As I packed my bags for the 2nd annual Women in Chemicals (WIC) Conference in Chicago, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect as both a first-time attendee and the Conference Marketing Coordinator for Women in Chemicals. After nine long months of remote collaboration, I was finally getting the chance to meet my fellow WIC colleagues that I’d collaborated with on the Conference Committee in person. Walking into the venue, I felt that distinct mix of nerves and excitement.

We met in the hotel lobby, and after a moment of double-checking that we were actually real, the nerves instantly calmed. I felt like I was home. Even though we had never met in person, our history of great online conversations had already built a solid foundation of friendship and support.

As we walked together toward our luncheon for the Women in Chemicals Leadership Team, Ally Board & Advisory Board, we all chatted away as if we were lifelong friends. In that moment, I realized just how precious these few in-person days would be. Beyond producing a successful conference, we were building trust and strengthening our relationships. We spent lunch bonding over WIC origin stories, capturing new memories in photos, and honored outgoing ally and advisory board members.

After a warm welcome with our team, the focus shifted to ensuring a best-in-class attendee experience, and it was time to get to work. As several team members slipped away to cover the registration tables, prep for the book club, or organize the mentorship sessions, the atmosphere changed. Because of our deep connection, it didn't feel like a corporate event anymore. It felt like a family hosting a wedding! I found myself swept up in that familiar host mode — rushing to restock bags at registration, fine-tuning the mixer pairing, and checking in on our guests to ensure they were enjoying their experience.

Disrupting the Corporate "Blue Sea"

Before diving too deep, it is worth noting that as a member of the leadership team, my perspective captures only a sliver of the total conference experience. However, the moments I did witness made a huge impact on me and everyone around me. For example, it was eye-opening to see attendees wearing the full spectrum of pink to a professional conference instead of the usual sea of blue and black! This was a visual signal that this is not your standard professional gathering.

Our three-day event themed "Critical for Chemistry,” came to life through insightful discussions, dynamic networking, and a strong emphasis on championing women in the field. Through a series of seminars, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, we explored critical industry topics ranging from sustainable chemistry and digital transformation to more skills focused topics like personal branding and inclusive leadership.

From the moment our co-founders kicked things off with their personal stories, I was reminded of the vital role women play in this industry and that in order to grow, we must embrace change in the face of uncertainty.

Photo courtesy of Women in Chemicals

Superpowers and Introspection

The energy in the room only grew from there, particularly during Lisa Sun's keynote on "Choosing Self-Confidence & Finding Your Superpower." Lisa Sun, founder & CEO of Gravitas, challenged us to silence our inner critic and reminded us that “only you can believe in yourself.” She shared French choreographer-director Yoann Bourgeois’ video “Fugue/Trampoline,” an interpretation of life featuring the artist on a trampoline, fitted with a wooden staircase. He climbed halfway up, only to surrender to gravity and plummet. As he hit the surface of the trampoline, he was propelled upwards, where he landed momentarily on a lower step, climbed a step or two, and fell again. He repeated this cycle of climbing, falling and rising several times, weightlessly bouncing from trampoline to staircase and back, landing on a different stair each time. It was a beautifully done artistic segment that mimicked the rhythm of life, where resilience is the ability to hit rock bottom and use the impact to return to new heights and progress upwards or downward. I was surprised to find myself moved to tears. Life will always have its ups and downs, but we keep persevering and surviving.

That introspection turned into connection when asked to partner up and share our “superpowers.” It was much easier to identify my partner’s rather than my own! After a few minutes of conversation, it dawned on me that my partner was correct - I am bold and adventurous! Afterwards, it was an absolute treat to meet Lisa in person as she signed my personal copy of her book, Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence, which was coincidentally a pick for our Women in Chemicals book club earlier in the year.

Cultivating Allyship and Mentorship

Lisa’s session kicked off a day packed with insight and development. The panel discussion on male allyship was an attendee favorite, highlighting the importance of this crucial topic. Panelist Brandon Lyssy, global director DEI and Community at Univar Solutions, emphasized the value of listening to enhance understanding, thereby fostering an inclusive environment and creating opportunities which may have otherwise been missed. It was a great reminder that communication is a balance of both listening and speaking. I found it reassuring to meet so many allies in the room who genuinely support women.

This spirit of support was also evident as we celebrated our Woman of the Year, Priti Pharkya, PhD, CBO, and board member at Future Origins, who spoke about the pivotal role managers and mentors played throughout her career. Hearing her story, I was inspired to take action and find my own mentor in the next cohort of the Women in Chemicals' mentorship program. I am pleased to share that not only was I accepted, but the matching process is incredibly accurate as the mentorship committee painstakingly reviews every aspect of the highly detailed applications. I highly encourage anyone to apply.

Photo courtesy of Women in Chemicals

Speaking of taking action, have you ever had the opportunity to sit down for a complimentary coaching session at a professional event? We offered complimentary 40 minute onsite coaching sessions to attendees throughout our time in Chicago from a credentialed career coach. These sessions gave attendees immediate, actionable strategies to implement in their professional lives, allowing them to break through barriers and lead with confidence.

Finally, we closed by joining our keynote speaker, Bonnie Tully, COO at Evonik and WIC co-founder, Amelia Greene, in a candid conversation about Tully’s journey from engineer to executive. The session was both relatable and insightful. I loved her transparency as she shared the messy ups and downs of her career. We laughed, but I also found valuable takeaways, especially her strategies on managing difficult coworkers, leveling up through creative problem solving, and the power of investing in a career coach.

A Lasting Ripple Effect

Over the course of three days, I connected with so many incredibly generous women who offered to support me in my own career journey. I left Chicago feeling supported and empowered by a community that genuinely wants to see every member succeed. As one attendee beautifully put it: "Watching the engagement and reactions during panels reminded me of how powerful it is to create spaces where women can come together, share their experiences, and recognize that none of us walk this journey alone. I am deeply grateful for how thoughtfully this conference was organized, fostering connection, inspiration, and strength."

The success of the 2025 conference was made possible by the generous support of sponsors across the chemical industry, whose commitment is a testament to the importance of diversity and inclusion within our industry, and it was most gratifying to see their support of women. Behind the scenes, I admired the Leadership Team’s dedication. Women in Chemicals is powered by a volunteer-based Leadership Team who selflessly give their time and energy in creating this community and producing this in-person event. Whether it was building centerpieces for the Gatsby-themed dinner, a speedy Target run, stitching a reel for Instagram, or mustering up the courage to speak on stage, everyone poured their heart into creating this unique forum for women in the industry to feel empowered and inspired.

The energy continued to flow long after the conference had concluded. It was amazing to see that we had inspired many to not only further their own career, but to lift others along the way. It was gratifying to know that we created an atmosphere where there was a sense of belonging, where people could make authentic connections and walk away with actionable takeaways such as finding a sponsor rather than a mentor. There were many sessions, like Jen Wilson’s session on empathy “Lead Like a Woman,” which many felt was highly applicable to their daily role and were able to immediately implement learnings to become better colleagues, leaders, and mentors.

An energized attendee summed it up perfectly: “The Women In Chemicals Conference was an amazing experience. I gained so much knowledge that I will carry with me throughout my career. The speakers were incredibly inspiring, offering valuable perspectives that really resonated with me. The event also provided incredible networking opportunities, and it was empowering to connect with so many strong women who are making an impact in our industry." I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Looking Ahead: Miami 2026

Building on this incredible momentum, I’m thrilled to share that our conference committee has been hard at work to make the Women in Chemicals 2026 conference even bigger and better. We are anticipating over 500 women and allies will join us in Miami, Florida. Advanced registration is now open until June 30th. We’re focusing all our energy into firming up the agenda, selecting speakers and creating that special Women in Chemicals effect that makes all our events feel a little magical. I would love for you and your team to join us and experience this event for yourselves. You won’t be disappointed.

See you in Miami this September!