As a second-generation immigrant myself, I am eager to learn more about your story. Where did it all start?
I am a Cuban-American; my journey began when my parents left Cuba in 1960, leading to a life of global mobility due to my father's job at Dow. This international lifestyle has been further echoed in my own career. As a third-culture kid, having lived and worked in various countries, my life experiences have helped build a global perspective and opened doors for me.
Why is having an international mindset so important when leading Ashland today?
Leadership in a global company like Ashland hinges on understanding and valuing people above all else. Despite the changing geopolitical landscape, the fundamental nature of our relationships with employees, customers, shareholders, and partners remains unchanged. This human-centric approach has always been my focus, which helps navigate through challenges by emphasizing flexibility, empathy, and a deep understanding of diverse cultural contexts.
Given the importance of people, how does Ashland attract and retain talent in an industry that may not appear as appealing to younger generations?
In our world, chemistry is part of everything, from the detergent you buy to cosmetics, cleaning products, and the food at the supermarket. It is really about materials. We are emphasizing the integral role of chemistry in daily life, from consumer products to advanced technologies, highlighting its relevance and impact. Our approach to talent attraction and retention focuses on the exciting opportunities for innovation within the sector, particularly in developing sustainable and biodegradable solutions. By showcasing the breadth of careers and the impact of our work on society and the environment, we attract individuals passionate about making a difference.
We have spoken to over 50 industry leaders now that will often focus on how their products are becoming more sustainable. However, marrying sustainability with scalability and commercial viability remains a notorious challenge. What is a product in your portfolio that achieves this difficult balance?
One example of a sustainable, commercially available product, is our transformed vegetable oil-based core ingredient which is used across pharma, personal care, and coating sectors. It represents a new core ingredient around which we can design a myriad of products, such as biodegradable seed coatings, personal care products and more efficient pill coatings.
Our portfolio also includes novel cellulosics and advanced applications in injectables, emphasizing our commitment to sustainability and innovation across multiple fronts. We prioritize having a diverse portfolio to mitigate risks and enhance flexibility.
How has the approach or playbook to bringing chemical products to market evolved over the past decade, and how does Ashland adapt to these changes?
The process of bringing products to market in the chemicals industry has evolved significantly. The question here is where is one starting from? Our advantage lies in our sustainable portfolio and the inherent flexibility of our business model, which allows us to pivot technologies. This adaptability positions us to look forward, not backward, meaning we can focus on tomorrow’s megatrends. This period of change presents a unique opportunity for our team to contribute to the revitalization of entire industries, such as personal care, with new technologies.
Given shareholders often want to see results in the short term, how do you communicate Ashland's long-term vision and commitment to megatrends that may come to fruition in decades to come?
Effectively communicating our long-term strategy and commitment to megatrends demands a nuanced approach. Internally, we are focused on career growth and the ongoing transformation of our company to align with future needs. With customers, our focus is on demonstrating the robustness of our technological portfolio, essential for their future success. When engaging with investors, we focus on presenting Ashland as a company with a promising future, supported by our strategic focus on high-quality markets and megatrends such as an aging, and the growing population.
What concerns keep you awake at night regarding Ashland's direction and industry challenges?
Navigating the uncertainties of the global environment, from COVID-19 to economic fluctuations, challenges us to stay focused on what we can control. Our primary concern is ensuring the successful transformation of Ashland into a company that reflects the evolving needs and opportunities of our times. It is crucial to continuously attract new talent and instill a sense of excitement and focus within our team.
Let us fast forward to an interview we are having three years from now. What impact and innovations at Ashland will you be telling me about?
Three years from now, our goal is to have reshaped the public's perception from merely chemicals to a broader focus on materials, especially as we embrace more natural and sustainable products. We aim to have demonstrated our role as a key enabler for solving global challenges through technology, contributing positively to the environment and society. By then, we hope to share high-impact successes that not only reflect our commitment to environmental stewardship but also signify our substantial contribution to the industries we serve.
