WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:01.170 --> 00:00:05.370 Welcome to The Chemical Show, the podcast where Chemical means business. 00:00:05.910 --> 00:00:09.720 I'm your host, Victoria Meyer, bringing you stories and insights 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:13.590 from leaders driving innovation and growth across the chemical industry. 00:00:14.520 --> 00:00:18.840 Each week we explore key trends, real world challenges, and the 00:00:18.840 --> 00:00:20.700 strategies that make an impact. 00:00:20.910 --> 00:00:21.750 Let's get started. 00:00:23.585 --> 00:00:26.975 Welcome back to the Chemical Show where Leaders Talk Business. 00:00:27.095 --> 00:00:29.615 This is a special remix of the Chemical Show. 00:00:29.885 --> 00:00:32.645 You may have seen the news recently that Jennifer a Abril. 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:38.210 Currently president and CEO of SOCMA was named the new president and CEO 00:00:38.300 --> 00:00:40.160 of the American Cleaning Institute. 00:00:40.610 --> 00:00:43.840 I am super excited for Jennifer and for ACI. 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:49.590 In fact, when Melissa Stead the prior leader of ACI announced her departure and 00:00:49.590 --> 00:00:52.770 that she was moving over to the Consumer Brands Association, I thought, oh my 00:00:52.770 --> 00:00:54.720 gosh, Jennifer's gonna be a great fit. 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:58.470 And as it turns out, the ACI Board think so as well. 00:00:58.470 --> 00:00:59.130 So, yay. 00:00:59.440 --> 00:01:03.530 I'm super excited for Jennifer and for ACI, both SOCMA and ACI 00:01:03.550 --> 00:01:04.870 are near and dear to my heart. 00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:07.920 And I know that SOCMA's gonna have some big shoes to fill with 00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:09.660 Jennifer departing the organization. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:13.270 But I also know that she's gonna be a great fit for ACI and it's 00:01:13.270 --> 00:01:14.590 exciting to see this happening. 00:01:14.890 --> 00:01:18.585 So, side note, she's taken over for Melissa Hockstad, who is another 00:01:18.655 --> 00:01:22.000 amazing leader and one whom I've interviewed twice for the podcast. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:23.560 I'll link to those episodes here. 00:01:23.830 --> 00:01:27.490 She's now at the Consumer Brands Association and doing amazing. 00:01:27.530 --> 00:01:29.780 So good for Melissa. 00:01:30.170 --> 00:01:31.320 Good for Jennifer Abril. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:33.350 Good for ACI Great all the way around. 00:01:33.710 --> 00:01:35.600 so this is a classic remix. 00:01:35.660 --> 00:01:39.650 I've had the opportunity to gen interview Jennifer twice for the chemical show 00:01:40.010 --> 00:01:46.100 and I am bringing you five questions to help you get to know Jennifer. 00:01:46.100 --> 00:01:49.240 This is based on prior interviews that I've done with her, that are 00:01:49.240 --> 00:01:51.790 gonna shine a light on her leadership. 00:01:52.125 --> 00:01:56.535 Introduce you to her and maybe give you a glimpse of why she's heading over to 00:01:56.535 --> 00:01:59.505 ACI, again, I have no insider knowledge. 00:01:59.505 --> 00:02:01.695 Let me just, state that for the record. 00:02:01.915 --> 00:02:05.575 And actually once Jennifer's in seat at ACI, I know that she's, 00:02:05.635 --> 00:02:06.865 gonna be back on the podcast. 00:02:06.865 --> 00:02:11.692 We're making some plans for end of this year, early next year to bring a fresh 00:02:11.692 --> 00:02:13.702 podcast, fresh point of view, et cetera. 00:02:13.822 --> 00:02:17.442 But for now, five questions with Jennifer Abril. 00:02:17.589 --> 00:02:18.459 question number one. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:19.879 Who is Jennifer Abril? 00:02:20.019 --> 00:02:23.289 You guys know that I like to start every episode with an origin 00:02:23.289 --> 00:02:27.759 story, and Jennifer's first episode in particular was no different. 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:28.899 So here we go. 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:30.320 Tell us a bit about you. 00:02:30.320 --> 00:02:31.520 What's your origin story? 00:02:32.210 --> 00:02:35.450 How did you come to be working in the chemical industry and 00:02:35.540 --> 00:02:37.550 specifically at trade associations? 00:02:37.600 --> 00:02:38.350 great question. 00:02:38.350 --> 00:02:39.370 Thanks for asking. 00:02:39.370 --> 00:02:44.740 And it's funny because I no expectation that I would be working either for 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:47.246 chemical or for trade associations. 00:02:47.338 --> 00:02:51.438 It happened to be one of these, stories where you start networking 00:02:51.438 --> 00:02:55.848 with people and you fall into a role and life takes you on your journey. 00:02:56.328 --> 00:03:01.388 So, many years ago, early in my career, I was working for a, a lobbyist here 00:03:01.388 --> 00:03:05.320 in Washington, DC I was in charge of coalition building and, the 00:03:05.320 --> 00:03:09.490 American Chemistry Council was a big part of several of the coalitions 00:03:09.490 --> 00:03:13.720 that I ran, and they expanded their international department and that's 00:03:13.720 --> 00:03:15.760 when I had an opportunity to join them. 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:20.930 And I focused on, product stewardship and public health issues internationally. 00:03:21.322 --> 00:03:25.462 In some of the, global activities on the regulatory and public 00:03:25.462 --> 00:03:26.542 health side for a while. 00:03:26.542 --> 00:03:31.188 So I was there for eight years and then came over to for three, had 00:03:31.188 --> 00:03:35.378 an opportunity to run the fragrance association, here in North America. 00:03:35.378 --> 00:03:36.968 And I spent eight years doing that. 00:03:37.118 --> 00:03:40.808 And then I had an opportunity to come back to SOCMA and uh, it's 00:03:40.808 --> 00:03:42.568 been a great, homecoming for me. 00:03:43.243 --> 00:03:44.113 I bet that's neat. 00:03:44.113 --> 00:03:47.083 In fact, the, the whole being able to come back into an 00:03:47.083 --> 00:03:49.003 organization doesn't always happen. 00:03:49.003 --> 00:03:52.873 So it's nice sometimes to be able to do it, go off, get experience, and then come 00:03:52.873 --> 00:03:55.843 back and bring those new insights back in. 00:03:56.672 --> 00:03:57.362 Question number two. 00:03:57.693 --> 00:04:00.753 next we talk about working with diverse groups as you know. 00:04:01.278 --> 00:04:05.808 The role of an industry association president and CEO is complex. 00:04:06.108 --> 00:04:10.458 They are navigating not just the organization itself, the industry group 00:04:10.458 --> 00:04:15.888 and its teams of people and the work that it's doing, but also balancing the needs 00:04:15.948 --> 00:04:21.558 of its various members, companies big and SOCMAll, who may not always have the same. 00:04:21.793 --> 00:04:23.893 Alignment and expectations. 00:04:23.893 --> 00:04:24.133 Right. 00:04:24.133 --> 00:04:27.463 So I find that the industry groups that I've seen across the, the chemical 00:04:27.463 --> 00:04:29.023 industry do a pretty good job of that. 00:04:29.023 --> 00:04:31.183 And Jennifer has done a great job of that with SOCMA. 00:04:31.493 --> 00:04:34.853 I think we'll see that coming over to ACI as well, which is frankly already 00:04:34.853 --> 00:04:36.893 a very well aligned organization. 00:04:37.283 --> 00:04:38.243 But I think it's complex. 00:04:38.243 --> 00:04:42.083 And so I've, I talked with Jennifer just about that topic, about how 00:04:42.083 --> 00:04:44.243 do you balance those various needs. 00:04:44.303 --> 00:04:44.783 Listen in. 00:04:44.998 --> 00:04:47.578 Victoria: So I'm gonna turn the conversation here a little bit 00:04:47.578 --> 00:04:49.018 and let's talk about leadership. 00:04:49.256 --> 00:04:53.333 Because I think it's unique, to be in a role such as you are as leader of an 00:04:53.333 --> 00:04:58.043 industry organization where I know you have your staff, but your constituents 00:04:58.283 --> 00:05:06.109 and your members cover a wide range of companies, very different agendas, and yet 00:05:06.169 --> 00:05:09.799 you need to create alignment and you've, as you've obviously created alignment, 00:05:09.799 --> 00:05:11.359 for instance, with your strategic plan. 00:05:11.989 --> 00:05:12.919 How do you do that? 00:05:12.919 --> 00:05:16.879 How do you get alignment across such a diverse organization, 00:05:16.944 --> 00:05:17.884 of member companies? 00:05:18.408 --> 00:05:19.128 Jennifer: It is not easy. 00:05:19.128 --> 00:05:20.568 It takes a lot of listening. 00:05:21.198 --> 00:05:25.038 It takes a lot of pulling themes. 00:05:25.251 --> 00:05:30.531 I think I was fortunate to have had the position early in my career. 00:05:31.266 --> 00:05:35.253 To, be in charge of coalition building because I think I, I 00:05:35.253 --> 00:05:38.103 honed those skills early and I didn't realize I was building them. 00:05:38.606 --> 00:05:45.206 What is I think unique about SOCMA is that each company is similarly 00:05:45.206 --> 00:05:49.886 situated, but we don't have that much direct competition with each other. 00:05:50.396 --> 00:05:50.726 Right. 00:05:50.996 --> 00:05:52.706 Because even when you get down to. 00:05:54.416 --> 00:05:58.759 You might have somebody who has, a reactor that's the size you need 00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:00.559 or, but somebody else doesn't. 00:06:00.649 --> 00:06:00.919 Right. 00:06:00.919 --> 00:06:06.878 So there's oftentimes just nuances that, make, for very few 00:06:06.878 --> 00:06:10.628 direct competitors, competitors. 00:06:14.626 --> 00:06:22.516 as an industry group, we SOCMA staff have to be really, really aware of the themes. 00:06:23.086 --> 00:06:30.886 So it's our job to listen between the lines and to figure out what is it that 00:06:30.916 --> 00:06:38.506 we can be doing to support the specialty and chemical manufacturing sector. 00:06:40.693 --> 00:06:43.393 Specifically know how to ask us for that. 00:06:44.113 --> 00:06:50.669 So our job is really to listen, interpret, validate, and then be SOCMArt 00:06:50.689 --> 00:06:52.268 enough to give it back to the industry. 00:06:52.503 --> 00:06:58.376 as a, we heard you say this, we've acted, and now we're providing you 00:06:58.436 --> 00:07:02.846 that solution that you didn't even know how to ask us for, but we heard you. 00:07:03.073 --> 00:07:04.333 Victoria: That's interesting, fascinating. 00:07:04.333 --> 00:07:05.863 It's good consulting skills as well. 00:07:05.863 --> 00:07:09.673 So you've, you've got it in spades. 00:07:10.009 --> 00:07:12.349 Question three, we talk about transformation. 00:07:12.349 --> 00:07:17.239 So I think what's been really fascinating is the transformation that Jennifer 00:07:17.239 --> 00:07:22.829 has led SOCMA through, to help it become more effective for its members. 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:26.869 The story that we're, we talk about that she's sharing is how SOCMA 00:07:26.889 --> 00:07:29.559 actually went back and acquired. 00:07:30.114 --> 00:07:33.514 A trade show, acquired a conference because they had stepped away from 00:07:33.514 --> 00:07:37.744 that and then they realized under her direction what a huge gap that was. 00:07:37.954 --> 00:07:42.784 So we talk about the importance of strategy and transformation and this 00:07:42.784 --> 00:07:47.144 continual evolution, and frankly, the underlying theme of This is also 00:07:47.144 --> 00:07:49.784 staying in tune with member needs. 00:07:49.829 --> 00:07:50.359 Here you go. 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:54.579 so I know that you've been, you know, since you've been back at SOCMA you've 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:59.419 driven some major transformations, including acquiring some other, another 00:07:59.419 --> 00:08:04.049 trade show, which I don't often hear that happening with trade associations. 00:08:04.049 --> 00:08:07.409 So what prompted that and what does that do for you? 00:08:07.949 --> 00:08:10.109 Yeah, another great question. 00:08:10.109 --> 00:08:14.629 So one of the things that I think, , I didn't appreciate the first time that I 00:08:14.629 --> 00:08:21.963 worked at SOCMA was how vital, SOCMA's role was to being that connector for the 00:08:21.963 --> 00:08:25.773 industry so that contract manufacturers and especially chemical manufacturers 00:08:25.773 --> 00:08:28.263 could really be able to find clients. 00:08:28.539 --> 00:08:35.079 We were not really aware at the time as a staff of how vital our contribution was. 00:08:35.273 --> 00:08:40.656 For 20 years, we ran a massive trade show called Informex, and 00:08:40.866 --> 00:08:46.326 honestly, it got to be all consuming as a project for the association. 00:08:46.326 --> 00:08:49.116 And we had an opportunity to sell it, and for a number of 00:08:49.116 --> 00:08:51.246 reasons it made sense at the time. 00:08:51.756 --> 00:08:58.626 But what we found was that that left a very big hole in our value proposition and 00:08:58.626 --> 00:09:01.446 also how we interacted with the industry. 00:09:01.986 --> 00:09:04.326 Took us a long time to realize that because. 00:09:05.241 --> 00:09:09.951 The, the group we sold it to, which is a conference organizer, had turned 00:09:09.951 --> 00:09:16.041 the, the focus of the show into more of a pharmaceutical type lifecycle. 00:09:16.041 --> 00:09:20.505 They, they put together some different, smaller trade shows that they 00:09:20.505 --> 00:09:25.155 bought and kind of formed it into what is now CPHI, north America. 00:09:25.935 --> 00:09:30.855 But that really changed the focus of Informex and. 00:09:32.085 --> 00:09:34.365 Still a loose affiliation with it. 00:09:34.605 --> 00:09:39.041 It really wasn't satisfying the primary, membership of the association. 00:09:39.041 --> 00:09:43.421 So there were a number of different opportunities, but really what we realized 00:09:43.421 --> 00:09:49.301 was that we were standing on the sidelines where the industry was asking us to be 00:09:49.301 --> 00:09:54.071 part again, of the commercial lifeblood of helping people find each other. 00:09:54.251 --> 00:09:58.691 Once we did some research and validated that as. 00:09:58.766 --> 00:10:00.806 A primary value proposition. 00:10:01.046 --> 00:10:02.096 It changed everything. 00:10:02.456 --> 00:10:06.746 Once we started bringing back the idea of how we could help make 00:10:06.746 --> 00:10:11.983 matches industry, that's where I think we've found our stride again. 00:10:12.583 --> 00:10:15.703 We've always been very strong on advocacy, as I mentioned. 00:10:15.708 --> 00:10:18.943 You know, that's, that was the reason that we started was government 00:10:18.943 --> 00:10:20.683 affairs or government interaction. 00:10:20.766 --> 00:10:22.716 that's always been a strength for us. 00:10:23.286 --> 00:10:27.606 But there's nobody else in the industry that really holds the place 00:10:27.606 --> 00:10:34.520 that SOCMA has held in facilitating commercial connectivity in such a way 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:38.330 where we can be objectively helpful. 00:10:38.540 --> 00:10:42.760 But you know, we can really lean into the trust that the industry has with us 00:10:43.330 --> 00:10:46.103 and try to make sure that we, we help. 00:10:46.388 --> 00:10:49.355 Find that business partner, that's the needle in the haystack 00:10:49.355 --> 00:10:50.435 that's gonna make the projects. 00:10:51.707 --> 00:10:52.037 All right. 00:10:52.037 --> 00:10:53.537 Question number four. 00:10:53.607 --> 00:10:57.447 I tied around supply chain and strategy and listening. 00:10:57.497 --> 00:11:01.517 and Jennifer talks about the theme for the SOCMA show that 00:11:01.517 --> 00:11:03.167 occurred earlier this year. 00:11:03.282 --> 00:11:07.992 And how that came about, but also how they've identified the key priorities 00:11:07.992 --> 00:11:10.122 for the organization and its members. 00:11:10.122 --> 00:11:13.729 And I think this just goes to show, the importance of this 00:11:13.729 --> 00:11:18.319 connectivity of the leader of the group and its member companies. 00:11:18.509 --> 00:11:22.359 MIC2: for the first time, we've actually, rallied around a theme for this year. 00:11:22.409 --> 00:11:23.069 Victoria: Oh, okay. 00:11:23.099 --> 00:11:26.129 MIC2: Usually trade shows don't carry themes, but we're trying to inject 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:31.709 a lot of what SOCMA does into this event as well, so that we can make 00:11:31.709 --> 00:11:33.519 it more additive and value added. 00:11:34.294 --> 00:11:38.724 And so, the theme that we chose, and it is, uh, appropriate, is adapting 00:11:38.724 --> 00:11:40.704 supply chains for a changing world. 00:11:40.809 --> 00:11:41.859 Victoria: Mmm. 00:11:42.034 --> 00:11:44.364 MIC2: then we had three different sub themes underneath. 00:11:44.384 --> 00:11:48.664 One was around trying to understand new innovations and how is AI driving those. 00:11:49.214 --> 00:11:51.224 Another one is around policy changes. 00:11:51.284 --> 00:11:52.084 A lot of those 00:11:52.251 --> 00:11:53.691 Victoria: Yeah, a lot of those. 00:11:53.964 --> 00:11:58.294 MIC2: And the third one is about regionalization, localization, what 00:11:58.294 --> 00:11:59.774 are the changing dynamics there? 00:12:00.184 --> 00:12:03.594 All of those things are top of mind and it turned out to be really on target. 00:12:04.349 --> 00:12:08.059 Victoria: And I think that piece around localization is so critical. 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:13.942 And it ties to that chain story, because I think as across the chemical industry, 00:12:13.982 --> 00:12:17.782 as supply chains have gotten more expensive, have gotten longer, we've 00:12:17.782 --> 00:12:23.142 got all the uncertainties around what the tariff picture is, that creating 00:12:23.152 --> 00:12:27.902 resilient local supply chains, business opportunities becomes really critical. 00:12:28.182 --> 00:12:28.852 MIC2: Absolutely. 00:12:29.292 --> 00:12:34.672 So one of the things that we have been tracking for the last few years is 00:12:34.702 --> 00:12:40.112 asking what part of your new inquiries or existing inquiries do you believe have to 00:12:40.112 --> 00:12:42.562 do with on shoring or reshoring efforts? 00:12:43.092 --> 00:12:46.102 And it's been really interesting because we haven't had we've had anecdotal 00:12:46.132 --> 00:12:51.212 data, but we just did a survey going into this conference and asked again. 00:12:51.527 --> 00:12:56.877 The theme is very heavy on intentionality around localization. 00:12:57.437 --> 00:13:01.827 I know the last time we asked about this, there were some anecdotes 00:13:01.827 --> 00:13:06.407 that said, I think I'm getting new projects because of localization, but 00:13:06.407 --> 00:13:08.507 it might be that they just aren't. 00:13:08.777 --> 00:13:11.087 My customers aren't telling me that's the driver. 00:13:11.507 --> 00:13:16.487 It might be a new project that in other years they might have shopped it to other 00:13:16.487 --> 00:13:20.577 geographies, but maybe they're shopping it inside of North America now first. 00:13:21.347 --> 00:13:27.767 But this year, when we asked again, we saw a jump in more purposeful localization. 00:13:27.767 --> 00:13:31.317 And that has a lot to do with this changing supply chain and all the 00:13:31.317 --> 00:13:32.687 global dynamics that are happening. 00:13:32.737 --> 00:13:33.397 Victoria: Absolutely. 00:13:33.447 --> 00:13:37.067 And I think what's been interesting as well is when you look at the 00:13:37.077 --> 00:13:40.557 global chemical market, the U. 00:13:40.557 --> 00:13:40.727 S. 00:13:40.747 --> 00:13:45.597 continues to be a bright spot, in terms of innovation and growth. 00:13:45.857 --> 00:13:49.727 But I think you know what you talk about this intentionality of on 00:13:49.727 --> 00:13:56.307 shoring and reshoring and localization is a reflection of a global dynamic 00:13:56.307 --> 00:13:58.447 shift in chemical manufacturing 00:13:58.457 --> 00:13:59.437 MIC2: That's exactly right. 00:13:59.777 --> 00:14:04.697 So we were looking at, you know, we're looking at a changing world, right? 00:14:04.784 --> 00:14:08.444 question number five, which is around signposts for the future. 00:14:08.444 --> 00:14:12.584 So I, I always love to look and see, so what should we be looking for? 00:14:12.584 --> 00:14:15.614 This question comes from the interview we did in February, 2025. 00:14:15.734 --> 00:14:17.174 And as you guys know. 00:14:17.774 --> 00:14:22.034 Man, this has been a bit of a tumultuous year, right? 00:14:22.034 --> 00:14:23.774 A lot of twists and turns. 00:14:24.184 --> 00:14:28.474 Gosh, the whole play with Terrace was not yet visible. 00:14:28.694 --> 00:14:31.784 But I think kind of thinking about what are those signposts for the 00:14:31.784 --> 00:14:35.744 future, what we were looking at in February is not actually so 00:14:35.744 --> 00:14:38.984 different from what we're looking at here in June and as we go forward. 00:14:38.984 --> 00:14:40.244 So listen in. 00:14:40.400 --> 00:14:41.620 Victoria: So Jennifer, this has been great. 00:14:41.630 --> 00:14:46.170 If there were things that you would tell people to, you know, keep your 00:14:46.170 --> 00:14:49.590 eye on, because these are signed posts for the year and signed posts 00:14:49.640 --> 00:14:51.260 as we go forward, what would they be? 00:14:51.330 --> 00:14:56.000 MIC2: Yeah, so I think we need to really understand the federal workforce, right? 00:14:56.380 --> 00:15:03.220 Paying attention to what happens after this initial surge of activities 00:15:03.230 --> 00:15:07.643 through executive orders, all of what Elon Musk has been, effectuating 00:15:07.663 --> 00:15:11.193 right now, and some of the cabinet members are not in place yet. 00:15:11.683 --> 00:15:15.423 So then how do you transition from the White House led, 00:15:16.063 --> 00:15:18.823 initiatives into the agencies? 00:15:19.003 --> 00:15:22.023 So I think there's a bumpy part that's going to happen there. 00:15:22.223 --> 00:15:25.993 We're going to need to wait and see what happens, and then we're going to have 00:15:25.993 --> 00:15:33.628 to do a lot of proactive, supportive messaging to the administration 00:15:34.028 --> 00:15:36.108 on how we're going to help. 00:15:36.468 --> 00:15:39.278 And we are going to help with these aims. 00:15:40.228 --> 00:15:41.268 We are in a good 00:15:41.358 --> 00:15:42.208 Victoria: Absolutely. 00:15:42.729 --> 00:15:43.509 Well, that's it. 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:45.419 Five questions with Jennifer Abril. 00:15:45.489 --> 00:15:47.619 I hope you've enjoyed today's episode. 00:15:47.869 --> 00:15:49.639 And it's given you a glimpse of her. 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:52.039 If you're a long time listener, you've heard some of these 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:53.899 stories, but maybe not in this way. 00:15:54.119 --> 00:15:57.839 And if you are new to the Chemical Show, well hit the subscribe button 00:15:57.869 --> 00:15:59.729 'cause I want you to stick around and. 00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:01.484 Stay and subscribe and follow. 00:16:01.814 --> 00:16:04.394 Um, and I hope this gives you some insights to Jennifer 00:16:04.394 --> 00:16:06.274 Abril, and her role at SOCMA. 00:16:06.294 --> 00:16:10.324 And I guess we can only project how she's gonna take that forward to ACI. 00:16:10.497 --> 00:16:11.727 But congrats, Jennifer. 00:16:11.727 --> 00:16:13.027 Congrats ACI. 00:16:13.047 --> 00:16:15.687 And to everyone here, thanks for listening. 00:16:15.687 --> 00:16:17.937 Keep listening, keep following, keep sharing, and we will 00:16:17.937 --> 00:16:19.587 talk with you again soon.