CIAC Welcomes Four New Directors and Honours Outgoing Leader Helder Botelho 

June 03, 2025

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) is pleased to announce four new individuals have joined the association’s Board of Directors including Robert Ballinger – Chemical Business Manager, Imperial; Mark Rose – President, Layfield Flexible Films; Katherine Down – Plant Manager, Westhill, LANXESS Canada Co. and Laura Dewar – Managing Director, Innospec Canada Limited. This follows the additions of Skya Kruithof, President of Dow Chemical Canada ULC and Hydrocarbons Business Director, and David MacDonald, Site Director for INEOS Styrolution Canada Ltd. to the board in March. 

“We are thrilled to welcome four exceptional leaders to the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada’s Board of Directors. Their expertise, vision, and commitment to our industry will strengthen our collective ability to advance member priorities, champion sustainability, and uphold our world-class Responsible Care® ethic,” said Greg Moffatt, CIAC President and CEO. “As stewards of innovation and responsible growth, their leadership will be instrumental in shaping a resilient and competitive future for Canada’s chemistry sector.” 

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada’s Board of Directors plays a critical role in guiding the industry through a period of profound global uncertainty. As international trade dynamics shift and economic pressures mount, it is essential that Canada takes deliberate steps to future-proof its economy. The Board’s leadership is vital in advocating for forward-looking policies, infrastructure investment, and innovation that will strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s chemistry sector—a cornerstone of the modern economy. By fostering a resilient, low-carbon, and investment-friendly environment, the Board helps ensure that Canada remains a global leader in sustainable manufacturing and a reliable trading partner amid an increasingly complex world. 

With the addition of new members of the board, CIAC recognizes the tireless work of outgoing director Helder Botelho of LANXESS Canada. Helder joined the board in 2017 and was Chair of the Board in 2022-2023. He has been a steadfast and influential advocate for Canada’s chemistry and plastics sector, helping to bridge the gap between CIAC’s strategic priorities and the operational realities of the industry. A long-standing champion of health and safety, sustainability, workforce development, and transparency, he has consistently embodied the core principles of Responsible Care®. 

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Helder Botelho for his outstanding service and unwavering dedication to the CIAC board for nearly a decade. Helder has been a guiding force in our efforts to promote safety, sustainability, and innovation across the chemistry and plastics sector,” said Chairman of the Board, Rocky Vermani. “His deep insight and steady leadership have strengthened CIAC’s governance and advanced our mission. He leaves a legacy of integrity, collaboration, and meaningful progress that will continue to inspire our work for years to come.” 

During his tenure, Helder played a key role in strengthening CIAC’s governance framework and enhancing its policy engagement efforts. His leadership has left a lasting mark—not only on the organization but across the broader industry—by advancing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.