Solvay Global Hackathon Mentors
For the Solvay Global Hackathon 2022, our Solvay role models mentored our participants with their expertise and knowledge to help participants refine their original ideas. They did so by providing one-on-one feedback sessions and live mentoring sessions throughout the hackathon. We are extremely grateful for their unending encouragement and support for our participants. Truly inspirational!
Meet some of our inspirational Solvay role models! Hover around the photo to read more about them.
Meet Céline Parascan, sales development manager at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
“I am a part of the additive manufacturing team at Solvay Materials. I liaise with customers, test materials and develop parts with 3D printing. I am excited to volunteer because I am convinced that events like these are seeds planted that nurture excellence and creativity. I feel proud to share some of my personal experiences but also learn from future female STEM leaders as I am convinced that we are learning every day.”
Meet Anisha Naidu, manufacturing excellence project leader at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
“I am a Chemical Engineer and I have worked as a process engineer in both continuous and batch processes across North America. I am currently working in Manufacturing Excellence, where we look at optimizing our industrial chemical processes to sustainably meet growing production goals. I find energy when working on diverse teams to solve problems and challenge the status quo. During this hackathon, I hope to exchange ideas with young, future scientists and encourage them to dream big. Our generation will be living through the impact of climate change, and if we can still question, and wonder, and ask ‘what-if', then we can dare to challenge the status quo and create sustainable solutions that can change the world.”
Meet Laura M. Viola, patent counsel at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
"Responsible, enthusiastic, organized, social, flexible, proactive. Motherhood has refined these qualities and increased my patience and the ability to see things from a different point of view. I support and challenge R&D and business colleagues in defining and implementing IP strategies. I believe this is an exciting opportunity to support girls in STEM, share with them, learn from them and also provide a view on an alternative career within STEM."
Meet Ritu Ahuja, regional technical manager, APAC at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
“I am passionate about science, its application in the real world and what science can bring to humankind. Being raised in a conservative, male-dominated society in the Northern part of India, I was fortunate to have a supportive family to pursue my education. I find myself privileged and at the same time feel responsible to inspire and share my experience with those girls and women who are driven and have the spark but lack courage, visibility or exposure to what options they can seek and realize their passion in STEM!”
Meet Ana Margarida Lopes, IT HSE specialist at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
“I was always very curious about the environment and how resilient everything around me felt. Growing up, I become more and more interested in science and end up pursuing my studies in the Environment Health field, with Chemistry and Biology being my domains of preference. Today, I work in the IT department, at Solvay, supporting the delivery and maintenance of applications that uphold the EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) activities of Solvay's business units. I believe that continuous learning and knowledge transference make us move forward. To share my journey with young female students that are passionate about STEM, giving them concrete knowledge based on my experience, and have this, hopefully, helping them in their decision making, is what motivated me to volunteer in this initiative.”
Meet An Nuyttens, president of the Aroma Performance and Silica Global Business Units at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
“I am a mother of three young adults. I am an engineer. I am a businesswoman and the proud leader of 1400 enthusiastic colleagues worldwide for Solvay’s Aroma and Silica Business Unit. I am also a strong supporter of Solvay’s Girls Leading in Science program and other initiatives embracing the development of teams. The many roles I play every day make me a strong believer in innovation and technology, which are keys to unlocking our future in an ever more challenging environment.”
Meet Jasleen Walia, melt processing engineer at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
“I am a chemical engineer in Solvay's Foundations for the Future rotational program, which means I get to do three 18-month rotations at different Solvay sites. As a chemical engineer, I work on improving processes and solving problems! I completed my first rotation as a Project Engineer at a manufacturing site, and currently, I am a Melt Processing Engineer at a polymers R&D site. I am volunteering for the hackathon because I am passionate about ensuring girls are introduced to STEM careers and role models. I'm excited to work with the hackathon participants and to hear their innovative ideas!”
Meet Manali Motiwale, an associate research scientist at Solvay Research and Innovation Center and one of our volunteers at our Solvay Global Hackathon!
“I’m an organic chemist by training with PhD in fluorescent colorants. Currently, I am associated with Solvay (RIC, Vadodara, India) for more than 4 years, working on developing new biodegradable monomers/polymers for high-performance products, to have a sustainable solution for a better planet. I’m a nature lover and strongly believe in collective teamwork. My mantra of work is “Yes, it’s possible! Just learn, unlearn and relearn!" I believe interactions and collaborations are the best way to exchange our knowledge with the upcoming generation. This is the best platform to nurture our future female STEM leaders for a better planet."
Meet Tess Charnaud, educator at the International School of Luxembourg and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
"I am a passionate educator who puts the needs and learning at the forefront of my students. I do not see a one size fits all answer, and I endeavour to meet the diverse needs of my learners in my classroom.
Education should be exciting and filled with curiosity, never fear and resentment. One of the greatest pleasures in my career is seeing people find a passion for something and then being there to support them in achieving those goals. Working in the STEM field and for greenlight for girls has been a long time passion of mine. I help ensure that the diversity in the classroom does not affect the choices and chances students have in these fields.
By highlighting the accessibility to STEM to both young girls and boys rather than stereotyping either, I help provide equal access to all. Anyone can do anything!"
Meet Camila Cameira (she/her), raw materials & purchased chemicals analyst at Solvay and one of our volunteers for the Solvay Global Hackathon!
“The curiosity of the unknown and the inquiry about what surrounds us are the reasons I chose to become an Engineer. And while this is a very important part of my life, while discovering the world and my place in it, I discovered my passion for social impact, sustainable practices, and innovative technology solutions for pressing matters. If I have the chance to mentor and hopefully inspire young women to follow their dreams and challenge the status quo, then count me in! Everyone deserves a seat at the table, and each of us has unique traits and talents that make a difference and need to be acknowledged and encouraged.”
Highlights of mentorship sessions
We thank all of our mentors for their practical advice, ideas, and personal stories, which enabled the girls to feel connected to them and the programme. With their help, we inspired and boosted our young female innovators’ confidence and allowed them to create inventions that benefit communities. Watch some of the amazing advice from our mentors below.
Click here to watch all the videos from the Solvay Global Hackathon!
