Chantal Badre
Strategy and operations executive in the chemical industry
Industry Veteran
Please meet this week's WOTW, Chantal Badre. Chantal was born and raised in Lebanon. She speaks three languages (English, French, and Arabic) and represents many nationalities. Chantal has a Master's and PhD in Physical and Analytical Chemistry, an MBA, and is now preparing for the CFA degree. She has international experience, moving between countries like Lebanon, France, the United States, London, Dubai, and Belgium to pursue new educational and career experiences. Chantal moved to the United States and joined Rhodia (later acquired by Solvay), a specialty chemical company. She started her career as a scientist in the research and innovation department and later transitioned into the commercial side as a business manager in the oil & gas sector. Among other roles, her most recent one was Vice President of Strategy and Business Development leading global functions and the P&L of the distribution sales channel.
We discussed the challenges and barriers Chantal faced when transitioning from R&D to business roles. She shared that there is no perfect time to make the switch; you just have to go for it. We learned that Chantal has high self-awareness of her strengths and weaknesses and she embraces those by engaging in further education. When asked about key takeaways from her international experiences, Chantal insisted on being flexible and open to new international assignments. She shared with us the importance of listening, connecting with new people, and learning new practices. She appreciates how these cultures developed her understanding of the world and challenged her assumptions. Flexibility and adaptability are critical traits for Chantal. She shared with us how she decided to say yes (and no) to some opportunities, either by thoroughly understanding the role or collecting feedback. She reminded us of the importance of not falling into the expert trap but accepting that people around you can have more experiences and that engaging with humility and learning from them can only help you succeed.
Chantal is passionate about mentorship and education. She gives back to the community by assisting professionals transition from research to business. She also volunteers her time to undergraduate and first-generation college students. Chantal encourages volunteering for the job one like to have, especially for professionals looking to make a career pivot. As we concluded our interview, Chantal reminded us of the importance and value of networking.
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