Dow leaders achieve top recognition on 2020 EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model lists

For helping ethnic minority employees break down barriers in the workplace, five Dow leaders receive global recognition

MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow (NYSE: DOW) today announced that five leaders earned recognition on three 2020 EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model lists, including Top 20 Advocates, 100 Ethnic Minority Executives, and 100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders.

The EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model lists showcase business leaders who are breaking down barriers at work for ethnic minorities in the U.K., Ireland, Europe, and people of color in the United States and Canada. Honorees have achieved success in their own careers, and actively use their platform to advance inclusion in the workplace.

“Diversity in the workplace is a catalyst for business success,” said Karen S. Carter, chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer. “And in order to attract and retain the best talent worldwide, compete globally and deliver the most value to our stakeholders, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture. This recognition reflects the progress we have made, and we are committed to striving for more.”

Dow leaders named to the 2020 EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model lists include:

Top 20 Advocates List, #4
Jim Fitterling, chairman and chief executive officer
Executive sponsor, Global African Affinity Network

100 Ethnic Minority Executives List, #1
Mauro Gregorio, president, Dow Performance Materials & Coatings; Latin America oversight
Executive sponsor, Hispanic and Latin Network

100 Ethnic Minority Executives List, #44
Karen S. Carter, chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer

100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders List, #8
Rhonda Pelton, Operational Excellence Leader, TES Process Automation
Leadership council member, Global African Affinity Network

100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders List, #32
Kalyani Martinelango, business analytics leader, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics and Hydrocarbons
Global chair, Asian Diversity Network

On being named the number one Ethnic Minority Executive, Gregorio said, “I am humbled and honored to be recognized for the EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model Lists alongside my colleagues. This award is not only for me, but for all Dow colleagues I work with. I am proud of working for Dow, a company which values Inclusion & Diversity and has it as part of its DNA. I am able to integrate inclusion in my daily work with my colleagues and my interactions with customers, suppliers and community stakeholders who share the same values.”

The actions and behaviors for which the five leaders earned recognition on the EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model Lists are critical to addressing racism, inequality, and injustice in society. In a recent blog post, Fitterling wrote about the role of allies and advocacy in overcoming these issues. In the blog post, he also announced the implementation of Dow ACTs, a strategic framework and action plan to help address systemic racism in the U.S. focused on three areas: advocacy, community and talent. As part of this commitment, Dow has pledged $5 million over the next five years to help advance social justice and racial equality.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 109 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 36,500 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2019. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.