Women in Chemicals AFPM Cocktail Reception and Panel Highlight Resilience, Leadership, and Equity
On March 30, the 2026 Women in Chemicals AFPM Cocktail Reception in partnership with Brenntag brought together a vibrant and engaged community of women and allies from across the chemical industry. The sold-out event, held at the Women in Chemicals Pop-Up in San Antonio, was a celebration of resilience, leadership, and the shared commitment to advancing parity and opportunity in the sector.
Celebrating Resilience and Readiness
In her opening remarks, Kylie Wittl, Co-Founder and Operations Director of Women in Chemicals, set the tone for the evening:
“Not because women need to become more resilient. But because resilience is already here… and the women in this industry are ready. This is where the responsibility now shifts to each of us.”
Kylie’s speech highlighted the dual realities women face in the chemical industry: the remarkable resilience they bring to their roles and the persistent structural gaps that can impede advancement. She emphasized that while resilience is already present, meaningful progress depends on how leaders, colleagues, and organizations show up to mentor, sponsor, and support women in practical, everyday ways.
A Panel Focused on Mid-Career Women
In addition to the reception, Women in Chemicals participated in AFPM’s programming on Tuesday, March 31 with the panel “The Next Generation Speaks: What Mid-Career Women Need to Stay, Lead, and Succeed in the Next 50 Years of the Chemical Industry.” The panel was moderated by WIC’s Chairwoman of the Board, Amelia Greene, with panelists Vera-Maria Pitot, Christie Luna, and Dinora Rosas representing WIC’s former and current leadership team. This session delved into the challenges and opportunities facing mid-career women, a critical group for the industry’s leadership pipeline. Panelists discussed strategies to retain top talent, create clear advancement paths, and foster cultures that support women in leadership roles.
Key takeaways included the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, visibility, and equitable policies. As highlighted during the discussion, many women hesitate to step into senior leadership roles not because of skill or ambition, but because of uncertainty about the support they will receive once there. Addressing these gaps is essential to accelerating progress toward gender parity in the industry.
Community and Connection
The reception and panel reinforced the power of community. Attendees had the opportunity to network with peers, share experiences, and build connections that extend far beyond the event itself. As Kylie reminded the audience, every conversation, hiring decision, and opportunity to sponsor or mentor someone contributes to leadership equity—and to closing the 50-year projected gap to gender parity.
Looking Ahead
The momentum from AFPM carries forward to upcoming events. Women in Chemicals invites attendees and supporters to join them at the American Coatings Show and the 2026 Women in Chemicals Conference, where the themes of resilience, readiness, and leadership equity will continue to be explored in depth.
The 2026 AFPM events reinforced that women in the chemical industry are resilient, ready, and capable—and that meaningful change happens when the community shows up intentionally to support one another.
Women in Chemicals thanks all attendees, panelists, and sponsors, particularly Brenntag, for their commitment to advancing leadership, equity, and opportunity across the chemical industry.
About Women In Chemicals:
Women In Chemicals (WIC) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing, connecting, and supporting women across the chemicals industry. Through networking, education, leadership development, and community engagement, WIC creates opportunities for women to thrive at every stage of their careers while fostering an inclusive and innovative industry. Founded by industry leaders, Women In Chemicals has quickly grown into a trusted community and resource for professionals across the chemical value chain.
