Kaoni Rhodes
Director of Quality, Safety, Health, and Environment
Brenntag
Kaoni Rhodes, Director of Quality, Safety, Health, and Environment at Brenntag, brings over two decades of experience in the chemical industry. Her journey reflects a dynamic blend of resilience, leadership, and forward-thinking innovation. Beyond her corporate role, Kaoni is also an entrepreneur and advocate for the ethical use of AI, continuously pushing the boundaries of technology and leadership. Here’s a closer look at her insights and journey.
Resilience and Confidence Built from Family: Growing up as the youngest of seven children, Kaoni learned the value of resilience, independence, and compartmentalization early in life. Inspired by her older sisters, whom she describes as her first mentors, she embraced challenges with unwavering confidence. "My sisters taught me that I could achieve anything because they faced life’s challenges with kindness and support," she shares. This foundation helped her develop a mindset of celebrating her accomplishments and becoming her own biggest cheerleader.
Leading with Authenticity at Brenntag: In her role at Brenntag, Kaoni oversees a diverse and ever-evolving range of responsibilities in quality, safety, health, and environmental compliance. She emphasizes the importance of building a cohesive team rooted in collaboration and agility. "Compliance is about understanding what’s needed and having the ability to shift when necessary," she explains. Kaoni’s leadership style focuses on creating a supportive environment where team members move from an individual mindset to a collective "we did this" approach.
Entrepreneurship and the Power of AI: As an entrepreneur, Kaoni explores AI’s potential in improving efficiency and driving innovation. From developing web apps to utilizing AI for predictive analytics and quality control, she sees technology as a critical tool for transformation. However, she emphasizes the importance of ethical usage: "Data is the latest currency, and we must use AI responsibly, staying within organizational protocols and safeguarding personal information." Her advocacy extends to encouraging others to embrace AI as a daily tool while staying mindful of its implications.
Focusing on Key Life Impacts: A pivotal moment in Kaoni’s career came through a piece of mentorship advice: prioritize what matters most. By focusing on her "buckets" of family, education, and career, she was able to accomplish more while remaining present and intentional. "It’s not just about achieving goals but about the feeling that comes with meaningful progress," she reflects. This mindset allowed her to overcome self-imposed barriers, such as imposter syndrome, and bring her best self to every area of life.
Advice for Women in Chemicals: Kaoni encourages women to embrace progress over perfection, enter conversations about technology, and be advocates for knowledge and diversity. "Women play a crucial role in shaping technology—it’s essential for ensuring diverse perspectives," she states. She also highlights the importance of continuous learning and connecting with others, citing Shoshana Zuboff’s The Age of Digital Surveillance as a source of inspiration.
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