Amy Schumacher is the Chief Executive Officer of The Heritage Group, overseeing the company’s portfolio of more than 50 companies and 6,000 employees. She is also a member of its board of trustees. Amy has been part of The Heritage Group family of businesses since 2008, when she founded Monument Chemical — THG’s specialty chemicals business — and served as Monument’s President and CEO for eight years. In that role, she was responsible for growing Monument from a small, Indianapolis-based business into a global company with operations in Europe and the US. In 2016, Amy transitioned to President of The Heritage Group and was appointed CEO in 2020, marking the fourth generation of Fehsenfeld family leadership. She graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education and B.S. in Civil Engineering and received her M.B.A. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She serves on the boards of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Calumet Specialty Products and the Purdue Engineering Advisory Council. Amy enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Jim, and her two daughters.
Michael Lefenfeld is President and CEO of Hexion Inc., where he also serves as Chairman of the Board and on the Board of Managers for ASP Resins Holdings LP. Since 2023, he has transformed Hexion from a commodity chemical supplier into a technology-driven leader in advanced materials, embedding AI across operations and driving sustainable innovation with bio-based and circular materials. Lefenfeld has launched enterprise-wide initiatives to optimize efficiency, reduce waste, and improve operational performance. A scientist and serial entrepreneur, he holds over 100 patents, previously led Cyanco International and SiGNa Chemistry, and holds advanced degrees in chemistry from Columbia University and a BSc from Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Christina (Chris) Bodurow received her Bachelors of Arts from Kalamazoo College, and her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Princeton University. Chris is currently Senior Vice President of Project Management at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute. Chris’ prior roles include Deputy Director of the AVIDD/SyneRx NIH/NIAID grant at the Stanford School of Medicine, global Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs at IQVIA, and Eli Lilly and Company-Lilly Research Laboratories, Retired, 1984-2017. Chris also serves in a number of professional and community volunteer roles, including on the Board of Directors of the American Chemical Society, the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Board of Trustees of Kalamazoo College. She has been a member of the American Chemical Society since 1980.
Jenn Klein is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA), where she drives strategic initiatives that strengthen and advance the specialty chemical industry. Under her leadership, SOCMA champions policies that enhance innovation, regulatory clarity, and operational excellence while promoting the highest standards of safety and sustainability. With more than 25 years of experience in government affairs and association management, Jenn is a recognized advocate and industry leader. She previously led the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council and has held senior roles in industry, government, and regulatory organizations.
Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and currently leads use-cases for Gen AI in R&D. She joined 3M in 1993 after a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and holds 80 patents. In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award and in 2026 she was inducted to National Academy of Engineering. She is an accomplished thought-leader and was named to the 2025 Thinkers50 Radar. Jayshree is also author of The Heart of Science trilogy with over 50 actionable frameworks and mental models -- all proceeds go to scholarship for women in STEM.
Zeru Tekie joined Hexion in 2023 as the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. He leads Hexion’s science and technology innovation portfolio, technical services capabilities and continuous improvement initiatives with an emphasis on operational excellence and sustainability. Before joining Hexion, he served as Vice President of Technology, Advanced Performance Materials for Chemours and Corporate R&D Director for 3M. With more than 25 years of experience in the chemical industry, Tekie has a strong track record of delivering business value through technology innovation, asset optimization, cost productivity, capital effectiveness and continuous improvement programs. Tekie holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Dr. John P. (Jack) Dever is the Chief Technology Officer, leads a world class staff responsible for contract chemical technology programs, including lab, pilot plant and manufacturing technology development. He joined AVN Corp. in 2011. Prior to joining AVN, he had technology development and manufacturing leadership roles at Union Carbide and subsequently the Dow Chemical Company for 28 years. Jack holds several patents and was recognized by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) with the 2023 Lawrence B. Evans Award in Chemical Engineering Practice and was elected as a Fellow in AICHE and WVU Chemical Engineering Academy. He received a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
Thanos Yiagopoulos is Chief Technology Officer at Momentive Performance Materials, where he leads the company’s global technology organization responsible for innovation, new product and process development, and strategic technology initiatives across a worldwide R&D network of more than 500 professionals. With more than 20 years of experience in the chemical industry, including leadership roles at Momentive, SABIC, and LyondellBasell, he has built and transformed global R&D organizations that connect technology strategy, market needs, and sustainability. Thanos is recognized for developing mature innovation systems that integrate strong processes, cross-functional collaboration, and external partnerships to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful business impact.
Jamie L. Cohen is Vice President of R&D for Dow’s Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure business, where she leads innovation and technology development supporting the Polyurethanes, Construction Chemicals, and Industrial Solutions portfolios. She is a member of Dow’s R&D leadership team, shaping enterprise technology and organizational strategy. Since joining Dow in 2007, Cohen has held roles spanning Corporate R&D, Energy Materials, R&D and corporate strategy, and global R&D leadership across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University, is the inventor on five patents, and actively supports talent development and Dow employee resource groups.
Deepanjan Bhattacharya is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the coatings and plastics industries, currently serving as Vice President of Plastics and Technology Operations and Vice President of Care Solutions Technology and Technology Operations at Eastman. Previously, Deepanjan held positions such as Director of Global Coatings Technology and Global Coatings Application and Research Development Leader at Eastman Chemical Company, as well as Global Market Leader for Transportation Coatings and Coatings Innovation Leader. Deepanjan began the career as a Principal Research Scientist at Eastman Chemical. In terms of education, Deepanjan earned an Executive Scholar Program degree in General Management from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management and a Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer Science from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Marc Block is a global business leader with over two decades of experience building and scaling specialty chemical platforms across Asia, Europe, and North America. As Global Vice President at Wanhua Chemical Group, he leads the Performance Chemicals business platform, spanning aliphatic isocyanates, specialty amines, and special monomers, with full P&L accountability across a global organization. He supported Wanhua's ADI business growth from market entry into a leading global platform and has directed multiple cross-border M&A and integration initiatives. Prior to Wanhua, Marc spent over a decade at Bayer MaterialScience (now Covestro) in commercial and product management leadership roles. He holds an MBA from Nanyang Business School in Singapore.
Kelly Gilroy, VP Commercial Sustainability, leads the development and commercialization of sustainable and natural ingredients across Univar Solutions. Kelly supports customers on their sustainability journeys and works closely with the Univar Solutions global supplier base to identify markets and opportunities to launch innovative ingredients that meet evolving market, regulatory and societal expectations. Kelly joined Univar Solutions in 2014 to build our Beauty and Personal Care specialties business, and previously worked at The Lubrizol Corporation and Nalco, an Ecolab Company. Kelly holds a BS, Accountancy from the University of Illinois and is a CPA.
Dr David Hatrick is Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Innovation at Huntsman Advanced Materials, located in Huntsman’s headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas. David leads the strategic planning and R&D activities for the division, from development of market insights, strategy development through to creation of new technology platforms and new product development. As well as the strategic planning team, his responsibilities cover the three major R&D centers, with marketing and technology teams operating in automotive, aerospace, adhesive, composite and electronic and electrical power markets. In parallel, David is responsible for an internal start up focused on scaling up a new form of carbon nanomaterials for diverse markets such as batteries, composites and concrete. He is also heavily involved in the divisions M&A activities and has been a key member of the due diligence and integration teams of three new businesses over the last 5 years.
Tanja Störmer is Vice President Product Development & Innovation at UPM Adhesive Materials, where she leads the global Product Development & Innovation organization and shapes the future of sustainable adhesive and labeling solutions. She has driven the transformation of R&D and Product Development toward agile, cross-regional innovation networks by building global innovation and technology platforms and regional development hubs.
Tanja brings extensive international leadership experience in the B2B and chemical industries, with a strong focus on scaling innovation through customer-centricity, data-driven decision-making, and agile development models.
Before her current role, she held P&L responsibility for the EMEIA Films & Specials SBU at UPM Adhesive Materials and served in multiple leadership positions at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.
Lewis Sweet is the General Manager of Sustainable Fuels & Chemicals at Honeywell, where he drives the application of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and automation across refining, renewable fuels, and specialty chemicals. With two decades of experience spanning control systems, digital transformation, and industrial software, Lewis focuses on translating AI innovation into scalable, real-world outcomes for complex process industries. He works closely with global producers to enable autonomous operations, accelerate decarbonization, and improve asset performance through data-driven decision making. Previously, Lewis held senior leadership roles in Honeywell’s climate and digital strategy organizations and began his career designing mission critical aerospace systems. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering and an MBA and is a frequent speaker on AI-enabled industrial transformation.
Bill Flederbach is the Founder, President & CEO of ClimeCo, a global leader in sustainability and decarbonization solutions. With over 30 years of experience in environmental markets, he has driven scalable greenhouse gas reduction efforts and pioneered market-based solutions to address climate challenges. Since founding ClimeCo in 2009, Bill has led its evolution from nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement to a multifaceted provider of sustainability services, achieving over 40 million tonnes of CO₂e reductions globally. Known for fostering innovation and collaboration, Bill’s leadership reflects his dedication to empowering his team and advancing a more sustainable and resilient future.
Geoffrey Moeser is the senior technology director of Cabot’s reinforcement materials business segment, responsible for product, process, and application technology development of carbon black and elastomer composite materials for tire and rubber applications. In his 22 years at Cabot, he has worked in a variety of R&D roles in multiple business segments, including specialty carbons and battery materials. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mitch serves as a Venture Director on The Heritage Group’s New Ventures team, bringing practical operating experience to HG Ventures and internal incubation efforts. He is passionate about helping leaders and investors build and scale businesses. Mitch currently serves as a Board Member of StreetIQ and CSF Materials, Board Observer for Electramet, Voxel, and Valerann, and an independent board member of Refreshed Tech.
Previously, he led Motus’ managed mobility business unit and scaled three SaaS companies—MOBI, Viral Launch, and Shiftlab—leading capital raises, strategy, and go-to- market execution, with two achieving successful exits.
Yuzo Kamei is a Senior Manager in Corporate Venturing and Innovation at Sumitomo Chemical America. With 20 years in chemical engineering and manufacturing, he has led numerous projects from lab-scale development to commercial operation, including a $9 billion expansion in Saudi Arabia, and key initiatives in production digitalization and GHG reduction. Yuzo currently scouts transformative technologies while empowering ventures with industrial insights, focusing on driving material breakthroughs to accelerate the circular economy and IT innovations. A dedicated mentor and baseball enthusiast, he holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.Eng. from the University of Tokyo.
Andrea Jacobs is Director of Data Analytics at CAS, a division of the ACS specializing in scientific knowledge management. In her current role, Andrea leads a team of data scientists, many of whom also have an educational background in a natural science discipline such as chemistry, biology, and pharmacology, tasked with pioneering science-smart AI solutions to accelerate R&D workflows. In her 15-year tenure with CAS, she has held scientific, technical, and business leadership roles spanning the organization’s end-to-end operations, including enterprise strategy, product development, partnerships, content licensing, and data curation operations and infrastructure. Andrea earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and computer science from Wellesley College and an MBA from The Ohio State University.
Nick Talken is the CEO and co-founder of Albert Invent. A chemical engineer with multiple patents and publications, Nick previously co-founded and served as CTO of Molecule, a leading 3D printing materials company, where he built the first version of Albert to help his own lab team. He later led the digital transformation of R&D at Henkel, the global leader in adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings. At Albert Invent, Nick now brings over a decade of technology innovation to empower every chemist with AI-driven insights.
