Karen S. Carter is set to become the first African American woman to be CEO of Dow Inc, taking over on July 1. She will succeed Jim Fitterling after more than 30 years with the company.
Dow Inc confirmed the leadership change, marking a historic moment for the 126-year-old company, which has never had a Black woman in its top leadership role. Carter currently serves as chief operating officer and will officially step into the CEO position when Fitterling transitions into an executive chair role.
“I am deeply honored to assume the role of CEO and lead Dow into our next chapter,” Carter said, according to BET.
Her appointment also stands out across corporate America, where Black women remain underrepresented in CEO positions. She joins a small group of Black female leaders heading Fortune 500 companies, including Thasunda Brown Duckett of TIAA and Joi Harris of DTE Energy. Across the Fortune 500, only around 50 women currently serve as CEOs.
Carter’s entire career has been built at Dow. She started in 1994 as an intern and steadily moved into leadership roles across operations, sales, human resources, and diversity. She later led Packaging & Specialty Plastics, the company’s largest business unit.
Over the years, she has also gained industry recognition, including being named in Black Enterprise’s “Top Executives in Diversity” and “Most Powerful Women in Corporate America” lists, highlighting her long track record within the company.
Dow leadership credited her experience and deep understanding of the business as key reasons for her promotion. Richard Davis, Dow’s independent lead director, said she is well prepared to lead the company into its next phase of growth, noting her strong knowledge of customers and operations.
SOURCE: blackbusiness.com