In this Women in Chemicals Woman of the Week Live interview, Dafne Burgos, Senior Business Manager at Innophos, shares her career journey from Mexico City to leadership in the chemical industry. She discusses pivoting her field of study early on, navigating career mistakes with honesty, and the profound impact that empathetic mentors had on her leadership style. Throughout the conversation, Dafne emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a people-first workplace culture, choosing life “harmony” over perfection, and maintaining a mindset of resilience and adaptability driven by her personal upbringing.

In this Women in Chemicals Woman of the Week interview, Dinora Rosas, Direct Procurement Team Manager at Eastman Chemical, shares her professional journey from a chemical engineering intern in Mexico to a leadership role managing a broad team. Dinora discusses the personal and professional challenges she has overcome, including navigating the loss of her father, living independently in Spain, and accepting a daunting 100% English-speaking role to foster her growth. Throughout the interview, she emphasizes the importance of resilience, the value of diverse perspectives through her work with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Women in Chemicals (WIC), and her commitment to supporting other women in the industry.

In this interview with Women in Chemicals, Tift Shepherd, senior HR executive and former CHRO, reflects on a career shaped by bold pivots, global experiences, and a deep commitment to people and collaboration. From her early legal career to moving abroad and ultimately transitioning into HR leadership, Tift shares how stepping outside her comfort zone strengthened her perspective, adaptability, and leadership style. She discusses the importance of curiosity, authenticity, intentional relationship‑building, and personal well‑being, emphasizing that meaningful impact and alignment with one’s values matter more than titles. The conversation offers thoughtful guidance for professionals navigating change in global, complex organizations.

In this Women in Chemicals Woman of the Week interview, Rose Harper, Senior Marketing Associate at Morgan Latif, shares her path into marketing, the lessons she learned from early autonomy in a startup environment, and the mentors who shaped her professional path. She also reflects on intentional growth – building confidence through small, consistent habits – and how community, purpose, and resilience have influenced the way she shows up in her work and life.

In this Women in Chemicals Woman of the Week Live interview, Eria Young, Supply Chain Manager at Koppers, shares her 10-year journey through operations, compliance, and leadership. From managing logistics and internal customer relationships to balancing career growth with caregiving, Eria offers a thoughtful perspective on values-driven leadership, community engagement, and resilience in the chemical industry.

Katie Hess is Executive Director at Women in Chemicals. Katie is a purpose-driven leader whose career journey blends entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, and a deep commitment to community impact. What began as running her own business and supporting nonprofit events evolved organically into a calling to serve mission-driven organizations. Known for her authentic, people-first leadership style, Katie leads with humility, curiosity, and empathy—focusing on meaningful impact rather than titles or tradition. Her work reflects a belief that ethical leadership, strong relationships, and intentional growth are the foundation of lasting change.

Johnnjalyn Gilliam is Quality Director at Chemtrade. Johnnjalyn’s journey reflects a powerful evolution from scientist to global quality leader, shaped by more than two decades across semiconductors, aerospace, medical, and chemical industries. Beginning her career as a chemist, she discovered a passion for building systems that connect people, processes, and culture, ultimately redefining quality as a shared organizational responsibility.

Christine Mendoza-Frohn is EVP Sales EMEA and LATAM at Covestro. Her story is a powerful example of curiosity, courage, and cross‑functional versatility. With roots in Spain and Germany and training in both chemical engineering and marketing, she has navigated roles spanning chemistry, engineering, strategic marketing, product management, and supply chain.