Dow announced its Board of Directors has nominated Jerri DeVard, former executive vice president and chief customer officer for Office Depot, Inc., to stand for election at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 14. All other incumbent directors have also been nominated for election at the Annual Meeting.
With more than 30 years of marketing and leadership experience at large global brands, Ms. DeVard brings significant leadership expertise in the strategic, operational and financial aspects of integrated and online marketing including expertise in brand management, customer engagement and e-commerce. She also brings extensive governance experience in consumer products, e-commerce, social impact, change management and digital transformation across national and global enterprise. Ms. DeVard demonstrates strong advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion objectives, including as founder of the Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA).
“Jerri has a proven ability to consistently create value for a wide variety of stakeholders,” said Jim Fitterling, Dow chairman and CEO. “She brings significant business expertise across all aspects of marketing, digitalization and e-commerce, robust governance experience and a strong passion and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Jerri will be an outstanding addition to Dow’s Board of Directors and we look forward to the perspectives and contributions she will bring to our Company and our stakeholders.”
Ms. DeVard’s nomination to Dow’s Board of Directors aligns with the company’s focus on board succession planning and refreshment, which includes maintaining an appropriate balance of relevant skills and diverse experiences, including senior leadership, global business, capital allocation, financial acumen, technology expertise, marketing backgrounds and operational and ESG experience.
Dow’s board ranks in the top quartile for ethnic diversity among industry peers. Dow’s board is also comprised of a strong balance of new and highly experienced directors, with more than half of the independent directors joining in the past three years.
The board will announce updates to committee assignments following the Annual Meeting.