Last week over 300 women from the chemical industry converged on Houston, Texas for the first-ever Women in Chemicals Conference. The theme for the inaugural event was “In her element.” A group of six attending Knerds definitely felt in our element in a room full of like-minded scientists, technologists and thinkers.
Women in Chemicals is a non-profit organization founded by Amelia Greene and Kylie Wittl. Its purpose is to facilitate professional and personal connections among female-identifying individuals and allies in the chemical industry community, drive visibility, career trajectory and female empowerment in the industry.
Here’s what the Knerds who attended the conference had to say.
Pictured (l-r): Serena Libert, Kristin Hulse, Anh Le, Lauren Kubisch, Mags Bazydlo, Tori Matthews
Serena Libert | Marketing Manager
It was such a privilege to attend the Women in Chemicals inaugural conference! I left with so many inspiring takeaways, the overarching impression being that with the right mindset, we are all more than capable of achieving what we may think to be out of reach.
One insight that stayed with me in particular was from Özlem Düzgünses’ session on resilience. She shared how when faced with an obstacle in your career or personal life, ask yourself: “what do I want this situation to transform into?” and let the answer guide your strategy for overcoming the challenge. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn from Özlem and other women shaping the future of the chemical industry.
These in-person connections were easily my favorite part, and I’m excited to attend again next year!
Kristin Hulse | Sr. Content Marketing Manager
I’ve worked in the chemical industry for eight years, and Women in Chemicals was the first time I’ve experienced an industry event this large by and for women. It’s so encouraging to connect with the many talented female-identifying individuals and allies who attended.
Everyone I talked to is thinking about digital transformation. There is a lot of work the chemical industry needs to do to even be able to digitize business processes. It creates a lot of friction and inefficiency that everyone is feeling, especially as younger generations enter the workforce. Discussion on the panel “Digital Disruption – Reshaping the Chemical Industry Landscape” centered around how difficult it is to change decades-old manual processes. One comment that stuck out was how little infrastructure exists. One manufacturing plant didn’t even have internet access.
I’m so excited to go back next year to reconnect with people I met and see where digital transformation is headed.
Anh Le | Sr. Visual Designer
As a creative new to the world of chemicals, I was excited to connect with inspiring women from all kinds of roles across the industry. Hearing their stories and perspectives really opened my eyes to how diverse and dynamic this sector is.
One of the highlights for me was learning about how women are navigating the tech space, using everything from support networks to mentorships to build their careers. I was especially moved by Özlem Düzgünses’s Resilience panel, where she shared her journey of overcoming personal and professional challenges with a toolkit of strategies and a resilient mindset. It was a powerful reminder of the strength and adaptability women bring to the table, even in industries traditionally dominated by men.
I’m excited to keep learning and see how I can use my creative and conceptual skills to help shape Knowde’s story and elevate our brand in this ever-evolving digital landscape.
Lauren Kubisch | Customer Success Manager
The Women in Chemicals Conference was a great opportunity to network with others in the chemical industry. It is always wonderful to meet folks and get a sense of what they are doing to make our industry better.
I was particularly interested in learning about how companies are striving to incorporate technology into their operations. It is exciting to see the chemical industry take steps to move toward digitalization of formerly manual processes. Change is difficult, but when we work together and get buy-in from the organization as discussed in the Digital Disruption panel, it is inevitable.
I am excited to see where we will go as an industry over the next 3-5 years and am thrilled to be part of Knowde—one of the largest catalysts for that change.
Mags Bazydlo | Sr. Recruiter
Women in Chemicals was an inspiring and valuable forum to share expertise and experiences that further empower women in the chemical industry. Personally, I’m proud to be part of the Knowde team, whose values and mission strongly align and are championed by the WIC community.
It was inspiring to hear and network with female-identifying individuals and allies who are significantly impacting our industry—especially the stories around fostering innovation and professional development. Whether you’re just getting started in your career or are a seasoned leader, WIC has created an authentic community to help embrace your power, learn and develop your craft to continue blasting through the glass ceilings.
Thank you WIC, for paving the way and promoting a sense of community and belonging.
