Dr. Ingrid Sebald

Innovation & Technology - Collaboration - Entrepreneurship - System Solutions - Sustainability

Due to the very positive development of Infiana, we sold the company in 2019 to Loparex. In an intensive integration process, I developed with the management team of Loparex the common global future organizational structure and processes for all commercial and technical teams. As SVP Marketing & Technology and member of the new Loparex ELT, I designed and implemented the foundation for the sharpened brand message, the individual segment strategies as well as the directions of innovation, IP and technology.

In 2016, we at Infiana initiated a strategic restructuring of the sales organization, creating a single, globally engaged department capable of driving further growth in the EMEA, American, and APAC markets. Goal of this change was to strengthen our presence in regions where Infiana has traditionally been underrepresented. As Chief Commercial Officer, I lead our new organization in strengthening Infiana’s worldwide reach, identifying growth opportunities, and creating value for our investors.

The new strategic approach of Huhtamaki Films made it attractive to investors. In a team of 3, I was responsible to represent future plans and objectives, products, and innovative initiatives to prospective buyers. In 2014, the business division Films Global was carved out from the Huhtamaki Group and we set up a new private-equity-sponsored independent company, naming it “INFIANA.” Within 1 year, the communication department has reached more than 23 million readers in the national and international press.

As the business focus changed, Huhtamaki Films became the developing partner for customers. The client approach was redefined, and products were created, designed, and developed at an early stage in a collaborative and innovative process together with the customer. To achieve and implement this new business direction, internal processes needed to be changed. It is never easy to continue a tradition and manage fundamental, cultural changes at the same time without losing highly valued clients and employees.

*** Global R&D Director (2013–2014) *** Head of Global R&D and Intellectual Property (2009–2012) *** Only a few months later, the company needed to fill the position for Head of Global R&D and Intellectual Property. With my skills and experience, I was able to positively enrich the global management team. I led 6 direct reports and a total of 22 employees, as well as the company’s laboratory plants and application technologies. I set up a network to become the developing partner for clients.

As I reentered the company after motherhood, I took on this management role, analyzing the international market, creating marketing and pricing strategies, defining the product portfolio, developing the marketing material, and coordinating the global team.

Following my decision not to become a teacher, I started my career at Huhtamaki. I was responsible for all 3M-related projects throughout 3 continents—North America, Europe, and Asia—and provided excellent customer experience. At the same time, I was also the Global Tape Market Manager for Huhtamaki Films, setting the market strategies and coordinating the global tape activities. I created and executed sales strategies, balancing new business development with account management and customer support.

As I decided to enter the corporate environment, I continued studies to pursue my Ph.D. in Chemistry, and researched for 6 months at ConocoPhillips in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S. I developed a catalyst system for the CH activation of saturated hydrocarbons at an industrial scale. My findings have been patented.

One of the experiences that most impacted my future career was this internship at Novem Car Interior Design GmbH, as it sparked my passion for the business world whilst working on customer-specific projects. It gave me great insight into what it would be like to work for a company, and that teaching was not the only field I could cover with my chemistry and biology talents. I worked on the development of multicolor coatings on aluminum for automotive industry applications.

Completed studies in Marketing and Strategic Marketing of B.A. in Business Management.

Doctoral Thesis: Organometallic Catalysts for the Dehydrogenation of Alkanes, in cooperation with the research center of ConocoPhillips, U.S. Results have been patented.

Studies included psychology and pedagogics, as well as several study trips to Tanzania, Croatia, and California, U.S.