Phiona on Diversity and Employee Resource Groups

Phiona, today we're talking about gender diversity at Evonik. Let's start with the gender balance. Where do we currently stand in terms of numbers?

While men still make up the majority of Evonik's workforce, we've seen a clear and encouraging trend toward greater female representation over the past few years. At the same time, we recognize that gender is not limited to a binary understanding. We also have transgender and non-binary colleagues whose identities we respect and actively take into account.

Today, women represent 21% of senior management, 22% of middle management, and 32% of lower management positions. So, the trend is moving in the right direction, even though Evonik's diversity targets for gender representation range from 25% to 30%, depending on the management level. For anyone interested in the details, our Sustainability Report is a great place to start and well worth reading!

Employee networks play an important role in broadening perspectives on gender diversity. Tell us more about that.

Employee networks are essential in making diversity visible, tangible, and meaningful within the company.

These networks are organized by employees for employees, largely on a voluntary basis. They inform, connect, and support colleagues across the organization.

Examples include EQuALS (Evonik Queer Alliance for Learning & Support), the women's network groW, and U.S.-based networks such as BUILD (Blacks United in Leadership & Development) or ASPIRE (Asian Pacific Islanders Represent at Evonik).

They offer a wide range of activities and formats - from awareness campaigns, learning sessions, and mentoring programs to expert talks and speed-networking events, both in person and online. Around 10% of our employees already follow or actively participate in these networks.

At the same time, diversity is embedded structurally across the organization, for example through onboarding programs and targeted training for leaders, production employees, and apprentices.

In addition, our social counseling services in Germany provide confidential support whenever colleagues need practical assistance, such as during a gender transition. Many of these initiatives are not always highly visible or easy to measure, but they have a lasting impact on our everyday culture and collaboration across the company.

What impact do these diversity-related activities have?

The most important impact is the clear message they send: You are not alone.

Employees experience firsthand that both their employer and their colleagues are there to support them - not only professionally, but also when it comes to personal challenges or uncertainties. This creates trust and provides meaningful reassurance.

Often, it's the small actions and interactions that add up to make a significant difference. People feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work, feel seen and heard, and that ultimately boosts both motivation and performance.

Phiona, what does it mean to you personally that diversity has a permanent place at your employer?

For me, diversity and inclusion are not abstract concepts --they are an integral part of my everyday work experience. They often operate quietly in the background, but they play a significant role in helping both our company and its people grow and succeed, fully in line with our purpose: Leading Beyond Chemistry.

One aspect I particularly value is our interdisciplinary and international collaboration. Every day, I work with colleagues from a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds. This broadens perspectives, drives innovation, and makes the work incredibly engaging.

Another point that is especially important to me is that, as a woman, I have always experienced a highly respectful and appreciative working environment at Evonik. The focus is not on gender or potential biases, but on performance, teamwork, mutual support, and respect.

To help ensure that others can benefit from the same positive experiences, I also volunteer with the employee network EQuALS. For me, diversity is not only a lived reality in the workplace --it is a personal commitment that I am passionate about helping shape.