Home / Business and Economy / Dow COO Karen Carter to Succeed Jim Fitterling as CEO
Dow COO Karen Carter to Succeed Jim Fitterling as CEO
14 Apr
Summary
- Karen Carter will become CEO of Dow on July 1.
- Jim Fitterling transitions to executive board chair.
- Carter, 55, has been with Dow since 1994.

Dow has announced that Chief Operating Officer Karen Carter will succeed Jim Fitterling as the chemical company's chief executive. This significant leadership transition is set to take effect on July 1. Jim Fitterling, who has held the CEO position since August 2018 and served as board chair since April 2020, will move into the role of executive board chair on the same date.
Karen Carter, aged 55, brings extensive experience to her new role, having joined Dow in 1994. She has served as the Midland, Michigan-based company's chief operating officer since December 2024. This change in leadership marks the completion of a planned succession process that has been underway for several years.
Fitterling, a veteran with over four decades at Dow, will shift his focus to long-term strategy, governance, and important external relationships. Following the transition, Carter will join the board, increasing its total membership to 13 individuals.