Profiles
NOVA Chemicals announces senior leadership changes

CALGARY — NOVA Chemicals Corporation announced strategic senior leadership changes that will try and help the company be at the forefront of sustainable polyethylene production, and underscore its commitment to reshaping plastics for more sustainability.

“As we embark on this exciting period of growth and transformation, these planned organizational changes will set us up to achieve our ambitious 2030 aspirations while continuing to meet the evolving expectations on our industry from society and our customers,” said John Thayer, NOVA Chemicals Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing. “I have tremendous confidence that alongside their teams, the deep level of expertise Greg, Sarah, and Jennifer bring to their respective roles will only serve to unlock new innovative solutions across our business and ensure NOVA remains on track to be the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America.”

To solidify NOVA Chemicals’ leadership in the development of and transition to circular plastics, Greg DeKunder has been named vice president, NOVA Circular Solutions, a new line of business focused on lower-emission, recycled solutions that will be a key driver in achieving the company’s 2030 aspiration of 30 per cent polyethylene sales being from recycled content. DeKunder’s focus will be on expanding the company’s sustainable product offerings like SYNDIGO recycled polyethylene – a new portfolio of products made entirely from recycled resins – standing up its state-of-the-art mechanical recycling business and exploring advanced recycling opportunities to meet the growing recycled content needs of its customers.

Succeeding DeKunder as vice president, polyethylene marketing is Sarah Marshall, a veteran of NOVA Chemicals. Marshall has leveraged her experience in research and development in the plastics industry to serve the company in a variety of leadership roles, including polyethylene technical services.

Jennifer Woolfsmith has taken on the role of vice president, sustainability following Marshall’s transition. Woolfsmith, another veteran of the company, most recently served as chief of staff to the CEO, where she worked alongside senior leadership and the board to develop NOVA Chemicals’ 2030 Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership.