Unprecedented transformation is shaping the chemical industry's talent landscape as companies prioritize digitalization and commercial fluency over traditional experience. Victoria Meyer is joined by Lisa Brantley, Head of Client Consulting and Executive Search for the Americas at Mercuri Urval, to discuss how global market shifts, AI, and structural change are redefining what chemical executives need for success in 2025 and beyond.

Victoria and Lisa break down the widening talent gaps, the strategic importance of cross-functional leadership, and the rising demand for interim leaders and specialized roles. The conversation highlights the nuances of recruiting in North America versus Europe, effective use of LinkedIn for career mobility, and actionable guidance for succession planning. These insights help chemical industry professionals understand how to prepare themselves and their teams for the growth cycles ahead.

Victoria and Lisa discuss the following topics:

• Why 2025 was surprisingly strong for executive searches and transformation-focused hiring in chemicals.
• How talent shortages are impacting early-career professionals and senior leaders.
• 2026 hiring outlook: specialty roles, streamlined leadership, and the push for digital and sustainable growth.
• Navigating the US-Europe pay gap and international recruiting challenges.
• How leaders can quantify results, grow networks, and build cross-functional skills.

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Global oversupply, uncertain demand, and tough cost structures are reshaping the chemical industry, leaving many companies facing unprecedented challenges. John Stekla, Director at Parin Resources, joins host Victoria Meyer for a frank conversation about the realities facing chemical producers, traders, and buyers as the industry moves into 2026. They examine the drivers of margin compression, how U.S. and global players are making difficult operational choices, and why even the industry’s cost advantages aren't a guaranteed ticket to success.

Victoria and John also discuss shifting strategies among buyers and sellers, the implications of recent structural changes and plant closures, and how companies are preparing for what could be several more years of pressured results. Despite the near-term headwinds, John underscores the long-term value of the U.S. cost position and the cycles that have always defined chemical markets, sharing practical insights for leaders seeking to navigate uncertainty and position their businesses for the future.

Additional Links:

Conversations On The Propylene And Olefin Market With John Stekla

The State Of The Petrochemical Industry Post Hurricane Ida With John Stekla

Victoria examines the following topics:

• Global chemicals face excess supply, flat demand, and rising competition.
• Companies are focusing on efficiency and cost-cutting to survive shrinking margins.
• The industry is restructuring with asset shutdowns and tough make-or-buy decisions.
• U.S. cost advantage persists, but fuels new competition as exports rise.
• Lessons from past cycles highlight the need for readiness and adaptability.

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Leaders who finish strong in December are the ones who start January ahead—both in focus and momentum. Victoria Meyer offers a practical 15-minute leadership reset for chemical industry professionals looking to close out 2025 with intention while laying the groundwork for a high-impact 2026. With just three weeks left in the business year, Victoria shares four core actions: resetting priorities, bringing clarity and alignment to the team, strengthening key relationships, and setting personal leadership goals for the year ahead.

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These steps go beyond simply completing tasks—they help leaders cut through year-end noise, avoid the common January “catch-up,” and step into the new year with clear purpose. Victoria draws from real-world executive coaching experiences, offering actionable questions and strategies for business professionals ready to boost their impact. Tune in to get a concise blueprint for finishing 2025 strong and building strategic momentum for 2026.

Victoria examines the following topics:

• How to use December’s final weeks to build momentum for a powerful start in January.
• Why intentional year-end decisions matter more than just task completion for lasting success in 2026.
• Four essential actions for chemical industry leaders to maximize impact and reset focus before year’s end.
• The importance of strengthening one key connection now to unlock new opportunities in the coming year.
• Personalize 2026: Set leadership goals for yourself to lead with clarity and purpose in the new year.

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What’s the one thing you should always bring to Thanksgiving dinner? According to host Victoria Meyer, it’s a great conversation starter—especially about topics that matter in the chemical industry today. From questions about the future of plastics and the impact of AI to navigating a challenging job market and redefining leadership, Victoria lays out five key talking points to help spark smart, relevant discussions around the holiday table.

Victoria explores the uneven state of the economy, the rapid adoption of AI, the real story behind plastics and sustainability, how leaders are recalibrating during times of transition, and why talent and skills gaps are shaping the future of the industry. Her practical insights deliver both context and clarity for professionals facing today’s market challenges—making this episode a timely resource for both your Thanksgiving conversations and your business strategy.

Victoria explores the following topics:

• 1. Why the economy feels uneven and how chemicals give you unique insight.
• 2. How AI is already shaping your world—at work and at home.
• 3. What to say when tough plastics or sustainability questions arise.
• 4. How resilient leaders focus and adapt during rapid business shifts.
• 5. Why the biggest risk—and opportunity—is the people powering the chemical industry.

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The chemical industry is navigating its longest down cycle in two decades, with oversupply, weak demand, and tariff uncertainty shaping a challenging landscape for business leaders. Host Victoria Meyer unpacks the third quarter 2025 earnings reports, highlighting five key themes impacting the industry: soft demand, price and margin pressures, disciplined cost control, shifts in supply chain strategy, and the increasing impact of tariffs and trade policy.

Victoria shares strategies for business leaders looking to finish 2025 strong and prepare for 2026, including focusing on core value segments, strengthening regional supply chains, protecting margins, improving demand forecasting, and prioritizing cash and investment discipline. This episode delivers actionable insights for chemical industry professionals facing tough decisions and searching for clarity in uncertain times.

Victoria explores the following topics:

• Industry faces weak demand, uncertainty, and stalled recovery.
• Oversupply crisis: Prices and margins squeezed, except in specialty/innovation segments.
• Cost discipline intensifies: Cutting spending, optimizing portfolios, reducing dividends.
• Firms pivot to regional markets and supply chains to manage tariffs and simplify operations.
• Actionable strategies for leaders to drive clarity, control, and growth heading into 2026.

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Geopolitics, energy volatility, and persistent oversupply are reshaping the global chemical industry as 2025 draws to a close. Victoria Meyer sits down with Kurt Barrow and Andrew Neale from S&P Global to address the forces driving today’s market dynamics, the impact of government policies, and the shifting landscape heading into 2026. They break down how new sanctions, tariffs, and energy transition policies are influencing everything from oil prices and supply chains to chemical production strategies worldwide.

The episode explores regional strengths and vulnerabilities, with North America, the Middle East, and China taking leading roles amid rationalization and capacity closures in Europe and South Korea. Kurt Barrow and Andrew Neale share insights on how chemical producers are responding to cost shifts, supply chain resets, and evolving consumer demand. The conversation also previewed the upcoming World Petrochemical Conference and CERAWeek, emphasizing the need for industry leaders to stay agile in response to accelerated change, emerging technologies, and global market imbalances.

Victoria, Kurt, and Andrew discuss the following this week:

• Why government action, oversupply, and shifting demand are redefining 2025 in the chemical markets.
• How new sanctions, oil movements, and policy shifts impact feedstocks and chemical production.
• Real-world examples of how canal disruptions, freight rate swings, and tariffs are reshaping global sourcing.
• Regional winners and losers as energy prices, assets, and investments shift across Europe, China, and the US.
• Key strategies for chemical leaders navigating consolidation, energy transition, and market shifts ahead.

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• (00:01) - - Introduction & Welcome
• (01:31) - - Energy Market Shifts & Government Actions
• (05:27) - - Tariffs, Trade, and Global Uncertainty
• (09:40) - - Chemical Demand and Investment Cycle
• (12:55) - - Feedstock Price Trends & Impact
• (18:09) - - Regional Winners & Losers in Chemicals
• (21:43) - - Deepening Structural Shifts
• (27:52) - - Energy Transition: Progress & Roadblocks
• (33:06) - - Looking Ahead: Preparing for 2026
• (34:48) - - Conferences & Final Remarks

What does it take to transform a legacy chemical business into a cutting-edge innovation engine? Mike Finelli, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Syensqo (formerly Solvay), shares his journey from mailroom to C-suite and outlines how the company is leveraging sustainability, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence to drive growth and solve some of the world's toughest challenges. With a 160-year heritage and a fresh start after splitting from Solvay, Syensqo’s focus spans advanced materials for aerospace, automotive, healthcare, electronics, water filtration, and more.

Host Victoria Meyer and Mike discuss building a culture where AI becomes a daily tool for everyone, the company’s research priorities, and the launch of customer innovation centers designed to foster collaborative, customer-centric solutions. They also address leading through change—both technological and organizational—offering candid insights on managing culture shifts, developing future leaders, and the role of purpose-driven innovation in attracting and retaining talent in the chemical industry.

In this week's episode, Victoria and Mike talk about:

• From Mailroom to C-Suite: Mike Finelli’s journey highlights the power of a growth mindset in chemicals.
• How Syensqo balances tradition with a culture of innovation after its split from Solvay.
• Syensqo puts sustainability at the core of R&D, tackling global challenges with biotech and renewables.
• Building an AI-driven organization where generative tools accelerate discovery and everyday productivity.
• Driving innovation by partnering closely with customers in globally connected labs for faster solutions.

Accelerating sustainability through industry-wide collaboration is changing how chemical companies approach procurement, carbon reduction, and risk management. Victoria Meyer welcomes Jennifer Jewson, Chief Procurement Officer at LyondellBasell and President of Together for Sustainability (TfS), alongside Danielle Warnock, Senior Manager at Nouryon and TfS Regional Lead, to discuss how strategic alliances like TfS are driving real progress on sustainable procurement across the chemical industry.

Victoria, Jennifer, and Danielle examine the foundations and impact of TfS: standardizing supplier engagement, launching shared audit platforms, and advancing product carbon footprint measurement to address complex Scope 3 emissions. The conversation covers how sustainable procurement is intertwining with business strategy, the challenges and realities of delivering on corporate sustainability promises, and how companies are equipping teams and the next generation of leaders to advance long-term change. Discover how collaborative platforms and disciplined governance are helping shape the future of chemicals, and why staying committed to sustainability is critical for competitiveness, growth, and continued license to operate.

Victoria, Jennifer, and Danielle discuss the following topics on this week's episode:

• Together for Sustainability unites chemical companies to create shared sustainable procurement goals.
• Sustainable procurement explained: What it means and why it matters
• How TfS members use common platforms and audits to simplify supplier engagement and data exchange.
• Companies balance regulation, market shifts, and sustainability priorities to future-proof the industry.
• Passionate professionals and peer learning accelerate supply chain sustainability.

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