Faces of Lubricants: Kim Polk
Sep 14, 2022
Kim Polk, product manager for Ingevity’s lubricants and lignin markets, has been with Ingevity for 4 years. Kim is enthusiastic, hardworking and results-oriented, with an exceptional willingness to continuously improve business processes. With her positive attitude and excellent customer service skills, it’s no surprise she spent the first couple years of her career as a senior global account representative with Ingevity’s performance materials business. She has a diverse background in product management, data analysis and customer relations, with vast experience creating solutions to accommodate growing businesses. We look forward to having her help manage our product portfolio while providing strategic feedback about how we can better serve our customers.
Name one thing about your work that gets you out of bed in the morning.
The challenge of something new. I thrive when given an opportunity to learn different things and wear many hats.
Describe where you grew up and how it’s special to you.
I grew up in upstate New York surrounded by a very large family. Since most of my extended family still lives there, going home to visit feels like a family reunion! Although I miss my family, I do not miss the frigid weather (hence why I moved to the south).
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
If it involves the outdoors, delicious food or live music – I’m there! I enjoy being outdoors and walking/running the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston. With Charleston’s diverse food scene, I also love finding new restaurants to try. As for live music, I’m a recent convert of The Grateful Dead and love listening to any local cover bands.
Do you have any unique hobbies or something you’d like to begin?
During the pandemic, I started to research the stock market with my dad which has been an entirely new world for me. Learning about day trading and the stock exchange has been absolutely mind-blowing!
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I’m a morning person, so I tend to be my most productive right after a morning cup of coffee. I prefer to knock out the most detail-oriented tasks early in my day!
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
I am fascinated by the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ and have been researching where I should go next. I visited Chichen Itza in Mexico and would love to experience some of the other landmarks on the list.
What does success mean to you?
Simply being happy with what I’m doing on a day-to-day basis.
Who inspires you to be better?
My boys (ages 20, 21 and 22) constantly inspire me.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a machinist in the Navy early in my career where I initially gained experience working with lubricants.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Hardworking, great listener and supportive.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
I’m a music fan who thoroughly enjoys singing. Being a professional singer would be incredible.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
The pandemic has motivated me to expand my exercise routine, so I’ve recently began using apps to try new workouts, such as yoga.
