Chantall Lukwinski

About me

I was born/grew up in: Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta

I now live in: Calgary, Alberta

I completed my training/education at: University of Calgary -  Bachelor of Honours in Chemistry, PhD in Chemistry

What I do at work

A big part of my job is working in the different teams both within Dow and with our customers. To be successful, a technical background is very important. This is because I often work with our customers’ Research and Development teams. My background in chemistry is necessary because my role is technical. I have to be able to talk with the team members about their work. I also have to be able to develop relationships and partnerships so that we can create new projects.

As the Dow liaison, I coordinate many different business groups to solve any challenges our customers could be facing. This can be anything from commercial and contract negotiations to logistics and supply chain. I also work with technical teams from Dow and our customers to plan new products. A background in STEM is key to solving problems and understanding how we can bring new products to the shelf. 

My career path is

Ever since I was in grade 3, when I got my first computer and it had a chemistry program, I knew I wanted to be a chemist.

When I was working on my degrees, I still gravitated towards customers and relationships. To improve those skills, I took MBA classes that helped me understand the world of business. As I progressed, I was able to apply those business skills, and the skills I developed during my PhD program, to a role that looks at customer needs. The biggest thing I took away from doing my PHD was project management. The skills I developed helped me to manage projects within Dow, as well as projects we have underway with customers.

Being able to identify where I was truly effective and linking those skills with my other interests helped prepare me for a position where I could contribute my very best.

I am motivated by

As the liaison between Dow and our customers, every day I use my problem-solving skills to enable cool technologies that end up in people’s homes. It’s pretty neat to see some of products I’ve worked on end up in my own home.

How I affect peoples’ lives

I work with companies that are producing products for consumers’ shelves. I’m proud to work with many top brands in all the different market segments that Dow serves to help them produce safe and sustainable solutions for consumers.

Outside of work I

I spend a lot of time outside with my family. We love to go camping, mountain biking, hiking and fishing in the summer and cross-country skiing and skating in the winter.

I also love to give back to my community and to inspire elementary school-aged children to engage with science. To this end, I volunteer in schools by conducting chemistry experiments in classrooms. I also volunteer with my children’s school council and I try to take on volunteer roles to challenge myself and strengthen self-identified areas of weakness.

My advice to others

Be fully open to different opportunities that come your way – you might find yourself going in a direction you could not have imagined for yourself. Seek opportunities where you can strengthen your interpersonal skills in addition to the technical skills you acquire from your education. Devote time to your community and volunteer in positions that match your strengths but also your weaknesses so that you grow your skills.