Q&A with Tamara Weinert, President of Outokumpu BA Americas

In honor of Women’s History Month, AISI interviewed Tamara Weinert, President of Outokumpu BA Americas. Learn about her career in the steel industry and what inspired her to be a leader.

What drew you to a career in the steel industry?

For me, I ended up in the steel industry by chance. I was working as Treasurer for a company with a very strong credit rating and thought I needed more of a challenge. So, I looked for a company rated in the sub-investment grade category. I joined the steel industry and never looked back. Stainless Steel is an amazing product! Due to its high recycled content (at Outokumpu we achieved 98% in 2022, amazing!) and the use of EAFs it is very much part of the cyclical economy. It is beautiful and very versatile: hygienic, great tensile strength, can withstand high temperatures and very corrosive environments.

What interests you most about the steel industry?

I am very interested where the journey on clean steel made in America will take us to. How much better can we still get from here? I am confident that there is still a lot we will achieve. I also feel that we have amazing people in our industry: hard working, good people who are the backbone of the American steel industry.

What are you most proud of regarding your accomplishments in the steel industry?

In a company no one achieves accomplishments by themselves. It always is a team effort and a team success. We have managed to turn Outokumpu in the Americas around: from loss making to our first break-even year in 2020 and great profitability in 2021 and 2022. We are all very proud of that achievement.

Tell us how you advanced to your current role as President of Outokumpu BA Americas.

Building a career and gaining expertise step by step. For me that began on the Finance team, a stint in Investor Relations and experience on the Commercial side of the business. I also have lived in quite a few, very different, countries, which builds cultural understanding and the insight that one can always learn from others. On top of that flexibility to move on short notice from one continent to another.  Being authentic, working hard and stepping up when good opportunities come up.

What inspired you to be a leader and why?

I enjoy looking at the big picture and setting the direction. It is even more fun if you have a good team that challenges you and is great in execution.

Any advice for women who want to pursue a career in the steel industry?

Join us, you will not regret it! There are great opportunities for advancement, you’ll be surrounded by very strong and amazing women (The Association of Women in the Metal Industries, AWMI is a great network) and a very exciting and interesting work environment.

Anything else you would like to share?

Two things I did not know before joining Outokumpu so many years ago and now moving to America relatively recently: Stainless steel is a fabulous product and the Mobile and Baldwin County area is very beautiful. I did not expect to meet so many great people in such a beautiful location!