Renee Duncan-Mckenzie, Phd Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, North Carolina, Us

• Drive meaningful and impactful change across the organization by spearheading planning and execution of new product introductions (NPI) to transform the global Engineering group consisting of 150+ program managers and engineers.• Employ project management and change management expertise to guide NPIs from initial research & development (R&D) to engineering and commercial launch, ensuring seamless execution across all project phases.• Strengthen the profitability and value of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives by encouraging suppliers to utilize eco-friendly components, such as bamboo instead of plastic for printed circuit boards (PCBs), and endorsing laser jet printing for PCBs instead of energy-intensive metal soldering, which resulted in a 10% overall cost reduction.• Devise and deploy Global Design Model to standardize engineering processes, tools and talent capability assessments.• Ensure the intentionality of business efforts and decisions by directing the development of the annual operating plan (AOP) and business strategic plan (STRAP) with a focus on differentiation, sustainability, and ambitious revenue growth, including defining the 2024 revenue target of $2B.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• Championed the launch of 141 products generating $1.5B in revenue and a Vitality Index of 25%+ in 2023 with key growth offerings in Sensors for Medical, Oil & Gas industries and Personal Protective Equipment. • Generated a 25% decrease in idea-to-launch cycle time by leveraging KPIs to expand capacity for data-driven decision-making and to proactively identify and address process gaps through value-added solutions.• Play an integral role in maintaining an optimal risk profile for the organization by fostering positive government relations and delivering leadership to implement and adapt to U.S. government mandates with $800M potential revenue impact.

Kingsport, Tennessee, Us

• Provided direction, leadership, and support to 100+ global staff spanning technical services, manufacturing, marketing, technology, and supply chain teams within the $200M Electric Vehicles (EV) program.• Developed and executed the five-year Multi-Generational Technology Plan (MGTP) to strengthen business resiliency and continuity of sustainability focus.• Orchestrated and led R&D initiatives, such as identifying more sustainable polymers with the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into the new product development process for automotive and architecture industries.• Mitigated property and information-related risks for a $175M business segment by developing and implementing comprehensive intellectual property (IP) strategies in close collaboration with legal teams, including establishing robust non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and joint-development agreements (JDAs) to protect business interests in dealings with both commercial and academic partners. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• Achieved $15M in potential cost savings through the integration of sustainable polymer candidates in development processes while directing a global team of ten scientists and engineers.• Exhibited a strong ability to overcome unexpected challenges and complex regulations, including generating $12M in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic by launching automotive and architecture products within a nine-month time frame while ensuring a focus on regional and sustainability requirements.

Corning, New York, Us

• Advanced growth and development of the $120M coatings portfolio by directing a 30-person global team spanning R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and supply chain to craft and launch the comprehensive new product strategy; managed P&L.• Guided and led the new product development lifecycle from market research to launch, including defining the product and the value proposition and strategizing pricing, placement, and commercialization for optimal impact.• Bolstered post-launch product success through marketing and promotion, including drafting press releases, facilitating Q&A sessions on social media to build trust, and developing product collateral for tradeshows and conferences.• Upheld product compliance within a highly regulated environment by adhering to International Automotive Task Force (IATF) ISO/TS 16949 requirements and maintaining ISO 14001 and 9001 certifications.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• Increased the variable margin of new cover glass introductions by 30% by pioneering the $500M large-scale migration of anti-reflective coating technology to a China-based manufacturing site, including heading negotiations between technology and manufacturing organizations regarding raw material/final product specifications, quality, and control.• Built a high-performing, six-person competitor intelligence team spanning Asia and Europe from the ground up, culminating in 25 invention disclosures within six months and a strategic advantage for the business.

Corning, New York, Us

• Prioritized the delivery of world-class customer service while directing and mentoring a ten-person customer technical support team tasked with negotiating specifications and delivering timely solutions to address global product/process quality issues related to new glass launches for the $1B Gorilla® Glass consumer electronics business.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• Decreased customer delays by 25% while boosting global efficiency by 30% by employing DESGN methodologies to launch a new order platform, including managing a five-person cross-functional team and $250K budget.• Aligned objectives and bridged communications with 25+ OEMs to identify, analyze, and interpret unmet customer needs and craft innovative technology solutions, successfully identifying $100M+ in new opportunities such as antimicrobial cover glass coatings. • Led technical services and development groups in resolving 90% of customer issues within 72 hours by identifying operational inefficiencies, implementing new processes and procedures, and ensuring KPI alignment.• Promoted transparent communication and collaboration across global competitive intelligence, IP, manufacturing, and development teams by traveling to Asia, Europe, and other regions to lead three-day product attributes roadmap review meetings, leading to greater clarity regarding product targets and $1M in potential cost savings over a five-year period.

Corning, New York, Us

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• Patent: US#8871116/EP#2760948B1: Aqueous and low resistivity carbon-based ink for renewable energy ultracapacitors• Patent: US#20110204284: Ultracapacitor electrode using a twin-screw extruder.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• “Measurement of the critical aspect ratio and interfacial shear strength in MWNT/polymer composites” R.K. Duncan, et. al, Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 70, No. 4, 599-605 (2010) • “Viscoelastic behavior of nanotube-filled polycarbonate: effect of aspect ratio and interface chemistry” R.K. Duncan, et. al, International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials, Issue 1, Vol. 1, 53-68 (2010) • “The Effects of Nanoparticle Surface Functionality on the Tribological Properties of Alumina Polytetrafluoroethylene Nanocomposites” D.L. Burris, S. Zhao, R. K. Duncan, J. Lowitz, S.S. Perry, L.S. Schadler, W.G. Sawyer, Wear 267 (2009) 653-660 • “Mechanisms leading to improved mechanical performance in nanoscale alumina filled epoxy” S. Zhao, L.S. Schadler, R.K. Duncan, H. Hillborg, T. Auletta, Composites Science and Technology, Volume 68, Issue 14, November 2008, pages 2965-2975

Phd, Engineering Science

Bsc, Mechanical Engineering

High School, Sciences