As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Bakelite is proud to recognize the outstanding women across our organization who are advancing innovation, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations.
Today, we highlight Anna Sieranc, R&D Director and Site Manager at Bakelite in Poland — a pioneering leader whose creativity, technical expertise, and forward‑thinking approach have played a defining role in shaping the future of natural adhesive technologies.
Transforming Ideas into Impact
Since joining Bakelite, Anna has helped build the company’s natural adhesives laboratory from the ground up. Today, she leads product development efforts focused on cutting‑edge adhesive solutions for the wood‑panel industry. Under her guidance:
- The team has developed the first commercially available natural adhesive products on the market
- She has overseen large‑scale industrial testing across multiple customer facilities
- Manages a team of 10 scientists and technicians
- Partnered with equipment manufacturers to design the lab’s pilot‑scale production installation
- Is the primary author on multiple patent concepts
Despite these accomplishments, Anna is most proud of the inclusive, collaborative environment she fosters.
“There are no stupid questions.”
For her, innovation begins with curiosity — and teams do their best work when they feel supported, trusted, and encouraged to explore new ideas.
A Path Fueled by Curiosity
Anna’s love for science began in childhood. Growing up in a small village in Poland with limited internet access, she learned to rely on creativity and imagination. She remembers constantly asking questions, inventing explanations, and trying to understand how things worked.
Chemistry wasn’t an instant passion — she admits it felt like a “nightmare” at first — but once it clicked, it became her world. She pursued biotechnology because it offered freedom to explore multiple scientific fields while pursuing her ultimate goal: to create something new.
Belief, Support, and Quiet Confidence
Anna speaks openly about experiencing imposter syndrome — and how important it has been to have leaders and colleagues who believed in her potential, even at times when she doubted herself.
One personal technique helps her regain perspective: imagining her accomplishments as if they belonged to someone else.
“If I picture myself as another person, I realize I would see someone who is interesting, capable, and who has achieved a lot.”
This simple mindset shift, combined with support from those around her, helps her navigate moments of insecurity.
Innovation, Leadership, and Creative Freedom
Throughout her career, Anna has thrived in environments that give her room to explore. Early on, she was encouraged to experiment, investigate, and take ownership of her work — a foundation that helped propel her into larger technical and leadership roles.
Today, she extends that same freedom to her team. She sets clear priorities and expectations but gives people autonomy in how they get there. This flexibility fuels creativity and supports a culture where bold thinking is encouraged.
Debunking a Persistent Myth
When discussing misconceptions about women in technical roles, Anna challenges one in particular: the idea that women are “too emotional” to lead effectively.
In her experience, women in scientific and technical fields demonstrate:
- Analytical strength
- Structured problem‑solving
- Clear, effective communication
- Exceptional resilience
During her first week at Bakelite, she immediately noticed a culture different from what she’d experienced in the wood‑panel industry. The presence of women in key leadership roles stood out and left a strong impression.
“During my first week, I met more women in leadership than I had in nine years in the wood‑panel industry.”
Balance, Creativity, and Life Outside the Lab
Outside of work, Anna is a deeply creative person — a quality that grounds and energizes her. When she needs to disconnect, she turns to her hobbies:
- Painting
- Sewing
- Cosplay (a new one is in progress)
- Building her first Warhammer army
- Lego builds spanning Harry Potter, Star Wars, and more
- Gaming on PlayStation or Xbox
- Watching shows while walking on her treadmill
She laughs that her partner patiently accepts “the endless boxes of materials” that arrive whenever a new creative project captures her interest.
A Hope for the Next Generation
Anna’s hope for the next generation of girls is simple and profound: That their curiosity is always encouraged — never questioned.
She wants young women to see careers in R&D, engineering, and technical leadership as fully accessible and completely normal. And she hopes they embrace the spark of curiosity that drives every meaningful innovation.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor leaders like Anna Sieranc, whose courage, creativity, and dedication are shaping a stronger and more innovative future — for Bakelite and the world.
