NOVA Chemicals Announces Senior Leadership Changes to Accelerate Sustainability Ambitions
- Greg DeKunder, VP of Polyethylene Marketing to become VP of NOVA Circular Solutions
- Sarah Marshall, VP of Sustainability to take on role as VP of Polyethylene Marketing
- Jennifer Woolfsmith, Chief of Staff to the CEO to become VP of Sustainability
Calgary, AB (June 21, 2023) – NOVA Chemicals Corporation (“NOVA Chemicals”) today announced strategic senior leadership changes that will allow the company to continue the successful implementation of its Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership, remain at the forefront of sustainable polyethylene production, and underscore its commitment to reshaping plastics for a better, more sustainable world.
“As we embark on this exciting period of growth and transformation, these planned organizational changes will set us up to achieve our ambitious 2030 aspirations while continuing to meet the evolving expectations on our industry from society and our customers,” said John Thayer, NOVA Chemicals Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing. “I have tremendous confidence that alongside their teams, the deep level of expertise Greg, Sarah, and Jennifer bring to their respective roles will only serve to unlock new innovative solutions across our business and ensure NOVA remains on track to be the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America.”
To solidify NOVA Chemicals’ leadership in the development of and transition to circular plastics, Greg DeKunder has been named vice president, NOVA Circular Solutions, a new line of business focused on lower-emission, recycled solutions that will be a key driver in achieving the company’s 2030 aspiration of 30 per cent polyethylene sales being from recycled content. DeKunder’s focus will be on expanding the company’s sustainable product offerings like SYNDIGO™ recycled polyethylene – a new portfolio of products made entirely from recycled resins – standing up its state-of-the-art mechanical recycling business and exploring advanced recycling opportunities to meet the growing recycled content needs of its customers.
DeKunder joined NOVA Chemicals in 2018 and most recently served as vice president of polyethylene marketing where he led the efforts of expanding the company’s capabilities and identifying and securing critical growth opportunities for NOVA Circular Solutions while also leading the evolution of NOVA Chemical’s market focus strategy to prepare for NOVA’s AST2 growth project with innovative new products and applications that support NOVA’s customers.
Succeeding DeKunder as vice president, polyethylene marketing is Sarah Marshall, a more than 20-year veteran of NOVA Chemicals. Marshall has leveraged her decades of experience in research and development in the plastics industry to serve the company in a variety of leadership roles, including polyethylene technical services. Most recently she served as vice president of sustainability where she built NOVA Chemicals’ sustainability team and function, operationalized the organization’s 2030Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership, and emerged as a sought-after North American expert on the plastics circular economy, industry decarbonization, and broader sustainability issues.
As vice president of polyethylene marketing, Marshall will be responsible for driving the company’s market leadership strategy through our Advanced SCLAIRTECH technology platform, continuing to build on her already strong customer relationships, and for leveraging business opportunities throughout the value chain that guide NOVA Chemicals’ strategic growth as it strives to meet its vision of being the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America.
Jennifer Woolfsmith has taken on the role of vice president, sustainability following Marshall’s transition. Woolfsmith, another 20+ year veteran of the company, most recently served as chief of staff to the CEO, where she worked alongside senior leadership and the board to develop NOVA Chemicals’ 2030 Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership.
As the vice president of sustainability, Woolfsmith will leverage her tenured background in finance and governance as well as her strong business leadership capabilities and a passion for sustainability to lead the ongoing development and execution of NOVA’s sustainability strategy. She will also lead internal and external engagement and reporting, while implementing the strategies required to meet the organization’s aspiration of reducing its Scope 1 and 2 absolute CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, and achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050.
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About NOVA Chemicals Corporation
NOVA Chemicals aspires to be the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America. Our driving purpose is to reshape plastics for a better, more sustainable world by delivering innovative solutions that help make everyday life healthier and safer and acting as a catalyst for a low carbon, zero-plastic-waste future. NOVA Chemicals’ innovative and quality product offerings, value chain collaboration, and unique customer experience is what sets us apart; our customers use our products to create easy-to-recycle and recycled content films, packaging, and products. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security, and environmental stewardship through our commitment to Sustainability and Responsible Care®.
NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has nearly 2,500 employees worldwide and is wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Learn more at www.novachem.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
NOVA Chemicals Media Contact
Samantha Peck
Manager, External Communications
e-mail: Samantha.Peck@novachem.com
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