ASC 2025 Executive Leadership Conference Final Program by The Adhesive & Sealant Council

SPONSORS:

PROGRAM SCHEDULEPROGRAM SCHEDULE

10:00 a.m.

Monday, October 21

REGISTRATION – Indigo Room Foyer – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Noon to 5:00 p.m. ASC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (includes lunch)

6:30 to 7:00 p.m.

7:00 to 9:30 p.m.

6:15 a.m.

7:30 a.m.

7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Indigo Room – Sweetgrass Inn Building

SPOUSE/GUEST MEET AND GREET RECEPTION

Osprey Outdoor Terrace, 1st Floor – Sweetgrass Inn Building

This event is designed for registered spouses/guests to network and plan out the next two and half days.

OPENING RECEPTION & DINNER

Osprey Outdoor Terrace, 1st Floor – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Join ASC Board of Directors, staff, registered attendees, and guests for an evening of networking on the terrace.

Tuesday, October 22

MORNING WELLNESS: ASC YOGA CLASS

Indigo Rooftop Terrace – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Stretch out your day with some morning yoga. Registered guests are welcome.

Co-Sponsored by ASC Board Member Companies (see sponsor page)

REGISTRATION – Indigo Room & Rooftop – Sweetgrass Inn Building

NETWORKING BREAKFAST – Indigo Rooftop Terrace – Sweetgrass Inn Building

All attendees, including registered guests, are invited to this breakfast.

8:30 to 8:45 a.m. PROGRAM OVERVIEW – Indigo Room – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Bill Allmond, President, Adhesive and Sealant Council

Forest Driggs, ASC Board Chair, Franklin International

8:45 to 9:45 a.m. BUILDING THE HUMAN FOR TOMORROW

Indigo Room & Rooftop – Sweetgrass Inn Building Cassi Chandler, Motivational Leadership Expert, FBI’s First African American Female Special Agent Assistant Director

In this forward-looking talk, leadership expert and former FBI special agent assistant director Cassi Chandler leads a compelling overview of how emerging advances in technology, along with constantly changing global, social, and economic factors will present unforeseen challenges for organizations and employees as we move toward the future of work. Chandler prepares leaders to meet the challenges of today and in the future by sharing thoughtful strategies for how anyone can know, grow, and extend their power in a manner that influences and inspires confident teams that are optimally positioned to meet the ever-evolving needs of the organization.

9:45 to 10:00 a.m. BREAK

10:00 to 11:30 a.m. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRYWHAT, WHY, AND HOW? – Indigo Room & Rooftop – Sweetgrass Inn Building Dr. Yves Gorat Stommel, Head of Data & Analytics, Evonik Industries AG and Japen Hollist, Head of Sustainability GTM – North America, SAP

In today’s dynamic technology landscape, terms like Data Science, Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Generative AI (GenAI) are ubiquitous. In this presentation, we’ll demystify these concepts and explore their relevance for the chemical industry. To fully harness these technologies, a strategic framework approach — rather than just a few lighthouse projects — has helped Evonik to holistically prepare, support and guide the organization. Keeping in mind that the typical chemicals organization is not a software company, an important building block of the strategic framework is rightsizing the Data Science supplier ecosystem. Learn what types of use cases Evonik has implemented through internal and external approaches.

10:00 a.m. to SPOUSE/GUEST TOUR: CARRIAGE TOUR OF CHARLESTON WITH LUNCH

2:30 p.m.

Registered attendees should meet in the Sweetgrass Inn lobby at 9:45 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. departure. Get ready for a fun and exciting afternoon in historic downtown Charleston by mule or horse-drawn carriage with some of the most experienced personnel in the Charleston carriage industry! Lunch is included.

11:30 a.m. to MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS IN THE ADHESIVES & SEALANTS

12:30 p.m. VALUE CHAIN: WHAT’S NEXT? – Indigo Room & Rooftop – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Andy Hinz, Managing Director, Grace Matthews

In this presentation, we will discuss recent M&A trends in adhesives & sealants and across the broader chemicals industry. We’ll share examples of how M&A strategies have evolved over time and what the future may hold, and we’ll conclude with Q&A from the audience.

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. NETWORKING LUNCH – Indigo Rooftop Terrace – Sweetgrass Inn Building

All attendees, including registered guests, are invited to this lunch.

1:45 to 2:45 p.m. IS THE WORKPLACE GENERATION GAP OVER?

Indigo Room & Rooftop – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Diane Thielfoldt, Learning Strategist & Co-Founder, The Learning Café

The generation gap is far from over! While there have been significant strides in bridging differences and fostering collaboration, generational distinctions still influence work styles and preferences, perspectives on leadership, expectations and interactions. Do organizations prioritize flexibility, remote work and work-life balance or job security and traditional office hours? Do employees prefer flat organizations and collaborative work environments or traditional hierarchical structure? We will explore a few of the more provocative headlines such as Gen Z, Boomers versus Zoomers, and AI Anxiety.

2:45 to 3:15 p.m.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

LEVERAGING G enAI TO INCREASE THE CLOCK SPEED OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION – Indigo Room & Rooftop – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Kasey Correnti, Vice President, Newry Corp

David Wylie, Vice President, Newry Corp

In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, growth and innovation are crucial. This presentation by Newry highlights how Large Language Models (LLMs) drive innovation and efficiency, speeding up idea execution. We will share a case study on enhancing decision-making and supporting strategic initiatives with LLMs. Learn to leverage LLMs for accelerated growth and improved innovation. Shortly after the presentation, please join Newry staff for an afternoon of team building and networking.

3:30 to 5:30 p.m. CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT OR TIME ON YOUR OWN

Cornhole Tournament – Croquet Lawn South (registrants only)

The Cornhole Tournament will take place on the Croquet Lawn South (see resort map).

Registered attendees should meet at 3:45 p.m. on the lawn. Casual attire is mandatory.

6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

CHAIR’S RECEPTION & DINNER WITH HALL OF FAME AWARD PRESENTATION

Indigo Room & Rooftop Terrace – Sweetgrass Inn Building

Join ASC Board of Directors, Industry Peers, and ASC staff as we announce and celebrate the 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees.

Wednesday, October 23

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

LISA ANDERSON, President, LMA Consulting Group, Inc.

Lisa Anderson is the founder and president of LMA Consulting Group Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation that maximizes the customer experience and enables profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth. Sha has been named in the Top 46 most influential in Supply Chain by SAP, a Top 15 Supply Chain & Logistics Expert by RateLinx, and a top 40 B2B Tech Influencer by Arketi Group. She recently published SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning): Creating Predictable Revenue and EIBTDA Growth on how to successfully navigate the supply chain chaos with superior customer service and profitable growth.

CASSI CHANDLER, Motivational Leadership Expert, FBI’s First African American Female Special Agent Assistant Director

Cassandra “Cassi” Chandler is an innovator, strategist, investigator, and leader who has broken barriers, led diverse teams, and built cultures of motivational leadership and inclusivity at some of the world’s most important organizations, including Bank of America and the FBI. In a career that has included many “firsts” across the U.S. government and financial services industries, she served as the FBI’s first African American female special agent assistant director as well as the Bureau’s first female national spokesperson and director of public and community affairs. In addition to defining the tools motivational leaders need to mindfully build more high-performing cultures, Chandler provides actionable insights on how to move the needle while leading with empathy.

KASEY CORRENTI, Vice President, Newry Corp

Kasey has been with Newry for 9 years and directs engagements and advises Newry’s clients on growth strategy. She has significant experience in chemicals and materials across a range of industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, industrials, building & construction, and others.

DR. YVES GORAT STOMMEL, Head of Data

Analytics,

Evonik Industries AG

Yves Gorat Stommel is currently the head of the IT unit Data & Analytics, with a strong focus on enabling the company through both managed analytics and AI applications, as well as data, analytics, and AI platforms. Yves’ motivation stems from bringing together people, technology, and positive change.

ANDY HINZ, Managing Director, Grace Matthews

Andy Hinz, Managing Director, joined Grace Matthews in 2007 and advises privately held companies, private equity clients, and global multi-national corporations on M&A transactions across the chemicals and materials value chain. Andy has experience leading transactions in a variety of end markets including adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, inks, construction chemicals, polymers and resins, petrochemicals, plastics, and ingredients. Prior to joining Grace Matthews, Andy was an Equity Research Analyst with Robert W. Baird & Co. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Andy holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and received a Finance and Accounting degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

JAPEN HOLLIST, Head of Sustainability, SAP

Japen Hollist is SAP’s Head of Sustainability Go to Market for North America Customer Advisory. Japen’s team is tasked with supporting and enabling the North American field force to help customers understand and use SAP sustainability solutions. Prior to SAP, Japen served as a Procurement Officer in a Fortune 500 insurance company. While there, he served on their CSR Committee helping the company to be ranked on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and becoming ISO 14001 certified. Japen is a graduate of the Harvard University Extension School with a master’s degree in sustainability.

PERNILLE LIND OLSEN, President, Henkel North America

Pernille Lind Olsen is Corporate Senior Vice President at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, where she is responsible for Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ Packaging and Consumer Goods division as well as North America. She is also the Henkel President for North America. She is based in the US and has worked out of Denmark, Singapore and Germany during her career. Olsen started her career at Danish BioSolutions company Novozymes, she since moved to Hempel, Danish coatings supplier, before joining Henkel in 2022.

DR. KEVIN SWIFT, Managing Director, Swift Economics LLC

Dr. Swift is managing director of Swift Economics, a consultancy specializing in the interaction of the economy and specialty & fine chemical markets. He also is an economic advisor at ICIS where he is responsible for quarterly thought pieces addressing key market dynamics and is demand advisor for longterm supply demand balances. He joined ICIS after retiring as chief economist at the American Chemistry Council. Prior to joining ACC, Dr. Swift headed market research and forecasting at two consultancies.. He started his career at Dow Chemical. Dr. Swift is a Fellow and former president of the National Association for Business Economics and a member of the Harvard Discussion Group of Industrial Economists and National Business Economics Issues Council. He is a member of The Wall Street Journal Forecasters’ Survey panel and other forecast survey panels. Author of A History of American Business Cycles.

DIANE THIELFOLDT, Learning Strategist & Co-Founder, The Learning Café

Diane co-founded The Learning Café following a successful corporate career in sales, marketing, and communications. Her clients span represent multiple industries, associations, and government agencies. Diane specializes in solving issues related to the multi-generation workforce. For almost 25 years, she has learned from the age-diverse workforce by engaging in primary research, analyzing secondary research, capturing trends, teaching in organizations and observing workplace behavior - to build a strong knowledge base of the generations’ commonalities and differences. She has helped organizations in many industries create strategies to manage their multi-generation workforce and bridge the generation gap. Her presentations and workshops have provoked thought, changed behavior and educated thousands of managers and employees on the importance of flexing to meet the needs of a changing workforce - and practical ways to do so. When not partnering with clients she can be found in her garden or exploring her hometown Charleston, SC.

DAVID WYLIE, Vice President, Newry Corp

David has been with Newry for 12 years and advises specialty materials and chemicals companies and works closely with their leadership to drive organic and inorganic growth. He has experience across a range of markets including polymers, additives, adhesives, sealants, coatings, biocides, and others serving many industries. He has worked with a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to middle market PE-owned firms.