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Leticia Gonçalves, President of Health and Biosciences at IFF, joins Victoria Meyer to share her journey from her early days as a chemical engineer in Brazil to leading global businesses at Monsanto, Bayer, ADM, and now IFF. The conversation focused on biosciences as a growth engine for IFF and the broader chemical industry, tackling complex challenges, and the importance of turning science into scalable, commercial solutions.  Leticia discusses portfolio transformation at IFF, the shift toward health and biosciences, and the essential role of ecosystem partnerships. She offers practical insights on making tough strategic choices, driving innovation with purpose, and leading organizational transformation through clarity, trust, and learning agility.  Victoria and Leticia discuss the following:  Career journey: From chemical engineering to global biotech leadership. How a “no one thought possible” GMO project became a Harvard Business Case. Reshaping IFF: Why health and biosciences matter now. The core requirements for science commercialization: performance, cost, and sustainability. Building innovation at scale, inside and outside the company, with partners and patient capital. Culture change and leadership through transformation: making big bets, failing fast, and learning as a team. What’s next for industrial biotech and advice for rising leaders in the chemical industry.  Killer Quote: “The number one trait of a good leader is learning agility… Surround yourself with good leaders, apply a humble, hungry, and curious approach to everything you do. Humble to keep learning, hungry to achieve big things, and curious to always find new opportunities.” - Leticia Gonçalves

From the Chemical Summit: three female CEOs share leadership lessons on strategy, adapting to market change, and building a culture of success in the chemical industry. Host Victoria King Meyer leads the CEO panel discussion with actionable takeaways for executives and rising leaders — practical leadership moves, adaptation tactics, and culture-building examples you can apply today. Listen for insights tailored to chemical industry leaders and business strategists. With: Victoria Meyer, Christian MacIver (Pilot Chemical), Jenn Klein (SOCMA), and Mara Gliozzi (McGean) This episode dives into how chemical industry leaders are responding to uncertainty, evolving customer expectations, and the shift from efficiency to resilience. You’ll get an inside look at leadership transitions, portfolio strategy, supply chain realities, and the practical use of AI all through the lens of real-world decisions in private and family-owned businesses.  Victoria and the panelists unpack:  Taking the CEO seat—unexpected lessons and the reality of “the perfect plan.” How decades-long company perspectives shape strategy and transformation. The ever-expanding list of industry challenges: regulation, supply chain, tariffs, and talent. Why customer intimacy, agility, and quick decision-making matter more than ever. The evolving role of AI in manufacturing, safety, and business improvement. Portfolio discipline: Investing for the long-term and knowing what belongs in the business. Career pivots, trajectory changers, and the value of mentors and sponsors. The underestimated power of industry “voice” and telling your story, big or small. What competitive advantage will look like for chemical companies in the coming years.  Killer Quote: “To me, it’s not war. It’s actually a lot closer to love, to intimacy, because it’s about getting closer to your customers.” - Christian MacIver

Host Victoria King Meyer speaks with Pete Corle, Chief Commercial Officer at Solstice, on building customer-focused commercial strategy, resilient company culture, and applying agile planning to accelerate execution. Practical leadership insights for chemical-industry executives and commercial teams. Tactics you can apply to align teams, increase customer value, and speed decision-making. Includes: Victoria Meyer, Pete Corle, Chief Commercial Officer at Solstice Advanced Materials Recorded live at the Chemical Summit, this fireside chat explores what it takes to set a new direction for a legacy chemical business while driving real alignment and impact.  Pete shares lessons from his journey at Dow and Solstice, including how to create advantage, prioritize across shifting markets, and make the voice of the customer actionable. Get a look inside Solstice’s evolution from a Honeywell spinout, their approach to innovation in regulated markets, and practical strategies for building influence and confidence through change.    Victoria and Pete cover:  Turning customer focus into operational reality Lessons in commercial leadership from Dow and how they translate to Solstice How Solstice is investing for growth in nuclear, electronics, and body armor materials Why transparency, shared goals, and trust fuel high-performing teams Making big moves: Unlocking innovation, managing legacy mindsets, and navigating cultural change  Killer Quote: "Before we built the playbook, we really just started to go out and solve problems. And so as we were doing that, in parallel, we were working on the strategy and taking it to build out the different pillars from a technology perspective, sales enablement, all these different pieces." - Pete Corle

Cybersecurity, digitization, and talent took center stage on Day 2 of The Chemical Summit. Victoria Meyer recaps the most urgent issues shaping the industry, from treating cybersecurity like process safety, to harnessing AI for business value, to redefining leadership development. Hear from leaders including Bill Clark, Shelly Linkerhoff, and more.  This episode breaks down key takeaways for leaders looking to strengthen their organization’s resilience, unlock new business value, and build a thriving workforce.  Victoria covers:  Cybersecurity is the New Process Safety: Learn why third-party vulnerabilities and supplier risks are now top concerns for the industry, and what it means for your customer relationships. Measuring Real Business Value from AI: Hear practical approaches to assessing ROI, from reducing task time and improving customer response, to optimizing the customer journey and boosting brand visibility in an AI-driven market. What Talent Wants and How Leaders Can Respond: Find out why employee wellbeing has dropped nearly 30%, and how organizations can move people from struggle to growth. Leadership is the Talent Advantage: Hear how SCT’s in-house leadership program breaks the mold, cultivating managers and fostering accountability from the plant floor to VP roles.  Killer Quote: "Your biggest customers are more concerned about you than you are."  - Bill Clark

Fresh from the 2026 Chemical Summit, Victoria Meyer recaps a dynamic day of leadership conversations and industry insights. Day 1 focused on executing advantage in today’s marketplace through AI, customer intimacy, and commercial value. Hear takeaways from trailblazers including Michael Lefenfeld, Pete Corle, an all-women CEO panel featuring Mara Gliozzi, Christian MacIver, and Jen Klein, and more.  The show also includes a major announcement—the launch of “The Business of CASE” podcast, hosted by Crystal Morrison.  Victoria and industry leaders explore these 4 themes:  Transformation in Action: How companies like Hexion and Solstice are reshaping legacy operations, moving fast, and building cultures ready for private equity demands and market shifts. Playing to Your Strengths: Why customer intimacy and trust, not just market rivalry, are the real sources of competitive advantage. Insights from specialty chemical leaders on challenging common assumptions. Differentiation Beyond Performance: What sets industry leaders apart today? It's no longer just about product specs or price; companies find new ways to create value, serve customer needs, and match evolving expectations. Building Trust Across the Value Chain: From internal teams to external partners, trust and transparency are foundational for navigating transformation, adopting AI, and maintaining customer focus in a changing world.  Killer Quote: "Most problems in work are reversible decisions...just walk through the door and try it. And that's the culture we've been building at Hexion." - Michael Lefenfeld

Jan Kalfus, Head of Americas Chemical Advisory at S&P Global Energy, joins Victoria Meyer for a fast-paced exploration of how AI and data center growth are reshaping the chemical industry. Starting with Jan’s personal journey, the conversation connects industry fundamentals with today’s high stakes shifts in AI, digital infrastructure, and supply chains.  They dig into why demand from data centers is spurring real, but nuanced, changes on both the commodity and specialty sides, why much of the action (and opportunity) in specialized materials is still outside the US, and how regulatory constraints and value chain complexity make reshoring tough. The discussion then looks ahead: What does AI really mean for chemical leadership? How are industry roles and university connections evolving as automation advances?  Victoria and Jan discuss the following:  How data center and AI growth is fueling complex, uneven demand for chemicals. The real challenges behind US specialty chemical competitiveness and reshoring. Modernization, regulation, and why many intermediates left North America. R&D, innovation, and the shifting role of universities in the chemical sector. What “agentic AI” could mean for future chemical businesses and leaders. Human context, divergent thinking, and why people still matter for competitive edge.  Killer Quote: "I always say it kind of to be a little bit provocative, but I think there's a lot of truth behind it, is that the AI will turn out to be the best CEO, the best engineer, the best manager, and the best scientist. It may not be one AI. We may have different agents with different capabilities and different sort of learning profile. But that's where we are going." — Jan Kalfus

Victoria Meyer returns solo to examine a pivotal question for chemical industry leaders: Does bigger still mean better when it comes to company and asset scale? With restructuring, capacity additions, persistent margin pressure, and changing global dynamics reshaping the industry, Victoria challenges longstanding assumptions about economies of scale and explores whether "economies of fit" are more relevant for the industry’s future.  She draws on recent trends in prices, asset closures, geographic investment shifts, and customer preference changes to invite business leaders to reconsider how advantage is created and what to prioritize as you position for the next 20 years, not just the next cycle.  Key topics Victoria covers:  The Pricing Paradox: Rising chemical prices alongside squeezed margins and ongoing overcapacity issues. Do We Have the Right Capacity? Exploration of global utilization trends, China’s continued build-out, and the drivers behind new investment decisions. Rethinking Asset Lifecycles: Why asset retirements in Europe tell a bigger story about geographic shifts and changing demand patterns. Is Bigger Still Better? Direct examination of scale economics versus the need for flexible, locally optimized assets and supply chains. The Shift from Scale to Fit: How customer needs, regionalization, and the demand for supply security are changing asset and investment strategies. What This Means for Leaders: The challenge of aligning engineering, operations, and capital markets around new models of “fit” over traditional “scale.”  Killer Quote: “The industry that we need to build today and reshape today for the next 20 years is going to look very different than the one that we've built over the last 20, 30, 40 years.” – Victoria Meyer  More Links:  The Chemical Summit

New executive orders and tougher enforcement are raising the stakes for trade compliance in the chemical industry. Victoria Meyer sits down with Noushin Shamsili, CEO of NUCO Logistics, to clarify what leaders need to know about customs, importer responsibilities, and real-time compliance demands.  They outline how assigning ownership of trade compliance, strengthening internal processes, and leveraging systems like CAPE for tariff refunds can protect your business. This episode highlights the true risks of non-compliance and offers practical guidance for leaders navigating the shifting landscape of global supply chains.  Victoria and Noushin discuss:  How NUCO Logistics pioneered chemical-specific freight forwarding and customs brokerage. The difference between customs clearance and full-spectrum trade compliance. Understanding the new Executive Order 14411: stricter requirements, physical presence, and increased accountability for importers of record. Why compliance is a company-wide responsibility spanning purchasing, logistics, regulatory, finance, and executive leadership. The essentials every chemical importer must address: HTS codes, country of origin, valuation, recordkeeping, and post-entry audits. Tariffs and what’s changed, how to ensure you recover eligible duties, and common pitfalls. Practical steps to strengthen compliance culture and safeguard your license to operate.  Killer Quote: “Importing into the country is not a right, it is a privilege that has been given to every importer.” — Noushin Shamsili   More Links:  Episode 248 - What’s Ahead for Marine Logistics in 2026 with Noushin Shamsili of NUCO Logistics  Episode 64 - Innovative Logistic Solutions With Noushin Shamsili Of NUCO Logistics  Episode 12 - How NUCO Logistics Pivoted During The Pandemic With Noushin Shamsili

Industry headlines are driving strategic shifts in the chemical sector, and Victoria Meyer gives her candid perspective on what these major moves really mean for industry leaders and decision makers. This episode puts a spotlight on recent deals and boardroom decisions involving Shell, Olin, Huntsman, Solstice Advanced Materials, and H.B. Fuller.  From Shell’s planned chemical asset sale to the Olin-Huntsman merger of equals, Victoria unpacks key questions: Is this a broader trend or company-specific? How does M&A activity impact value chains, partner relationships, and competitive dynamics? What does it signal about the future shape of the chemical industry?  Victoria discusses:  Shell’s $8B US chemical asset sale and why Exxon, LyondellBasell, and investors are circling. H.B. Fuller’s board rejecting a proposal from activist investor Ancora and why value creation looks different from the inside versus the outside. Why Solstice and Element Solutions called off a $14.5B merger, insight into what “better alone than together” means in practice. The Olin and Huntsman “merger of equals” and what’s behind their conviction that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Broader market trends: Portfolio reshaping, supply chain considerations in deal-making, and what leaders must do to position their companies for future advantage.  Killer Quote: “The whole point of reshaping advantage is that it’s not about fixing your business for today… it’s really looking ahead—for the future, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years out.” – Victoria Meyer  Article Links:  Solstice, Element terminate $14.5 billion merger deal after shareholder feedback H.B. Fuller Board Unanimously Rejects Unsolicited Proposal from Ancora Shell draws Exxon interest in $8bn US chemical assets sale OLIN and HUNTSMAN Shareholders Approve Transformative Merger of Equals

Chief Economist Martha Moore of the American Chemistry Council joins Victoria Meyer to unpack the latest economic realities and policy challenges shaping the chemical industry. Martha shares insight from ACC’s member surveys, discusses key drivers behind current market trends, and covers what’s keeping executives awake at night—from rising raw material costs to global trade uncertainty.  This episode also covers the strategic importance of US manufacturing, the impact of legislation like TSCA, and how the industry is positioning for growth and innovation amid a shifting global landscape. Martha offers data-driven perspectives relevant to leaders needing to navigate volatility, build resilience, and influence both policy and boardrooms.  Victoria and Martha discuss the following:  Martha’s path from a STEM-focused upbringing to Chief Economist at ACC. The three pillars driving chemical demand: consumer spending, business investment, and exports. The sharp rise in raw materials and logistics costs for chemical manufacturers. What ACC’s members and sentiment surveys reveal about today’s top business challenges. The effect of international trade policy, tariffs, and China’s rising influence on the industry. Why innovation and reshoring US manufacturing are vital for future growth. Leadership lessons for executives: focus on agility, long-term strategy, and building resilience.   Killer Quote: “Chemistry is foundational to our economy, and being able to communicate that message is one of the top things we do. I try to help people make the connection between chemistry and the experiences they’re having in their everyday lives.” —Martha Moore  Other Links:  The Chemical Summit

This episode of The Chemical Show features Farid Tahvildari, Managing Director of NUCO Logistics. Returning to the podcast, Farid provides a straightforward analysis of the ongoing Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea crises and their far-reaching impacts on global shipping, freight costs, and chemical supply chains. He explains how even those not directly trading through these regions are affected by disruptions in marine traffic, rising insurance costs, and energy price volatility.  Victoria and Farid examine how the industry has adapted to persistent instability, from the emergence of new shipping routes around Africa due to Suez Canal constraints to the critical importance of redundancy in logistics planning. Farid provides practical advice for shippers, highlighting that planning, communication, and strong provider relationships are now the cornerstones of resilient supply chains.  Key topics discussed in this episode:  Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Why it matters for global shipping, chemicals, and energy—even for companies outside the Gulf region Red Sea Disruptions: The Houthis’ impact on marine logistics, workarounds, and why confidence in shipping lanes is as vital as their physical openness Adaptation in Action: How chemical and logistics companies have shifted to new routes, added shipping capacity, and developed operational flexibility Inventory Management: Avoiding the pitfalls of single-lane dependence and leveraging lessons learned from the COVID container crisis Small & Midsize Company Strategies: How those with less leverage can increase resilience Early Warning Signs: Key indicators—including port omissions, insurance premiums, and carrier announcements—that signal rising risk Long-Term Outlook: Why the industry is preparing for ongoing uncertainty and building a new normal rooted in flexibility  Killer Quote: "At the end of the day, by knowing where the exposures are, you can plan...work closely with your provider, whoever they are. That’s the key." —Farid Tahvildari  Other Links:  Strait of Hormuz Crisis: How Oil and Chemicals Are Affected Worldwide with Farid Tahvildari (Episode 257) Red Sea Shipping Issues and Resolutions with Farid Tahvildari of NUCO Logistics (Episode 152)

Facing increasing demands, complex organizational shifts, and economic uncertainty, many leaders in the chemical industry are under more pressure than ever. In this episode of The Chemical Show, Victoria Meyer explores emerging patterns in executive and senior leadership she's noticed from her conversations with industry leaders, coaching, and real-world experience.  Victoria explains the three key patterns she’s seeing in organizations today and shares a “leadership operating reset” framework with three practical pillars to relieve stress and refocus on what matters. You’ll hear how to shift from doing it all to enabling others, set clear boundaries, empower up-and-coming leaders, and reclaim time for strategic priorities—both for yourself and for your team.  Join us this week to learn about:  New Organizational Realities: Why simplification often just means increased workload for proven leaders Leadership Bottlenecks: The risk of becoming the go-to resolver and how it stifles organizational development Dealing with Pressure: Balancing stakeholder demands at work and at home, and the importance of clear boundaries Activity vs. Value: Recognizing when too much busyness is displacing your crucial leadership work Leadership Operating Reset: Three pillars for relief—control the flow of demands, clarify decision processes, and align operating rhythms Delegation and Decision Rights: How enabling others to act boosts effectiveness and relieves pressure  Killer Quote: “You’re making the greatest impact when you’re working at your highest value—setting direction, building relationships, and enabling others—not just solving every problem that finds its way to you.” -Victoria Meyer  Other links:  Talent Shifts Reshaping the Chemical Industry with Geoff Smith of Mercer (Ep. 274) The Chemical Summit  40 Under 40 in Chemicals

Victoria Meyer breaks down second quarter 2026 earnings results from across the chemical industry, pulling out the trends, strategies, and market shifts that matter to business leaders. With Q2 numbers in and disruption still echoing from the ongoing war in Iran, many companies saw stronger results.  Victoria cuts through the headlines to clarify what’s really happening beneath the surface: better results are mostly price-driven, not volume-led, signaling that supply disruptions and strategic positioning are behind the recent boost. She highlights the critical role of location, sustained portfolio reshaping, and why transformation efforts will continue as demand fundamentals hold steady.  Key discussion areas this week:  Earnings Snapshots: How Dow’s rapid price increases and BASF’s portfolio moves helped deliver strong quarters. War in Iran & Industry Impact: Concrete effects on supply chains, feedstock availability, and why regional advantages are more crucial than ever. Geographical Advantage: How US-based and European manufacturers leveraged disruption, and why location remains a primary driver of competitive edge. Portfolio Restructuring: Ongoing business reshaping at the executive level, including recent M&A and divestitures from BASF, Dow, IMCD, Brenntag, and Univar. Value Migration: Shifts towards differentiated products and growth sectors such as electronics, healthcare, personal care, and data center support. Leadership Discipline: What CEOs are saying (and not saying) about capital allocation, resilience, and sticking to fundamentals as Q3 and Q4 approach.  Killer Quote: "Competitive advantage isn't coming from one place. It's coming from a combination of execution, portfolio choices, customer focus, and the ability to adapt faster than the market around you." - Victoria Meyer  Other links:  Mid-Year Earnings Reset: Access the episode and workbook referenced by Victoria for practical strategic planning.  In-Depth Analysis: Listen to the recent episode with John Richardson on supply-demand fundamentals and China’s impact.

Navigating growth, leadership, and innovation in polyurethanes, Robert (Bob) Tauchen, VP of Polyurethanes at the Coim Group, joins Victoria Meyer for an expert look at how the industry is adapting to shifting markets and new technologies. Bob explains Coim’s global strategy as a family-owned Italian company investing deeply in the US, first in New Jersey, and now expanding to Texas to address the evolving needs of North American customers.  Victoria and Bob discuss the realities of growth expectations post-COVID, why long-term vision is essential in the chemical industry, and how relationships, trust, and reliability drive success in the US market. They also explore how leadership styles are changing with new generations, the stressors facing today’s teams, and why building context and motivation is more important than ever.   Key topics this week include:  Global Expansion: How Coim’s strategy balances investment, logistics, and customer proximity in the US Industry Recovery: The impact of COVID-era growth spikes and how to reset realistic performance goals US Market Dynamics: Why trust, reliability, and local presence matter more than price Leadership Today: Managing across generations, keeping teams engaged, and adapting to new expectations AI in Chemicals: Where AI brings value, why implementation is complex, and the need for thoughtful investment  Killer Quote: “The short-term growth addiction that I see, people make bad decisions..... we got addicted to this COVID profit margin return to significant growth.” — Bob Tauken  Other links:  Polyurethanes Technical Conference (CPI): Learn more and register for the upcoming event in Orlando here.

On this episode of The Chemical Show, Geoff Smith, partner at Mercer, joins Victoria Meyer to unpack what’s really changing in the chemical industry’s talent landscape. Drawing on Mercer’s recent Global Talent Trends Survey, Geoff explains why employee thriving is down, especially among managers, and what leaders can do to support and engage their people in a fast-changing, tech-enabled world.  Victoria and Geoff discuss the impact of AI and rapid change on jobs, the shift toward flatter organizational structures, and how career progression is evolving. They offer actionable advice for leaders and professionals: communicate with authenticity, clarify career paths, and foster continual learning. The importance of context and judgment, alongside technology skills, gets special attention.  Tune in for key takeaways:  Why employee thriving is dropping and what this means for managers How AI and technology are changing, but not replacing, critical roles The reality of career paths in a flatter organization Leadership priorities: building skills, supporting managers, and clear communication Practical guidance for professionals navigating the “messy middle” of their careers  Killer Quote: "You own your career and the trajectory. Always invest in yourself by continuous learning... It should be okay to ask questions so that you get clarity so that you can do your job." -- Geoff Smith