Sumitomo Chemical Group Companies of Americas Celebrate International Women's Day 2022: Interview Series 3 of 4

At Sumitomo Chemical Group Companies of the Americas, we are proud of our?International Women's Day?annual celebration.?March 8, 2022 is a global day acknowledging women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements, and we are happy to participate again this year.

The complete series of our celebratory campaign to support IWD 2022 includes four interviews featuring women from across our group. Today's interview includes women from Sumitomo Chemical America, Valent U.S.A., Pace International, and Sumitomo Chemical Latin America.

Please enjoy getting acquainted with four remarkable women in sales and marketing. We are excited to hear their insights about how they are forging a better world in response to this year's theme, #Break the Bias, for International Women's Day 2022.?

We strive to promote diversity and inclusion across the Sumitomo Chemical Group as a company policy. This interview series continues to build the foundation of an inclusive organizational culture that respects individuality and embraces diversity. We enjoy supporting each other to break down the barriers for more women to move into leadership roles.

Our associate at Brand Intelligence, Mary Olson, engages our interviewees to learn about their backgrounds, achievements, ideas, and views about their careers and a world without bias.

Mary Olson: Let’s begin and thank you for joining us.?Please tell us about your background, where you are from, and what attracted you to Sumitomo Chemical Group Companies?

Rachel Cory, Sumitomo Chemical America

I grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania, and I attended college up near Lancaster. I was always interested in different cultures, so I majored in International Studies with a focus on East Asia.

I had an opportunity to study abroad in Japan. I was fortunate enough to do an internship with a Japanese company in accounting and sales.

I taught English for a couple of years and then after I returned to the States, I was able to join the same company and helped them open a new office in California and worked there for about 8 years.

I wanted to get back to the East Coast and I was recommended to Sumitomo Chemical America. I was interested in them because of their international presence. I evolved from customer support and logistics to a supply chain coordinator. So that's how I progressed at Sumitomo Chemical America.

Sarah Markle, Valent U.S.A.

Hello, everyone. My name is Sarah Markle. I live in Fort Myers, FL. I am officially a Florida girl. I've only lived here my whole life, nowhere else.

I'm originally from the North Central area around Gainesville, where the university is located. My father was faculty there, and I come from a specialty agricultural background.

I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture, education, and communication. I taught high school agriculture for five years, whereby at that point, I interviewed for an ag sales job and was hired by Abbott Laboratories.

And about a year and a half later, Sumitomo bought the ag business from Abbott, and I came over to Sumitomo.

I was attracted to Valent because they are very family-oriented and appreciate families. Valent respects individual accomplishment, and that interests me immensely. It is meaningful because of my past work with students.

?It was a pleasure to come over to the Ag Sector into a role where I worked in the same industry with adults and like-minded people. And so that's my background in a nutshell.

Charis Armer, PACE International

First of all, it is remarkable to be a part of this interview. I love hearing everyone's career path. I like to geek out on stuff like this.

I grew up in a small town near Yosemite National Park outside of the Central Valley on a homestead farm. I was surrounded by agriculture.

I actually made my career decision around 4th grade. I knew I had the path of communications, so I went to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, also known as an agricultural school, and now it's more of an engineering school.

After college, I moved to San Francisco, where my corporate career path evolved.

I worked in marketing at a PR agency and a luxury real estate agency. But San Francisco wasn't for me. In Seattle, I worked in public relations and marketing at Nordstrom.

I was serving industries that weren't exciting to me. I started and managed my own communications company for about ten years. And that's where I found PACE. I ended up attending their postharvest Academy as one of their vendors. I completely fell in love with the people and knew this was where I wanted to be, with a company that feeds a growing population.

Marilia de Lima Pereira, Sumitomo Chemical Latin America

My career history started nine years ago, beginning with an internship at Nufarm. I have been with Sumitomo for about a year, ever since Sumitomo Chemical acquired Nufarm's business. Our company's leadership provided a vision and internal guidance to see through the acquisition and make the entire cultural change during COVID.

I am happy that we all focused on Sumitomo's mission and values. I discovered why I was in the right company because Sumitomo Chemical is primarily a leading sustainability company.

As we say in Brazil, "We get paid for what we do." So, the depth of the company's values and the company's purpose make us stay here. We work for this company with great love, indeed.

Mary Olson: What are the biggest achievements or accomplishments that contributed to your success?

Rachel Cory:

I think it's just a matter of working hard to keep up with continuous education. I took courses and received import and export certificates. I'm working towards my certification in logistics, transportation, and distribution. Constant learning is helping me with my job.

Sarah Markle:

I have an internal drive to succeed and to handle this sales job that landed in my lap.

I've been very fortunate and blessed to be a part of a team that relates to my territory goal. I operate with another salesperson, and we have been a team for the entire time Valent has employed me. I've been able to cross over into other territories and help other salespeople and their roles in times of need. That has contributed to my success. Of course, multiple training programs are a part of the sales growth.

The word family keeps coming up and being part of this small family, this team of other sales professionals within our region.

You contact many other employees who hold great information, knowledge, experience, and resources. So just being a part of that team and being surrounded by those people I feel has helped me.

Partnerships have always helped me, and I've always leaned on my customers for help when I need it as they do on, you know, count on me when they need help from Valent. And all those things have contributed to whatever success I have held over the last years.

There are many layers to building success stories, aren't there?

Charis Armer:

I felt like my most significant achievement, and accomplishment is this. Asking for help.

These things have helped me professionally and personally achieve a life I am proud of. It's not so much the big achievements, and it's been the small wins along the way, the daily wins. It's also honoring your commitment to yourself and your family. It's overcoming obstacles with a solution-oriented attitude. It's finding the beauty in everyday things. It's living with integrity and gratitude and trusting that the process.

Marilia de Lima Pereira:

I would consider my family first. They contributed to my career and got me to where I am today.

They have been a large part of forming my career, and because of them, I managed to develop and grow much further than a simple, comfortable plan. My growth has been an achievement in today's world, you know.

Being open to change is critical, including changing roles, departments, and cities. Each time growth and change occur.

One last thing. It's a career, and you get paid for what you do. I think that's an achievement, and that's a gift too. So that makes any job much easier to evolve, to be built, to be maintained.

The best scenario is when you love your work and believe in what you do.

Mary Olson: This year, International Women's Day's Theme is #BreakTheBias. Can you imagine building a world where difference is valued and celebrated? If so, how can we strengthen women's equality together for the betterment of the company and society everywhere?

Rachel Cory:

Since I entered the workforce in the mid-1990s, I now see more women in management positions. I would like to imagine a world where difference is valued and celebrated, and I think we have a way to go.

It is essential to be aware of readily available information. For example, when I was searching for a college during pre-Internet days, I was told it didn't matter, just as long as you go to college. I would have chosen a different university for the disciplines I wanted to pursue, and it would have made a difference to have the knowledge to make better decisions. Good information is a critical key.

Sarah Markle:

I feel we're probably the closest we've ever been. I feel like we're making strides to approaching a better place.

As a company and as a society, we must continue to listen. We must continue to train and respect all people's accomplishments, opinions, and completed work, perhaps, especially women in places where women's roles are not as typical.

No longer should we ever assume that one person is not qualified. By virtue of their sex, both men and women must be respected as individuals first and foremost. I think that's probably key, just remembering that we're all human beings and should respect each other as such. We should continue to honor these people for their accomplishments and their desired role.

These attributes are available within Valent, and I see these things around me beginning to take shape. I think society is on the right track to continue making strides.

Charis Armer:

I am an optimist in seeing a world where difference is valued and celebrated.

I do feel like there's a connection that we haven't evolved. For instance, there's hate on social media and in our culture. There is real value to connecting in a high-value way, not just within our company or our communities, but globally. I am optimistic about continuing to push forward and getting there.

Let's listen to people, root for them, and be curious about their stories. These actions would evolve into a better world.

Marilia de Lima Pereira:

Yes, I believe we can.

As you said, there is a world where difference is valued and celebrated. Why do I say this? Because we, each of us, are a world. If I don't believe this, I'm automatically saying that I am not doing anything to make it happen, and that's not me, and I couldn't make excuses.

I know several women and men who support equality and do it with grace. I don't see any other way for us to start making this real without respect for one another. We are all capable of creating change and making a difference.

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Mary Olson: What advice would you give to anyone who struggles with inequality or bias?

Rachel Cory:

I would recommend continuously pursuing your dreams. Try to make yourself heard. I know sometimes it can be discouraging. Share those thoughts with a friend or relative so you don't get overly frustrated.

But, if it's a serious matter, you might have to take it a step further. Talk to your manager or HR. Working toward a solution depends on the situation.

Sarah Markle:

Know your worth. Be strong in yourself. Although it is easier said than done. But try to be strong in yourself. Have a clear mind, and your actions will follow in the right way.

I also think that with age comes the practice of grace. And first and foremost, have the grace not only for yourself and as you live your life, but for everyone you come in contact with. It will be meaningful in every situation.

Charis Armer:

It is hard to be next in line to respond to the question considering the logic and advice of the others. My answer would be duplicative. However, I was going to recommend finding and talking to someone, and I don’t have anything else to add to the quality of the other responses.

Marilia de Lima Pereira:

Three things come to my mind that I can say to anyone who unfortunately goes through a situation like this. 1) Never stop fighting against inequality and realize you have a greater purpose. 2) Have courage because there will always be challenges. And 3) Draw on your strengths and build a reservoir for a reserve.

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Mary Olson: What is one thing you know now about women and work you wish you had known earlier in your career?

Rachel Cory:

I wish I had learned how to prioritize and have more Work-Life balance…especially working crazy overtime, I wish I would have taken some of that time and spent more with family and friends. Value and prioritize your own time I guess that's what I would tell my younger self.

Sarah Markle:

I felt like I was on my island for much of the time when I first stepped into this role. There are always gaps. If I could share things with someone or mentorship would have helped.

We all have the same doubts and concerns, As do all the other people around us. We all think about the same things. We have the same problems, and we have the same doubts.

Women work just as hard, if not harder than men in the workplace. That’s a known statistic, but in reality, we’re all on the same team, and we all belong.

It is not us against anybody else; perhaps it is us against ourselves.

Charis Armer:

Perfectionism may be a great attribute, but I'm growing and still shedding that belief. I love the sentiment that we're all experiencing the same thing.

I felt that it was important to be self-reliant. On the other hand, I've had great experiences with mentors both personally and professionally. If I learned anything about getting to know vulnerable women, shared stories would open me to more understanding. I have had my vulnerabilities, and I've shared stories, and it's amazing.

The connections you make can help to pave a path forward.

Marilia de Lima Pereira:

At the start of our careers, we have to shake hands with these GOATS. (A popular term for people that are the Greatest Of All Time.) They are much stronger within their sphere of influence than we are early in our careers.

It would be worth it to begin building a network earlier as well. So, every extra effort to reach out is always worth it so that we don't have that doubt at the beginning that we usually have when we are young.

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Manami Kanda

Manager, Sustainability/CSR, Logistics & Procurement

Sumitomo Chemical America, Inc.

Regional Headquarters in the Americas

Website?|?LinkedIn?|?Facebook

?International Women’s Day

2022 Interview Series: #Break the Bias

We are extremely indebted to all the women at our Group Companies for their achievements and contributions and for the perspectives and value they bring to their companies.

Collectively, we are creating bonds to strengthen women's equality, diversity, inclusion, and a world without bias.?Follow our agents of change throughout March to learn how we are building?a world where difference is valued and celebrated.?

Thank you for joining us for our third IWD 2022 interview. Look for the next interview series to celebrate IWD 2022 at the end of March, 2022.

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Learn more about our companies referenced in today’s article:

Sumitomo Chemical Group Companies of the Americas

Sumitomo Chemical America, Inc., the regional Headquarters for the Americas, is part of the Sumitomo Chemical Group of more than 180 companies operating worldwide in a variety of business categories. Our group offers a wide range of innovative products and technologies that strive to address global needs and challenges.

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Reference:

Sumitomo Chemical Basic Policy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/sustainability/society/management/diversity/

We will promote diversity and inclusion across the Sumitomo Chemical Group. We understand that a variety of ideas and values among our employees represents a vital resource that forms the foundation of the Sumitomo Chemical Group's competitiveness. In order to create continuous new value, we will build and enable an inclusive organizational culture that allows us to respect the individuality of each employee and embrace diversity to empower employees in an environment of mutual and close communication.

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Interviews with Mary Olson

Brand Intelligence

Building the next generation of brand intelligence

[email protected]

Website | LinkedIn

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Published by

Sumitomo Chemical: Group Companies of the Americas