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In honor of Women’s History Month, AISI interviewed Tamara Weinert, President of Outokumpu BA Americas. Learn about her career in the steel industry and what inspired her to be a leader.<\/p>\nIn honor of Women’s History Month, AISI interviewed Tamara Weinert, President of Outokumpu BA Americas. Learn about her career in the steel industry and what inspired her to be a leader.<\/p>\n
For me, I ended up in the steel industry by chance. I was working as Treasurer for a company with a very strong credit rating and thought I needed more of a challenge. So, I looked for a company rated in the sub-investment grade category. I joined the steel industry and never looked back. Stainless Steel is an amazing product! Due to its high recycled content (at Outokumpu we achieved 98% in 2022, amazing!) and the use of EAFs it is very much part of the cyclical economy. It is beautiful and very versatile: hygienic, great tensile strength, can withstand high temperatures and very corrosive environments.<\/p>\n
I am very interested where the journey on clean steel made in America will take us to. How much better can we still get from here? I am confident that there is still a lot we will achieve. I also feel that we have amazing people in our industry: hard working, good people who are the backbone of the American steel industry.<\/p>\n
In a company no one achieves accomplishments by themselves. It always is a team effort and a team success. We have managed to turn Outokumpu in the Americas around: from loss making to our first break-even year in 2020 and great profitability in 2021 and 2022. We are all very proud of that achievement.<\/p>\n
Building a career and gaining expertise step by step. For me that began on the Finance team, a stint in Investor Relations and experience on the Commercial side of the business. I also have lived in quite a few, very different, countries, which builds cultural understanding and the insight that one can always learn from others. On top of that flexibility to move on short notice from one continent to another. \u00a0Being authentic, working hard and stepping up when good opportunities come up.<\/p>\n
I enjoy looking at the big picture and setting the direction. It is even more fun if you have a good team that challenges you and is great in execution.<\/p>\n