(Business Wire) MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow (NYSE: DOW) today announced that four leaders earned recognition on two 2019 OUTstanding lists – LGBT+ Executives and LGBT+ Future Leaders. Two of these individuals ranked in the top 10 for their respective categories.
2019 marks the seventh year OUTstanding, a professional network for LGBT+ executives and their allies, has published these lists. Annual rankings are based on a review process of nominees selected among professionals actively contributing to an environment where employees feel safe, respected and valued both within and outside of the workplace.
“In order to attract and retain the best talent worldwide, compete globally and deliver the most value to our stakeholders, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture – both at Dow and in our communities,” said Karen S. Carter, chief inclusion officer and chief human resources officer, Dow. “Thanks to Jim, Louis, Alberto and Cory who are setting the example and leading the way to an inclusive culture for all.”
Dow leaders honored as Top 100 Leading LGBT+ Executives:
Jim Fitterling , Chief Executive Officer, Dow, #3
Fitterling is leading the charge at Dow to enhance the company’s culture and accelerate workplace inclusion and diversity. Known for his dedication to equality, inclusion and diversity, Fitterling came out in 2014 and is a strong proponent of Dow’s 10 employee resource groups (ERG), including GLAD, Dow’s LGBT+ and ally ERG. As the first board-elected “out executive” named to a Fortune 100 CEO role, he continues to be instrumental in Dow’s ongoing drive toward inclusion and LGBT+ equality. Fitterling continues to set an example among top LGBT+ and ally executives both at Dow and around the world as he advocates for inclusion and diversity. Fitterling also shares his insights by mentoring LGBT+ employees with the aim of making a long-term, sustained and positive impact on their lives. Additionally, in September, he joined the Out Leadership Global Advisory Board. Recently, during Fitterling’s first year as CEO, the Company earned the 37th place on the 2019 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list from Diversity, Inc. – 13 places higher than the previous year.
Louis A. Vega; President, North America; Vice President, Government Affairs and Advocacy, North America; #18
An outspoken supporter for a more inclusive culture, Vega is committed to bringing his passion for issues of equality to the business and government realms. A prominent role model both in and out of the Company, Vega engages with organizations around the world to drive change and greater understanding as an advocate for equality. In his everyday role, Louis is engaged in conversations with elected officials and industry leaders on the benefits of an inclusive workplace for all employees to drive business results. He has utilized these relationships to promote and champion equality, testifying in support of the bipartisan passage of the Equality Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. His longtime engagement, philanthropy, volunteerism and visible leadership have been recognized by many organizations and honors, as evidenced by his multi-year inclusion on the OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Models list. Additionally, while living in Australia, Vega was named to Australia’s 50 outstanding LGBTI business executives list in 2018.
Dow leaders chosen as Top 50 LGBT+ Future Leaders:
Alberto Pino, Home Care Marketing Leader, Dow Latin America, #8
As the founder of Dow’s GLAD Mexico City chapter, Pino has spearheaded Dow’s efforts in Latin America for many years, raising awareness and driving culture change related to LGBT+ inclusion. Now, he oversees Dow’s partnerships with LGBT+-related NGOs worldwide, collaborating with these organizations to help drive a more inclusive culture at Dow and around the world. His charismatic personality and dedication to fostering equality have earned him speaking invitations all over the world, where he has delivered impassioned presentations that share best practices and strategies for advancing inclusion. Pino helped found Pride Connection in 2014, the first Mexican association for companies supporting the LGBT+ community, which now boasts more than 100 corporate members.
Cory Valente, Senior R&D Manager, Dow Performance Silicones, #16
Valente previously served as global leader for Dow’s LGBT+ and ally employee resource group, GLAD, for nearly five years, setting and implementing the network’s strategic priorities in alignment with goals related to enhancing corporate reputation, promoting culture change and encouraging equitable policies and practices. He continues to collaborate with Dow colleagues and leaders globally, championing a fully inclusive workplace and world. During his tenure, GLAD grew to more than 4,500 participants around the world, and LGBTQ+ employee engagement increased to the highest levels Dow has seen. Valente also ensures that Dow maintains strong partnerships with thought-leading external organizations, including OUTstanding, Out and Equal (O&E), and many others.
Leading the way on inclusion and equality
A top global employer recognized as an advocate of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) inclusion and equality, Dow offers LGBT+ colleagues best-in-class policies and practices including equal benefits to same-sex partners for health, dental and life insurance as well as bereavement leave, relocation, survivor benefits and dual career assistance. The Company’s employee resource group for LGBT+ and ally employees, GLAD, was founded in 2000. With 35 chapters globally, the group continues to grow, recently opening chapters in Mumbai, India; Shanghai, China; and Tel Aviv, Israel, Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand.
Dow also works to help shape public policy for fair and equal treatment of all LGBT+ citizens through state and federal advocacy efforts in the U.S. Dow has achieved unparalleled progress in LGBT+ equality in the workplace and beyond, gaining national recognition for its inclusive culture and standards. Beginning in 2005, Dow has received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for 14 consecutive years – the first company in the chemical industry to receive this recognition.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines one of the broadest technology sets in the industry with asset integration, focused innovation and global scale to achieve profitable growth and become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow’s portfolio of performance materials, industrial intermediates and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for our customers in high-growth segments, such as packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 113 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,000 people. Dow delivered pro forma sales of approximately $50 billion in 2018. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.