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Working side by side with her executive team, Sarah continues to build on our strength in product innovation while identifying new markets and strategies that position the company for long term success.
When Sarah took over as the Chair and CEO in 2018, Novagard was a regional manufacturer of industrial grade silicones that were mainly sold to the construction industry. Novagard also manufactured silicone greases and foam used primarily in the automotive market.
But the markets were changing, and she saw the broader role silicones could play in the manufacturing process. As the world became increasingly focused on the electrification of everything, more companies were looking for world class protection of their critical components. Silicones, with their superior stability, durability, and flexibility across broad temperature ranges, provide excellent insulation, vibration damping, and barrier protection against weather and other intrusions in electronics applications.
As a result, Sarah made the strategic decision to focus on becoming a manufacturer of electronics grade silicones. She began a multi-year, multi-million-dollar investment plan in Novagard’s people, plant, and processes, transforming the organization and introducing our American made, high performance materials into new markets.
She continues to set the strategic direction and is committed to working with business leaders and supply chain partners to deliver innovative solutions.
Sarah is active on a number of public, private, and non-profit boards. She chairs the board of Bath & Body Works, where she was Executive Chair and Interim CEO from February 2022 through December 2022. Sarah also serves on the Board of Directors of privately held HBD Industries, Inc. She is a Member of the Ohio Business Roundtable, the 50 Club of Cleveland, and the Aerospace Industries Association. She is Trustee of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Trustee of Hospital of Special Surgery, Trustee of The Cleveland Museum of Art, and a board member of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Panama. She is an Advisory Director of Bow River Asset Management.
Sarah spent nearly 30 years in investment banking at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (and predecessor companies), a financial services firm, retiring as Vice Chairman in July 2005.
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
Provides treasury, financial operations, and strategic financial leadership. Demonstrated leadership in directing the accounting/finance departments to excellence. Delivered notable operational improvements, productivity increases, and cost-saving results to organizations. Supported success by promoting engagement and collaborations with partners. Responsive to changing business objectives with energy and innovation.
Senior Vice President, Sales
Joe Borak is a highly productive executive who sets the sales strategy for all three business units within Novagard. He partners with Marketing and Operations to develop innovative products to meet evolving customer needs. An inspiring leader, Joe empowers his team to take a customer-centric approach while growing their core business and gaining entry into new markets. By building and coaching high-performance teams, Joe delivers results that consistently exceed expectations.
Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Quality, and Regulatory
Robert is a senior technology executive with 20+ years leading complex technical organizations within specialty chemicals and advanced materials. He has a proven track record transforming functions into high-performing, customer-centric engines of growth. He is expert at driving disciplined innovation pipelines, strengthening operational rigor, and enhancing governance across global technical teams and critical business processes. Recognized for accelerating commercialization, developing next-generation material platforms, and building high-impact teams capable of delivering consistent, measurable business results. Robert is a strategic, collaborative leader who aligns technical capabilities, business priorities, and organizational culture to enable sustainable growth and competitive advantage.
Vice President, Operational Excellence
With over 30 years of experience transforming complex organizations, Thomas Smyth is a recognized leader in operational excellence, lean deployment, and enterprise performance improvement. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and chemical engineer by training, he has designed and led improvement models built on Hoshin Kanri, A3 thinking, and structured problem-solving — generating more than $100 million in impact. Thomas is known for aligning strategy with execution, accelerating value creation, and fostering a culture where improvement is truly a team sport.
Vice President, Quality
Wanda is an improvement-driven leader with over 20 years of management experience with the emphasis on quality control and compliance strategies. A certified Six Sigma Green Belt (PFMEA, Root Cause Analysis, Process Improvement), Wanda earned her M.B.A. from AGH University of Science and Technology (former University of Mining and Metallurgy) and a B.A. in Operations Management and Business Statistics from Cleveland State University. She has successfully developed a robust Quality department at Novagard and leads the organization through customer audits and the ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certification process.
Vice President, Marketing and Product Management
MK is a creative, hands-on executive with over 20 years of experience establishing and leading brands as the basis for building successful businesses, both for start-up companies and established midsize companies. Recently named Crain’s Cleveland Business “Who to Watch” in Technology, MK received an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Bowling Green State University and a law degree from Case Western Reserve University. He lives in Cleveland with his wife and two adorable cats.
