Ina - Cultivating Growth Through Curiosity and Collaboration

After over a decade with Evonik, Ina has built a career defined by adaptability, cross-functional engagement, and a passion for enabling others to thrive. Her journey began in 2015 at the Hopewell, Virginia location, where she joined initially as an Executive Administrative Assistant. Shortly after, she was entrusted with supporting a major transition of relocating the team to what is now the Business & Innovation Hub in Richmond, Virginia. That assignment became a catalyst for growth. "Once we moved into the new facility, I stepped into the role of Facilities Manager.

It was no small job. I was working with contractors, employees, safety regulations, and regional support functions, all while supporting site leadership." Ina recalls.
Her background in the Optical Industry, with roles in Project and Process management, as well as Quality Assurance, prepared her for some of the required aspects but managing a facility with active Chemistry labs brought unique challenges. Across every milestone and challenge she faced, one theme emerged: the strength of Evonik's culture.  "I quickly realized this was not just a Richmond experience. The willingness to share knowledge, help each other, and collaborate across borders was part of Evonik's global DNA. The people are what make this a truly special place to work.”

Reflecting on her path, Ina attributes much of her development to staying curious and leaning into relationships that broadened her perspective. "Curiosity has been essential," she says. "It led me to new opportunities and helped me adapt to change. Learning is not a one-time event; it is continuous, and it keeps you ready for what is ahead.” Networking, she adds, has been just as pivotal. “Building relationships with people from different roles, backgrounds, and levels of expertise has elevated my career. I encourage anyone new to Evonik to stay curious and continue to build your network. Those connections will be one of your greatest career and personal growth accelerators.”

Ina's own career path reinforces this philosophy. Despite not holding a technical or HR degree, she advanced by embracing her work ethic, expanding her network, and building real-world capabilities in project management, conflict resolution, procurement, and stakeholder engagement. The skills built during her tenure as facilities manager created the foundation that prepared her for her current role. It is a compelling reminder that experience, competency, and potential can be just as impactful as traditional academic credentials.

Today, Ina manages the Evonik Rotation Program, where she plays a critical role in developing early career engineering talent as they transition from university student into young professionals navigating their career within a large global organization. This role is incredibly rewarding,”she says. "I have a front-row seat to watch young professionals grow into the engineers they have always aspired to be, individuals who will make an impact on the world. Seeing that transformation is the greatest measure of success for me.”

For Ina, this work goes beyond program management. It is a strategic investment in the next generation of Evonik's innovators, leaders, problem-solvers and an opportunity to shape their journey just as others once shaped hers. Ina's story reflects the core of Evonik's talent philosophy: that growth happens where curiosity meets opportunity, and where people are empowered to bring their full experiences to the table. As Evonik continues to build a future fueled by innovation and collaboration, leaders like Ina ensure the next generation is not only prepared for what is ahead but inspired to shape it.