Nina Day: Leading a Plastic Revolution as a Mother and CEO

Nina Day, a woman, single mother, and CEO, shares her journey of resilience, sustainability, and breaking barriers in Germany’s male-dominated plastics industry.

From Part-Time Mother to CEO: “I Took the Leap Because I Had To”

Nina Day’s ascent to leadership as CEO was neither planned nor glamorous. As a single mother of two, she joined Metten Kunststoffprodukte GmbH as a part-time office assistant during her first pregnancy, seeking flexibility. But life had other plans. “I was left with nothing. For women, that means poverty. I wanted freedom – to make my own choices. I took that chance to be CEO.”

You can also read: Gender Bias In Design

When the company’s founder, Frank Metten, offered her the CEO role in 2022, she hesitated. “I feared not being taken seriously in a male-dominated field without a technical background,” she admits. But the COVID-19 pandemic, a divorce, and financial desperation pushed her. “I had no safety net. Failure wasn’t an option.”

Leading as a Woman: “I’m the Pirate Queen Here”

Only 11% of plastics industry leaders in Germany are women. Often the sole woman in boardrooms, Nina navigates this with humor and grit.

On being underestimated

“At supplier or customer meetings, they address male colleagues. I correct them – politely, but firmly.”

Her secret? A childhood obsession with pirate lore. “I loved stories of female pirates commanding ships full of men. Now I’m one!” she laughs.

Advice to women:

“You don’t need an invitation. Make yourself visible – even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Juggling CEO Life and Single Motherhood: “Sleep Is for the Weak”

Nina’s day starts at 5 AM: packing lunches, managing two cats, and hustling her kids to daycare. “I’m always the last parent at pickup,” she admits.

On her ruthless routine:

“My routine is discipline: kids, work, sleep – in that order. Sometimes step three gets skipped.”

Her children, aged 6 and 12, are her “biggest critics and fans.” Her eldest son tracks her LinkedIn followers, while her daughter criticizes her work trips. “They know Mom’s job pays for our home. But they still cry when I leave.”

On societal judgment: “People judge me for putting my kids in daycare at age one. But as a single mother, I had to go to work –didn’t want to leave my kids, but I had no choice.”

Metten’s Sustainable Vision: “We Built This for My Children’s Future”

Metten Kunststoffprodukte GmbH, a mid-sized plastics manufacturer in Germany, stands out in an industry often criticized for environmental harm. Their factory, redesigned in 2019, is a sustainability showcase:

• Cradle-to-Cradle certification
• Soy-based flooring and clay plaster walls
• Energy-efficient production lines

On Balancing Industry and Ethics:

“Plastic isn’t evil – bad practices are. Our duty as manufacturers is to do it right. For my children.”

Despite global headwinds like trade wars and supply chain chaos, Nina focuses on local solutions. “We work with German suppliers. It’s costlier, but reliability matters more.”

Global Challenges, Local Solutions: “Bureaucracy Is Our Biggest Enemy”

Nina’s frustrations mirror Germany’s Status: 72% of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) cite bureaucracy as their top growth barrier.

On politics: “We don’t need subsidies – we need fewer forms. Let us work!” She recalls the 2018 U.S.-China trade war: “Smaller suppliers collapsed overnight. We survived by diversifying – but policymakers don’t see the chaos they cause.”

The Future: “More Women, Less Talk”

With women comprising just 11% of plastics workers, Nina avoids “women-only” networks.

On real change: “This industry doesn’t need quotas – it needs respect for skill. Prove yours, and doors open.”

Her vision for Metten? “To be a model for sustainable, human-centric manufacturing. And to show my kids that hard work builds futures.”

Rapid-Fire Round

• Motto: “Freedom through responsibility.”)
• Desk essentials: “Kids’ drawings and a prototype.”
• Unwind ritual: “Early to bed – if I’m lucky.”