Pivoting Business Strategies In Uncertain Times

Session Summary: Join us for an enlightening panel discussion on "Pivoting Business Strategy in Uncertain Times," where industry experts will explore strategies for navigating disruptions and uncertainties in today's dynamic business landscape. As supply chain disruptions, geopolitical issues, and competitor shortages become increasingly prevalent, it is crucial for businesses to adapt and thrive amidst uncertainty.

Discussion Points:

  • Preparing Ourselves and Our Teams: Learn how to equip yourself and your team with the resilience and agility needed to tackle unforeseen challenges.

  • Business Continuity: Discover effective strategies for maintaining operations and ensuring continuity in the face of disruptions.

  • Communicating with Stakeholders: Explore best practices for transparent and effective communication with stakeholders during times of uncertainty.

  • Risk Management and Diversification: Gain insights into mitigating risks and diversifying business operations to safeguard against future uncertainties.

Through insightful anecdotes and real-world examples, our panelists will share their experiences and best practices for pivoting business strategies in uncertain times. Don't miss this opportunity to glean valuable insights and equip yourself with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of today's business environment.

This Session is Sponsored By:

Jungbunzlauer

Speakers

Christi Farr

Moderator

Christi Farr is a Deputy Sales Director at Jungbunzlauer. In her 13 years with Jungbunzlauer she has held various roles and responsibilities in the commercial sales sphere.  Starting as a Regional Sales Manager, Non-Food in the Northeast US region, her role grew to include the North American Sales Manager for API ingredients and subsequently, Deputy Sales Director, Non Food. Christi has contributed to the strategy and development for the non-food business in North America and frequently navigates B2B discussions during chaotic commercial environments such as supply disruptions and sales allocations.

Christi holds a BS in Chemistry from Lycoming College and has completed executive courses for Leadership, Business Analytics and Contract Law from MIT, The Wharton School and Cornell University.  She resides in Northampton, Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters.

Chelsea Burlan

Chelsea Burlan is the Director of Global Strategic Sourcing at W.R. Grace. With 18 years of professional experience, she is a thought leader with a passion for value creation and risk mitigation. Built on talent, technology and trust, Grace's high-performance specialty chemicals and materials improve the products and processes of customers around the world. A strong supply chain depends on key strategic supply partnerships. In 2021, Chelsea launched the Responsible Sourcing initiative at Grace that won the “Best Value Chain Engagement” award by EcoVadis in 2022. Within Grace Procurement, Chelsea is well established at driving innovation and meaningful improvements within the supply base to build a resilient, sustainable supply chain. Her reasons for everything are her husband and two young children who teach her to stay curious and learn something new every day! 

Brooke DiDomenico

Brooke DiDomenico is the Chief Technical Officer at Nation Ford Chemical. Holding a degree in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and an MBA from Queens University of Charlotte, Brooke has cultivated a diverse skill set that bridges technical expertise with strategic business acumen. 

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in the specialty chemical industry, Brooke has become a recognized authority in the realm of toll manufacturing. Her journey in the industry has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions to clients.  Prior to her leadership role at Nation Ford Chemical, Brooke held a role as a Process Engineer at ExxonMobil.  

Svjetlana Jerkovic

Svjetlana is a Global Executive with more than 20 years of experience in Chemical manufacturing and distribution. Today, she is a Global Procurement Head of Raw Materials at ICL Global Procurement Organization (GPO) in Amsterdam. She joined ICL to help transform the procurement organization from a local to a global organization. Prior to ICL, she held various roles at Univar in North America and EMEA focusing on strategic sourcing, product marketing management, new business development, key supplier management and as a Business Director EMEA.

Svjetlana holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from McGill University in Montreal and a Global Executive OneMBA from the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. She is a curious and avid learner, dedicated to innovative growth, sustainability, fostering talent development and promoting well-being within all levels of organizations. She collaborates with  Erasmus Center for Women and Organizations (EWCO) and serves as a mentor and membership committee member at Women in Chemicals.