Webinar: Leading the charge. Chemical Engineers in management and governance. by Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)

Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)

About This Webinar

Join us in this riveting collection of talks from four chemical engineering professionals as they share their 'war stories' on career adventures ranging from wine to investment banking to sales! This is a continuation in the series of talks on career diversity showcasing the range of opportunities that chemical engineers have adapted to in the course of their careers.

A focal theme in these presentations will be highlighting the capability of chemical engineers to lead and manage in not just traditional chemical engineering but also new environments which is what our four amazing presenters will be sharing from their experiences.

Four graduates from Chemical & Materials Engineering from Auckland in the 1980s. They will talk about their careers in ChemEng and away from the profession.

Peter Slane

Peter started his career in oil refining, then after a few years of OE moved into Dairy/Food, followed by change back into petrochemicals. His experience covers: technical sales/marketing; product management/stewardship and; running a trading business before joining the Institution of Chemical Engineers as an employee.

He retired recently from his position as Regions Director to take up sailing leave. His career also included a few side detours into finance and sustainability issues.

Peter is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of IChemE.

Kirstine Huise

General Manager | Sustainability, People & Safety | Bremworth

After completing a PhD in Switzerland in process optimisation of Aluminium smelters, Kirstine worked in Aluminium in Africa as a Process Superintendent. On returning to NZ, she worked In Pulp and Paper, Oil refining and Aviation and has had broad experience in leading Health and Safety, People, Sustainability, Government Relations and Industry 4.0.

Kirstine also has a Masters In Safety Leadership from Griffith University and has a keen interest in innovation, and building organisational capability using a research-based science approach. Currently she is GM - Health & Safety, People and Sustainability for Bremworth, an iconic NZX listed manufacturer of carpet and rugs that specialises in New Zealand wool.

Peter Hooker

Peter’s first job was in olefin production at Altona Petrochemical Co. in Melbourne. APC is now part of Qenos. After 5 years, he jumped into finance, and became a research analyst/stockbroker with an investment bank in Sydney. A sabattical break segued into entrepreneurship, via starting and developing an SME in maternity and baby goods. At the same time, he was Treasurer of Médecins sans Frontières Australia/NZ and held some other similar roles.

He now focuses on governance, particularly in the health sector, and works in values-based leadership as a business mentor.

Jon Tommy

For the first 3 years of his professional career Jon was the Wineries Chemical Engineer at New Zealand winemaker Montana Wines. He then joined APV International, England as a process engineer and over the next 3 years was involved in the design, installation and commissioning of capital projects for clients in the food and beverage industry. After a two year capital projects contract as the Aseptic Process/Project Engineer at Proctor & Gamble’s orange juice in Germany Jon returned to New Zealand with APV International on a dairy factory redevelopment project as NZ Automation Project Engineer before joining and progressing to Engineering Manager at APV Baker NZ.

Jon re-joined Montana Wines as part of the executive team as the National Wineries Manager and for the next 13 years was involved in the growth and development of Montana Wines and with increasing responsibility to become GM Production. The last 15 years Jon was a consultant and a project manager for large capital projects mainly in the dairy industry.