chatterjee would be attending the upcoming WIC Conference in September to co-interview this year's winner.

In October 2023, after around 18 months in development, the pilot for WIC’s new Mentorship Program was launched. The initial cohort is now halfway through the nine-month program.

In November, this very publication was launched. The first issue showcased the Women of the Year Award and discussed the challenges of achieving gender equality, the changing work culture, and the experiences of so many when overcoming bias on their career journey.

As the year drew to a close, the Women in Chemicals Leadership Team came together for a three-day offsite meeting to discuss accomplishments, priorities, and steps that need to be taken to help the organization grow. This had been the only chance to date for everyone to get together in one place and was hugely inspiring, with plenty of brainstorming and planning for the future.

“The growth of our Leadership Team directly mirrors the growth of our organization,” said Greene. “One of the most beautiful things about bringing these incredible women into the fold is that they've all brought their experiences from their careers, from their personal life, and individual skillsets – and are giving us better processes, better systems, and better ideas for how to do things.”

Looking ahead

The webinar then turned to the future, with the unveiling of WIC’s Roadmap for 2024 and beyond.

Among WIC’s immediate plans is to further develop its Careers in Chemicals Student’s Education and Awareness Program, using storytelling as a mechanism to make the industry more attractive to up-and-coming talent. Following the successful pilot last fall, the initiative aims to provide greater visibility to high school and college age girls who may not already have awareness of the chemical sector and the many opportunities it offers careerwise.

Contributors from the WIC community will deliver this important message to this young audience through one-hour virtual events, explaining the positive effects the industry has on our lives, and first-hand experiences of how WIC members started on their own career paths.

There is plenty planned in the coming

We continue to try our best to build more legitimacy into how we operate

Kylie Wittl Operations Director, WIC

years too. In 2025, besides the previously announced College Recruiting Program, there will be the launch of an Executive Network – a forum where those in senior roles can come together and share experiences and ideas.

This will be followed by the Global Ambassador Program – another idea that came directly from member feedback, which aims to give the membership dedicated chapters in their different geographies.

One of WIC’s core values, said Wittl, is to serve selflessly, not just for women in the chemicals industry but for all the communities that it touches through its work. The WICares Community Service Program will look to integrate aspects of community service in all upcoming events and programming, she added.

The final part of the current roadmap will be the Allies Engagement Program, penciled in for 2027. Recognizing just how important it is to engage with its male Allies, WIC wants to ensure they can play their part in spreading the organization’s message and supporting future growth and development.

Since it was founded, the organization has taken a grassroots approach to build a safe and trusted network of likeminded female professionals – blending close collaboration, commitment, and camaraderie.

As the Conversation with the Cofounders demonstrated, there are so many ideas and still so much more to do.

“We exist to fully serve our membership. That is why Women in Chemicals came to be,” said Wittl. “We felt there was a gap in the industry, and we want to make sure that we're doing our very best to service that.”

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Alisa Baily Imagery

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KEY MILESTONES

February 2021

First Virtual Mixer Pairing

First Woman of the Week episode

July 2021

First corporate sponsorship

August 2021

WIC receives 501 (c)(3) status Nomination and Seating of Advisory Boards

March 2022

Launch of membersonly online forum

August 2022

Leadership Team expansion begins

August 2023

Women’s Development Day

First WIC in-person full day event with programming

October 2023

Mentorship Program Pilot launch

October 2023

Spanish language programming launch

October 2023

First Careers in Chemicals program conducted

December 2020

Idea for Virtual Mixer Pairing is created and WIC ideation begins

May 2021

First generation female panel event

September 2021

WIC website launches

November 2021

First in-person event

May 2022

First Lunch & Learn

September 2022

Launch of Book Club

October 2022

Process for application and selection of new Advisory Board implemented

September 2023

Inaugural Membership Survey launch Leadership Team expansion continues

September 2023

First Woman of the Year award announced

November 2023

First WIC publication

First WIC Leadership Team Offsite

Celebrating our Women of the Week

Welcome to a celebration of the 2023 Women of the Week. Over the coming pages, we shine a spotlight on these amazing individuals and their respective interviews, which took place this past year. Each entry includes a snapshot of their inspirational conversations and a link to access the entire recording.

Thanks again to all those who participated and to everyone in our amazing Women in Chemicals community. Your continued support and inspiration are helping us get our voice heard, drive visibility, and empower others to thrive and succeed in the chemical industry.

Women of the Week

Date Woman of the Week Job role Company

Woman of the Year Prerna Chatterjee Senior Manager of Sustainability BASF

January 9, 2023

Mai Mai Wong Technical Service Manager Jungbunzlauer, Inc.

January 23, 2023 Dr. Akemi Ooka Head Of Global Supply Chain Resources Independent Beauty Association (IBA)

February 13, 2023 Blair Lamendola Plant Engineer Linde

February 27, 2023

March 13, 2023

March 27, 2023

April 10, 2023

April 23, 2023

May 14, 2023

May 28, 2023

June 12, 2023

June 25, 2023

July 9, 2023

July 24, 2023

August 14, 2023

August 28, 2023

September 10, 2023

October 8, 2023

October 23, 2023

November 13, 2023

November 27, 2023

December 4, 2023

December 17, 2023

Shana McCabe Vice President, Sales – Synthesis Solutions Barentz

Christine Grybos Director Product Management, General Chemicals Brenntag

Angie Schewe Vice President – Industrial Segment Valudor Products, LLC

Emily Friedman Senior Editor – Recycled Plastics ICIS

Erin Sedlak Sustainability Manager Brenntag

Claire McGahan Account Executive Stepan Company

Sandra Wisniewski President W.R. Grace

Agatha Maduwaye Account Manager – Home Care And I&I BASF

Heather Hall Account Manager Harcros Chemicals

Caitlin Molloy VP Of Manufacturing Solugen

Dr. Ferleshare Starks Senior Manager of STEM Education Chemical Educational Foundation

Terri MacLachlan Manager Of The Skincare Team In Research & Development Amway

Vanessa Sutherland EVP Government Affairs, GC & Corporate Secretary Phillips 66

Katarzyna Jankowska Talent & Diversity Manager – Europe Industries Air Liquide

Jordan Riddle Operations Engineer BASF

Jennifer Oates Business Development Mission Chemical

Claire O’Leary Owner Porth Media Ltd

Gissela Trejo Precious Metal Control Manager Johnson Matthey

Sharon Mulvaney Sales Manager, North America Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition

Julia Hanft General Counsel Wego Chemical Group

Woman of the Year 2023

Prerna Chatterjee

Senior Manager of Sustainability, BASF

The Woman of the Year award is a tribute to the remarkable women who are shaping the chemical industry and driving positive change. It acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of women who have both personally excelled and paved the way for others in the industry.

Prerna Chatterjee’s story reminds us that in the world of chemistry and beyond, excellence knows no gender, and determination knows no bounds.

In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, Chatterjee has championed sustainability in the chemical industry. She aims to simplify sustainability and make it easier for everyone to understand with her YouTube channel. She is also the voice of sustainable palm oil in the North American chemical industry.

Born and raised in India, Chatterjee always had a passion for science. She acknowledges the advice her father gave her at the start of her journey after graduating High School, “Make sure you are in the field of the future.”

After attending a sustainability conference in the U.S., hosted by German chemicals producer BASF, she applied for a job and was offered the position.

She pioneered the first digital tool on Clean Beauty, which is used by countless formulators in the industry, and she actively collaborates with farmers, sharing her expertise to tackle global challenges. Her dedication to creating a sustainable future has left an indelible mark on communities around the world.

Not only is Prerna a visionary engineer, but she is also a dedicated coach and mentor. She has consistently encouraged and supported the next generation of women in chemical engineering in India, ensuring that the industry has a strong pipeline of female engineers.

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Mai Mai Wong

Technical Service Manager, Jungbunzlauer, Inc.

Greatly influenced by her father, Mai Mai Wong graduated with her B.S. in Materials Engineering and secured her first job in the electronic materials division of a large, $2bn chemical company which housed divisions including chemicals, metal, and ammunition.

She initially worked in the engineering group, but eventually joined its chemical division and worked in various roles including technical services, market development, and account management.

After taking a career break to focus on her family, she looked for a job that

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would allow her to use some of her transferable skills and eventually took a role at Jungbunzlauer. She has now worked there for 15 years.

Mai Mai says she has never had a negative experience working in the chemical sector and has had the opportunity to connect with other women in the industry and find a key mentor.

After leaving the industry and returning, she was amazed at how much had changed and saw just how much more diverse it had become. However, she still looks forward to seeing more diverse representation in the high-level management roles in the industry.

Knowledgeable on many and varied topics, extremely approachable, patient, and a motivated teacher are just some of the ways her colleagues describe her.

She continues to expand her knowledge by working with various departments in the organization and

Dr. Akemi Ooka

by being curious and researching

Head Of Global Supply Chain Resources, Independent Beauty Association (IBA)

Dr. Akemi Ooka has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and started her career as a chemist at Clorox where she focused on product development and innovation.

The experience provided a solid foundation for her in CPG (consumer packaged goods) – providing excellent professional development and training, demonstrating best practices in the industry, and introducing her to great leadership.

While at Clorox, she pivoted her career and deliberately jumped from R&D to product supply because she wanted to learn about a different side of the company. She was intrigued to find a business aspect to the chemical industry that existed outside of the lab and accepted a role leading the chemical procurement team at Clorox.

Dr. Ooka gravitated to procurement because she enjoyed the diversity of engagement with her supply base and building and retaining relationships with her suppliers. Moving to procurement also allowed her to communicate better with other stakeholders like R&D, as her product development background gave

her a unique perspective on sourcing.

After Clorox, she spent time at smaller companies such as method and J.R. Watkins and is now at the Independent Beauty Association (IBA), a non-profit trade association.

Dr. Ooka is a strong advocate for women in leadership roles and stated that women bring different perspectives, communication styles, and listening ability to the table.

Her advice to young women starting their careers in the chemical industry?

Find your mentors, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and keep your relationships strong. She also talked about always doing the best you can.

Blair Lamendola

Plant Engineer, Linde

Blair Lamendola is a Louisiana native, high school valedictorian, and graduate of LSU Baton Rogue, where she studied biological engineering.

Early in her career, she worked on the BP oil spill plankton samples and focused on microscope lab analysis and understanding the impacts to aquatic life. She always believed she would go to medical school, but after working in a research lab, she progressed into the chemical plant atmosphere with a role in a lab at Honeywell in 2015.

She later changed roles becoming a quality specialist, followed by a quality engineer before deciding she wanted to

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pursue chemical engineering work. She spent her last six months at Honeywell as a chemical engineer and then joined Linde in 2022 as a plant engineer.

Blair’s determination stemmed from childhood and how she was raised, always committing 100% to everything she does. She prides herself on never giving up and believes she can do anything she sets her mind to.

While working in the male-dominated field of operations and engineering, Blair encountered many challenges, especially during pregnancy.

She proactively educated her employer on chemicals she could and could not be around during her pregnancy and asked for special accommodations during her time as a new mom.

Her employer accepted her requests, but this made her realize the industry did not have any governance or standard policies around this common scenario.

Shana McCabe

Vice President, Sales – Synthesis Solutions, Barentz

Shana McCabe has over 20 years of experience in commercial roles, ranging across a variety of industries including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, software, and chemicals. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in management from Washington University in St. Louis.

Her experiences in the chemical industry were overshadowed by being asked to “fit in more” because her personality or approach was deemed “too female”, but she overcame these requests by continuing to be her authentic self and relying on the strengths

she brings to the role she was hired for.

While she admits that she can be both aggressive and passive in her approach, she found these terms often have a negative connotation when used to describe females – a stigma she aims to eliminate from the

Her experience has found that people transitioning from an individual contributor role to a leadership role face challenges when learning to rely on other people and their team. A true leader puts all ego aside and aims to understand the strengths of his or her team and how best to support their strengths. Shana’s abilities as

Among her key takeaways was staying true to yourself and maintaining a support system. She also recommended The Gallup Clifton strengths survey to help people become self-aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

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a leader have been complimented by her role as a mom, which has taught her to balance priorities and become more focused outwardly.

She acknowledges that while the bottom line is important, the way to be successful is by building a strong team and building trust and respect among it.

She also believes it is important to prioritize and set boundaries, communicate what you want to do, what you do not want, and where your boundaries lie. Her advice to others? Network in as many places as you can; find a strong mentor, and when interviewing, make sure it is the right fit for you and the company.

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Christine Grybos

Director Product Management, General Chemicals, Brenntag

Not only does Christine Grybos have a flourishing career with Brenntag, but she is also Women in Chemical’s Mentorship Chair, and she is incredibly passionate about building WIC’s Mentorship Program for the industry. Christine believes she “fell” into the industry and admits that she did not know much about chemicals when she started in the industry in a sales role.

Part of her mission is to bring women into the industry in an intentional way by providing an appropriate support system.

She has worked with Brenntag for most of her career, and two years

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ago made the transition from sales to product management. Since the move, she has experienced many challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and the “big freeze” that greatly impacted the industry.

Brenntag is a large, global company with a strong work culture, which Christine attributes to her length of tenure with the business. She has had many different opportunities with Brenntag and is always motivated to think outside of the box.

Self-advocacy is hugely important, she says. You cannot assume people know what you want and cannot assume that others will advocate for you to help further your

Angie Schewe

Vice President – Industrial Segment, Valudor Products, LLC

Immediately after college, Angie Schewe started her career in financial analysis roles. She realized she wanted a direct line management position, so found a mentor that helped her attain a commercial role approximately 15 years ago as a product manager.

She acknowledged she was more of an introvert and knew if she were going to be successful in the commercial arena, she needed to develop an understanding and comfort level with presentations and being in large settings.

She worked to overcome these hurdles by attending trade shows and taking

Advanced planning was also crucial to her success, particularly understanding her role in each meeting or interaction with

She received an opportunity seven years ago to move into a global procurement role at ICL. She later left as VP of the specialty fertilizer business for the Americas. Schewe joined Valudor Products two years ago –seizing the chance to grow the business line from ground up.

Christine commented on seeing more women than ever before in leadership roles, and this is a source of motivation for her. She believes that if we want to continue to grow the industry –and talent within the industry –it will be incredibly important to encourage women to become mentors in the upcoming program with Women in Chemicals. The goal is for women to not “fall” into the industry, but rather for it to be completely intentional. Providing a support system and the right opportunity for women is the best way to start.

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She says she has witnessed changes with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) during her time in the chemical industry. She joined the sector in her late 20s at Monsanto, which she says was a very progressive company, so she saw many female senior executives.

Looking at today’s chemical industry, she sees a lot more women in the C-suite roles or roles on the Board of Directors. She is not one of the only women at tradeshows anymore and suggests WIC community members to encourage their organizations to set goals related to DEI and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) to help with this movement.

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Emily Friedman

Senior Editor – Recycled Plastics, ICIS

With a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Emily Friedman started her career as a corrosion engineer at ExxonMobil.

She has experience in additive manufacturing in the aerospace industry as well as polymers research and manufacturing in the automotive and adhesives industries.

She transitioned to ICIS to pursue her love of sustainability with a career in recycled plastics reporting, primarily focusing on the circular economy of plastics.

Friedman chose engineering as her

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Erin Sedlak

major because of her parents – her father is an electrical engineer and her mother was a working mom who also has a successful career.

Growing up, she always exceled with math and that led her to a career in the STEM field.

She points to a large learning curve when she moved into journalism even though she had her technical background.

Her passion for sustainability also stems from her family and her childhood. She wants to see the industry continue to

Sustainability Manager, Brenntag

Erin Sedlak is responsible for sustainability at Brenntag. She is also the North American lead for Brenntag’s DEI journey. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in marketing and received her certificate in corporate sustainability from NYU Stern School of Business. She began her career in beer distribution, and in June 2010 started as a marketing specialist for Brenntag.

Sedlak has held various roles at the company, including commercial analyst and sourcing. She focused on sustainability in January 2020 after

validating with her management that sustainability was here to stay and that Brenntag needed a dedicated resource. She is Brenntag’s contact for its Together for Sustainability involvement. Her transition from commercial roles to sustainability was filled with mixed emotions. She had to give up projects she was working on that were gaining traction, while her knowledge about sustainability at the time was limited. However, she received support from her company to get her corporate sustainability certificate, understood the business operations, and had the appropriate connections within the company to help her. She believes there is

work on this issue and share progress, despite headwinds from other current events.

Friedman believes one of the most impactful topics that the chemical industry can contribute to is greenhouse gas emissions and

Mentorship is also extremely important to her. She sometimes struggled at finding a mentor, but recommends using connections to help you find the support you

Her most beneficial mentorships have been two-way relationships that focus on sharing resources with one another.

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no quick, one-size-fits-all for the sustainability initiative, and there is a lot of trial and error to understand what works best for your company.

Sedlak has been the only female in the room for most of her career, and she had to pave her own path when it came to her maternity leaves. Having an open and honest relationship with her manager has been important when finding the appropriate balance between being a mom and having the flexibility to work from home, when needed.

She reflects on her positive experience with Brenntag and adds she has seen improvement in the industry around this topic, which excites her.

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Claire McGahan

Account Executive, Stepan Company

Claire McGahan is an account executive at Stepan Company and part of its surfactants

was first introduced to Stepan through seminars that her college offered from chemical companies. She has held various roles including sales trainee, market focused Household, Industrial & Institutional Cleaning (HI&I) direct accounts, consumer national accounts, geography based territory, and now global consumer products.

She admits to there being pros and cons of having your entire career spent with one company. Among the positives, Stepan cares for, and invests, in its people and she has been able to build a strong network with her colleagues, become an expert on Stepan’s product lines, and work on self-improvement.

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Sandra Wisniewski

President, W.R. Grace

Sandra Wisniewski received her degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin and went on to build what she describes as a “back of

the house career”, where she focused on functions such as quality, R&D, operations, and project management.

She was urged by a sponsor to obtain her executive MBA, which she received from Kellogg School of Management, and subsequently moved to a “front of house career”, with various commercial roles in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.

Wisniewski is inspired by the opportunity to drive positive business performance through high-performing teams and cross-functional collaboration. In 2017, she landed her current role at W. R. Grace & Co. (Grace) as President of its Materials Technologies business.

She emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation that allows individuals to translate their skills and capabilities into opportunities.

She spent 25 years of her career with Baxter Healthcare. She notes how “changing companies gives you a

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The negatives include feeling like she is always competing with the 22-year-old version of herself.

McGahan grew up with parents who owned a family business. She gained early exposure to entrepreneurship, sales, and work-life balance tactics, while her father taught her the importance of being skilled in sales.

She is currently Program Chair for Women in Chemicals, joining via a cold email to the info@womeninchemicals. com address with ideas for future programing. Many of these ideas have since been implemented.

She is a new mom to Maeve, two, and says she has grown tremendously through this experience, especially in patience and empathy. Returning from maternity leave was overwhelming, but she had a manager who was very supportive, and she learned the importance of asking for help throughout this process.

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different perspective – a new ecosystem, new culture adaptation, new invention of yourself, and new relationship and rapport building with people who do not know you. Changing roles and starting at a new company help you become more rounded in your career.”

Wisniewski believes that financial skills and experience interfacing with customers are some of the most important skills when looking to transfer functional roles. When asked how to promote women into leadership roles, She suggests an organization should always begin their candidate search by casting a wide net and ensuring the candidate pool is not only qualified, but diverse.

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Agatha Maduwaye

Account Manager – Home Care and I&I, BASF

Agatha Maduwaye is an Account Manager at BASF. She comes from a large family as one of eight siblings, and

values that she applies to her own family as a mom of four daughters.

Growing up, she wanted to be a microbiologist, and her first job was as a laboratory scientist focusing on quality assurance and quality control.

Heather Hall

After four years, she decided to move into a new role after a contact told her that she had the right skill set and personality for a career in sales.

Despite having no sales experience, she took a leap of faith. After almost nine years, she then took a role at BASF.

Maduwaye truly has a passion for sales and the industry in which she sells into, and believes that as a female, it is always important to drive towards success.

A key piece of advice for a successful career in sales is know your competitors and what they are doing.

It is also important to understand what you need to do

Account Manager, Harcros Chemicals

Heather Hall is an Account Manager for Harcros Chemicals for Southeast Georgia and North & Central Florida. She originally went to school to become a teacher and taught for 10 years after graduating. The first to graduate in her family, her ultimate goal was to make more money to help her children, so she went into pharmaceutical sales for three years. Finding this career choice lacked stability, she decided to move over to chemical sales.

Heather credits her mother

differently to change the narrative.

She also commented on sales technique and how it is important to not just talk about your product but to sell solutions.

Lastly, she notes the importance of having the right contacts.

During the interview, she noted how more championing needs to be done for women in Africa by empowering women, promoting STEM in schools, and constantly emphasizing that women can become whatever they want to.

for her strong Christian values, which have taught her the value of a strong work ethic, integrity, honesty, and good

Over the course of her career, she has learned that it matters less about what you are doing, but how you do it. Once she found she could learn and adapt, she felt comfortable outside of her comfort zone and going for

opportunities that she may not have been prepared for, but for which she felt she could learn and grow.

Throughout these experiences, she learned some of the simple truths about the workplace, such as the importance of staying in your lane, following the chain of command, and always being open to learning.

During the four years she has been in chemical sales, she has found it easy to adapt to the male-dominated field. Her advice to others? Say yes to everything unless you simply do not have the time. Saying yes gives you the opportunity to prove yourself.

Caitlin Molloy

VP of Manufacturing, Solugen

Caitlin Molloy grew up in a small town in Texas, located 50 miles west of Houston. She studied chemical engineering at the University of South Carolina, after which she join ExxonMobil to work in offshore operations.

She later transitioned to a role at Motiv and, through her extensive professional network, was then recruited by a startup called Solugen. She started as the third employee and witnessed the company’s growth, which now boasts around 200 people.

Molloy attributes her career progression to her involvement in high-profile and high-risk projects. She

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has managed several intense projects throughout her career, including one with a remarkably quick turnaround of just six months. Her experiences have helped her learn valuable lessons. Despite the high-stress nature of her projects, she has developed strategies to maintain her composure and keep her team calm. Her personality plays a role, as she is known for remaining levelheaded and composed even in challenging situations.

She quotes “Fortune Favors the Bold” and acknowledges the disparity in mentality between men and women when it comes to job applications. Women often feel the need to meet 100% of the qualifications,

while men are more likely to apply if they meet only 60%. Molloy admits she has fallen into this mindset herself but has made a conscious effort to challenge it. She encourages women to be bolder and more confident in their abilities, offering support and visibility to help them attain leadership positions.

Dr. Ferleshare Starks

In addition to her professional achievements, Molloy made the decision to become a solo parent around the time she joined Solugen. Recognizing her biological clock was ticking, she used a sperm donor to fulfill her dream of parenthood. She leaned on her network of friends and family and emphasized the importance of maintaining a support system while balancing family and career.

Senior Manager of STEM Education, Chemical Educational Foundation

Dr. Ferleshare Starks has a 26year career in teaching and a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Her journey began in 1998

when she became a teacher, working with at-risk youth. Working with kids in a maximum-security prison ignited her passion for education.

Dr. Starks’ shift into chemistry and her drive for teaching STEM from her exposure to physics and chemistry during her career solidified her passion for STEM education. Recognizing that chemistry is the foundation for all sciences, she became determined to introduce children to this subject at an early age. Dr. Starks believes that the natural sciences have taken a backseat to technology-focused fields, and she aims to rekindle interest in these subjects.

Dr. Starks has made significant contributions to STEM education through her involvement with the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF). CEF provides resources and focuses on inclusion, encouraging more girls and students of color to pursue STEM. The You Be

The Chemist Challenge® is one of the rewarding aspects of her work with CEF. Advocating for oneself is crucial, according to Dr. Starks. She has overcome challenges of being seen, heard, and respected for her expertise. Throughout her career, she has faced challenges and persevered. She learned to advocate for herself and others, defying her parents’ expectations and following her passion. She emphasizes the importance of leading by example and investing in personal growth and education. Dr. Starks also highlights the need to step out of comfort zones and embrace new challenges to reignite passion.

Terri MacLachlan

Manager of the Skincare Team in Research & Development, Amway

Terri MacLachlan’s fascination with science began at a young age. Ultimately, her love for math and chemistry led her to pursue a degree in chemical engineering after realizing it was her true passion. Throughout her career at Amway, She attributes her success to having excellent mentors who recognized her potential, even when she didn’t see it herself. She has worked on high-profile projects, earned a patent, and had the opportunity to work overseas in India and Belgium. Recently, she made the transition into management, a challenge that she embraced and navigated by strengthening the relationship with

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her team and with the support of her mentors.

Her approach to opportunities that arise has been to choose those that challenge her and may lead to growth. Trusting her advocates and maintaining open communication about her goals with her mentors have been essential elements of her success.

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she acknowledges significant changes have taken place, including more women in executive leadership positions.

She hopes for more female mentorship in the industry and believes women bring unique skillsets such as a passion to succeed and a better understanding of emotions, which can

Vanessa Sutherland

While Vanessa Sutherland’s professional journey is itself impressive, she believes her family is the most vital aspect of her life. She’s proud to be an older mom with a ninth grader.

Her interests are as diverse as her career, encompassing art, motorcycle riding, and rock climbing. She describes herself as a “recovering physics major” who still revels in the joys of science and occasionally “geeks out”. This love for science has been a driving force behind her career trajectory through various technical organizations.

Her career began in corporate America, and she made a brief stop at a law firm before embarking on a path that led her to organizations where she could see her impact firsthand. She held roles at MCI Worldcom, Altria, with a detour into the federal government. It was there that she explored how government regulations affect

corporations – which led her to positions at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and later the Chemical Safety Board, where she served as Chair and CEO.

She later joined Norfolk Southern and played a pivotal role during the pandemic, ensuring the transportation of critical medical supplies and essential goods. A move to Phillips 66 marked her return to the energy sector. Her time there has seen her embrace challenging roles, including corporate communications, recognizing the importance of raising awareness about the industry.

As the youngest in a family of highly successful siblings, she felt driven to

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and chances for promotion into leadership roles – and is an advocate for maternity leave, empowerment opportunities, and work-life balance flexibility to support families and

community to embrace opportunities outside

zones and to take on challenging projects to foster personal

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keep up. Her parents fostered a spirit of exploration and growth .

She has embraced the power of peer relationships at all levels, and believes in the importance of cultivating connections with colleagues both above and below in the organizational hierarchy. She champions the practice of providing honest feedback. One of her guiding principles is the notion that calculated risks are the path to growth and success.

Katarzyna Jankowska

Talent & Diversity Manager – Europe Industries, Air Liquide

Katarzyna Jankowska graduated with a degree in economics and stumbled into human resources (HR) shortly before completing her studies. Her early career path took her through various HR roles in six different companies across different industries. However, she encountered a turning point when she realized she needed something more meaningful in her professional life, and that is when she found her passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I).

Recognizing that HR processes are largely consistent across different companies and industries, she underwent a transformational journey of

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self-awareness and self-improvement. This included seeking guidance from her HR peers, researching, and investing in individual training sessions. Armed with newfound confidence and clarity, she embraced managerial roles, despite initial apprehensions, and sought opportunities to manage teams, even taking on interns for valuable team management experience.

Jankowska highlights the importance of mentorship, especially for young women in the industry. She believes it helps build trust and relationships, not only offering guidance but also helping

mentors discover the potential of their mentees. She is deeply involved in mentoring a 10-year-old girl, which has not only benefited the young girl but has enriched Jankowska’s life as well. She encourages women to be curious, get to know themselves better, and not be afraid to give up on things or people that do not contribute positively. Her advice is to confront and conquer fear by taking action, as well as knowing that it is okay not to know everything. She recommends that everyone should get out of your bubble, take your blinders off, and listen to what other work is out there to diversify your bubble.

Operations Engineer, BASF

Jordan Riddle is an Operations Engineer at BASF. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University and is currently pursuing an MBA.

Her career began as an Environmental Engineer at International Paper, where she developed an appreciation for the importance of considering environmental impacts in industrial processes.

However, she realized that she lacked direct experience in the chemical manufacturing aspect of her work, which led her to seek a role at BASF.

Riddle’s enthusiasm for engineering

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Jordan Riddle Jennifer Oates

lies in its hands-on nature. She finds it exhilarating to witness raw materials transform into entirely different products and is continuously challenged by the question of how to improve processes in a fast-paced environment.

A significant accomplishment was dealing with inventory build-up, where she successfully reduced inventory by an impressive $1.6m.

This showcased her problem-solving skills and also allowed her to establish valuable connections within her

Jcompassion. She recognizes that everyone has their struggles, and this empathy can create a positive work environment. Her journey demonstrates that with the right mindset, a strong support network, and a commitment to personal growth, working mothers can successfully navigate challenges in their careers and personal lives.

Oates has a passion for connecting with customers and finding

organization She attributes much of her success to her upbringing. Her parents instilled in her a love for learning and critical thinking from a young age.

Business Development, Mission Chemical

solutions for their needs. She always puts the customer first and strives to close deals that benefit both parties.

She does not see sales as just selling products or services, but as creating value and solving problems for clients. Every sales opportunity is a chance to be a strategic partner rather than approach has helped her earn the trust of clients and build lasting partnerships. These strong relationships require emotional intelligence, which she believes leads connections colleagues and clients.

Riddle emphasizes the significance of mentorship, especially for young women in the industry. Mentorship has played a pivotal role in her own career development, helping her gain confidence and navigate the challenges often faced by women in

She believes that women bring unique perspectives to the industry and should be encouraged to participate actively.

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Her background in poverty and her journey as a single mother motivated her to develop a growth mindset, which has been crucial for overcoming obstacles and achieving her goals. She believes in identifying and appreciating small, positive moments in your daily life can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. She also emphasizes the importance of setting strict boundaries to protect your time with your children. This means being fully present with your family during your off hours.

Lastly, she says it is important to find joy in the little things amidst chaos. This can provide a significant source of motivation and positivity.

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Claire O’Leary

Owner, Porth Media Ltd

UK-based Claire O’Leary has embarked on an unconventional career journey, taking her from education to leadership in media and publishing. She has spent seven years in the media and publishing industry, an unexpected transition from her initial foray into education. Seeking a better work-life balance, she explored ways to apply her skills in the media world. She and her husband had realized the toll their busy lives were taking on their family and this realization prompted a gradual shift in their priorities, leading her to embark on a journey of volunteering and skill diversification. Her leadership role in a charity marked a

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turning point, cementing her path toward a career in leadership.

She was raised with strong core values of integrity, self-belief, and hard work, and her family instilled the drive to continually push herself forward. Their unwavering support enabled her to chase her aspirations and become a lifelong learner.

She remains deeply proud of her personal and career achievements, notably her time in education and her courageous career jump into publishing. Her fearlessness stems from a simple but profound philosophy:

“Just because a decision is hard or

Gissela Trejo

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painful, doesn’t make it wrong.”

She believes that if you deeply care about a decision, it is likely the right one. She emphasizes the importance of a supportive partnership at home, sharing responsibilities to maintain a fair workload, and fostering equality both at

Precious Metal Control Manager, Johnson Matthey

Gissela Trejo was born and raised in Mexico in a large family with five siblings. Her mother instilled in her the importance of education and motivated her to follow her own path. She was interested in chemical engineering from a very young age and decided to study this career at university. She wanted to be the protagonist of her story, and not what

society had already predetermined for her.

Trejo faced many challenges as a woman in the manufacturing industry, especially in a country such as Mexico. When she started her career in 2010, women only made up 25% of the workforce and the roles were very limited. She had to overcome the lack of security and opportunities, the gap that exists between jobs for men and women, and the stereotypes.

She thinks that to change the industry, she has to change society first. She also believes companies should create more opportunities that retain more women in the industry and that women should support each other and continue their education.

Trejo is not only a successful chemical engineer, she is also a manager, mother of two and wife. She admits that balancing all these responsibilities is a challenge. Being a manager does not mean having a position of supreme

To enable women to excel in the workplace, O’Leary advocates for equality in all aspects of life. Recognizing excellence, celebrating outcomes, and creating supportive workplaces are essential. Furthermore, women can support one another by practicing kindness, giving the benefit of the doubt, and offering opportunities for growth. Her motto, “No bad days,” embodies the right attitude and determination to seize life’s opportunities.

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authority, but rather teamwork and growth. She says the key to being successful is believing in yourself and trusting your abilities. She mentions that one of the biggest challenges was fear and leaving her comfort zone.

She is proud of her achievements and her heritage. She says her mother is her biggest motivation and that she is happy she has made her proud. She is also very happy that the opportunity has arisen to participate in a program that includes the Latino community, which provides content in the native language. She says this encourages her and other community members to become more involved and develop their professional skills.

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Sharon Mulvaney

Sales Manager, Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America

Sharon Mulvaney is Sales Manager at Ajinomoto. She completed a degree in chemical engineering in 2007 and, uncertain about her career path, took an internship at Stepan Company. She worked in the labs and then customerfacing roles in R&D, fueled by her passion for customer engagement. This steered her towards a career in sales in 2010. She moved into sales management in 2020.

She reflects on an interest in science during her childhood, initially leaning towards forensics and then pivoting to engineering.

Mulvaney highlights the importance

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Julia Hanft

of networking and advocating for oneself in transitioning to business roles. By engaging with commercial teams and showcasing her customer-centric approach, she positioned herself as an ideal fit for sales.

Mulvaney relocated from Illinois to New Jersey, despite never having visited before, and this proved transformative. Her openmindedness and proactive approach to meeting people, exemplified by an encounter that led to meeting her husband, underscored the importance of forging connections in navigating new territories.

As a sales professional, she emphasized the delicate balance between company interests, sales representatives,

and customer satisfaction. Prioritizing company values while understanding the customer’s needs, she stressed the importance of professionalism and transparency, even in challenging situations.

General Counsel, Wego Chemical Group

Julia Hanft is a seasoned legal professional with over 25 years of experience. She is currently the General Counsel for Wego Chemical Group.

Her journey into law began early. Graduating high school ahead of schedule, she embarked on a full-time career at the age of 17.

Initially in accounting, she pivoted towards contract administration, discovering her passion for legal aspects of business.

Her career has predominantly been in the defense industry, particularly focused on telecommunications.

The Wego opportunity, a family-owned company, captivated

her with its uniqueness and the chance to explore the chemical industry.

She draws inspiration from her mother’s strong work ethic, who, rising from a bank teller to operations manager, never missed a day of work. Her father’s illness early in life taught her resilience.

Setting goals from a young age, Hanft learned the value of discussing challenges openly, a trait that would shape her future ease in dialogue with others. Sponsors have played a pivotal role in her career, advocating for her and providing crucial opportunities. She believes in humility, acknowledging what one doesn’t know, and

She highlighted the importance of internal networking, virtual teambuilding activities, and the need to let go of micromanagement as a leader. A self-proclaimed continuous learner, she shared her approach to staying updated through networking, industry events, and formal mentorship. Her experience, coupled with a Harvard business management course, exemplify her dedication to personal and professional development.

learning from mentors and sponsors.

She notes there are many challenges faced by women in advocating for themselves.

Women are often nurturers and peacemakers, facing a delicate balance of being assertive without appearing aggressive.

Her advice is to be prepared for a “no”, to approach discussions objectively, and to ask, “What can you do about it?”.

Personal goal setting has been central to her success, and she suggests periodic reassessment and abandoning goals if they no longer align with priorities.

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Calendar dates (all times are EST)

March 13

Global Virtual Mixer Pairing, 10:00-10:45am

Theme: EmpowerHER: Women Building Bridges Across Borders. Building connections, sharing experiences, and fostering a sense of unity among women professionals in the chemical industry from diverse backgrounds and locations

March 19

Woman of the Week Live, 2:15-3:15pm

Interview with Derren Matthews - Principal Manager at Barentz

March 25

AFPM Happy Hour, 5:00-6:30pm

Join us at for a happy hour at the American Fuel and Petrochemicals Manufacturers International Petrochemical Conference in San Antonio, Texas

March 28

Book Club “Lean In” Virtual Gathering 3, 12:00-1:00pm

Women in Chemicals book club pick for Q1 2024 is “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg. Join us as we spend 12 weeks diving into this book together. This will be the third of three one-hour virtual gatherings.

April 18

Webinar: Building Capabilities Through Goal Setting, 1:00-2:00pm

Hosted by George Koehnke, participants will gain an understanding about setting and achieving challenging objectives and will leave with practical insights on how to practice, coach, and reinforce behaviors.

April 23

Woman of the Week Live 1:00-2:00pm

With Danielle Wedral-Licata, Regional Sales Manager at Jungbunzlauer.

September 9

Women In Chemicals 2024 Annual Conference

Book your place for WIC’s inaugural conference in Houston, Texas.

Join our community of knowledgable women in chemicals, through both online and in-person events.

Be a part of WIC’s inaugural conference and seize this fantastic networking opportunity

The first ever Women in Chemicals Conference is now only a few months away – and this is your chance to secure your place for what promises to be the event of the year!

Join the WIC team and hundreds of your peers in Houston, Texas from September 9-11 and boost your knowledge and network through a full program of presentations, workshops, and social events.

“We could not be more excited about the engagement and speaking opportunities at our inaugural conference,” says Kylie Wittl, WIC Operations Director. “Every single member that participates will have actionable takeaways from the two and half days that we’re putting together. And keep your eyes peeled because we’re sharing a little bit more on our website about our conference and what to expect every week.”

The upcoming conference really will offer something for everyone, no matter your role or responsibilities. Whether you are involved in the commercial, technical, or operational side of your business and are early career, in mid-level management, or an executive, the program will have

Every single member that participates will have actionable takeaways from the two and half days that we’re putting together Kylie Wittl Operations Director, WIC

Conference countdown

plenty to pique your interest.

The agenda will be split between two tracks: the first day focusing on personal development and the second addressing professional development.

Hosting a conference was always an important part of WIC’s five-year roadmap, but the team has worked hard to deliver it in the coming months, three years ahead of schedule.

The event will open on the Monday afternoon with an invite-only get together for the WIC Mentorship Program, including a special 45-minute workshop with author and leadership expert, Michael Sherlock.

The always popular speaker will lead participants through her MENTOR process, explaining how to make the right moves to continue your career journey after mentorship and guide you on developing an effective action plan. The session will end with an interactive panel discussion with some of WIC’s recent mentors sharing their tips and experiences.

This will be followed by a book club discussion and an evening reception, providing the chance to catch up with friends, old and new.

Throughout the next morning, attendees will be able to select from a series of presentations and concurrent training sessions covering a range of topics focused on personal development. These will include presentations on better managing your time to achieve the perfect work-life balance, effective leadership and building happier and healthier teams, and all you need to know about navigating C-suite dynamics.

After lunch, attendees will be able to choose between presentations looking at taking the right steps on your career journey, improving your communication skills, creating an innovative work culture, and more.

Hosts and co-founders Amelia Greene and Kylie Wittl will later be joined by last year’s Women of the Year winner,

For more information

To find out more about the 2024 Women in Chemicals Conference and to see the agenda, visit the website at https://www. womeninchemicals.com/ conference2024.

More details are being shared online every week so be sure to bookmark the page.

BASF’s Prerna Chatterjee, to announce the recipient of the coveted 2024 award. The Women of the Year award marks the incredible achievements of someone who is helping to shape the chemical industry, drive positive change, and advocate for other women in the chemical sector. Attendees will then be invited to come together for a cocktail hour that evening and will have the chance to relax and enjoy some much-needed downtime at a celebratory dinner and reception.

Wednesday’s content will be geared specifically towards industry-related topics, with the event concluding at midday.

Andy Brice

Alisa Baily Imagery

Meet the team...

Board of directors

Leadership team

Advisory board

AMELIA GREENE Executive Director Global Product Manager at Wego Chemical Group

KYLIE WITTL Operations Director Associate Sourcing Manager, at General Mills

MEGAN GLUTH-BOHAN Executive Advisor CEO & Owner at Catalynt

JULIE CAVA Marketing Chair Senior Sales Representative, Surfactants at Stepan Company

SILKE FUCHS Finance Chair Sales & Product Manager at Novasol Chemicals

CHRISTINE GRYBOS Mentorship Program Chair Director Product Management, General Chemicals at Brenntag

STEFANIE JOLLIFF Sponsorship Chair Global IT Operations Management Leader at LyondellBasell

CHRISTIE LUNA Membership Chair Inside Sales Manager at Kensing

SARA MANGANELLI Marketing Coordinator Marketing Manager at TRI-K Industries

LAURA BONINSEGNI Global VP, FP&A Bakelite Synthetics

CHELSEA BURLAN Director, Global Strategic Sourcing and Sustainability W.R. Grace

STEPHANIE HAJDUCEK Founder This One’s For the Gals

MARCIE JOHNSON Sales Manager Barentz

VERA STOEVA Chief Financial Officer SOCMA

JEAN ZAPPIA Global VP Performance Additives Ashland – Retired

ALAN DYKE VP, Business Development Prochem

MARC ESHAGHPOUR Chief Operating Officer Wego Chemical

TONY GAZICH Global Supplier Manager 3M

TOWNER MAGILL Commercial Director Brenntag

JARED REIGLE Director of Marketing Harcros

SEAN WILLIAMS Chief Revenue Officer Coalition

CLAIRE MCGAHAN Programs Chair Account Executive at Stepan Company

MICHELE PICCARO Conference Chair Account Executive at U.S. Chemicals

JORDAN RIDDLE Programs Coordinator Operations Engineer at BASF

ALYSSA SWEIGART Education Coordinator Commercial Excellence Business Intelligence Manager at Brenntag

CAROLINE THOMAS Education Chair Business Development at Mission Chemical

VINCCI WONG Administrative Chair Communications & HR Manager at Mayzo

A year in pictures

It has certainly been a packed year, full of many happy memories, personal growth, and professional development

Thank you to all our sponsors...

Congratulations

to all the women working in the chemical industry

At Bakelite, we’re creating a better tomorrow with sustainable and innovative chemistry today. Our diverse global team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of chemistry, all while making the world a better place. We're proud champions of women in the industry, actively supporting Women in Chemicals and fostering a thriving community within Bakelite through our Women's Network.

Learn more about Bakelite and our career opportunities at bakelite.com