After five years with Monument, most recently as VP, Global R&D and Strategy, Sibel Selcuk this month returned to the Heritage Research Group (HRG) as Executive VP. Sibel’s industry career began in 2006, when she joined HRG as a Research Chemist after earning her chemistry PhD at Louisiana State University. Sibel also oversees Heritage Group’s operations in Turkey and before coming to Monument served as The Heritage Group’s Chief Scientist. We recently caught up with her to reflect on her time with Monument and how it feels to move into the next chapter of her career.

Can you recall your first impressions of Monument when you joined it in 2018?

I was very impressed by how welcoming, accepting, and helpful my new colleagues were — and it didn’t take long for me to learn how flexible and adaptable they are, too. We went through a lot of change together and accomplished much — and our achievements over the last five years are much more about the team than about me!

How does it feel to leave Monument and begin your new job leading HRG?

I’m very excited — but it’s also bittersweet. When I joined Monument, I did not envision ever leaving — or that I would someday return to HRG. I came to Monument tasked with building a new global R&D organization to boost our collaborative, cross-functional opportunities and enhance our abilities to fuel Monument’s growth. Two years ago, I was asked to be responsible for defining our strategy and identifying our growth levers, and that work that was also very exciting to me. I loved my job and the people I got to work with. Monument and HRG will always feel like family to me, and I have this new opportunity because of how much you taught me, helped me grow as a leader, and prepared me for this next step. I look forward to always being part of the Monument and HRG family — you’re stuck with me!

What excites you most about what lies ahead for you with HRG?
It’s very exciting — and an honor — to return to lead the group I “grew up in.” It’s also humbling, because HRG is such an important part of The Heritage Group’s history — going all the way back to Amy’s grandfather, Fred Sr., who interviewed me for my first job and became one of my mentors. He understood, as Fred Jr. and Amy do, how important R&D and innovation is to The Heritage Group’s future. I’m also very much looking forward to partnering with Paul as fellow members of Amy’s Leadership Council to seek future opportunities for HRG and Monument to collaborate.

Is your career heading down a path you envisioned, or has it surprised you?

When I was finishing my PhD almost 20 years ago, I pictured myself working as a chemistry professor in Turkey — not as an industry executive in Indiana! In fact, I had two teaching jobs waiting for me in Turkey when I graduated. But I listened to a professor who was advising me when he suggested I look into industry — and here I am. Turns out, it was very good advice.

Speaking of advice, what career advice do you most often share?
My number-one piece of career advice is to not fear change. Change is challenging and can be difficult to manage, but it keeps us moving forward and open to new opportunities. I’ve made some big changes in my life — beginning with leaving Turkey and my family to come to the United States to continue my education. Leaving HRG to join Monument was another big change, and I remember feeling super nervous when I started. But I am very grateful I didn’t let uncertainties stop me then — or keep me from taking this next step in my path.