DE&I INTERVIEW
this commitment extends to mentorship and peer support.
how bright they are or how educated they can be. I advocate not only for myself, but also for colleagues.”
Advocacy in action
shares a story about supporting a woman mentee who was uncomfortable confronting the ‘glass ceiling’ she perceived around her. “I told her, ‘You can be proud of yourself. I am proud of you.” Reiss’s approach isn’t just emotional encouragement; it’s also sound advice. “I told her, ‘If you are not receiving the feedback you need to progress… take the lead and get it.’” The shift in her mentee’s attitude made the thriving in a new role.” Through the lens of her own experience, Reiss
acknowledges that while her company bases promotions on merit and need, the wider industry still presents challenges. “We embrace diversity and promote people, whoever they are,” she says of Orbia. “But outside, the glass ceiling still exists.”
Education, she argues, is key to dismantling those persistent barriers. “It’s essential to educate and make women comfortable with their potential, with their power.” To her, the metaphor of the ceiling being ‘glass’ is both accurate and optimistic. “If it’s glass, you can scratch it. You can smash it.” Reiss’s own leadership style draws inspiration from others
she, and women in general, could achieve. That was a great example.”
When asked how she envisions the next decade for women in science and engineering, especially in cooling sectors, Reiss
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is hopeful but realistic. “It’s important to make women and girls comfortable with embracing science and engineering
chain management, vehicle thermal systems, and climate control technology, which are critical to daily life and global that within our company.” However, she adds that technical skills alone aren’t enough.
says. These aren’t just abstract ideals; they’re practical tools for change. Reiss’s call for diversity goes beyond internal company initiatives. “The world needs science. The world needs industry for everyday life. And science and industry need women.” That simple truth, often ignored in boardrooms and classrooms alike, informs everything she does.
careers is concise and compelling: “Trust yourself. Keep your curiosity level up. Take the lead.” These aren’t platitudes, they’re hard-won principles shaped by navigating bias, advocating for colleagues, and transforming discomfort into clarity.
can be driven by clear-eyed persistence. For women in the
sends a resounding message: your expertise matters. Your voice matters. You don’t need permission to lead.
what leadership looks like in the cooling and air conditioning sectors, experiences like Reiss’s create space and inspiration for the next generation. Not because bias has disappeared, but because advocates like her make it possible to challenge and overcome it.
www.acr-news.com • August 2025 15
“Women may not have enough in terms of how bright they are or they can be. not only for myself, but also for colleagues.”
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