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Jesus Atias, NA Product Director - Circular & Renewable Solutions – Dow

Jesus Atias focuses on scaling next-generation recycling technologies that deliver virgin-like performance for regulated and premium packaging applications. He has commercial responsibility for Mechanical Recycling, Advanced Recycling, and Bio-based solutions aligned to customer demand for recycled content, low-carbon bio-circular products, and company growth targets. He leads the commercialization of circular materials at scale, with a focus on closing the gap between rapidly growing demand for high-performance recycled plastics and the industry’s ability to supply spec-compliant solutions for premium applications. In this role, he works across the value chain—engaging recyclers, converters, and global brand owners—to drive profitable, scalable growth aligned with Dow’s global strategy.

Jesus joined Dow Texas Operations in 2007, where he contributed to Core R&D with expertise in hydrocarbon conversion technologies. In 2010, he relocated to Calgary, Alberta, and held various roles in marketing, business development, and sales, culminating in leadership of the Canadian Sales Office. In 2019, he joined Packaging & Specialty Plastics, where he drove strategic expansion of the Hefty® Renew™ program and built partnerships across the advanced recycling ecosystem. He later transitioned into Hydrocarbons to help establish the foundation for Circular & Renewable supply development and served on the Leadership Team with direct responsibility for the commercial integration of mechanical recycler Circulus following its acquisition.

Jesus holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Simón Bolívar (Venezuela), a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario (Canada), and an Executive MBA in Finance from the University of Calgary (Canada). He was featured in the American Chemistry Council’s Change Makers campaign for his work connecting stakeholders across the plastics value chain to enable circular systems. He actively collaborates with industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to accelerate the transition toward circular, low-carbon material systems and is a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity as a Global Co-chair of RISE (<8 years of experience, >10,000 members) Employee Resource Group.

With over 20 years of experience, he brings a unique combination of technical depth, financial acumen, and strategic leadership, with a track record of guiding organizations through disruptive change and delivering sustainable value creation.

Rob Benedict, Vice President, Petrochemicals and Midstream – AFPM

Rob Benedict is Vice President of Petrochemicals and Midstream at American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), the trade association that represents the makers of the fuels that keep our country moving and the petrochemicals that are the building blocks for modern life. In this role, Rob develops association policy on regulatory and legislative matters impacting the petrochemical and midstream sectors. Rob advocates for AFPM member companies by communicating their key role in the supply chain, their efforts to improve the safe and efficient transportation of essential products and efforts to produce the fuels and petrochemicals a growing population needs in a sustainable manner. Rob serves as AFPM’s midstream and petrochemical expert and is part of AFPM's senior leadership team, leading all aspects of the firm’s petrochemical and midstream practices including advocacy related to pipeline and rail safety, economic regulation of supply chains, and chemical policy. Rob also has led AFPM’s delegation at United Nations negotiations on a global agreement on plastic pollution.

Prior to joining AFPM, Rob served as the Chief of the Risk, Data, and Program Management and Senior Regulations Officer at the United States Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. At the US DOT, Rob provided integrated planning and evaluation of programmatic activities and was responsible for the development of national standards and policies to promote a safe and secure transportation system. Rob is a Board Trustee of the Chemical Educational Foundation, a non-profit focused on inspiring students, engaging educators, and strengthening communities to build a better world through the science of chemistry.

Rob received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University, and he received his Bachelor of Science in Biology, from Wake Forest University where he was a Sullivan’s Scholar.

Mariane Maximous, VP, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions – LyondellBasell

Mariane is a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in the chemical industry. She currently leads the North America Circular & Low Carbon Solutions team for LyondellBasell, driving business development opportunities, advocacy and industry collaboration efforts to advance LYB’s North America circularity roadmap. Mariane started her career in 2001 as a process engineer with ExxonMobil in Beaumont Olefins & Aromatics plant. 

She joined LyondellBasell in 2005 at the Channelview Olefins site as a cracker engineer, and has held other roles at LYB spanning across Olefins and Chemicals Operations planning & Optimization, Finance, Investor Relations, Strategy & Planning, Global strategic sourcing and various commercial and P&L responsibility roles in the Olefins and Polyolefins business units. 

Mariane holds B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, an MBA with concentration in finance and international business from University of Houston, and a Global Management Academy certificate from Harvard Business School.