Meet Jen Korduck, Business Director of Performance Materials and Chemical Intermediates, who is known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to doing the right thing.
At Bakelite, we’re proud of the diverse experiences, talents, and backgrounds of our global associates. We each have our own Bakelite story, and in this series – My Bakelite Story – we highlight associates in different locations, departments and career stages, each putting their fingerprints on the organization in their own unique ways. These stories shine a light on our various roles and how they contribute to our vision and mission at Bakelite.
Meet Jen Korduck, Business Director, Performance Materials and Chemical Intermediates, remotely based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. With a background that spans manufacturing, procurement and commercial leadership, Jen brings a well-rounded perspective to the business and a passion for solving challenges for both customers and Bakelite.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to doing the right thing, Jen is energized by helping her team succeed and celebrating their accomplishments along the way. In this edition of My Bakelite Story, discover the experiences that shaped Jen’s career journey, what excites her most about the future of commercial excellence, and why she feels right at home at Bakelite.
Jen’s Story
What brought you to the company and the commercial team?
I spent 20 years in the epoxy industry and found an opportunity that reconnected me with colleagues I knew from that time. It meant a great deal to me to have confidence that I would fit with the team and work well with those around me. I work hard, but that’s nothing if you can’t have fun with the people you work with every day.
As for my path into the commercial realm, I am an engineer and spent half my career in production and continuous improvement roles. At the encouragement of a mentor, I moved into procurement and developed a love for commercial strategy. I wanted to be more directly associated with the business, so the natural next step was to try sales. However, I love having learned procurement first because I can see the other side of the table more clearly, understanding what they want and what I can trade to get what I want.
It was also very meaningful to me that Bakelite has a strong Women’s Network. The month I started really looking for jobs in earnest, Bakelite was a sponsor of the 2025 Women in Chemicals conference. Not all corporate women’s groups are created equal, and it struck me that not only was Bakelite’s leadership supportive of our group, but they were publicly supportive of it to put their name on this conference. It may not seem like much to some, but it really struck me as someplace I wanted to work.
What do you enjoy most about working in the commercial space?
I love being able to solve problems for the customer while winning for our company. I love thinking through not just what we are doing in this meeting today, but what I am going to say in this meeting and what this other person will say in another, later meeting, so that eventually, months or maybe even a year from now, we can reach an agreement. I love the strategy of developing a complex customer relationship into a solution that works for both sides.
What makes Bakelite stand out in the industry?
We certainly have some of the best technical resources in the industry, and even when we are challenged, we still deliver great customer service.
But maybe most importantly, we do the right thing. I must admit that I thought it was going to be cliché, but I love that I hear that phrase so often with real meaning behind it. We really do mean it. And I know that we are going to do the right thing for our customers. When I was in procurement, that was the first thing that mattered to me, that my supplier was going to do the right thing. And I hold that value closest to my heart in this role.
Can you share a recent success story or project you’re proud of?
I am proud every time one of our account managers succeeds, whether that means helping a customer solve a challenge, strengthening a relationship, or finding a creative path forward on a complex opportunity.
One of the things I enjoy most about commercial leadership is celebrating the success that comes from collaboration, preparation, and strategic thinking. Salespeople hear “no” often enough. They do not close every opportunity, so when the team achieves a positive outcome for both the customer and the business, it is worth celebrating.
What makes me proudest is watching members of our team grow and develop in their careers. Seeing people build confidence, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.
Do you have a favorite Bakelite story?
Ten years ago, when I was in procurement, I would connect periodically with John Taylor and give him an update on the phenol market to share with customers. When I got to Bakelite and started meeting the extended commercial team, I reached out to John and he responded, “Welcome home.”
There are so many stories like this one. I remember the first interactions I had with each member of the commercial team, the impression they first left on me, and the laughs I have had with them in the last 10 months. And when I was asked what I thought about combining the business units under one director, my immediate reaction, the first thing I said, was that it was possible because of how strong the team was. I just love being here. I feel right at home!
Our Customers & Industry
What do customers appreciate most about working with us?
How hard we work for our customers. Our honesty and transparency, and our willingness to go the extra mile for the right reasons.
What business trends excite you the most right now?
I love the potential that AI has to knock through some of the more tedious parts of work so that we can focus on strategy and people’s development. There is so much that can be done, and I know I’m only scratching the surface, but the capabilities are fascinating to me. I’m excited to find ways we can use AI in negotiations, strategic account development, and other areas.
More About Jen
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
Every Halloween, I take the day off and set up a big tent in my driveway. We serve hot cider to the trick-or-treaters and their parents. I dress up as something different every year, and we play music and build a fire in our Solo Stove for warmth and s’mores. It’s been one of the best times to visit with the neighbors before Chicago goes horribly cold, and we don’t come outside until spring.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
Spending time with my family, traveling, and reading. I love naps. I’m trying to get back to running after an injury. I am also constantly trying not to kill all the plants in my garden.
Looking Ahead
What are you most excited about for the future of Bakelite and the commercial team?
I think we have the potential to really do things differently within the business and the commercial team. I’m excited to do more to develop negotiation skills and strategic account management. I’m also looking forward to attending the Women in Chemicals conference this month with two members of my team: Veronica Pawlik and Chris Mielke, who expressed interest in doing more as an ally. I think we’ll see lots of leaders continue to develop out of this incredibly capable team.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting at Bakelite, what would it be?
Get to know others in the plants and in other functions. It’s not a huge company, and there are so many wonderful people who can help.
