Karen S. Carter Becomes First Woman to Lead Dow

The veteran executive assumed the role of chief executive officer on July 1, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in People

Karen S. Carter Becomes First Woman to Lead Dow

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Karen S. Carter officially took over as the chief executive officer of Dow on July 1, 2026. She is the first woman to lead the company in its history.

Why it matters

Carter's appointment follows a strategic succession plan to transition leadership at the chemical giant. Jim Fitterling transitioned into the role of executive chair as part of this organizational change.

Dow reported approximately $40 billion in total sales during the 2025 fiscal year. This financial performance serves as the primary baseline for the company's fiscal standing heading into the new leadership term.

The players

Karen S. Carter

She is the first woman to serve as chief executive officer of Dow.

Jim Fitterling

He transitioned to the role of executive chair of Dow.

Dow

This global chemical corporation maintains a significant presence in international markets.

The details

Carter, who joined Dow in 1994, previously served as the company's chief operating officer and led the Packaging & Specialty Plastics business from 2022 to 2024. She holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Howard University and a master's degree in international business from DePaul University.

1994: Karen S. Carter joined Dow.
2022-2024: Carter led the company's Packaging & Specialty Plastics business.
2025: Dow reported approximately $40 billion in sales.
April 2026: The company announced its formal succession plan.
July 1, 2026: Karen S. Carter became chief executive officer.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition follows the path outlined in the April 2026 Dow succession plan. It represents a significant shift in corporate governance as the company seeks to maintain its competitive position in the global chemical sector.

The transition to new leadership is an internal corporate governance change and does not immediately alter retail pricing or product availability for customers. Investors may continue to monitor the company's quarterly performance reports for signals regarding future strategy.

The takeaway

Carter brings decades of experience to the role after rising through the ranks at Dow since 1994. Her leadership marks a historic milestone for the organization as it looks toward future operations following a $40 billion revenue year.