Our organisation

Ester Baiget is business president for Dow Industrial Solutions. She is responsible for ensuring long-term growth and profitability as well as the strategic direction and global business performance of this industry-leading portfolio that provides products used as functional ingredients or processing aids in the manufacture of a diverse range of products.

With several years of varied international experience as a technical and commercial business leader, she has driven transformational change and enhanced profitability across a diverse range of businesses. She has a track record of achieving results that outpace average market growth and of defining strategy to optimize the commercialization of innovative new product families and generate new margin sales. At the same time she shares her passion for science and inspires colleagues and future generations of STEM engineers.

Baiget joined Dow in 1995 as an engineer in Tarragona, Spain, part of the team accountable for the start-up and commissioning Dow’s first metallocence asset in EMEA. Since then, she has held a variety of technical, commercial and strategic roles of increasing importance and responsibility. Some key accomplishments include: technical sales leader for Dow Fiber Solutions where she led the development of Dow’s Global Textile Technology Centre; global director of strategic development, working directly with Dow’s chairman and CEO and global business director for the EO/EG and Technology business. Most recently, she served as EMEAI commercial director for Dow Elastomers, Electrical & Telecommunications, with responsibility for profit and loss as well as the commercial organization, end-use marketing and customer relationships for the business portfolio across the region. She took on her current role in 2016.

Baiget represents Dow as Vice-President of EPCA (The European Petrochemical Association) and is a STEM ambassador. Ester previously represented Dow on the board of MEGlobal, a joint venture between Dow and Petrochemical Industries Company of Kuwait

Based in Horgen, Switzerland, she holds a chemical engineering degree and an MBA from the University of Tarragona (Spain).

Sonia Bingham is the Global Basic Chemicals Product Executive for ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

Sonia joined ExxonMobil in 1998 after completing her Masters of Engineering in Chemical Engineering at the University of Sheffield.  From 1998 to 2016, Sonia held a variety of manufacturing, sales, marketing, and financial planning roles with ExxonMobil Chemical based in UK, Belgium and USA.

Sonia returned to UK in 2016 as the Plant Manager for ExxonMobil Chemical at Fife Ethylene Plant.  She was named to her current position in December 2018.

Sonia currently lives in Brussels, Belgium with her husband, Charles, and their two daughters. 

Johan Devos started his career as sales representative with Huktra NV at Zeebrugge, Belgium. He joined Bertschi AG in 1993 as sales representative for Northern Europe and the UK/Ireland. Currently Johan holds the position of Chief Sales Officer (CSO) for the Bertschi Group. He is also a member of the Bertschi Management Steering team.

Johan holds a Bachelor degree as a translator German-English-Dutch as well as a Business Management Degree. He also attended the Sales Management Programme at the Vlerick Business School (B-Louvain)

Leonardo Mascolo born in Foggia (Italy), is married and has an eight year old daughter.

He holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from Bologna University with a specialization in TLCs and Microelectronics and a post-grade Master in Telecommunications (1994, I.S.S.T., Rome) and one in Business Management (2001, LUISS Business School, Rome).

He joined Repsol Group in 1999 as Production Assistant at Repsol’s PMMA plant in Rome, Italy.

In early 2000, he took on the position of Production, Logistic & TI.

In June 2002 he was named General Manager of Repsol Polivar S.p.A., position that he maintained until 2008 when the PMMA business was sold to Arkema by Repsol.

In mid-2008 Mr. Mascolo moved to Repsol’s Headquarters (Madrid, Spain) as Product Manager for Olefins & Aromatics until the end of 2010.

Since January 2011 he is Repsol’s Base Petrochemicals Director.

Hartwig Michels was born in 1963. He studied Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Hans-Christian Sievers
1985 - 1987: Helm AG Hamburg
1987 - 1994: Helm de México, Mexico City Product Manager Chemicals, Sales and Purchases
1994 - 2000: Managing Director of Helm de México
2001 - 2011: Member of the Executive Board of Helm AG, Hamburg responsible for Helm's foreign subsidiaries
As of 2012: Chairman of the Executive Board of Helm AG, Hamburg

Other activities:

- Ostasiatischer Verein, Hamburg Member of the Board

- Lateinamerikaverein, Hamburg Member of the Board

Mr. Paweł Szostek is a graduate of University of Gdansk.

He has completed postgraduate studies of European Law and Integration at the Technical University of Gdansk and he has also gained a title of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

Since 2005 he holds various positions at PKN ORLEN S.A. with last three positions of Director of Sales Controlling Department at PKN ORLEN S.A., CFO of ORLEN OIL and Director of Key Account Wholesale Services at PKN ORLEN S.A.

Since 1st of June 2018 he holds the position of Executive Director of Petrochemical Sales. He also serves as Member of the Board of ORLEN KolTrans (Poland), Paramo (Czech Republic) and Ventus Nafta (Lithuania).

Chet M. Thompson

President, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

Chet Thompson began his role as president of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers AFPM) in May 2015. Thompson leads a staff that advocates for petroleum refiners and petrochemical manufacturers before Congress and the Executive Branch on a broad range of public policy issues. AFPM, under his leadership, works to emphasize the importance of petroleum refiners and petrochemical manufacturers and their positive impact on U.S. manufacturing, jobs growth, energy independence and national security.

Prior to joining AFPM, Thompson was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell and Moring LLP, where he was chairman of the Environment & Natural Resources Group, one of the country’s premier environmental practices. His practice included counseling, litigation, and regulatory and legislative representation for a wide array of clients under major environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act; the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the Resource Conservation Act; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability and Recovery Act. While at Crowell Morning he represented AFPM as external counsel for nine years.

Thompson previously served as deputy general counsel at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where he provided legal advice to the Agency’s administrator, general counsel and program offices. Before joining EPA in 2004, he spent 10 years at Collier Shannon Scott PLLC, where his work focused on the Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Thompson has been recognized as one of the leading lawyers in the U.S. by Chambers & Partners, and was awarded a Certificate of Accommodation by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2006. Thompson holds a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and a J.D. from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law. He and his family reside in Potomac, Maryland.

• 2015 – today  –  Covestro Deutschland AG Leverkusen, Procurement Global Logistics.
• 2010 – 2015  –  Bayer AG Leverkusen, Procurement, Global storage, bulk shipping and plant logistics.
• 2006 – 2010  –  Bayer AG Leverkusen, Procurement Global Plant Logistics.
• 1989 – 2006  –  Bayer Antwerp NV – different operational & site logistics management functions.
• 1988 – 1989  –  Steinweg NV Antwerp – shipping clerc.
• 1985 – 1986  –  Lloyd insurance  NV – insurance clerc.

• Swiss, married, two children
• Master degree in Corporate Finance
• 15 years with Bertschi, several positions as e.g. Head Merger & Acquisitions, MD of Nordic Bulkers (100% subsidiary of Bertschi), Group CFO, Head market entry MiddleEast and Plastics Hub Strategy Europe
• Most recent 5 years Managing Director of Business Unit Liquids Europe

Since August 1^st , 2018 Group CEO of Bertschi

Steffen Bauer, 38 years old, graduated in Economics and Business Management at the University for Economics and Management – University of Applied Sciences, Duisburg.

From 2004 until 2012 he held several positions at Lehnkering GmbH at least as Divisional Head of Contract Logistics Region West. After the acquisition of Lehnkering GmbH by Imperial Logistics International B.V. & Co. KG in 2012 Steffen Bauer was appointed as Director Business Unit Road at Imperial Chemical Transport GmbH and in 2016 as Chief Strategy Officer for the Division Transport Solution of Imperial International Group.

Since February 2017 he is Managing Director of Imperial Shipping Holding GmbH and Chief Operating Officer of Imperial Shipping Group with overall operational and commercial responsibility for all subsidiaries and participations within the Group.

Born: 1957 in Hall in Tirol, Austria

Harald Bortolotti joined LKW WALTER International in 1978 upon completing his education at the Innsbruck Commercial College.

Having started in UK operations he successively took on the role of Sales Manager for Italy, Spain and Germany.

He was then Director of Human Resources in Kufstein, before becoming Sales Director and Associated Member of the Board - positions he currently holds.

He has decades of experience as Key Account Manager for major players in the Petrochemical Industry. As Treasurer and Vice President of the European Freight Leaders & Logistics Forum, he is actively involved in working groups across industries and EU projects.

Michael Dries’ career with BASF started in 1990, when he joined BASF AG’s Logistics Procurement Department. In 1996 he became Head of Logistics at Shanghai BASF Colorants and Auxiliaries, Shanghai, P.R. China, followed by an assignment as Head of Logistics and Technical Procurement at BASF Company Ltd., Seoul, Rep. of Korea. After one year at BASF AG, Ludwigshafen he was in 2002 appointed Director, Logistics, BASF YPC Company Ltd., Nanjing, P.R. China. He was subsequently appointed in 2006 Vice President, General Services at BASF SE, Ludwigshafen and led as of 2010 the senior project Opal 21 / Logistics. Mr. Dries assumes his current position as Vice President, Global Logistics Procurement since 2015.
Michael Dries was born in Eltville, Germany, in 1961. He studied economics and business administration at the Universities of Mainz and Cologne.

Wijnand Hendrikse, 34 years of age and of Dutch nationality, has held various commercial positions at Nijhof-Wassink and is currently holding the position of General Manager Chemical Logistics where he leads the Dry Bulk Logistics, Liquid Bulk Logistics, Fuel Distribution and Warehousing activities. He graduated between 2004-2009 from the IVA in Driebergen (NL) as well as  Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe (UK) in different Management fields.

Ismail Mahmud

Global Chemicals Director, Royal Vopak of the Netherlands

Ismail has been with Vopak for 17 years and is currently Global Director for Vopak’s chemicals business with offices in HQ located in Rotterdam. Prior to this role (since the last 4 years), Ismail was located in Singapore for 10 years where he held the positions of Commercial Director Asia and Managing Director Singapore. Prior to Vopak, Ismail worked for Engro Chemical (previously an ExxonMobil Affiliate) for a period of 8 years.

Currently, Ismail is responsible for sales, marketing and commercial activities in Vopak for all chemical related storage activities. Currently about 50 of the 76 terminals owned and operated by Vopak worldwide are for chemical businesses. His experience in logistics and tank storage services spans over multiple regions with specific focus on Industrial Terminaling, where he leads one of Vopak’s core strategies in this service market segment.

He is a Mechanical Engineer from Lehigh University, USA and an MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University, USA.

Summary

Marcello Poidomani is a Chemical Engineer  born in Ragusa (Italy) 19/04/1960.

Many years of management experience with increasing levels of responsibility in the industrial sector within the petrochemical business, in Italy and abroad.

Work Experience

April 2018 – to date

Vice President Supply Chain, Versalis, San Donato M.se Italy

January 2014. –March 2018

Managing Director, versalis france s.a.s, Mardyck, France

February 2013 – December2013 …..

Industrial General Director, Polimeri Europa France  s.a.s.,Mardyck.,France.

December 2008 – January 2013 

Site Manager, Priolo and Ragusa Polimeri Europa s.p.a., Priolo,Ragusa, Italy.

May 2005 - December 2008

Technical Service Manager of the Priolo and Ragusa sites, Polimeri Europa S.p.a., Priolo, Ragusa, Italy

November  2002 – April 2005

Operations Manager, Polimeri Europa Gela and Ragusa plant, Italy

February 1997 – July 2003

Production, Process and Logistics manager, Polimeri Europa s.r.l., Gela, Italy.

March 1995 – February 1997

Polyethylene Process Manager, Polimeri Europa s.r.l., Gela, Italy.

Participation in the licensing project, working in Qatar on the design, commissioning and start-up of the LDPT unit.

August 1992 – March 1995

Manager of Process development and Unit operation Research Centre, Enichem spa., Ragusa, Italy.

September 1988 – July 1992

Scientist, Enichem spa., Ragusa, Italy.

Research in the ziegler natta catalyst field for LLDPE product

Education

Chemical Engineering 

Additional Information

Member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of SCOB, a chemical industrial association for French Ethylene producers.

Member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of AG2PDK, an association for industrial risk management in the Dunkerque industrial zone.

Member of MEDEF, an association of industrial companies.

Hans Schäfer joined Hapag-Lloyd in 1994. After completing a trainee program, the Hamburg native worked in the Sales department of Hapag-Lloyd in Milan, Italy from 1997 to 1998. He then acquired a Master Degree in Business Administration. From 2000 to 2003, he was employed by PriceWaterhouseCoopers before returning to Hapag-Lloyd in Global Account Development. From 2005 until 2008, Hans Schäfer served as Director of Sales in Vietnam and then in Trade Management Far East in Singapore until 2010. From 2010, he was responsible for Region Europe as Senior Director Sales and Customer Service. Hans Schäfer was appointed Managing Director Global Markets/Global Sales in July 2014.

Jean-Marc VIALLATTE, 45 years old, is a graduate engineer from IFMA (Institut Français de Mécanique Avancée) in France and from Cambridge University in the UK. He holds a Master’s in mechanical engineering and automated production systems, and an APICS certification.

In 1997 he joined the American group Avery Dennison as customer logistics Project Manager, before heading the introduction of an ERP system for France. He later held a number of Lean Sigma heavily oriented operational posts in plants, being consecutively production manager, plant manager and operations manager France.

In 2006 he joined the Hamelin group as Subsidiary General Manager before becoming Group Managing Director in charge of operations, supply chain and information systems. In this position he oversaw the complete transformation of the group, and put in place a new organization based on standardized processes and an SAP solution rolled out across the group’s 50 sites on the five continents.

In 2013 he joined the Tarkett group as supply chain Vice President for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, creating the group’s supply chain function, and later became the group’s Global supply chain Director in charge of the transformation.

Peter Devos is Managing Director at ECTA, the European Chemical Transport Association.

In 1988, he graduated as AgroEngineer from the University of Louvain, Belgium and holds a second master in Industrial and Business Management.

After a Supply Chain career of more than 25 years at Monsanto in different leading supply chain functions and disciplines across Europe, Peter started up his own independent company in 2016. As independent Supply Chain Practitioner, he is now focusing to further improve the Chemical logistics processes and this together with all stakeholders across the Chemical Supply Chain.

Nick Bastiaansen holds a Master degree in Applied Economics from the K.U.Leuven with a major in International Business. He joined the Total Group in 2007 and has held different positions within the Group since then, both in Paris and Brussels. He is currently Senior Trader Aromatics within the Refining & Base Chemicals Europe division.

Joris Goethals started his career with Adpo in 2006 where he currently holds the position of Supply Chain Manager. He previously worked in several departments within the Adpo Group. Joris is a strong operations professional with a focus on innovation

Born 16 June 1964 in Klagenfurt, Austria

Married, two children

Living in Pulheim, Germany

Academic background

University of Vienna, Vienna University of Economics and Business Communications and Publicity, Anthropology, Philosophy, Slavic Studies, Advertising, Public Relations

Work experience

Freelance journalist and author for Austrian and German media, broadcasters and PR/media agencies (e.g. ORF, GGK)

Lecturer for German as a foreign language

Casting and promotion for film directors and agencies

Employment

From 1995 PR Consultant in Vienna based agency Partners in Public Relations, with customers such as Plastics Europe, ECVM, API, Kooperationsabkommen Forst-Platte-Papier etc.

From 1997 Manager for Communications and QSHE for EVC (European Vinyls Corporation), later INEOS ChlorVinyls in Wilhelmshaven/Germany; API Board Member

Since 2008 Head of Communications for INEOS in Köln with 2,000 employees and 200 apprentices/dual students and INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe with 3,700 employees; responsible for internal and external communications; community relations, lobbying, emergency response, CSR (GO Run For Fun, The Daily Mile) etc.

Professional associations/membership

IPRA Germany Chair, IPRA Golden World Award, TuWaS!

Community Board, EACV, DPRG, BDP, VCI Deutschland, VCI North Rhine-Westphalia, Wirtschaftsrat Deutschland, Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce’ Diversity Workshop, Common Purpose Rhineland, University lecturer, NLP practitioner

Awards

International Corporate Media Award of Excellence, 2013

City of Cologne’s “Diversity wins!” Award, 2012

Hobbies

Sports, travelling, arts, Austrian cuisine

Born in 1986, Ben Nagels has finished his studies with an MBA in International Business, whereafter he joined Vopak in 2008. He currently holds the position of Commercial Manager Belgium.

Paul Ruigt started his career with SABIC in 2006 where he currently holds the position of Category Manager for Shipping & Barging. He previously worked in the Supply Chain Polymers department and held a position within SABIC’s Company Procurement department. 

Paul holds a Master degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Science from the Technical University Eindhoven.

Loraine is currently Executive Logistics and Distribution Manager for the Chemical division of Exxon Mobil in Europe, Middle East & Africa. Her organization is responsible for the efficient operation of the network chain while driving improvements to meet service needs to enable the execution of the business strategies. The span is broad, from raw material sourcing and production planning, managing imports and exports flows around the world through to delivery of finished product to the end customer. She is leading a global program to bring upgraded IT platform functionality to the logistics and distribution network. Her team is also responsible for infrastructure improvements that support the integrated supply chain aspects of multibillion $ capital growth projects. Her passion is the relentless pursuit of excellence in Safety, Health and Environmental performance. 

Loraine graduated in Chemistry at the University of Loughborough, UK, in 1987 and joined ExxonMobil Chemical in the commercial organization in Southampton, England.  She held a variety of positions in sales, manufacturing, quality, logistics, procurement and market development before joining the technology organization in 1993, based in Machelen, Belgium.  This was followed by roles in product management, marketing and financial reporting across a number of chemical businesses.  

In 2003 she relocated to Houston, USA, to take up a global business planning position, followed by supply and then manufacturing, including a focus on energy efficiency.  In 2010, Loraine returned to Belgium in the Intermediates business before taking up her current position in January 2013.   

For many years she has engaged in Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, both within the corporation and in more public settings. She sees this as a key enabler to drive innovation and operational improvements in the business and more broadly in industry. 

Loraine lives in Brussels and is married with 2 children.    

Born 16 June 1964 in Klagenfurt, Austria

Married, two children

Living in Pulheim, Germany

Academic background

University of Vienna, Vienna University of Economics and Business Communications and Publicity, Anthropology, Philosophy, Slavic Studies, Advertising, Public Relations

Work experience

Freelance journalist and author for Austrian and German media, broadcasters and PR/media agencies (e.g. ORF, GGK)

Lecturer for German as a foreign language

Casting and promotion for film directors and agencies

Employment

From 1995 PR Consultant in Vienna based agency Partners in Public Relations, with customers such as Plastics Europe, ECVM, API, Kooperationsabkommen Forst-Platte-Papier etc.

From 1997 Manager for Communications and QSHE for EVC (European Vinyls Corporation), later INEOS ChlorVinyls in Wilhelmshaven/Germany; API Board Member

Since 2008 Head of Communications for INEOS in Köln with 2,000 employees and 200 apprentices/dual students and INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe with 3,700 employees; responsible for internal and external communications; community relations, lobbying, emergency response, CSR (GO Run For Fun, The Daily Mile) etc.

Professional associations/membership

IPRA Germany Chair, IPRA Golden World Award, TuWaS!

Community Board, EACV, DPRG, BDP, VCI Deutschland, VCI North Rhine-Westphalia, Wirtschaftsrat Deutschland, Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce’ Diversity Workshop, Common Purpose Rhineland, University lecturer, NLP practitioner

Awards

International Corporate Media Award of Excellence, 2013

City of Cologne’s “Diversity wins!” Award, 2012

Hobbies

Sports, travelling, arts, Austrian cuisine

Emanuele Bianchi is Training and Development Manager for International Resources in Versalis (Eni). His professional path in ENI began in Eni Corporate University in the Recruitment Department.

He has been in Versalis since 2007, initially in the Training & Development on the Italian plants and more recently on International context. Experienced in career counselling, he manages selection and induction activities, performance management and annual reviews, professional paths within the company and training needs.

Graduated from Cattolica University of Milan – Faculty of Psychology, he holds a certification from a Couselling Training School founded on Carl Rogers’ person - centered approach.

Having graduated in science from the University of Edinburgh, Gina’s career in petrochemicals spans the last 35+ years.

After a short period in biomedical research, she spent 10 years at Exxon Chemical in marketing, steam cracker operations, and shipping both in the UK and the Brussels international HQ.

During her time at Exxon she was a founding member of WISTA (Women In Shipping and Trading Association), with 5 industry friends. WISTA has since grown into a global organisation offering training, support and networking opportunities to women in the industry.

The last 26+ years have been spent working in international trading, having founded the trading and logistics company, Integra in 1989.

In addition to her Integra trading company and main board positions, Gina sits on the board committees of the SCIC (Singapore) and GPCA (Mid East), BTS Tankers Singapore, a charitable medical foundation in Europe, and is president of the board of governors of the German European School, Singapore.

Gina is a regular speaker at conferences on shipping, logistics and petrochemicals for the main consulting companies.

In Asia as part of her commitment to social welfare, training and education she talks and works with companies to develop strategies for social impact investing both at local start-up and government body levels.

On a personal level, Gina is married with 2 school aged children and is currently studying for her diploma in fashion jewellery design and manufacturing at JDMIS in Singapore. In her spare time she is busy co- writing a book on Scottish social history in conjunction with the Scottish and Celtic history dept. of the University of Edinburgh.

Kate joined Shell in the UK in 1986 after completing a chemistry degree. Her career in Shell has been largely in Chemicals - in commercial roles in 4 different product lines as well as in projects. Outside of Chemicals, she has enjoyed stints in crude oil Trading, Group Finance, procurement and our bitumen/sulphur business. Currently she is the global manager for the propylene oxide and derivatives business.

She also represents the Downstram Businesses in the Shell Netherlands Executive Committee for the Shell woman's network.

Born 1986, Andrea Pota finished her studies at Budapest Business School as an economist specializing in Export-Import Management (2009). Meanwhile, she started to work for Den Hartogh Logistics as a trainee. Within 3 years, she became the Head of Operations for their Hungarian subsidiary. May 2014 she joined the Bertschi Group in Switzerland and after a 3 months’ introduction program, Andrea joined the Italian dispatch team for dry bulk. In 2015 she took on a new challenge and moved to Austria, Schwechat for 6 months to drive the implementation of an on-site container storage concept at a major petrochemical producer. After finalizing the project, she returned to the Bertschi Swiss HQ and took over the position Tender Manager for Dry Bulk. Currently, as Project Manager, Andrea is mainly focusing on key projects within the Dry Bulk Team. During her career as part of the Dry Bulk Management Team at Bertschi, she also attended Front Leadership training and joined the Netlop Seminar organized by the Kuehne & Nagel Foundation.

Hans-Christoph Six is Senior Vice President HR at Evonik Performance Materials located in Essen / Germany. He studied business administration and has more than 25 years of professional experience in different global acting companies.

Education:
27.07.1986 – 07.07.1988:      apprenticeship industrial clerk, Telenorma GmbH, Frankfurt
01.10.1988 – 08.10.1991:      university of applied sciences, Frankfurt; diploma in business administration 

Career:
08.07.1988 – 30.09.1988:      Telenorma GmbH
Industrial Clerk / Administrator global HR-reporting 

01.02.1992 – 31.05.2001:      Milupa GmbH & Co. KG
HR manager and director in different roles and countries 

01.06.2001 – 29.02.2004:      Degussa AG
HR-Manager Business-Unit Finechemicals                                          

01.03.2004 – 31.05.2012:      Evonik Industries AG
Global HR-Partner for the Service-Unit Process-Technology and Engineering / Chemical Energy Management 

01.03.2004 – 31.05.2012:      Evonik Industries AG
Global HR-Partner for the Business Unit Advanced Intermediates 

Since 01.01.2015:                  Evonik Performance Materials GmbH
Global HR-Partner for the Segment Performance Materials

Dorothee Arns, a German national, completed her university studies in Saarbruecken (Germany), Dublin (Ireland) and Granada (Spain) with two Master degrees: one in Applied Languages & Linguistics and the other one in Business Administration with special focus on Marketing, International Management and private law. Her professional career in the chemical industry started in 1995 when she joined the marketing & sales trainee programme of BASF in Ludwigshafen. In the course of the years she held senior management positions in various areas of BASF´s chemicals business, notably in marketing, sales, eBusiness and controlling.

On 1 July 2013 she was appointed Executive Director of Cefic’s Petrochemicals and Plastic Additives Programme as well as of Petrochemicals Europe, the Association of Petrochemical Producers in Europe, formerly APPE. In a first assignment to Cefic from 2006 to 2011 she headed the solvents’ cluster as Director General of ESIG, the European Solvents Industry Group.