Leading Innovation in Today’s Chemical Industry

Innovation has always been the engine of progress for the chemical industry. And today, the context in which we innovate is shifting in rapid and profound ways. Sustainability expectations are accelerating. Global trade dynamics are increasingly unpredictable. Oversupply in key value chains is putting pressure on margins and challenging long‑standing business models.

In this environment, innovation isn’t just about developing the next great product. It’s about building the unique expertise, networks, and leadership culture that allow us to consistently create value—no matter how the landscape changes.

Innovation starts with people.

Shepherd’s distinct capabilities are built by our people, and our competitive advantage comes from innovating around our core purpose of Creating Value that Brightens Lives. While facilities, equipment, and technology enable innovation, it’s human curiosity, creativity, commitment, and connection that fuel it.

• Chemists who understand fundamental and complex chemistry and see opportunities others overlook.
• Engineers and product safety experts whose process design and control plans ensure that what we develop in the lab runs safely, reliably, and sustainably in production.
• Cross functional operations teams who never stop improving the safety, quality, and productivity of our operating sites.
• Commercial and technical teams who invest in customer relationships and understanding opportunities.

This combination—deep technical expertise, disciplined execution, and customer aligned development—is special. It’s a capability built over time, by people committed to continuous improvement, teamwork, and solving impactful challenges.

The challenges facing the chemical industry—decarbonization, circularity, electrification, advanced materials, and supply chain resilience—are too broad and interconnected for any single organization to tackle alone.

Collaboration is a superpower.

Innovation today requires collaboration across boundaries:

• Within organizations, where R&D, operations, quality, and commercial teams come together earlier and more fluidly.
• Across the value chain, where suppliers, technology developers, and customers collectively shape future materials and applications.
• Throughout the ecosystem—startups, academic partners, and industry consortia—where new ideas and approaches emerge.

Capabilities like these are not purchased or installed—they are developed, nurtured, and refined through experience, shared learning, and intentional investment in people and relationships.

Collaborative innovation has always been at the heart of Shepherd Chemical. And in the years ahead, it will be our most vital expression of leadership, turning human potential into progress.

Leadership sets the example.

It’s a pleasure to recognize the 2026 Senior Leadership Team for Shepherd Chemical.

• Collin Breit (Sales Manager)
• Jennifer Haggard (General Manager)
• Matthew Brennan (Finance & ERP Business Partner)
• Nate Bauman (Head of Supply Chain)
• Stephanie Ulrich-Voss (Operations Manager)
• Nate Eckert (Head of Research & Development)
• Susi Dick (HR & Benefits Manager)
• Tim Joy (Manager, Quality & Responsible Care)
• Mike Musick (Head of Business Development)
• Philippe Hugele (Mirecourt Site Manager) Not pictured

Innovation grows when the entire Shepherd team moves in the same direction – exchanging knowledge, solving problems, and working across departments and geographies.  Our Senior Leadership Team is committed to creating strategic clarity and the environment for everyone to contribute and be successful.

Together, we are dedicated to advancing Shepherd Chemical’s legacy of innovation by supporting our people, strengthening our teams, investing in customer partnerships, encouraging ideas and creating sustainable chemistry and processes that deliver long-term positive impact.