Dow announced the appointment of Karen S. Carter, president of Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.
Carter will oversee business and operational performance across Dow’s segments, focusing on customer engagement, accelerating innovation commercialization and enhancing reliability and service. Her responsibilities include strategic oversight of Dow's Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure and Performance Materials & Coatings segments. Additionally, Dow’s Integrated Supply Chain, Purchasing, Information Systems and Commercial organizations will align under her leadership. She will report to Dow Chair and Chief Executive Officer Jim Fitterling and join the Executive Committee. Carter remains based in Midland, Michigan.
"Karen is a proven leader with more than three decades of experience at Dow delivering strong business results," said Fitterling. "She has an excellent track record of operating discipline, maintaining close relationships with key partners and customers, and driving innovation across the organization. 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."
Carter joined Dow in 1994, progressing through leadership roles in business operations, sales, marketing and human resources. Most recently, as president of Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics (P&SP) segment, she led the development of solutions advancing the circular economy, including the REVOLOOP™ and INNATE™ product lines. Her tenure as Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Inclusion Officer institutionalized a culture of inclusivity, aligning employee growth with business strategy.
Carter also serves on the boards of Southwire and the Great Lakes Bay Region Boys and Girls Clubs of America. She chairs the Business Leaders Committee on Michigan’s Black Leadership Advisory Council and serves on the Executive Leadership Council and Catalyst Board of Advisors.
