opening Keynote Session
Lisa Sun
Choosing Self-Confidence & Finding Your Superpower
Sponsored by Phillips 66
In this engaging session, Lisa Sun delves into the lifelong struggle between self-consciousness and self-confidence, sharing effective techniques to understand the forces that hold us back and use our unique gifts as the foundation for self-belief and success. Through her personal journey and quantitative research, Sun guides attendees in identifying their superpowers and embracing them, with humor and honesty. This talk explores different confidence personalities, offering real takeaways for personal and professional growth. Attendees will uncover their own confidence language, understand its impact, and learn how to use it to navigate challenges and amplify success.
Concurrent Session 1
Gretchen Hydo
Own Your Image: Building and Elevating Your Personal Brand
Your personal brand is more than your job title or resume. It’s the sum of how you communicate, lead meetings, write emails, contribute in high-stakes conversations, show up online—and how others feel when you walk into a room. In high-performance environments, perception shapes opportunity. According to LinkedIn, 82% of hiring managers say a strong personal brand directly influences who they promote. But most professionals spend their careers hoping their work will speak for itself—while their visibility, influence, and upward mobility stagnate.
Jen Wilson
Lead Like a Woman: The Power of Authentic and Empathetic Leadership
Sponsored by Wacker
This session is designed for all leaders, regardless of gender, who want to learn how to cultivate more inclusive, empathetic leadership practices and contribute to a workplace culture where everyone can thrive.
Maria Ciliberti
Lottie Elwood
Courtney Johnson
Strategic Partnerships: Leveraging Alliances for Growth and Innovation
In an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving global marketplace, strategic partnerships have become a critical driver of growth and innovation in the chemical industry. This executive-level session will explore how forming and managing successful alliances with both traditional and non-traditional partners can accelerate business performance, open new markets, and foster groundbreaking innovations. From joint ventures and collaborations with startups to partnerships with technology providers and academic institutions, this session will provide actionable insights into how executives can leverage these alliances to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.
Concurrent Session 2
Christine Bryant
Embracing Change: Navigating Career Shifts with Purpose and Clarity
Sponsored by Brenntag
The modern career landscape is constantly evolving, and many women in entry to middle management are looking to make purposeful, strategic changes in their careers to align with their values, passions, and long-term goals. Whether you’re transitioning to a new role, shifting industries, or redefining your leadership style, intentional career shifts require thoughtful planning, confidence, and a clear vision.
Liran Kessler
Burnout to Balance: Achieving Harmony in High-Stakes Careers
In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure world, women in leadership roles often find themselves juggling multiple demands—striving for career success while neglecting their own well-being. This can lead to burnout, stress, and a loss of work-life balance. Burnout to Balance: Achieving Harmony in High-Stakes Careers is a practical, results-oriented session designed to help participants navigate these challenges without sacrificing their mental health, happiness, or career satisfaction.
Senior Leadership Symposium: Engaging Discussions for Executives
Step into a realm of unparalleled leadership refinement at the invite-only Senior Leadership Symposium. Exclusively curated for Vice Presidents and senior executives, this symposium offers more than just a platform—it's a sanctuary for profound conversations and transformative knowledge exchange. Here, amidst an atmosphere charged with innovation and camaraderie, attendees will have the opportunity to delve deep into the nuances of leadership, gain fresh perspectives, and forge invaluable connections that transcend the confines of the symposium.
Christian MacIver
Concurrent Session 3
Camille Goleb
Panel: Building Bridges: [Male] Allyship for [Gender] Equity
Sponsored by Bramhall & Co
In the ongoing pursuit of gender equality, the active involvement of men as allies is crucial to creating lasting change. This session will explore how men can play an essential role in supporting women’s advancement in all aspects of society. By examining practical actions, fostering active listening, and building inclusive cultures together, we can overcome resistance and sustain meaningful allyship.
Sasha Vesuvala
Transforming the Chemical Industry: Harnessing Automation, Digitization, and Machine Learning for the Future
As the chemical industry faces increasing demands for efficiency, safety, and sustainability, automation, digitization, and machine learning are emerging as pivotal forces driving this transformation. This session will explore how these technologies are revolutionizing production processes, optimizing operations, and improving decision-making. By examining real-world examples, challenges, and future opportunities, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage these innovations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Jennifer Singleton
Panel: Green Chemistry, Green Profits: Leveraging Sustainability for Bottom-Line Success
Sponsored by Veolia
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in the chemical industry - it’s a key driver of profitability and long-term business success. In this session, industry experts will discuss how integrating sustainable practices into chemical manufacturing and operations can lead to significant cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced brand value, all while contributing to a healthier planet. From energy optimization and waste reduction to adopting circular economy principles and green chemistry, this session will explore actionable strategies for chemical companies to reduce their environmental footprint while simultaneously strengthening their financial performance.
Iliana Nava
Travis O’Banion
Brandon Lyssy
Maurice Ware
Joe Redfearn
Chemical Industry Session
Alex Lidback
Soline Guérineau
Chemical Industry Crossroads: Essential Yet Controversial
Sponsored by ICIS
The chemical industry is a staple for humans around the world while companies maneuver under ever changing conditions. Today’s environment takes these challenges to another level. Supported by the latest data from ICIS, this engaging discussion will explore the current landscape and the impact of geopolitical shifts and macroeconomic changes on the chemical industry. It will delve into how these factors are shaping the industry's evolving dynamics.
Lauren McLendon
Concurrent Session 4
Mastering Influence: Building Effective Networks
Sponsored by Harcros
In today’s dynamic professional landscape, mastering the art of influence is a vital skill for career advancement and organizational success. "Mastering Influence: Building Effective Networks" is designed to equip attendees with proven strategies for cultivating powerful relationships, both within and outside their organizations. This session will delve into the principles of influence, focusing on how to strategically manage upward relationships with senior leaders, peers, and key stakeholders to create mutual value and drive professional growth. Key takeaways include Managing Up, Networking Beyond the Surface, and Leveraging Influence for Career Growth.
Laura Boninsegni
The Art of Persuasion: Communicating with Confidence in the Boardroom and Beyond
Sponsored by Bakelite
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in persuasive communication, and in this session, participants will explore how to use it to communicate with confidence, influence decision-makers, and make their voices truly resonate. Whether pitching an idea in the boardroom, leading a team meeting, or navigating tough negotiations, understanding how to tell a compelling story can transform the way one communicates and engages others.
Jamie Shah
Aligning Purpose with Performance: Building a Shared Vision Across the Organization and Beyond
Sponsored by Jungbunzlauer
In this session, you’ll discover how to build credibility and trust by uncovering the key elements of authentic relationship-building during times of change while showcasing your expertise in genuine ways. You’ll also learn how to scale with purpose through real-life case studies, translating lessons into actionable steps for aligning team members with strategic goals.
Closing Keynote
Bonnie Tully
From Engineer to Executive: In Conversation with Evonik's Bonnie Tully
Join us for a compelling fireside chat with Bonnie Tully, Chief Operations Officer at Evonik Corporation, as part of our Executive Insights series. In conversation with Amelia Greene, Women in Chemicals' Chairwoman of the Board, Bonnie will reflect on her journey from project engineer to one of the most senior operational leaders in the chemical industry. With over three decades of experience spanning global operations, technical leadership, and executive strategy, Bonnie brings a grounded and insightful perspective on what it means to grow, lead, and thrive in a rapidly evolving field.