Evonik Reshuffles Leadership: A Closer Look
Increased female influence at Evonik Corporation
In a twist of corporate events, Evonik's restructuring spells changes for its board of directors. Amidst the overhaul, the management body expand from four to five members. However, the expansive board, previously known as the second leadership level, is axed. Making history, two new female members, Lauren Kjeldsen and Claudine Mollenkopf, join the ranks.
The chemical juggernaut will soon have three women at the helm, with the finance department already under the leadership of Maike Schuh since April 2023.
Harald Schwager, a former BASF board member, who joined Evonik as deputy chairman in 2017, is set to retire at the end of March 2025. Christian Kullmann (55) and Thomas Wessel, personnel director and labor director, will continue to serve on the board. Interestingly, Wessel's contract is extended until summer 2028 next year.
From next year, Wessel shoulders additional responsibility for infrastructure activities, encompassing the Performance Intermediates business unit, up for sale. Apparently, Evonik is on a quest for buyers for both units. Furthermore, Wessel will also be in charge of the new function Next Generation Technologies, supporting the sustainability transformation.
Kjeldsen, a US-born chemical engineer, is tasked with the new division Custom Solutions. The business units will now report directly to the board. With a background at Evonik and its predecessor organizations, Kjeldsen brings the required expertise. As a member of the expanded board since 2020, she has overseen the division Specialty Additives and since October 2022, Smart Materials. Apart from her segment responsibility, she will also oversee innovation and the Americas region.
On the other hand, Mollenkopf, another Degussa alumna, takes charge of the second division, Advanced Technologies. A member of the expanded board since October 2022, she served as head of the division, Specialty Additives. She is also responsible for the Asia Pacific region.
For the latest updates on the new board members and their roles, it is advisable to check Evonik's press releases or official announcements on their website, as the information might not be publicly available or could have been updated after the last search results were provided.
Lauren Kjeldsen, a chemical engineer and a former board member since 2020, will lead the new division Focusing on Custom Solutions at Evonik, a move that reflects the company's emphasis on health-and-wellness and women's health innovations.
Claudine Mollenkopf, another experienced board member since October 2022, is now in charge of the division Advanced Technologies, highlighting Evonik's dedication to science and business expansion, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.
The chemical conglomerate Evonik's decision to reshuffle its leadership not only signals changes in its board of directors but also indicates a shift towards more diverse representation and a commitment to various sectors, such as finance, business, and innovation.
