Dow recently announced that four of its leaders have 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.

OUTstanding, a professional network for LGBT+ executives and their allies, has published these lists for the past seven years. 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.

Dow leaders honored as Top 100 Leading LGBT+ Executives include:

• Jim Fitterling, CEO, was ranked third on the list. 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 (ERGs), 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 also shares his insights by mentoring LGBT+ employees with the aim of making a long-term, sustained, and positive impact on their lives. In addition, 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, and vice president of Government Affairs and Advocacy, North America, was ranked eighteenth. 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. In addition, 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 include:

• Alberto Pino, Home Care marketing leader for Dow Latin America, was ranked eighth on the list. 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. He now 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. 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 for Dow Performance Silicones, was ranked sixteenth. 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.

“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, Dow’s chief inclusion officer and chief human resources officer. “Thanks to Jim, Louis, Alberto and Cory who are setting the example and leading the way to an inclusive culture for all.”

Additional details are available at www.dow.com. To view all of the OUTstanding lists, visit www.out-standing.org/nominations/2019-outstanding-lists.