PROUT EMPLOYER BASF
„As long as we have not yet managed to create these conditions in the world of work and society for everyone, we will miss out on opportunities and not use our full potential.“
Katja Scharpwinkel was born in Hagen in 1969. She studied chemistry at the University of Münster and received her diploma in 1994, followed by her doctorate in 1996.
As a member of the Executive Board, she is responsible for European Site & Verbund Management; Global Engineering Services; Corporate Environmental Protection, Health, Safety & Quality and the Europe, Middle East, Africa region.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU AS SITE MANAGER FOR THE LUDWIGSHAFEN
SITE TO STAND UP FOR MORE QUEER DIVERSITY AND VISIBILITY?
Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel: In my role as site manager, it is my job to bring the team at the site together. With the challenges of the present and future, it is important that we are motivated and, above all, united in working towards our goals. This is only possible if no one has to struggle with reservations or artificial barriers. This applies not only in Ludwigshafen, but also in our private lives. An important step in breaking down reservations is exchanging ideas and getting to know each other. I want to help drive this forward – and I know that I am not alone in this, but have many committed people at my side – at BASF and in the PROUT AT WORK network.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE STATEMENT THAT FROM NOW
ON MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAN QUEER DIVERSITY?
Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel: I think there is no point in weighing up issues that move and shape society against each other. We shouldn’t put climate protection and the necessary (energy) transformation on the back burner because of a pandemic or the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
And so queer diversity remains as relevant as ever. For me, it also stands for tolerance, cohesion and humanity. These values are the basis of our coexistence in a democracy – we must protect them no matter what. Anything else would be a big step backwards for our society.
WHY IS IT A MATTER CLOSE TO YOUR HEART TO
SUPPORT QUEER DIVERSITY?
Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel: Like most people, I want to work in a company where I can be who I am. Only then can I be motivated and have fun, only then can and will I contribute my best. As long as we have not yet managed to create these conditions in the world of work and society for everyone, we will miss out on opportunities and not use our full potential. This is a situation that has been unacceptable not just since the skills shortage. That is why I am committed to diversity in both my private and professional life.
Dear Katja, thank you very much for the interview!