Executive Interview Series

Knowde
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  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The chemical industry is going digital, fast. How should you respond? Join Knowde CEO Ali Amin-Javaheri and guests as they analyze top industry trends, explore ongoing digital transformation, and share strategies to help you adapt to the evolving industry landscape and discover insights from chemical industry executives driving digital transformation forward.

  1. Miguel Mantas, Former CEO, allnex

    12/11/2025

    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

    29 min
  2. Chris Jahn, President and CEO, American Chemistry Council (ACC)

    09/16/2025

    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

    17 min
  3. Lauren Seufert, Chief Strategy Officer - Actylis

    06/05/2025

    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

    16 min
  4. Amy Callahan, US Industry Lead - Accenture

    05/06/2025

    Amy Callahan, US Industry Lead - Accenture

    Amy Callahan leads the Natural Resources and Chemicals practice at Accenture in the Americas. She joins Knowde CEO Ali Amin-Javaheri to discuss the cyclical chemicals market, what data and AI can do to address business costs and revenue, investing in technology as a transformation lever, and more. She joins Knowde to talk about the chemicals industry and the connection point between technology, data and operations: The importance of investing in data platforms to find true growth opportunities Automation and AI in manufacturing and maintenance The criticality of data to best utilize technology Companies and CEOs taking the lead on digital for the long term Executives talking about digital transformation to shareholders +More

    18 min
  5. Sean Tilley, Co-CEO and CCO - Tilley Distribution

    04/23/2025

    Sean Tilley, Co-CEO and CCO - Tilley Distribution

    Sean Tilley, Co-CEO and CCO of Tilley Distribution, has experience transforming his company for the digital age. He joins Knowde CEO Ali Amin-Javaheri to talk about changes in the distribution space, revamping Tilley’s customer experience and guidance for companies going through a digital transformation.  He joins Knowde to discuss digital data in the chemicals and ingredients industry, including: Distribution today versus five years ago The importance of properly structured master data to provide modern customer experiences Integrating digitally with both customers and producers for better information flow + More

    19 min
  6. Jason McLinn, Senior Partner - Bain & Company

    04/22/2025

    Jason McLinn, Senior Partner - Bain & Company

    Jason McLinn, senior partner at Bain & Company, has extensive experience consulting with chemical and ingredient companies. He joins Knowde CEO Ali Amin-Javaheri to discuss how chemical companies are modernizing their customer experiences, preparing support for sales personnel and the importance of finding specific applications for AI. Key digital insights include: Evolving B2B expectations How you can get every sales rep to perform at the same level as your best reps Bringing structure to currently chaotic product information Enabling the customer to self-serve documents and information online Using an LLM to find new applications or customers for products +More

    25 min
  7. Jilles Eissen, CIO - allnex

    03/13/2025

    Jilles Eissen, CIO - allnex

    Jilles Eissen is leading the global digital transformation of coating resins and additive manufacturer allnex as the company’s CIO. He joins Knowde CEO Ali Amin-Javaheri to discuss where and why allnex is introducing AI, the importance of finding and supporting internal change agents to help with digitization and how he finds food metaphors to explain the importance of digital transformation.

    24 min
  8. Chris Hansen, CCDO - Clariant

    01/08/2025

    Chris Hansen, CCDO - Clariant

    Chris Hansen, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Clariant, provides insight into Clariant’s digital initiatives and AI utilization strategies. A fundamental focus on system globalization, data integration and master data quality gave Clariant a solid foundation for implementing powerful generative AI tools such as Clarita, their internal large language model. Chris sees more potential still in further leveraging these technologies across the business to connect past insights with present actions to optimize for the future.

    24 min
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The chemical industry is going digital, fast. How should you respond? Join Knowde CEO Ali Amin-Javaheri and guests as they analyze top industry trends, explore ongoing digital transformation, and share strategies to help you adapt to the evolving industry landscape and discover insights from chemical industry executives driving digital transformation forward.

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