Meet Becky Kristopeit: Building Community Through STEM, Sustainability, and Soccer
Becky Kristopeit builds community through sustainability, STEM, and soccer by creating inclusive spaces that help others lean into their passions – so connection, growth, and teamwork can thrive.
Meet Becky Kristopeit: Building Community Through STEM, Sustainability, and Soccer
Becky Kristopeit builds community through sustainability, STEM, and soccer by creating inclusive spaces that help others lean into their passions – so connection, growth, and teamwork can thrive.
Published 2 hours ago
Submitted by Henkel
Tapping into different voices, perspectives, and experiences helps businesses solve problems, reveals new opportunities to grow, and encourages contributions that better support people and communities. At Henkel North America, diversity is a path to progress, innovation, and impact. Our employees and partners are united by our purpose: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. They collaborate to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives – allowing us to deliver products, services, and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life.
We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our series, “Pioneers for Good.”
Introducing Becky
Becky Kristopeit, Director of Sustainability and Climate Impact at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, bridges education, sustainability, and recreation in her role at Henkel and as an advocate for community development. She channels her passions into initiatives that empower people to grow, connect, and lead. Her work shows how blending diverse interests can spark collaboration and foster thriving communities.
Bridging Connections Through Sustainability and STEM Education
According to Becky, solutions to many of the world’s challenges lie in empowering individuals through learning and interactive experiences. Building on her appetite for knowledge-sharing and sustainability, Becky began advocating for STEM education in local schools – with a focus on building relationships with the students and other parents.
My goal is to be the person that steps up and provides a space to bring people in and feel comfortable to ask questions. Me being here means other people have a place to come to for support. I might not have the answer, but I can help by being an advocate for them as they find the solution.
Becky Kristopeit, Director of Sustainability and Climate Impact at Henkel Adhesive Technologies
From teaching sustainability topics to volunteering at school events, Becky has inspired students and families to think critically and creatively – connecting individuals, sparking curiosity, and inspiring others to come together in the spirit of growth and collaboration. At her child’s school, she chaired a Science Night event for the past two years, which included providing opportunities for parents and students to share their STEM knowledge with others and personally running a mobile planetarium to showcase the history of astronomy, sparking wonder and curiosity among students. Education is a family affair too; at another school event, Becky’s daughter led a workshop on 3D printing for her fellow students.
Becky and her co-chair, Stacy Ly, at the annual science night event at their children’s school.The mobile planetarium Becky utilized to spark curiosity in astronomy at the annual science night event.
Fostering Growth and Collaboration through Youth Sports
For Becky, community building extends beyond the classroom and into recreation. As the coach of her daughter’s soccer team and a former player herself, she sees youth sports as a powerful tool to strengthen bonds and cultivate resilience from an early age. To her, soccer teaches teamwork, adaptability, and collaboration—skills that translate on and off the field.
Soccer is not only a super accessible activity, but also a source of many life lessons. It provides a basis for learning, encouraging kids to practice critical thinking, self-advocacy, and resiliency in an engaging, safe environment. And I’ve personally watched them grow from it.
Becky Kristopeit, Director of Sustainability and Climate Impact at Henkel Adhesive Technologies
When Henkel announced its partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, Becky was excited about the company’s collaboration with an organization that aligned closely with Henkel values and her own. The opportunities ahead include creating community impact through expanded access to soccer, promoting teamwork among young players and the expansion of and awareness building around women’s sports. These efforts connect families and communities, helping them find common ground, grow together, and embrace working as a team.
Becky in front of the Euro2024 soccer ball in Munich, Germany.
Creating Space to be Yourself
Becky believes that enthusiasm is contagious; by following what drives her, Becky inspires others to do the same. Whether it’s championing sustainability in her role at Henkel, raising awareness around the value of STEM education in schools, or coaching youth soccer at local fields, Becky creates spaces where individuals can find and create community by being themselves, collaborating, and contributing to meaningful projects. Her approach focuses on authenticity—building trust and fostering inclusivity to create a sense of belonging.
It’s hard to be you, but progress starts when people feel brave enough to bring their ideas forward and invest in their shared goals.
Becky Kristopeit, Director of Sustainability and Climate Impact at Henkel Adhesive Technologies
Becky volunteers as a coach for a local girls’ soccer team and her daughter is one of the players pictured with her.
Henkel
Henkel
About Henkel in North America
Henkel’s portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes Dial® soaps, Persil® and all® laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Schwarzkopf® hair care, as well as Loctite®, OSI®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives. With sales close to 6.6 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2023, North America accounts for 28 percent of the company’s global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit http://www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X (Twitter) @Henkel_NA.
About Henkel
With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company's three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2023, Henkel reported sales of more than 21.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 2.6 billion euros. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 48,000 people worldwide – united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and a common purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.” More information at www.henkel.com.
