Empowering Black Entrepreneurship: Stories of Success, Strategy & Growth
- Board's multi-year succession planning supports continuity as Dow advances its strategy as a leading materials science company.
- Richard Davis praised Karen S. Carter as a disciplined, respected leader with deep business understanding, trusted to drive growth and value creation.
- Karen S. Carter brings more than three decades at Dow, with deep operational expertise and a strong track record delivering results company-wide.
- As Chief Operating Officer, she oversaw operating segments, key functional organizations, strengthened customer engagement and accelerated innovation.
- Former President of Packaging & Specialty Plastics, she led asset upgrades, capacity expansions and circular economy initiatives, partnering with Jim as Executive Chair.
The Dow Board of Directors has appointed Karen S. Carter, currently Chief Operating Officer, as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. Carter will also join Dow’s Board of Directors at that time.
This announcement reflects the culmination of a multi-year, thoughtful succession planning process and supports continuity as Dow continues to advance its strategy as a world leading materials science company.
“We are equally pleased to congratulate Karen on her appointment as CEO. She is a disciplined, highly respected leader with a deep understanding of Dow’s businesses and customers. This appointment reflects our confidence in her ability to lead Dow forward into its next chapter of growth and value creation for customers, employees and shareholders,” said Richard Davis, Dow’s Independent Lead Director.
A Proven Leader to Lead Dow Forward
Karen S. Carter brings more than three decades of experience at Dow, with deep operational expertise and a strong track record of delivering results across the enterprise. As Chief Operating Officer, she has overseen business and operational performance company-wide, with responsibility for Dow’s operating segments and key functional organizations, while strengthening customer engagement and accelerating innovation.
Previously, Carter served as President of Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics, the company’s largest operating segment, where she led value growth through asset upgrades, capacity expansions and improved reliability, while advancing circular economy solutions in close partnership with customers and brand owners. She has also held senior leadership roles across business, commercial, and corporate functions, giving her a uniquely holistic perspective on Dow’s operations.
“I am deeply honored to assume the role of CEO and lead Dow into our next chapter,” said Carter. “Dow has extraordinary people, world-class assets and leading positions in the markets we serve. Our focus remains unwavering: delivering reliable and innovative solutions for our customers, and long-term value for our employees and our shareholders, while accelerating our transformation to set a new competitive standard for best-in-class performance. I look forward to continuing my partnership with Jim in his new role as Executive Chair, and to working with the Board and all of Team Dow to advance our strategy and deliver on our priorities.”
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