Meet Nocha Van Thielen, global marketing leader at the world’s largest chemical producer, BASF. Her journey in STEM is one of constant self-discovery, learning, and perseverance. Gain insights from Nocha, a remarkable woman profiled as part of our SOAR series — Sparking Opportunity and Advancement through Role Models.
Winners Get Up One More Time
By Alyson Queen
As our conversation begins, it’s clear that Nocha Van Thielen is a no-nonsense kind of global marketing leader at BASF who has a story of aiming high, constantly learning, and never giving up. She tells it with refreshing candour, sharing her lessons learned as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She’s decisive, she’s direct, and speaks from experience.
Her advice to others can be defined by how she coaches herself to get out of bed and go for a run.
“Don’t complain about it, just get up and do it. Winners don’t fail less, they just get up one more time than everyone else.”
But that clarity and resolve didn’t always come easy for Nocha. After completing her undergraduate degree at St. Francis Xavier University, Nocha earned her graduate degree in molecular genetics at the University of Toronto’s department of botany. Like so many students though, once those degrees were in hand, the road into the real world was less than clear.
Continuous Learning is Key — Stretch Yourself & Take Some Risks
“When you go to school, you have no clue about the things you can do or the variety of jobs out there.” One thing was clear — Nocha knew she wanted to aim high and be surrounded by the best thinkers in an industry-leading organization that would push her to grow even further. When she saw an advertisement in the newspaper for an opportunity with BASF, the world’s largest chemical producer, she jumped. It was in the United States, starting as a bench scientist in the biotechnology division. At the time, jobs in her field weren’t easy to come by, and the US dollar was much stronger. It was an opportunity to pay off debt and get experience learning from a global leader.
After a few years proving herself in her role, she wanted new challenges. A continuous learner, Nocha began to pursue her MBA at night in order to open new and different doors. She then accepted a role in marketing agricultural chemicals, an area that was new to her and that would take her down a decade-long path of incredible learning and leadership.
“I started my new job when I was 38 weeks pregnant. In the span of one month I got a new job, a new baby and a green card. It was a lot of change all at once.”
Add to that the fact that agriculture is a very male-dominated field, and she was frequently the only woman in the room.
“Everyone else came from agriculture, most from the same geography. They all seemed to talk the same language and have a secret handshake. It was tough and I struggled. On top of that, I had to learn the markets because I didn’t know the industry.”
She was determined to be successful. Looking back, she openly admits that she was particularly tough on herself at times.
“Women can feel that they have to be perfect and if they are not, it’s a reflection on them and their abilities. Men don’t put the same pressure on themselves.”
Supportive Partners and Mentors are Essential — No One Does it Alone
Nocha knows just how hard it is for many women to balance a career and family. She has been fortunate to have a partner by her side, and someone always in her corner helping her raise their now 11 and 9 year old children.
“I married someone who was extremely supportive of me and my career. He’s been beside me every step of the way. He was there when I had to travel, he took turns getting up with the kids. You need a real partner. That is critical in being able to manage it all.”
Nocha reinforces that women also need to find someone in their corner in the workplace, too. She found hers in an unexpected place, when she wasn’t looking.
“A woman came on our team who was taking a coaching course and wanted to practice coaching with someone. I only found out about this by chance when we sat together one day on an airplane and had a long conversation. By the end of the flight, she agreed to mentor me.”
They worked together for a year, helping Nocha gain clarity on her next step and rebuild confidence in areas that had suffered while she had been juggling the demands of motherhood and career.
As Nocha admits, there is no “quick fix” for anyone rebuilding confidence. It takes hard work and commitment. But the process proved invaluable as a basis for her leadership.
“It showed me how important it is to have someone in your corner who you can really talk to, especially if you’re feeling isolated in a work environment that is male dominated, with few people to relate to.”
Paying It Forward — An Advocate for Women in Business
Recognizing the value of coaching and mentoring, Nocha is an unflinching advocate of supporting women, wherever and whenever possible.
She is the current Chair of Women in Business at her site and she makes sure to reach out where she can – stopping by offices, going for lunch – and generally trying to guide women on the simplicity of owning their own brand and credibility.
“You do a good job, you do what you need to do, you earn the credibility.”
With all her experiences behind her, and so much to look forward to, there is one main credo she lives by: success is about getting up just one more time.
“Winners get up one more time than everybody else – just one more time. I remind myself whenever I get up for a run that there are others who are staying in bed today.”
Her advice to young women entering STEM careers is similar, although she warns that to be genuinely successful, the interest has to be there to start with.
“If you fail, that’s great, you just learned. Get back up and try again and you will be successful.”
Nocha enjoying some down time with her famly
This article is part of our SOAR series profiling remarkable female role models by guest writer, Alyson Queen.
Guest Writer