Executive Interview Series

Deb Fronczak, Former CPO, 3M

Deb Fronczak, former Chief Procurement Officer at 3M, joins Ali to share a practical, inside view of what it really takes to drive digital and AI transformation in complex chemical organizations. Across more than 30 years at 3M, Deb held senior roles in manufacturing operations, engineering and technology — experience that put her at the center of major enterprise-wide initiatives, from ERP changes to early digital and AI adoption. She now brings that perspective to multiple boards across the chemicals, manufacturing, and coatings sectors. Deb joins us to discuss: * What separates digital and AI projects that scale from those that stall in “pilot mode” * Why successful transformation depends on aligned leadership, clear strategy, and embedded technical expertise * How CEOs can balance near-term ROI pressures with long-term capability building * Where digital and AI can deliver meaningful impact today — across customer interaction, workflow automation, R&D, and technical service

Florian Budde, Former Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company

Florian Budde, former Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, joins Ali to break down the forces shaping the industry today. Over nearly 30 years at McKinsey, Florian helped build and lead the firm’s global chemicals and agriculture practice and guided companies through major strategic, operational, and market disruptions. Few people have had a closer or more comprehensive view of how the industry works — and where it’s heading.  Florian joins us to discuss: * The structural shifts that have shaped the chemical industry over the past 40 years * How China’s move from demand driver to surplus exporter impated today’s downturn * Why Europe is under the most pressure, and what it means for consolidation and closures * Why digital adoption has lagged historically, and AI is accelerating now * The use cases where AI can deliver meaningful value fastest

Miguel Mantas, Former CEO, allnex

Miguel Mantas, former CEO of allnex, joins Ali to reflect on nearly 40 years in the chemical industry — and what the next decade of transformation will require. Having led businesses across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Miguel brings a rare, firsthand perspective shaped by global roles, major industry shifts, and complex market cycles. Now serving on multiple boards and advising chemical companies around the world, he offers a clear-eyed view of where we’ve been, and what’s ahead. Miguel joins us to discuss: * The structural shifts that reshaped the chemical industry over the last 40 years,  and the ones that matter most now * The state of the industry in Europe: what’s driving it and how the next 3–5 years may unfold * How China’s rise and private equity’s emergence rewrote global industry dynamics * Why digital transformation and AI will be the most defining change of the next decade

Chris Jahn, President and CEO, American Chemistry Council (ACC)

Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, joins Ali for a conversation about the future of innovation — and why it all starts with chemistry. From the materials powering semiconductors to the breakthroughs making AI possible, chemistry drives progress across every industry. Under Chris’s leadership, ACC is championing the companies and policies that ensure the U.S. stays at the forefront of this transformation. Chris joins us to discuss the intersection of chemistry, AI and innovation: * The essential role of chemistry in enabling today’s most advanced technologies * How policy and regulation impact U.S. leadership in the global chemical manufacturing and AI ecosystem  * The role of EPA, Congress, and the administration in enabling faster innovation through smart regulation * Examples of how ACC members are piloting AI for safety, preventative maintenance, R&D, and knowledge transfer * Why industry-wide adoption of AI could be as transformative as the internet, and how ACC is preparing internally

Lauren Seufert, Chief Strategy Officer - Actylis

Actylis Chief Strategy Officer, Lauren Seufert, joins Ali to discuss the human side of guiding an organization through a digital transformation, including creating a culture of innovation, importance of leadership, change champions and change agents, and listening to what people are communicating up. She joins Knowde to talk about the human side of strategic transformations such as digitization projects: * Creating a culture of innovation throughout the organization to support change * The importance of communication in both directions, especially listening to what teams are telling management * Identifying change champions and change agents to support internal communication * The importance of a change-averse industry embracing digital change * +More