News Release

October 25, 2018 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Top Honors Go to Dow Leaders on OUTstanding’s 2018 Leading LGBT+ and Ally Professionals Lists

Notable contributions to an inclusive workplace environment garner national recognition for Dow leaders

MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”), today announces that five leaders earned recognition on three 2018 OUTstanding lists – LGBT+ Executives, Ally Executives and LGBT+ Future Leaders – several of them making the top 10 in their respective categories.

2018 marks the sixth year that Financial Times has published these lists established by OUTstanding, a professional network for LGBT+ executives and their allies. Annual rankings are based on a review process of nominees selected among professionals actively contributing to an environment where employees feel safe, respected and valued both within and outside of the workplace.

“I am proud to see several Dow leaders being recognized by a prestigious organization such as OUTstanding for setting an example and standing up for an inclusive global workplace,” said Karen S. Carter, Dow’s chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer. “Inclusion is a business imperative for Dow, fully integrated into the Company’s corporate strategy. We are and will continue to champion equal rights for all employees and encourage culture change in our communities.”

Dow Leaders Honored as Top 100 Leading LGBT+ Executives:

Jim Fitterling, Chief Executive Officer, Dow, and Chief Operating Officer, DowDuPont Materials Science Division, #1

Fitterling, who moved up to the No. 1 ranking on this year’s list, is leading the charge at Dow to strengthen workplace inclusion and diversity. Known for his dedication to equality, inclusion and diversity, Fitterling came out in 2014 and is a strong proponent of Dow’s 10 employee resource groups including GLAD, which focuses on LGBT+ and ally employees. As the first “out executive” named to a Fortune 100 CEO role, he continues to be instrumental in Dow’s ongoing drive toward inclusion and LGBT+ equality. Fitterling continues to set an example among top LGBT+ and ally executives both at Dow and around the world as he seeks to further advocacy efforts for inclusion and diversity. Fitterling also shares his insights by mentoring LGBT+ employees with the aim of making a difference in their lives.

“This year’s recognition by OUTstanding is a great honor. Dow strives to create an inclusive environment where our people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work each day and making their fullest contribution,” said Fitterling. “Inclusion is a core piece of our business strategy and is vital to our success as a company.”

Louis A. Vega, President & Managing Director, Dow Australia & New Zealand and Vice President, Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions, #42

An outspoken supporter for a culture of inclusion to ensure every employee feels valued and is treated with equal opportunity to succeed, Vega is committed to bringing his passion for issues of equality to the business and sporting communities. A prominent role model both within and outside of the Company, Vega engages with organizations across the globe to drive change and greater understanding as an advocate for a culture of equality. His longtime engagement, philanthropy, volunteerism and visible leadership have been recognized by many organizations and honors, as evidenced by his multi-year inclusion on the OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Models list as well as being named to Australia’s 50 outstanding LGBTI business executives of 2018.

Dow Leader Recognized as Top 50 Leading Ally Executive:

Larry Ryan, President, Dow North America and Growth Platforms and Technologies, #8

Dedicated to driving inclusion in the workplace, community and at home, Ryan has been an active member and executive sponsor of Dow’s GLAD employee resource group. He continues to underscore the importance of LGBT+ inclusion, especially in recruiting and talent management. Ryan, who has long promoted inclusion and diversity for professional reasons, also supports it for personal reasons in light of his son’s recent coming out. A member of the PFLAG Board of Directors, Ryan believes that inclusive and diverse workplaces allow innovation and employees to thrive. He is spearheading the drive to move allies to true advocates who foster change in the workplace and society.

Dow Leaders Chosen as Top 50 LGBT+ Future Leaders

Alberto Pino, Customer Experience and Digital Market Place Leader, Dow Latin America, #2

As the founder of Dow’s GLAD Mexico City chapter, Pino spearheads Dow’s efforts in Latin America to raise awareness and drive culture change related to LGBT+ inclusion. He has engaged notable guest speakers and organized creative seminars connecting social activities to diversity issues. Pino helped found Pride Connection in 2014, the first Mexican association for companies supporting the LGBT+ community, now 54 corporate members strong. He is active in the local and global community as a leader in the inclusion and diversity arena.

Cory Valente, Senior R&D Manager, Dow Performance Silicones, #34

Valente serves as global leader for Dow’s GLAD employee resource group on LGBT+ inclusion and equality, setting and implementing the network’s strategic priorities in alignment with goals related to enhancing corporate reputation, promoting culture change and encouraging equitable policies and practices. He collaborates with Dow colleagues globally to work towards the vision of a fully inclusive workplace for Dow employees both at work at in the communities where they live. The GLAD network has grown to more than 4,000 participants in over 100 countries globally under Valente’s leadership. Valente also ensures that Dow maintains strong partnerships with various organizations including OUTstanding, Out and Equal (O&E), PFLAG, Victory Institute, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.

Paving the Way for Inclusion and Equality

A leading global employer recognized as an advocate of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) inclusion and equality, Dow offers LGBT+ colleagues best-in-class policies and practices including equal benefits to same-sex partners for health, dental and life insurance as well as bereavement leave, relocation, survivor benefits and dual career assistance. The Company’s GLAD employee resource group was founded in 2000. With more than 45 chapters around the world, the group continues to grow with new chapters recently opened in Mumbai, India; Shanghai, China; and Tel Aviv, Israel, Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand.

Dow also works to help shape public policy for fair and equal treatment of all LGBT+ citizens through state and federal advocacy efforts in the U.S. Dow has achieved unparalleled progress in LGBT+ equality in the workplace and beyond, gaining national recognition for its inclusive culture and standards. Beginning in 2005, Dow has received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for 13 consecutive years – the first company in the chemical industry to receive this recognition.

About Dow

The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) combines science and technology knowledge to develop premier materials science solutions that are essential to human progress. Dow has one of the strongest and broadest toolkits in the industry, with robust technology, asset integration, scale and competitive capabilities that enable it to address complex global issues. Dow’s market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of advanced materials, industrial intermediates, and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of differentiated technology-based products and solutions for customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, and consumer care. Dow is a subsidiary of DowDuPont (NYSE: DWDP), a holding company comprised of Dow and DuPont with the intent to form three strong, independent, publicly traded companies in agriculture, materials science and specialty sectors. More information can be found at www.dow.com.