Vera-Maria Pitot
Commercial Excellence Leader
LyondellBasell
This week, we’re proud to feature Vera-Maria Pitot, a global commercial leader whose career has spanned Europe, Africa, Asia, and the U.S. With over 16 years of experience in business development, sales, and commercial excellence, Vera has built her career on curiosity, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Currently serving as Commercial Excellence Leader at LyondellBasell and Sponsorship Chair for Women in Chemicals, Vera’s story is one of continuous learning and global exploration. Her approach to leadership blends cultural understanding, empathy, and the ability to adapt — qualities that have shaped her into a thoughtful and transformative leader.
Global Perspective: Having lived and worked across five continents, Vera has learned that success looks different in every culture. Early in her career, she realized that what worked in one region didn’t always translate to another. Her ability to listen, observe, and adapt became essential to navigating this global landscape. She believes that great leadership begins with understanding. Before taking action, she takes the time to step back, learn, and listen. Speaking four languages, German, Spanish, French, and English, has allowed her to build meaningful relationships across borders, strengthen trust, and create inclusive teams. For Vera, global leadership is about finding balance: integrating into new environments while staying true to one’s core values and identity.
Curiosity as a Superpower: Vera’s career didn’t begin with a technical background in chemistry. After starting in consulting at Boston Consulting Group, she entered the chemical industry equipped with strategic insight but limited technical expertise. Instead of viewing this as a setback, she treated it as an opportunity to learn. Through persistence and curiosity, she immersed herself in the technical and commercial sides of the business, asking questions and seeking to understand how things worked. Over time, this approach not only helped her gain credibility but also deepened her ability to connect strategy with execution. Her journey is proof that expertise can be built through engagement and a genuine willingness to learn and that curiosity, when paired with drive, is a powerful equalizer.
Inclusive Leadership: Throughout her career, Vera has often been one of the few women in the room, sometimes the only one. Rather than seeing that as a challenge, she’s used it as motivation to create more inclusive spaces for others. As a leader, she prioritizes giving every team member a voice. She’s intentional about creating opportunities for quieter individuals to contribute and share their perspectives, both during and outside of meetings. She believes that inclusive leadership isn’t just about who’s at the table; it’s about ensuring that everyone at the table feels heard and valued. Representation has been a key focus throughout her journey. She understands the importance of visibility, especially in male-dominated environments, and works to show others that leadership can take many forms. Her mentorship philosophy centers on encouragement, empathy, and helping others see what’s possible for themselves.
Stretch Roles and Purpose: Vera’s career is defined by her willingness to take on “stretch roles” — opportunities that push her beyond her comfort zone. She’s led complex transformations, managed teams across continents, and balanced an international career while raising a family. Each challenge, she says, has strengthened her resilience and shaped her leadership style. When presented with new opportunities, she focuses not only on what she can learn, but on the impact she can make. This growth mindset has guided her through every stage of her career and continues to drive her work today. That same sense of purpose drew her to Women in Chemicals, where she serves as Sponsorship Chair. She was inspired by the organization’s mission to connect and empower women across the chemical industry, and by the tangible impact the community is making. Through her role, she continues to expand partnerships, strengthen relationships, and support the growth of women leaders worldwide.
Advice for the WIC Community: For Vera, leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Her global experiences have taught her that every culture and organization has its own nuances and that great leaders learn to adapt with empathy and awareness. She encourages women in the chemical industry to stay curious, keep learning, and lead with authenticity. By embracing change, asking questions, and continuously seeking understanding, we create space for growth, both personally and professionally.
This episode was sponsored by:
