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Women in Composites: rediscover their experiences and advice

Since this summer we’ve published four interviews in our Women in Composites series, where Sila Gungor (Siemens Gamesa), Krysten Minnici (Arkema), Ummuhan Eker (DowAksa) and Frédérique Coeuille (Valeo) have shared their experiences of working in the composites industry. Here we highlight some of their insights and advice.

Women in Composites: rediscover their experiences and advice
READING TIME

3 minutes, 40 secondes

Frédérique Coeuille, director of materials engineering at Valeo

Frédérique Coeuille, Valeo

Frédérique Coeuilleholds a PhD in Materials Sciences and Engineering at Mines Paris – PSL. In 2020, the opportunity to develop innovative ‘green’ materials solutions with lower carbon footprint attracted Frédérique to the automotive supplier Valeo.

Her advice to other women is to never give up: “You have to prove every day that you are capable of doing what men are doing. You have to show that you can do it. You have to work harder. So it could be difficult, but you’ll succeed. Believe in your dream. Do what you want to do and be proud of what you have already done. And please keep going, you can do it!”

Ummuhan Eker, R&D director for DowAksa

Ms Ummuhan with her pink helmet

Ummuhan Eker pursued her Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering at Ege University in Türkiye. Her journey into composite materials began in 2006 when she joined Aksa Acrylic as a process engineer. Currently, she is the R&D director for DowAksa and leads the overall activities set for the development of carbon fibre and carbon fibre-based products.

“What I do today is hard, no doubt. Despite everything, I love what I do! What I enjoy most about my job and what makes me extremely happy is to share my work experience with the entire organisation through open communication. I like to contribute to my team’s development and then watch them manage their work on their own. Our company provides fully integrated solutions including the product (from precursor to carbon fibre to composites) engineering, technology and knowledge of carbon fibre and carbon fibre intermediates, which is the current need of the market. To be successful in such an integrated composite materials industry can only happen when there is an environment where knowledge is well transferred from person to person and where there is open communication and continuous development and improvement.”

Krysten Minnici, business development scientist, Arkema

Krysten Minnici, Arkema

Krysten Minnici fell in love with polymers while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Drexel University. Polymers and plastics were the focus of her master’s degree studies at Politecnico di Milano and then again during her doctoral work at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). After earning her doctorate, she was hired by Arkema as a rotational scientist, working across 7 business units. She now leads business development at Arkema 3D Printing.

Krysten has managed both young women and men who are co-ops or interns at Arkema. She encourages them to avoid “imposter syndrome”, fearing they do not have enough expertise to speak confidently when they are the youngest person or only woman in the room.“Remind yourself that you know what you’re doing and are the expert on your project. It can be easy to fall to the background and not make your voice heard. It’s important to remember the skillsets you bring to the table and that you have a place there.”

Sila Gungor, team lead, blade manufacturing development at Siemens Gamesa

Sila Gungor full length photo

After her Bachelor of Science (BS), Sila Gungor obtained a Master of Science (MS) “Materials and metallurgical engineering” from Middle East Technical University in 2008. Sila Gungor obtains her first job in a company specialising in defence technologies, within which she believes she will quickly take on a new dimension, with highly applied aeronautical skills and new possibilities for the exploitation of composites. In 2021, Sila Gungor takes a new direction in her professional career by joining Siemens Gamesa. “I felt the need to have a useful mission, truly useful to others. And wind energy is a solution of the future for supplying energy to populations while respecting the environment,” she says. An important choice because she must leave Türkiye to move to Denmark, a real change of culture and daily life. Her positive nature allows her to live out her identity as a woman in a very masculine sector: “Engineers are predominantly men, especially in R&D and manufacturing. But I was never sidelined or underestimated, I had the same offers and the same promotions as my male colleagues, no worries from that point of view.” 

Trailblazers in Composites: celebrating women who are shaping the future

For an inspiring and empowering conversation spotlighting the incredible women revolutionizing the composites industry, visit the conference on JEC World 2025 celebrating women who are shaping the industry. This dynamic panel will explore the bold journeys of trailblazers who are redefining success and breaking barriers in their fields. Hear firsthand about the challenges they’ve overcome, the pivotal moments that defined their careers, and the mentors who helped guide them to the top. This session is all about sparking ambition, fueling innovation, and building a vibrant community where women rise and lead with confidence in the world of composites.

To discover more interviews and news about women who are making a difference in the composites industry, please visit our Women in Composites section.

More information www.jeccomposites.com

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