Dow’s CEO pick elevates a seasoned insider at a pivotal moment for the chemical giant

Dow is making a closely watched leadership change at a pivotal moment for the chemical industry.

The company said Thursday that Karen Carter, Dow’s current chief operating officer, will become CEO on July 1, 2026, succeeding Jim Fitterling, who has led the materials science giant since 2018. Fitterling will become executive chair of the board, and Carter will join Dow’s board on the same date. Independent lead director Richard Davis will remain in his role. 

The handoff caps what Dow described as a multiyear succession process and puts one of its most seasoned operators in the top job as the company contends with weak industrial demand, geopolitical uncertainty, and investor scrutiny of sustainability spending, plastics recycling, and capital discipline. 

When Carter takes over, she will join a small group of women running Fortune 500 companies and an even smaller group of Black women leading them. As of the June 2025 Fortune 500, 55 women held CEO roles, a record high, and only two were Black women. 

Inside Dow, her rise reflects a practical calculation. The board chose an executive with deep operational roots, long tenure, and experience across........

© Fortune