Chelsea Grimm, Wacker Chemical Corp. | Women Breaking the Mold 2024

There's a lot more to chemistry than meets the eye, according to Chelsea Grimm, a personal care and cosmetic chemist in performance silicones for Wacker Chemical Corp. The Ann Arbor, Mich., resident turned her chemistry degree into a thriving career in the rubber industry first at Ashland, followed by the last 10 years with Wacker.

Grimm is a chemist in the personal care market segment and instructor, providing support to customers, production and sales managers. She formulates products and prototypes for the personal care industry, and does application testing for hair, skin and color cosmetics.

She has experience working with resins, adhesives and now silicone and says that chemistry within the rubber field is constantly evolving, providing her with the motivation and knowledge to constantly evolve along with it. New trends are regularly influenced by customer and market demand for better, safer and more robust solutions that outperform existing products.

That makes every day a little different in Grimm's world, where she is able to collaborate, teach and learn from a new initiative or project.

"You either have the drive to succeed in this field, or really any field, or you don't," Grimm said. "I take great pride in my work because there's such a great team and the work is so interesting."

Having that positive atmosphere in which to work is important to Grimm, who is from West Virginia and has two teenage sons that keep her active away from work with sports events and other activities.

Grimm has contributed in other ways. She has made significant contributions to Wacker's patent portfolio. She is listed as an inventor in three patents, each of which holds immense value in the industry. Grimm makes sure to share ideas with her colleagues at the company's Ann Arbor Innovation Center, fostering relationships and success across multiple functions and locations.

Part of building a positive environment and work and home is to "have grace for others" and to show them empathy and understanding. There are times Grimm said that she has had to "let things go" and focus on what she can control and how she can support that positive environment that breeds success, learning and growth.

"There are many different personality types out there and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. We need all of those personalities because they help to bring different (life) experiences and knowledge and ways of working."

Everyone has their own weaknesses and working on those to create more positivity is a great way to remain happy at home and work. It is a lesson Grimm hopes is getting across to her sons as they get closer toward adulthood.

"Control what you can and realize that you never know what others are going through. That has helped create really great workplaces in my career."

Grimm also feels fortunate that she has not experienced many negative perceptions simply because she is a woman in the rubber industry. She has witnessed more women joining the ranks of subject matter experts at Wacker, including in leadership positions. She has felt that the "playing field has stayed even" at both Ashland and Wacker but she realizes that is not true everywhere.

Grimm believes that organizations focused on skill, knowledge and expertise of its team members are further along in giving women equal opportunities. These are the companies that are increasingly thought of as leaders in the rubber industry and are highly respected, she added.

"Some of the best leaders I have worked with have been women, and I believe many companies are making an effort to provide those opportunities." Grimm said. "I'm sure there are issues out there and maybe I'm luckier than some."

As Grimm envisions her future goals, she is less focused on specific titles or roles and more on ensuring she has a job she enjoys and is working with colleagues she respects on a common goal. She knows family members and friends working in other industries who dislike their job and has seen how damaging that can be to their mental health. The positive experience she has had in the rubber industry ensure that she won't settle for any future roles that fail to challenge her or are hurt by a negative environment.

"We all have projects we may not like or may have a (colleague) who isn't our favorite from time to time but as long as I like my job and feel like that I'm making a difference I'll be happy at work," Grimm said. "That's the most important thing."

She added that having a good work-life balance is important as well because she has learned how valuable time spent with family and friends is.

"Raising teenagers can be challenging but they won't be (living at home) forever," Grimm said with a laugh.

Years with company: 10

Years in the rubber industry: 18

My passion for materials science and the impact it has on everyday life is what drew me to the field. The challenge of creating new products and processes for a constantly evolving field never gets boring, and it is incredibly rewarding when you see how our innovations can directly enhance our daily lives.

I strive to challenge my company and co-workers by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. This involves introducing new ideas and solutions to meet customer and industry needs, embracing change for a constantly evolving field, promoting continuous learning and development, building cross-functional relationships to bring fresh perspectives and ideas, and encouraging forward thinking for upcoming trends or gaps in the market.

By leading by example, I aim to inspire my colleagues to provide a positive team environment that is driven by creativity and respect for one another.

Leadership, to me, is about inspiring and empowering others to achieve their best. It's about setting a clear vision, leading by example and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. I demonstrate leadership by being approachable and transparent, encouraging open communication and providing support to others. By cultivating a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration, I aim to lead in a way that motivates others to excel and innovate.

I highly recommend the podcast "Feeding the Mouth that Bites You" with Jessica Pfeiffer and Dr. Ken Wilgus. Parenting during adolescent years can be complex at times, and as a mother of two teenage boys, it has provided some extremely valuable insights on navigating challenges during that time, and how to best prepare them for the real world.

One of the most significant failures in my life was the dissolution of my marriage. It was a deeply challenging and emotional experience that made me reevaluate many aspects of my life. Through this difficult time, I learned the true meaning of grace and respect, for others and for myself.

Personal growth often comes from times of adversity, where self-reflection gives you a strong sense of identity, and a renewed motivation to be the best version of yourself. The journey to self-peace has made me more resilient, and also gave me a better understanding of the complexities of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Ultimately, it shaped me into a more compassionate and self-aware individual, better equipped to handle life's challenges.

When I get the chance to unwind and have time to myself, it usually involves hanging out with friends and occasionally traveling. With two kids heavily involved in multiple sports, finding personal time can be challenging, so these moments become even more precious and rejuvenating.

For me, success is multifaceted. On a personal level, it's about seeing the impact of my contributions in driving innovation and achieving tangible results. It's also about creating a positive and inclusive work environment where my team feels valued, motivated and empowered to excel. On a broader scale, success is measured by our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers, exceed their expectations and contribute to the advancement of the industry. Ultimately, success is about making a meaningful difference in the world through our work.