Dow Names Karen S. Carter CEO as Jim Fitterling Becomes Executive Chair July 1, 2026
Dow will shift Jim Fitterling from Chair and CEO to Executive Chair on July 1, 2026, and appoint COO Karen S. Carter as CEO and board member under a multi-year succession plan. Carter brings 30 years at Dow, including oversight of its $40 billion sales operations across 29 sites, to execute strategy and foster innovation.
1. Leadership Transition Details
On July 1, 2026, Jim Fitterling will shift from his current roles as Chair and CEO to Executive Chair of Dow's Board, while Chief Operating Officer Karen S. Carter will assume the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Board member. Richard Davis will remain Independent Lead Director.
2. Succession Planning Rationale
The board says this multi-year succession plan is designed to maintain leadership continuity as Dow pursues its materials science strategy focused on high-growth, consumer demand-led markets. The transition leverages institutional knowledge while positioning a proven operations leader at the company's helm.
3. Jim Fitterling's Legacy
Since becoming CEO in 2018 and Board Chair in 2020, Fitterling guided Dow through the DowDuPont spin-out, macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, and advanced its sustainability ambitions, driving a culture centered on safety, performance and inclusion.
4. Karen Carter's Experience
Carter brings over three decades at Dow, having led the Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment—its largest operating unit—and overseen global operations across 29 manufacturing sites with $40 billion in annual sales. Her background in asset upgrades, capacity expansions and circular economy solutions underpins her mandate to drive innovation and growth.