SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY:
Dr. Kathleen Havelka is the Senior VP of Global Research, Development, and Applications at Advancion. Kathleen leads alignment of business strategy, innovation strategy and portfolio choices to increase the speed and impact from technical innovation investment at Advancion. Kathleen’s track record for science-based innovation contributing to business growth is a consistent theme throughout her career.
Prior to joining Advancion, Kathleen most recently served as Sr. Director of R&D and QC at Fuchs Lubricants. In this role she was responsible for accelerating the pipeline and new product introductions of novel fully formulated fluids and greases and upgrading from ISO-9001 to IATF 16949 QMS.
Kathleen previously served as Sr. Director of R&D at Elevance Renewable Sciences where she led the development and new product platform of synthetic bio-based additives with HX-1 certification.
Kathleen’s previous experience includes 18 years at Lubrizol in senior management roles in R&D and business development, leading global, multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams in developing and commercializing field-responsive fluids, sensors, lubricants, fuel additives, and aftermarket products.
Kathleen holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Elmhurst University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University. She is the inventor on 8 patents, co-edited 3 books, authored over 40 articles, is an ACS Fellow, and is on the Science Advisory Board of Florida Food Products.