Rashda Khan, Ph.D
Senior Director of Product Innovation
Barentz
In an industry where adaptability, empathy, and sharp problem-solving skills are essential, Rashda Khan stands out as a dynamic force. As Senior Director of Product Innovation at Barentz, Rashda has built a career that bridges academic research, product manufacturing, and chemical distribution, all while balancing family, international moves, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. Her story is one of bold decisions, lifelong learning, and a genuine belief in the power of curiosity to drive innovation.
A Foundation of Curiosity and Determination: Rashda’s passion for science was sparked in high school through a co-op program at a hospital pharmacy in Canada. There, she learned firsthand the importance of precision, responsibility, and patient care by compounding medications and delivering them to nurse stations. Originally set on becoming a pharmacist, Rashda’s academic path evolved when she moved from Canada to California in 1998 to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. Along the way, research and product formulation captured her interest and set her on a different, equally rewarding path.
Raised as the eldest of five in a family of entrepreneurs, Rashda credits her upbringing with instilling essential business skills, resilience, and a relentless work ethic. These qualities became pivotal as she built a career grounded in both scientific rigor and creative problem-solving.
How Self-Reflection and Goal-Setting Shape Leadership: For Rashda, professional growth isn’t just about technical skills, it’s about constant self-evaluation and clarity of purpose. She’s a strong believer in routine self-reflection as a way to stay aligned with personal and professional goals. Through daily journaling, Rashda takes time to acknowledge what went well, what could improve, and where she wants to grow next. She applies this mindset in both her work and personal life, and acknowledges that while professional goals might be straightforward, personal ambitions often require even more self-awareness and flexibility. Supporting her on this journey is what Rashda calls her personal Board of Directors, a circle of trusted family, mentors, and friends who provide perspective, challenge her thinking, and offer honest feedback.
Redefining Innovation: It Belongs to Everyone: While Rashda’s role is rooted in R&D, she firmly believes that innovation isn’t reserved for scientists or product developers. She’s a passionate advocate for the T-shaped leadership model, which encourages professionals to cultivate both deep expertise and broad curiosity. When confronted with roadblocks, Rashda leans into her network, reframes the problem, and welcomes mistakes as part of the learning process. "It’s okay if you go down the wrong path; the important thing is that you keep moving forward." She’s also intentional about understanding the strengths of her team, viewing them like pieces of a puzzle that, when arranged well, create agile, effective solutions. Having worked in both product manufacturing environments and now as part of a distributor, Rashda has experienced firsthand the difference between closed innovation systems and more collaborative, open models. "At the heart of every successful innovation is a common goal and meaningful dialogue," she emphasized. "When everyone is invested in adding value, the solutions become smarter, more sustainable, and more impactful."
Career Transitions and a Global Perspective: Rashda’s diverse career path, from academia to product manufacturing to chemical distribution, has been driven by a love of new challenges and a desire to broaden her perspective. She credits her academic foundation for solidifying her technical depth, which became the backbone of her problem-solving approach in every role since. Alongside these career moves, Rashda and her family have embraced major relocations, most recently from California to New Jersey. "It wasn’t easy, especially for my eldest daughter," she shared. "But my husband and I made it a priority to communicate openly and support one another." That spirit of adventure runs in the family. Rashda’s daughter is currently pursuing a master’s degree in science communication overseas, and travel continues to be a core part of their lives. "It’s part of our DNA."
Advice for Women in Chemicals: Stay Curious, Stay Bold: When asked what wisdom she’d pass along to other women navigating the chemical industry, Rashda emphasized the importance of continuous learning, intentional community-building, and embracing diverse experiences. Some of the resources that have shaped her leadership philosophy include the T-shaped leadership model, the Ten Types of Innovation framework, and design thinking principles like divergent and convergent thinking.
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