Coatings

International Women's Day 2026

Under the motto “ Give to Gain – Women who shape our surface solutions”, we honor the many forms of giving that our female colleagues practice daily: sharing knowledge, supporting others, taking responsibility, driving innovation, or having the courage to pursue new paths.

“Give to Gain” reflects a mindset that shows that change begins where we are willing to contribute something, and the portraits of our colleagues show everyday life examples of it.

"Even in an ever-changing environment, I focus on what I can control how I communicate, support, and empower my team and peer to grow and become the best version of themselves."

Stefanie Meier

Head of Center of Expertise Global Compensation
Insights & Solutions

"Giving through mentoring and supporting my team has been an important part of my leadership journey, building trust and creating an environment where colleagues feel inspired to contribute and grow together."

Payal Kak

Business Development & Marketing Director
Chemetall India

"Intentionally investing time in my own learning has helped me build new skills, discover my purpose as a leader, and embrace a mindset of continuous growth."

Sarah Seddon

Head of Supply Chain Management
Automotive Refinish Coatings, Asia Pacific

"For me, “Give to Gain” means sharing knowledge, listening to different perspectives, and creating space for collaboration. That’s how design leads to stronger solutions, empowered teams, and meaningful impact."

Florina Trost

Head of Design EMEA
Coatings Color and Design

"Investing in understanding people and challenges has shaped my leadership journey. I blend my engineering mindset with commercial strength to build deep customer relationships and drive innovation. I make tough decisions with clarity and lead with passion for my team."

Melissa Kerkau

Global Key Account Manager
Automotive OEM Coatings, North America

"Facing challenges with openness and determination fuels my growth. I have supported nearly every major OEM account, driving value through transparency, direct communication, and strong partnerships that create momentum and trust."

Sarah Kenny

Global Key Account Management
Director Automotive OEM Coatings, North America

"Focusing on people and purposeful action defines how I lead. I enable sustainable growth for both people and the business by building clear structures, empowering teams, and driving consistent results across the South America refinish business with a lean, highly efective team."

Tatiana Calderon

Senior Business Manager
South America Automotive Refinish, Americas

"Creativity and connection help me elevate our brands. I drive brand equity across the Americas, manage key industry partnerships, and deliver impactful events and content – balancing smart investment with strong visibility and influence."

Tina Nelles

Americas MarCom Hub Lead
Automotive Refinish, America

Four women standing close together and laughing

WoMen in Coatings

WoMen in Coatings now consists of more than 400 participants worldwide. They are committed to equal opportunities regardless of gender and deal with topics such as employee equality in the workplace, career and family, family-friendly working models or women in management.