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Jolen Stein: a driving force of inclusion in manufacturing
Senior Director of People Services for the Geismar sites in Louisiana, Jolen Stein has long advocated for female empowerment and leadership in manufacturing. Today, as BASF’s 2025 inductee to the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame, we dive into her story, her work and achievements.
Louisianian Jolen Stein has long been a part of the state's manufacturing fabric and an outstanding leader in BASF’s operations across manufacturing in the United States. Originally interested in math and science, she discovered a passion for storytelling in high school and connecting people to careers, choosing to follow a path in communications and human resources
Today, after more than 13 years at BASF, Jolen is the Senior Director of People Services for the Geismar sites in Louisiana, responsible for leading both Communications and Human Resources, as well as other related services, including the onsite medical team.
Recently, Jolen was inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame, joining BASF’s previous outstanding inductees, including Kristen Pforr and Marie Metzger. Learn about Jolen’s work, her story and outstanding achievements below.
In the heartland of BASF manufacturing
Chemical manufacturing has long been a part of Louisiana´s history, and this is also true for Jolen’s personal history, from her own father and other relatives to friends and neighbors. Even her own career led her into the chemical industry, where she worked in various companies in the field.
“I think part of my interest came from the mystique behind the chemical industry and manufacturing sites. For most sites, you only see the company sign from the highway. I thought working there would be a really great way to understand the chemical industry and tell that story to communities. The industry brings tremendous value, not only from an economic development perspective, but also improving the quality of life, being a great community partner,” Jolen explains.
She joined BASF as Site and Community Relations Manager for the Geismar site, the largest BASF site in North America, where production is integrated through the Verbund system. Jolen was the first communications manager to work full-time at the site. “I got to experience what things are before and after really normal work hours from an office perspective and some of the challenges that you face when you have employees that don't sit in front of a computer all day and how do you reach them with important communications and information,” she reminisces.
Thirteen years and three roles later, Jolen is now leading the HR, Labor, Talent Strategy, Medical and Communications teams at the Geismar site. Working in a manufacturing plant means being immersed in a 24-hour setting that’s dynamic and fast-paced, which is exciting for Jolen. At Geismar, she feels she really thrives: “Yes, the pace is fast, and every day is different. I love that our team can really make an impact for the businesses, and that's what I really enjoy.”
Communications and human resources can really come together with ideas, storytelling, marketing, branding, but then also keeping a strategic view in mind, that we're doing this because we're building the workforce for tomorrow.
Harnessing the power of community
Community relations and engagement is a key aspect of Jolen’s work, and something she’s very passionate about. It helps highlight the value of BASF as a community partner, but also to dissipate this mysterious aura that manufacturing plants tend to have and connect the company with the pipeline of local talent, from early school to community colleges and universities.
As Jolen explains, “when I joined, BASF had little name recognition. We were the largest employer in the area and expanding operations with a need for additional workforce, but there were so many people in the community who had no idea who we were. I was tasked with building the brand and reputation, and establishing programs with the local school systems, local community, nonprofits and partners to create, attract and retain a pipeline of talent.”
For the past 13 years, Jolen and her team have successfully strengthened bonds with the community, building long-lasting workforce development programs such as TECH Academy, where rising junior and senior high school students receive hands-on experience in the manufacturing industry and discover what technical careers are all about. The program began in 2015 in Geismar with 21 students, and since then, other sites have joined the program, expanding its reach. Today, nearly 400 students have participated, and it has become a model of how companies can partner with institutions and local organizations to benefit local talent.
Additionally, TECH Academy, as Jolen explains, can also remove the “stigma” of not having a university degree and still have the opportunity for a successful and profitable career in your town and state.
Jolen was also recently appointed by the Louisiana governor to join the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LASTEM) Advisory Council, providing the perfect opportunity to help shape the curriculum of community colleges and universities across the state, identifying the skills needed for manufacturing today and for years to come.
“BASF plays a big role in the strong support of STEAM education as well as pathways into manufacturing careers in the state. To me, what's important is that we're not trying to compete for talent with other companies; we're working together to train the next generation of people who are going to work in manufacturing in a strategic and sustainable way,” she reflects.
A woman in manufacturing
When Jolen first walked into a manufacturing plant, over 25 years ago, she remembered being part of a minority: “I thought I would have to change myself to fit in at work, especially when I walk into a room where I was the only woman. But through mentors and women leaders who came before me, I learned to remain true and authentic and encourage others to do the same,” she acknowledges.
Today, the environment has shifted. At BASF, the Manufacturing Community Steering Committee (MCSC), the manufacturing leadership body, was initially comprised of very few women, and today representation is significatively more balanced. This growth is also reflected in leadership positions across the entire Geismar site. All of these accomplishments are the result of extensive recruitment and employee engagement efforts led by Jolen and her team, but also by initiatives such as FLAME (Future Leaders Advancing Manufacturing Excellence) that help develop manufacturing talent from within.
Recently, Jolen was inducted into the Women in Manufacturing (WIM) Hall of Fame, celebrating her “commitment to people, culture and community”. Humbled by this honor, Jolen states: “I am using this recognition to celebrate my journey in manufacturing, and to thank the people who have supported me and helped to shape my path in this industry.”
However, she also reflects on the importance of this induction and that the work needs to continue to achieve true inclusion across the entire manufacturing sphere. “Being part of this Hall of Fame means I also continue to carry an important responsibility—not just to continue leading with integrity and purpose, but to lift others and give back to the next generation. It also means using this platform to advocate for women to pursue careers in STEM fields, and to ensure that manufacturing is known to be a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued,” Jolen concludes.
Published on November 10, 2025, by Mariana Licio.
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