Meet Emma Clayfield: "It felt time to stop hiding and be all of me"
Delivering on Clariant's purpose »Greater chemistry - between people and planet.«
This story is an example of how Clariant delivers on its purpose-led strategy.
Earlier this year, our CEO Conrad Keijzer re-affirmed Clariant's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) amid discussions and, in some cases, rollbacks of DEI initiatives happening around us. His words had a profound effect – especially on our colleagues from the LGBTQ+ community. Emma Clayfield, who works as our Head of R&D Additives in Pratteln, Switzerland, found courage in them; courage to take one of the most meaningful steps in her life.
During the CEO Global Townhall in November, Emma was announced as one of the recipients of Clariant's 2025 Value Recognition Award for “Empower and Include" – for her exceptional collaboration on Clariant's Pride Employee Resource Group, and for being a “true champion of inclusion.” And it was this moment that Emma chose to introduce her true self to Clariant.
In the following personal interview, she reflects on meaningful moments from her transition journey, the support she's been receiving from colleagues at work, and the importance of breaking down barriers across the organization…
Hello, Emma. You were recently awarded Clariant's 2025 Value Recognition Award for "Empower and include." What does this recognition mean to you and how did you feel when you found out?
Emma Clayfield: I was thrilled and surprised. Being part of Clariant's Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) has been one way that I have tried to make Clariant a welcoming place for all employees. The Unconscious Bias workshop that the Pride and Women Inclusion Network (WIN) ERGs co-sponsored earlier this year is part of that, and also, I’ve worked to give the people in my team the psychological safety to be their best.
You chose the award ceremony during the CEO Global Townhall as the moment to share your true name, Emma, with everyone at Clariant. Could you share what made this the right moment for you and how you experienced it?
It seemed like the right moment. It’s Emma who has been coming to work, bringing empathy, drive, openness, trust and wisdom, and it felt time to stop hiding and be all of me.
How have colleagues responded since that moment, and how has the experience shaped your sense of belonging?
That has been the most incredible part of this: I’ve been made to feel very welcome, with so many messages, affirmations and small kindnesses. I’ve not had to justify myself, or apologize, or been made to feel a burden. Clariant people really have lived the Clariant values.
Are there parts of your transition journey that you feel comfortable sharing with us; whether highlights, challenges, milestones, or lessons you've learned along the way?
I could write a book on that, and now I understand why there are so many books by trans people on their journeys! It’s been a journey of more than five decades, with some dark times on the way to self acceptance. If I could tell my younger self something, it is that you should never be afraid of being yourself; people are kinder, more generous and more accepting than you expect. That realization is like a cheat code for life.
What have been some meaningful moments of growth or self-discovery?
It was the moment when I realized that I could replace the anxiety, sadness, and discomfort of dysphoria with a profound joy and wholeness. From there the direction was clear, even if the road has not been smooth. The actor Christopher Reeve, who played Superman before he was paralyzed in a horse-riding accident, once said: “At first our dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then, if we strive for them, they become inevitable.”
Transitioning is a very personal journey and can look different for everyone. What would you like colleagues to understand about what the transition experience has been like for you?
I’ve lived a very eventful life (so far). I have two amazing children, twin boys who are 28, and have also helped bring up the children of my wife Helen. I’ve lived in four countries and had an exciting and varied career doing some very different jobs. While there is a part of me that would like to travel back and help my younger self understand the feelings that they were having, I’m very thankful that I have lived the life that I have lived, which has brought me to the place that I am now. It’s never too late to be yourself, whatever that means to you.
During your transition, were there forms of support (big or small) that made a real difference for you at Clariant?
I have some wonderful colleagues, and I have been surprised and honoured by the support I have had from so many people. I felt safe and supported at every step, and there is a long list of people to whom I am immensely grateful and will always remain so.
What has helped you feel most supported during your journey, whether from colleagues, leaders, or company initiatives?
The Clariant values are very clear. And when our CEO Conrad Keijzer re-stated Clariant’s strong and unwavering position on inclusion earlier this year, it was an important moment that said it’s safe to bring your whole self to work. Everybody benefits from that. Those words helped give me the courage to take this step.
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When a workplace genuinely supports people in being themselves, what positive effects do you think it creates for individuals and for the organization?
This is something that goes way beyond identity and encompasses every element of who you are as a person. I’ve tried to do this for the people in our R&D team, with the aim of making us a high-performing team where there is trust, energy, and a drive for innovation and business success. Everyday we weigh up risks and benefits to take the right decisions in our projects, and we can only empower people to do that if they feel safe, trusted and valued.
Is there anything you wish more people understood about gender identity or the transition experience?
There are so many answers that I could give to this question. I could say that your gender identity is something innate, it’s part of how you’re hard wired, and that you can’t talk yourself into another identity, no matter how hard you try.
I could say that trans people have been around throughout time, that some non-Western cultures historically revered trans people and that trans people aren’t a threat, whereas they do experience horrific levels of violence, poverty and harm.
I could say that the experience is at first a dark place where your inside doesn’t align with your outside or how people see you, and while transition often starts with trying to understand and deal with that discomfort, it can lead to a place of joy and feeling comfortable in yourself; a real hero’s journey from myths and legends.
I could say that I have learned that there is more goodness in people than you fear, and often from the most unexpected people.
What advice would you give to someone in the organization who may be questioning how to best support a transitioning colleague, or someone exploring their own identity?
Get support. There are organizations to support LBGTQIA+ people in most countries, such as TGNS in Switzerland, and you will find them welcoming and easy to talk to. Or talk to someone from our Pride ERG – we don’t judge.
You're deeply involved in Clariant's Pride Employee Resource Group. What inspires your involvement, and what role do you feel the ERG plays in building a more inclusive workplace?
I was inspired to join the Pride ERG because I want to help create a workplace where I felt safe to be me, in the hope that other people might feel equally safe no matter who they are or who they love
How do you hope your story might support or inspire others across the company?
If I could make just one person feel a little safer or more able to be themselves, that would be amazing.
You've also been part of Clariant's Triathlon Basel team for the past two years. How has that experience been and what role does sports or physical activity play in your sense of well-being?
The Basel tri is such fun: the swim in the Rhine is unusual, the bike course in the city is exhilarating, the crowds on the run are motivating, and the Clariant team is great. I’ve been doing triathlons since university times and got quite good at them – I went to the World Championships for my age group a few years ago. Swimming, cycling or running help clear my head of worries and also I’m often very creative then.
What is the coolest project you're working on right now?
I like making things, as a balance to spending all day working on abstract concepts. We’re currently building a walk-in hutch for our rabbits (we keep giant rabbits).
At work, we’re working on so many projects to develop safe, sustainable additives that I really can’t choose between them.
In one sentence, what's the best thing about your job?
My approach to work and to my leadership role reflects my personal philosophy: “To inspire people, don’t show them your superpowers: shown them theirs.” I'm very happy that I can live this at work.
Who gave you the best piece of advice in your life? What kind of advice was it?
One of my old bosses, Bob Sylvest, said: “Clear writing straightens crooked thinking.” If I’m stuck on something, I’ll write it down to help make sense of my thoughts, often after going on a run to give my brain some oxygen and space to unravel the knots.
What is something that you would still like to achieve in life?
I want to get Clariant Additives ready for the next 30 years with products that are safe, sustainable, on a journey to net zero and ready for future industry needs.
When I have more time, I want to explore Europe and the world on my bike.
And there are so many books to read.
And finally: What's a little-known fact about you?
I go wild camping when I can; I carry everything in my rucksack or kayak and camp in pure nature. I love how the simplicity cleanses and resets me.
Thank you very much, Emma, for sharing your story with us and being a trailblazer in our company. Clariant is truly lucky to have you on board
