Kerstin Hauke
Who are you?
I’m Kerstin and I lead the Forschungsgemeinschaft Feuerfest e. V. as Head of Business Development. We support our partners, refractory manufacturers, raw material producers, and end users, in material development and process optimization. Our core expertise lies in developing new testing methods for refractory materials that replicate industrial application conditions, and my job is to make these methods available to industry through contract research.
How old are you and for how long do you work in the refractories industry?
I'm 35 years old, and I stumbled upon the refractory industry by chance five years ago.
Who has significantly influenced your professional life?
My career has been shaped by the people around me at every stage of my professional journey. When I think back on my past jobs, I think of the people I worked with. It was through these people that new opportunities always arose. Even now, I’m still launching new projects with people I met over 10 years ago at the University of Bonn. I can't name just one person, because it was the mix of so many different personalities that shaped me and my view on life.
Tell us something about your personal background. What do you burn for besides refractories?
My family is the most important thing to me. I have two wonderful children whom I love spending time with and watching as they discover the world. I love traveling and exploring new places and cultures. For me, that definitely includes discovering local foods and dishes. Nature, the ocean, climbing, and bouldering - preferably outdoors.
How did you get aware of Women@Refractories?
I founded Women@Refractories together with Tobias Steffen and Charlotte Linden, a former colleague. It's crazy, we started out with the idea of a small local community, and now we're a network active worldwide!
Why did you join Women@Refractories?
Networks are incredibly important for each person’s individual career. At the same time, a community can achieve much more than individuals can on their own. We’re an industry in transition facing major challenges, and I love bringing together the amazing people in our industry to achieve great things together. We need fresh perspectives and more female perspectives!
How has the initiative impacted your professional or personal life?
By nature, I’m not someone who likes to be in the spotlight. Women@Refractories has taught me that visibility is the only way to advance my mission. Realizing that it’s not about me, but about the issues that matter to me, makes it easier for me. This shapes my professional life.
My personal life is shaped above all by the fact that reaching out to people has become second nature to me. I used to be rather reserved and cautious, but through the network, I’ve realized how enriching it is to meet new people and hear their perspectives.
Which specific tasks or areas do you currently support within the initiative, and/or in which areas would you like to contribute in the future to expand your professional or soft skills?
Together with the others on the Leaderboard team, I help shape Women@Refractories as one of its founders. During the startup phase, we founders did everything ourselves, much like in a typical startup: developing formats, building the brand, organizing events, setting up social media channels, launching Leaderboard, everything from writing emails to taking the stage.
Now I’m responsible for internal coordination and bring many different strands together. At the same time, I represent Women@Refractories externally, reach out to other initiatives, and explore what role Women@Refractories will play in the refractories industry in the long term.
How did becoming a member of Women@Refractories and its Leaderboard changed your professional network?
I have a strong network in the refractory industry and good connections with people at many companies around the world. I’m happy to help and connect people, so feel free to reach out if you need a connection :-)
If you had to describe Women@Refractories in one sentence, what would it be?
Women@Refractories is your network - meet people, grow together with them, and shape the future of the refractory industry!
Thanks, Kerstin! You rock!