Pascale Wautelet leads the global R&D network, including oversight of our seven regional R&D centers and teams. In this position Pascale provides vision and innovation direction to a team of 300 + scientists, and drives an innovative pipeline of products and solutions for the Label and Graphic Materials business.
Pascale joined Avery Dennison in 2017 after more than 20 years of domestic and international experience across multiple functions in the chemical/petrochemical/plastic industry, including flexible packaging and labeling. Prior to joining the company, Pascale was Global Technology Director at Jindal Films, overseeing corporate innovation and research and development across Europe and North America. Prior to that, she worked 17 years for ExxonMobil where she held multiple leadership positions of increasing responsibilities in Operations, R&D and Sales.
Pascale earned her PhD in Materials and Polymer Chemistry and Physics, and received a master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry from the University Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg, France. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Chemistry from the University of Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium.
Pascale lives in The Hague, Netherlands with her husband and their two teenagers.
We asked Pascale:
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the opportunity to meet authentic people from different cultures and horizons. I’m curious by nature and for me it has always been extremely easy to connect with people and engage to see beyond the obvious. I’m very intuitive in my approach, but over the years I have learned the importance to be more intentional in my relation to people, to customize my approach and make it personal. There is not one single recipe. It requires time, and you need to make it relevant to the diversity of personalities, cultures, geographies or situations. This is the way I like to engage with people, to earn their trust and loyalty and be impactful. This is the way I inspire and motivate my teams to always go above and beyond what they believe they can accomplish.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
There are so many places I would like to be! It’s always about unique moments and memories. It can be an extraordinary landscape, a place that reminds you a pleasant experience in your life or simply a place where you spend quality time with your friends and family. I think I would like a place that combines the warmth of South American culture, the amazing flavor of Provençal cuisine and a combination of mountain and sea...maybe that unique spot is Tuscany
Other than spending time with friends and family, what do you do in your spare time?
With no hesitation...cooking! My friends and family would tell you that I’m an extraordinary chef (maybe that’s why I’m a chemist!). My favorite hobby is to go to an open market, get inspired by the most fresh products, and then I can spend the rest of the day preparing a good meal. This is the most amazing relaxing time!
