This Summer, the 2025 Responsible Care® & Sustainability Future Leaders took their passion for environmental stewardship and chemical safety straight to the heart of policymaking, Washington, D.C. Selected by the American Chemistry Council, Future Leaders are early-career professionals who exemplify excellence in environmental performance, safety, and sustainability across the chemical industry.
Their visit to Washington, D.C. was an immersive learning experience. Future Leaders participated in a strategic planning meeting with Responsible Care practitioners, sitting side by side with seasoned professionals and experts to explore the practical and strategic dimensions of Responsible Care.
While in D.C., program participants had the chance to meet with members of ACC executive team, engaging directly with industry leaders and gaining valuable insights into strategy, decision-making, and advocacy. Bringing together these rising professionals with high-level executives can help empower emerging voices to step into leadership roles with confidence and clarity.
Future Leaders also visited the CHEMTREC service center to learn how CHEMTREC is providing 24/7 support for emergency responders, as well as safety training and community support.
Armed with firsthand experience and insight, the Future Leaders joined ACC member companies on Capitol Hill to meet with 12 congressional offices, engaging elected officials from both sides of the aisle, including:
- Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN)
- Rep. Morgan McGarvey (KY)
- Rep. Haley Stevens (MI)
- Rep. Mike Ezell (MS)
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville (AL)
- Sen. Shelly Moore Capito (WV)
- Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA)
- Sen. Katie Britt (AL)
- Sen. David McCormick (PA)
- Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX)
- Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ)
- Rep. Riley Moore (WV)
These discussions offered participants an opportunity to engage with members of Congress on key policy issues, and to share ways the chemical industry is helping safeguard health, safety, and the environment under Responsible Care®, while driving U.S. manufacturing and economic growth.
Caroline Pearson, an environmental engineer at Chevron Phillips Chemical noted the value of their Hill visit, sharing, “We were able to learn about advocacy and experience this effort firsthand by meeting with congressional staff on Capitol Hill to discuss Responsible Care and sustainability initiatives in our industry.”
Rounding out the visit, Congressman Zach Nunn’s office generously hosted the Future Leaders for a Capitol tour, giving participants an inside look at the legislative process and the storied spaces where national policy is shaped.
This unique experience deepened the Future Leaders' understanding of ACC’s role in policy and advocacy, and helped provide them the tools, insights and experience to become advocates for their companies in their own communities.
As Vanessa Thorn, strategic initiatives manager at STOCKMEIER Urethanes noted, “It was fascinating to see all the moving parts come together at ACC. Coming here and seeing a whole different side of state and federal and local affairs and what they are doing to contribute back to our companies – even engaging with the Responsible Care Partner companies – shows the impact we can have when we work together."