What does it take to transform a legacy chemical business into a cutting-edge innovation engine? Mike Finelli, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Syensqo (formerly Solvay), shares his journey from mailroom to C-suite and outlines how the company is leveraging sustainability, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence to drive growth and solve some of the world's toughest challenges. With a 160-year heritage and a fresh start after splitting from Solvay, Syensqo’s focus spans advanced materials for aerospace, automotive, healthcare, electronics, water filtration, and more.

Host Victoria Meyer and Mike discuss building a culture where AI becomes a daily tool for everyone, the company’s research priorities, and the launch of customer innovation centers designed to foster collaborative, customer-centric solutions. They also address leading through change—both technological and organizational—offering candid insights on managing culture shifts, developing future leaders, and the role of purpose-driven innovation in attracting and retaining talent in the chemical industry.

In this week's episode, Victoria and Mike talk about:

• From Mailroom to C-Suite: Mike Finelli’s journey highlights the power of a growth mindset in chemicals.
• How Syensqo balances tradition with a culture of innovation after its split from Solvay.
• Syensqo puts sustainability at the core of R&D, tackling global challenges with biotech and renewables.
• Building an AI-driven organization where generative tools accelerate discovery and everyday productivity.
• Driving innovation by partnering closely with customers in globally connected labs for faster solutions.