The American Chemistry Council is excited to announce the 2024 Responsible Care® & Sustainability Future Leaders. These exemplary professionals are helping to shape the future of the chemical industry with their dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
Brian Nichols
Brian Nichols graduated from West Virginia University in 2018 with a B.S in Chemical Engineering. After graduation he started working for Braskem America as a Process Engineer for two years in Oyster Creek, Texas. He then transitioned into his current role as a Process Safety Engineer in Huntington, WV with key tasks of facilitating Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), compiling monthly process safety metrics (KPIs) and performing evaluations to improve process safety systems and performances within the organization. He is currently pursuing an MBA from Marshall University.
Deanna Clark
Deanna Clark is a Process and Automation Engineer at Third Coast. With over 7 years of experience in the chemical industry and a proven knowledge of process improvement and design, she is the lead engineer for the startup and commissioning of a new highly automated gear oil blending unit. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University and is a certified Process Hazard Analysis facilitator and Functional Safety Practitioner for Safety Instrumented Systems.
Devon Currie
Devon Currie is an Associate Environmental Engineer on LyondellBasell’s Global Environmental team, headquartered in Houston, Texas. She has taken on the critical responsibility of leading and managing the company's global environmental data reporting process. This is one of Lyondell’s vital roles responsible for validating air, water, and waste data for the annual Sustainability Report, alongside all other Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting needs. Her journey to this significant role began at Purdue University, where Devon earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Ecological Engineering. Throughout her academic career, she completed a competitive manufacturing co-op with LyondellBasell, which not only enriched her practical experience but also provided a seamless transition into the current professional career.
John Reid
Jon Reid is the Process Safety/EH&S Engineer at Americas Styrenics (AmSty) in Connecticut. In this role, Jon oversees his facilities air, land and water management programs, emissions, and associated requirements. Jon has proven himself pivotal to the AmSty team by actively engaged in the process of creating products containing Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) polystyrene material. Jon graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering.
Kristin Kendrick
Kristin Kendrick is currently an Environmental Specialist at The Dow Chemical Company, St. Charles Operations Facility. She graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a BS in Environmental Engineering. Before her career at Dow, Kristin spent three years in the consulting industry where she worked as a multi-media environmental compliance engineer supporting clients in multiple industry sectors including Oil and Gas, Barge and Marine, and Chemical Manufacturing. Kristin enjoys being an active member of several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), volunteering, and serving on multiple college recruitment teams at Dow. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
Pardis Bonakdarpour
Pardis Bonakdarpour is a Product Stewardship and Regulatory Compliance Specialist at Axalta Coating Systems. In this role, she provides hazard communication support to business units to ensure regulatory compliance for industrial and consumer products distributed in North America. She is responsible for regulatory efforts across various jurisdictions for all market segments within the coatings industry. Pardis holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering from Drexel University.
Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford is currently a Process Safety Engineer at Shepherd Chemical, based in Cincinnati. In this role he oversees all process safety management responsibilities at Shepherd. In addition, he represents Shepherd Chemical as a sitting member in the American Chemistry Council’s Process Safety Committee and participates in several of the Enhancing Process Safety Initiative programs. Other professional organizations that Ryan is heavily involved in include the American Institute of Chemical Engineer’s Process Safety Division where he is active on the Communications and Membership Committee. His professional journey was paved by a strong educational foundation from Villanova University, where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and pursued minors in Sustainability Studies and Engineering Entrepreneurship. Ryan is further enhancing his credentials by pursuing an MBA. Beyond his professional commitments and academic endeavors, Ryan dedicates himself to community service through his Church, finds joy in playing the guitar, and maintains an active lifestyle by playing basketball.
Ryan Schenkel
Ryan Schenkel is a Sustainability Operations Analyst with three years’ experience at Total Quality Logistics. Ryan supports the development and maintenance of the Responsible Care Management System and Sustainability programs. Ryan is a Xavier University graduate and an avid runner having completed three marathons.
Sarah Taylor
Sarah Taylor works as a Sustainability Analyst at Albemarle Corporation’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this role she contributes to Albemarle’s sustainability reporting, data collection and disclosures, and development of the company’s sustainability strategy. She joined Albemarle in 2021 as part of the company’s LAUNCH rotational program, where she worked in product management and corporate sustainability roles. She attended North Carolina State University where she earned degrees in Chemical Engineering – with a Sustainability concentration – and Spanish. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking through national parks, volunteering at her local soup kitchen, and reading with her cat Davie.
Scott Duncan
Scott Duncan serves as a Senior Energy Reduction Engineer at Honeywell, where he plays a pivotal role in leading the company's decarbonization initiatives. As the lead architect of Honeywell's Carbon Neutrality Roadmap, Scott oversees its implementation across more than 50 manufacturing plants, significantly contributing to the company's emission reduction efforts. With over seven years of experience in the chemical industry, his expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of areas, including operations, environmental compliance, and process design. Scott Duncan holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech.
