Dow announced today that, effective immediately, Karen S. Carter, president of Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications. Their global breadth, asset integration, scale-focused innovation, leading business positions, and commitment to sustainability enable the company to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. The company operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Carter’s History and Career
Carter joined Dow in 1994 and has held a broad progression of leadership positions in her 30-year career at the company, including business operations, sales and marketing, and human resources. Her career features international experience and extensive global business leadership positions in building and construction, polyethylene, engineering thermoplastics, fabricated products, information technology equipment, and consumer electronics.
Additionally, Carter is on the board of directors for Southwire, a leading manufacturer of wire and cable used in the transmission and distribution of electricity, delivering power to millions worldwide. She is also on the board of directors for the Great Lakes Bay Region Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Carter serves as the chair of the Business Leaders Committee on the State of Michigan’s Black Leadership Advisory Council, a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and chair of the Catalyst Board of Advisors.
Carter’s Role at Dow
Moving forward, Carter will drive business and operational performance across the organization, focusing on strengthening customer engagement and relationships, accelerating the commercialization of Dow’s innovation pipeline, and enhancing the Company’s reliability and service to customers. She will oversee Dow’s business operating segments—Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings. In addition, Dow’s Integrated Supply Chain, Purchasing, Information Systems, and Commercial organizations will align with Carter. She will continue reporting to Dow Chair and Chief Executive Officer Jim Fitterling and join the Company’s Executive Committee. She will continue to be based in Midland, Michigan.
As Jim Fitterling surmised, “Karen is a proven leader with over three decades of experience at Dow delivering strong business results. She has an excellent track record of operating discipline, maintaining close relationships with key partners and customers, and driving innovation across the organization. She has successfully led our largest business and played critical leadership roles in other essential business and functional teams within Dow, always focusing on developing and maintaining high-performing teams. As COO, she will work closely with me and our executive team to drive growth and value creation across our operating segments while continuing to provide innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers.”
Most recently, Carter served as President of Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics (P&SP) operating segment, one of the world’s largest suppliers of polyethylene resins and functional polymers with more than $23 billion in annual sales. Under her leadership, P&SP has expanded cost-efficient capacity through asset upgrades, production expansions, and improved reliability. In partnership with customers and brand owners, Carter has led the development of innovative solutions that are helping to enable a circular economy. This includes the launch of circular product lines, such as REVOLOOP™ Recycled Plastic Resins and INNATE™ Precision Packaging Resins, and the acquisition of Circulus and strategic partnerships to scale circular feedstock supply.
Immediately before leading P&SP, Carter served as Dow’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Inclusion Officer. She successfully institutionalized a culture where all employees could grow and thrive, fully contributing to Dow’s business strategy and long-term value growth.
