René Abrahams’ journey is anything but ordinary.
Born and raised in Durban during apartheid-era South Africa, René entered the workforce at a moment of profound national change. What followed was a career shaped by curiosity, courage, activism, and an unwavering belief in evolution, personally, professionally, and industrially.
From being among the first women to work in refinery laboratories, to leading trade-union negotiations for tens of thousands of workers, to shaping sustainable transformer fluids and now innovating synthetic esters at Perstorp, René has consistently chosen to be at the frontier of change rather than a passenger within it.
This episode goes far beyond job titles. It’s a deeply human conversation about freedom, identity, sustainability, leadership culture, and what it really means to stay curious over a 25+ year career.
Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Change was never optional - it was the environment
Growing up in a segregated South Africa meant René experienced injustice early, even if it felt “normal” as a child. Entering the workforce post-democracy shaped her adaptability, resilience, and willingness to challenge the status quo.
2️⃣ Reading opened the door to possibility
A love of books, so strong she exhausted her local library, planted the seeds for imagination, ambition, and a belief that other futures were possible beyond the environment she grew up in.
3️⃣ Leadership means driving the bus, not sitting on it
Whether in trade unions, technical committees, or innovation teams, René consistently steps forward to shape direction rather than wait for permission, a pattern that has defined her leadership style.
4️⃣ From environmental activism to sustainable lubrication
René’s move from environmental consulting into lubricants wasn’t a contradiction, it was an evolution. At Nynas, she became a leading technical voice on bio-based and re-refined transformer oils, helping utilities transition toward lower-carbon solutions.
5️⃣ Give me time - and I’ll master it
Initially uninterested in transformer fluids, René later took ownership of a 27-product portfolio, joined IEC technical committees, and represented Sweden internationally. Her lesson: don’t judge complexity too early — immersion changes everything.
6️⃣ Cultural intelligence matters as much as technical skill
Moving from South Africa to Sweden meant constantly adjusting to different definitions of “professional.” Over time, René stopped shrinking to fit rooms and started allowing rooms to adjust to her.
7️⃣ From activism to intentional peace
Having spent years fighting injustice, René now focuses on cultivating cultures of openness, collaboration, and calm. For her, high-performing teams are built on trust, not politics, posturing, or passive aggression.
8️⃣ Sustainability is still a journey, not a switch
Performance and price still dominate buyer decisions, but René sees steady progress. The key, she believes, is clarity: clear sustainability visions, stepwise transitions, and honesty about trade-offs.
9️⃣ Innovation happens at the frontier
Now at Perstorp, René is back in deep chemistry, formulating synthetic esters while bringing sustainability, performance, and market relevance together. It’s where she thrives most: building something new from the ground up.
🔟 Stay curious - always
René’s final advice is simple and powerful: life doesn’t narrow with age; we just become more intentional. Curiosity keeps possibility alive, in careers, industries, and life itself.
Connect with René
• LinkedIn: René Abrahams https://www.linkedin.com/in/ren%C3%A9-abrahams/
• Look out for René at industry events including ELGI and other European forums
Why Listen?
This episode is a masterclass in human leadership within a technical industry, if you care about:
• Sustainability beyond buzzwords
• Building inclusive, high-functioning teams
• Navigating identity, culture, and confidence
• Leading change without losing yourself
